Tour '25, Stage 3: A Solo Effort for a Sole Point

Right before Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates) went off the front of the peloton, he could be seen talking with those around him on the front line of the group.  It almost looked like he was asking permission to go off on this solo raid for the lone KOM point on the top of the only climb of the day.  Whether he was allowed to go, or simple had the power to ride off on his own, he came alone to the top of Mont Cassel.  He claimed the one point towards the King of the Mountains competition taking the jersey off of his team leader, Tadej Pogacar.  There was some speculation that this would allow Pogacar more time to recover by not be obliged to go to the podium presentations nor sit for post-race interviews.  The other possibility is that he would rather be in his rainbow jersey for now and then trade in for the coveted Maillot Jaune.  Whatever the plan was, Wellens is now the leader in the King of the Mountains competition.  

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 work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"A Solo Effort for a Sole Point TdF25-16" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 2: Over a Small Climb

At the half-way point of the longest stage of this edition of the Tour de France, the breakaway climbed the first climb of the day at the 105 kilometer mark.  The two sprinted away from their breakaway companions to vie for the single KOM point atop the Cote de Cavron Saint Martin.  The sprint was taken by the Norwegian Champion Andreas Leknessund (Uno X-Mobility) just barely holding off Brent Van Moer (Lotto).  However, the group of four only had about a half of a minute on the chasing peloton, so it seems unlikely either will be able to collect any more points towards the Maillot a Pois today.

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 work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Over a Small Climb TdF25-8" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 19: Step A

Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) went off from the start of the stage with a mission.  Now that he has his stage win in a Tour de France, he wants to pull on another leader's jersey.  He wore the second Maillot Jaune for one stage until the current leader of the Tour took it off of his shoulders way back in stage 3.  Ironically, the current holder of the Maillot a Pois for the best climber in the Tour is the same guy who took the jersey off of him, Tadej Pogacar.  Perhaps he will be able to take the polka dot jersey off of him at the end of the stage.

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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Step A TdF24-117" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France 23, Stage 5: Looking for the Summit

Felix Gall (Ag2r-Citroen) managed to drop all of his erstwhile break away companions to ride alone to the top of the first Haute Catagorie of the 2023 Tour.  As he neared the summit, the cloud cover grew dense making it near impossible to see the banner that marked the summit (and the points) of the Col de Soudet.  By going over the climb, he became the leader of the King of the Mountains competition.  With the now former leader back in the peloton and a Catagory 1 climb up the road, it was fairly certain that he will be pulling on the Maillot a Pois on the podium in Laruns.

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 and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2023/3963863-24-297438/Painting/looking-for-the-summit-tdf23-24.html 

 

Tour '22, Stage 11: Defending by Winning

Anthony Perez (Cofidis) had joined the break away in hopes of being the Frenchman to win a stage of the Tour on Bastille Day (it hasn't happen in at least five years).  Yet, by being off the front, he could suck up the lion share of the King of the Mountain points thus protecting the Maillot a Pois of his teammate Simon Geschke back in the peloton.  

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 and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available. 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3893744-70-294403/Painting/defending-by-winning-tdf22-70.html

Paris Nice 2022: Executing the Plan

It sure looked like Jumbo-Visma had successfully launched a perfect plan as they road away from the peloton on the final climb of the Cote de Brevill Bois Robert.  As the trio of teammates, Wout Van Aert, Primoz Roglic and Christophe Laporte, crested the hill they found themselves off the front of the front of the gasping peloton with three and a half miles to race, downhill.  In post race interviews, Laporte claimed that he had gone deep to get away on his own after seeing his teammates well placed in the peloton and then they just went with him.  Personally, I'm not buying that story, it sure looked planned.  Whatever the reality, the truth of the matter was they were away and no one had much of a chance of catching three guys who didn't really care who won the stage.  More on that with the final painting of the stage.

It has been nice seeing so many Ukrainian flags along today's race course.  And every other race I have watched since Russia invaded Ukraine.

