TDF, Stage 18: Allez, Allez, Allez!

Over virtually every kilometer of the Tour de France, the fans along the side of the road yell, "Allez, allez, allez!"  Today it must have been Rafal Majka (UAE Team Emirates) yelled to his team leader (and Maillot Jaune), Tadej Pogacar as he came off the wheel of his teammate.  Usually, the leader will wait until his last teammate does one final pull and then swings off.  Pogacar caught the other GC riders by surprise by going out from behind the wheel of his last domestique.  At first the other two domestiques left, Jonathan Castroveijo (Ineos-Grenadiers) and Sepp Kuss (Jumbo-Visma) were able to match the acceleration for their respective team leaders, Richard Carapaz and Jonas Vingegaard.  The five opened a bit of a gap on Enric Mas (Movistar) who was trying to defend his position on his own. There are another four kilometers to climb to the final mountain top finish of this Tour de France.  So there is plenty of room to fight out the rest of the GC positions.  I doubt there is enough road left to unseat Pogacar and his five and a half minute lead on those behind him in GC and on this stretch of road.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above.  Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3824251-121-291436/Painting/allez-allez-allez-tdf21-120.html

TDF, Stage 17: Who Can Respond?

Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) has a five and a half minute lead over the rest of the peloton, so he really only needed to stay within site of his main GC rivals.  But that isn't his style.  Once his last remaining teammate swung off on the climb of the Col du Portet, he launch and attack from the front of the group.  At first it was only Jonathan Castroveijo (Ineos-Grenadiers) who could match the acceleration.  But when he realized that his team leader, Richard Carapaz wasn't coming, he back of just a bit.  Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) upped his paced and caught back up, as did Carapaz a little later.  The true victim of the attack was Rigoberto Uran (EF Education-Nippo) who lost some big time today, and his step of the current podium.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above.  Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3824084-111-291436/Painting/who-can-respond-tdf21-110.html

TDF, Stage 17: What Can We Do?

The main contenders road behind the Maillot Jaune wondering just how they were going to upset his lead of over five minutes in the general classification.  Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) has seemed invincible in the climbs through the Alps, and it doesn't seem as if the Pyrennes are going to be any different.  He still has one last teammate, Rafal Majka, setting such a pace that none of those behind could launch an attack with just eight kilometers left to ride in the stage.  On the wheel of Pogacar was Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) with his American teammate, Sepp Kuss.  Behind that quartet, Jonathan Castroveijo (Ineos-Grenadiers) looks over at his leader, Richard Carapaz, seemingly asking, "What can we do?"  Wilco Kelderman (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Ben O'Connor (Ag2r-Citroen) were two more left to follow the wheel of the probable winner of the 2021 Tour de France.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above.  Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3824077-110-291436/Painting/what-can-we-do-tdf21-109.html

TDF, Stage 15: Getting Reinforcements

Team Ineos-Grenadiers set out with a perfect plan to help their sole leader, Richard Carapaz move up the GC (hopefully).  They used Richie Porte, Michal Kwiatkowski and Tao Geoghegan Hart leading up to the final climb of the day.  Once they were spent, they called Jonathan Castroveijo and Dylvan Baarle back from the early break to help push the pace now that the Maillot Jaune was isolated.  It is Van Baarle who is closes to the camera moto looking back to see when he should pick is pace back up.  They weren't able to get rid of Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates), but their fast descent dropped the guy in second place, Guillaume Martin (Cofidis).  In fact, Martin was the only contender they were able to dislodge from the very elite group of the Miallot Jaune.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above.  Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3823340-95-291436/Painting/getting-reinforcements-tdf21-94.html

TDF, Stae 8: He Might Get Yellow

Despite Tadej Pogacar being up the road, it was entirely possible that Wout Van Aerts (Jumbo-Visma) would be the new Maillot Jaune.  Van Aerts had started the day with roughly two minutes on the young rider from Slovenia.  All Van Aerts has to do is get home within two minutes of the time of Pogacar.  Spoiler alert, he didn't make it.  Joining Van Aerts was Jonathan Castroviejo (Ineos-Grenadiers) who had done what he could for his team leader Carapaz.  Unfortuantely for Van Aerts, he was going to get any help from Castroviejo, his team leader was gaining time on the Belgium champion in hopes of taking over second place for himself.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above.  Since ti is an original work of art, it is a first come first seved reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburth watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3821767-49-291436/Painting/he-might-get-yellow-tdf21-48.html

TDF, Stage 3: Looking a Little Better

At first Ineos-Grenadiers didn't send anyone to help Geraint Thomas chase back to the peloton.  I later learned that he had dislocated his shoulder in the crash.  The doctors put it back where it belonged and then he was up and riding again (!!!!!!!).  I think the team didn't want to jeopardize the classification standings of the rest of the team until they knew Thomas was going to be able to finish the stage.  Has he began to feel better more and more teammates appeared to help with the chase.  It fell to Luke Rowe, Johathan Castroviejo and Richie Porte to come back, while the others stayed up with their now sole team leader, Richard Carapaz.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above.  Since ti is an original work of art, it is a first come first seved reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburth watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3820641-15-291436/Painting/looking-a-little-better-tdf21-15.html