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 and Steve Quiller brushes 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/Paris-Nice/3870441-41-272742/Painting/executing-the-plan-pn22-4.html

TDF, Stage 15: Leaving It to Others to Sprint

Apparently, Nairo Quintana (Arkea-Samsic) was doing just fine, he was merely waiting for the two big climbs of the day to go on the offensive.  Half way up the Port d'Envalira he jumped clear of the large break he had been hiding with.  No one in the group could match the Colombian's burst of speed when he attacked.  It is a lot easier to vie for the maximum points on the top of a climb when there is no one there expect yourself.  Quintana had told reporters that today he was going to take back the Maillot a Pois that he had when he was in the Alps.  With this raid, he was now equal on points with just one more big climb to go.

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/3823338-94-291436/Painting/leaving-it-to-others-to-sprint-tdf21-93.html

Tour, Stage 6: On His Own

Alexey Lutsenko (Astana) came to the summit of the Col de la Luscette all alone.  He had dropped each of his break away companions with a relentless pace, a pace he used to catch and then drop the much younger Nielson Powless (EF Pro Cycling).  While he clearly had the legs to keep going, it had to be a bit frustrating that the road kept going up from here.  It was still another 12.5 kilometers to the finish of the stage on Mont Argoual.  He could take some comfort that there was only one man within a half minute of him, and the peloton of favorites was over three minutes back.

It look like he was going to take the stage, but he was too far down the general classification to have any hopes of pulling on the Maillot Jaune at the end of the stage.

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-2020/3690754-38-282744/Painting/on-his-own-tdf20-33.html

Tour, Stage 18: A New Jersey

Just like the Colombian up the road, Nairo Quintana, Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale) was finding much better legs in the Alps than they had in the Pyrennes.  Bardet didn't get over the Col du Galibier first, but his second over the top had him trading in his team kit for a new Maillot a Pois.  This is the first time the jersey has changed hands in fifteen days.  Bardet had hope to content for the Maillot Jaune, but he is a bit too far back for that.  His other goal has been the Maillot a Pois and a stage victory.  He was a minute late from the latter, but he did manage the former.  This is still a huge Tour for the hometeam French.

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.

Be sure to check out my daily videos on You Tube.  If you enjoy what you see on the channel, please subscribe.  I need to get over a hundred subscribers so I can name the channel, "Art of Cycling"

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202019/3365404-103-263530/A%20New%20Jersey%20%20TDF19-103.html

Tour, Stage 7: Points Along the Way

Unlike yesterday, the break away was only two men both of whom have been off the front before today.  With a mass sprint expected at the end of the day, Stephane Rosetto (Cofidis) and Yoann Offredo (Wanty-Gobert) were allowed to go from kilometer one.  With so few points on offer towards the Maillot a Pois there was not much for the peloton to worry about.  All that was necessary was to make sure they were back in the fold before the final sprint in Chalon sur Saone.

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.

Be sure to check out my daily videos on You Tube

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202019/3359046-34-263530/Points%20Along%20the%20Way%20%20TDF19-34.html

Tour Stage 14: The Top of the Tour

It is all down hill to Paris for Joaquim Rodriquez (Katusha).  He has crossed the highest point of the 101st Tour de France, securing the Virtual Polka Dot Jersey in the process.  Even if Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) were to win the stage on the top of the final climb to Risoul, as long as Rodriguez finish within the top six on the stage, the King of the Mountians competition lead is his.  The Katusha rider was able to jump away from his countryman, Alessandro De Marchi (Cannondale).  Truth be told, there are quite a few more hills to climb before Paris, most notably the Pyrenees in the final days of the Tour.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com and it will appear in my soon to be self published, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre-order your copy, or to discover how to become involved in bringing the 101st Tour de France to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some wonderful backer rewards all of which include the Backers name in print on the Special Thanks Page of the book.  Other incentives include an artist signed book, pins, original art, and a few lucky signed copies, signed by whomever wins this Tour de France.  If you would rather just purchase this particular painting, please follow the direct link at the end of this post, but wouldn't you rather have a copy of "Book de Tour" too?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2405252---199992/Painting.html#.U8viWM_D_IU