Tour, Stage 7: Hoping to Get Back

Richard Carapaz (Ineos-Grenadiers) had the misfortune of getting a puncture inside of the last 20 kilometers.  With the front peloton is full flight, it was going to be very hard for the Ecuadorian to have a chance to chase back onto the front group.  So in what I, and others, thought was a very rare tactical mistake, Ineos-Grenadiers sent Jonathan Castroviejo back to help his teammate in the chase.  Together they were unsuccessful, eventually being caught by the next group on the road.  Now instead of one of their super domestiques losing a minute or two, they now have dropped two of their options out of contention.  And they burned the legs of two more riders ahead of tomorrow's very tough mountain stage.  In addition, they but their leader at risk should he have had a mechanical as well with only one remaining teammate to assist.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2020/3692280-44-282744/Painting/hoping-to-get-back-tdf20-39.html

Tour, Stage 6: It Is What They Do

Team Ineos-Grenadiers has been conspicuous in its absence thus far in this Tour de France.  Finally, today on the last climb, they put all of the team that could on the front of the peloton on the way up the Col de la Luscetter.  Jonathan Castroviejo and Richard Carapaz were the last two driving the pace for their team leader, Egan Bernal.  Bernal is the defending champion of the Tour but it isn't feeling like his team is as strong as it has been over the last decade.  Behind Ineos-Grenadiers, Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) look quite comfortable in his oddly claimed Maillot Jaune.  He clearly has the legs to merit the leader's jersey, but he didn't take it over by out riding the erstwhile leader.

Yesterday, Julian Alaphilippe was penalized 20 seconds for taking a bottle from a soigneur inside the final 20 kilometers.  The rules are clear about when and where riders can take bottles and food, but it seems to me that the soigneur was the one at fault, Alaphilippe just took the bottle when it was offered.  To other riders on other teams were equally penalized, but it was losing the lead that made the news for Deceuninck-Quick Step.  He has been gracious (and grabbed back a couple of seconds at the finish today).

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2020/3690726-37-282744/Painting/it-is-what-they-do-tdf20-32.html

Yorkshire 2019 - Elite Men's Road Race: He's Had Enough

The length (258 kilometers) and the weather conditions did not make for many happy riders.  Once someone cracked on the steepest of climbs on the Harrogate circle, it wasn't far to the team support area.  It had to be way too tempting to just pull off the road and leave the race.  For Jonathan Castroviego (Spain) he had the added dis-incentive that his team leader (and defending World Champion) Alejandro Valverde, had all ready abandon the defense of his jersey.  I would say it wasn't a day for those of sunny climes, but many nordic riders had already abandoned the race as well.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

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Tour, Final Stage: Cheers!

The final stage of the Tour de France is broken into two distinct parts.  First the riders amble along on the way to Paris, chatting, visiting each other, and celebrating the fact that they have finished the incredible effort of racing the Tour de France.  Another tradition is the toast by the winning team, or the team of the winner toasting each other over a fight well fought.  Team Sky has been doing the arm and arm riding across the finish line for a while now, but today they road together toasting the horde of press motorcycles and photographers and each other.  Only one of the team didn't make it to Paris.  Gainni Moscon lost his temper and punched another contestant forcing his ejection from the race.  On Geraint Thomas's right are Michal Kwiatkowski and Chris Froome (who was the one in Yellow for four previous Tours de France) and on his left are Wout Poels and Luke Rowe.  Sadly, Egan Bernal and Jonathan Castroviejo were just out of frame.  Froome's work on behalf of his teammate and friend have forced me to re-evalutate my opinion of him.  He was kind, generous and did all he could once it was clear that Thomas was going to be the best place in the team, and that he would carry the Maillot Jaune to Paris.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2018/3196290-114-251072/PaintingCheers!--T18-113.html

This painting is sold!

Doha 2016, Men's Elite ITT: Building All of the Way

Like Maciej Bodnar (Poland) before him, Jonathan Castroviejo (Spain) had been building his speed as he checked off the kilometers.  And unfortunately for Bodnar, Castroviejo also posted a new best time as he crossed the line just over a minute behind the Polish rider.  And again like Bodnar, Castroviejo wouldn't get to relish his best time long.  Tony Martin was less than a minute behind him, as well.  Martin's best time, however, was the best time of the day.  Castroviejo held on for the Bronze medal.  Last year's champion for Richmond 2015, Vasil Kiryienka (Belarus) also came in better than the Spaniard claiming the Silver medal for his efforts, thus passing on his Rainbow Jersey back to the German.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2864526-40-227958/PaintingBuilding%20All%20of%20the%20Way%20Doha40-Greig-Leach.html#.V_56IOArLIU