Paris-Nice Stage 2: Sucking Up the Last Points

With only one small climb on stage two of Paris Nice and a two man break away up the road, yesterday's winner of the Polka Dot Jersey, Christophe Laborie, jumped out of the peloton to pick up the one remaining point on today's stage.  Laborie is building on the long solo break that put him into the King of the Mountains lead.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg Watercolors and Steven Quiller Brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This work is available for purchase through my artist website, www.greigleach.com or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2325463---195767/Painting.html#.Ux5e-8_D_IU

Tour Down Under: Shepparding Cadel, Stage 3

Those who don't understand the ins and outs of bike racing do realize how much of a team sport it actually is.  BMC showed that they had a plan and the team to make it work today.  They were able to put rider after rider on the front to push the pace and rid rider after rider from the contention.  Here it is the Swiss rider, Moribito, bending himself inside out for his team leader, Cadel Evans as they storm up Corkscrew Hill.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by visiting my artist website, www.greigleach.com   Or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  While you are there, why not look around at all of the cycling art on offer.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2297201---194179/Painting.html#.UuHd_88o7IU

Tour Stage Twenty: TeJay Tries Again

For the third day in the Alps, TeJay Van Garderen must be feeling good, because he was out of the peloton and off in search of a mountain top victory.  Pierre Rolland is desperately trying to hold the wheel of the charging American in hopes of shoring up his lead in the Polka Dot Jersey.  If TeJay had felt like this in the Pyrenees. BMC may well be having a very different Tour de France.  As it is, he is doing a great job flying the colors of Team BMC.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by visiting my artist website where you can purchase this painting.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2183713---186227/Painting.html#.UfCZv8vD_IU

Tour Stage Twenty: A Little Too Combative

Rolland may have taken the "Most Combative" award a little too far on the third climb of the day.  Anton is a teammate of Nieve, who is just behind Rolland in KOM points and is trying to nip the points away from Rolland as a defensive move.  Rolland wasn't having any of it and swerved off of the wheel of his teammate and blocked Anton's sprint for the summit.  I don't know if he was relegated for this blatant violation of sprinting rules, but the end of the day's events made this action a mute deed in the end.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by visiting my artist website where you can purchase this painting.  Why you are there, why not browse around at all of the art on offer?  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the story of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2183707---186227/Painting.html#.UfCWiMvD_IU

Tour Stage Nineteen: Sprinting for the Top

With the peloton willing to take it as easy as possible it was a good day to be in a break away, plus everyone who was allowed to go were at least 45 minutes back of the Malliot Jaune.  These two, Hesjedal and Izaguirre, are out in front of another group of forty other riders.  Ryder Hesjedal, who won the 2012 Giro d'Italia, has been having a rough Tour since cracking a rib early on in this year's race.  I'll let that sink in for a minute...  He has been riding in the toughest race in the world for 16 stages with a broken rib!  And now,  he is attacking on a 5 categorized climb stage after a stage that climbed the fabled Alpe d'Huez, twice.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that was created using cake watercolors, brushes and paper from www.richesonart.com   In addition this work is available for purchase at my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of art of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2183649---186227/Painting.html#.UfB93s_D_IU

Tour Stage Eighteen: Over the Top

Christophe Riblon, the French rider on the French team, managed to catch TeJay as they went over the top of the first the pass of Alpe d'Huez and then road together to cross the Col du Sarenne together.  The crowds were kept off of this stretch of narrow road lined with fragile endangered flora, so while it was an important climb and dangerous descent, no spectators (other than cyclists, officials and the Gendarme) were they to witness the battles in person.  The peloton complained about the organizers using this narrow unprotected descent with steep drop offs on most every corner.  Both of these guys had trouble on the way down, neither was serious, but had them both expending more energy they would have preferred.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist website to purchase this painting.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your art of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2183295---186227/Painting.html#.Ue_wLsvD_IU

Tour Stage Nine: The First Three Up

Everyone was expecting to watch Sky tamp out the rhythm and ride away with the Tour de France, just like 2012, but no one bothered to tell the other teams to fear the long blue line.  Garmin Sharp opened up the attacks and had a strong break by the second climb of the day, sending Tom Danielson and Ryder Hesjedal  over the Col de Mente well ahead of the peloton.  It was a firery day of aggressive attacks and cracking riders.  It all came down to a question of recovery, who did and who didn't.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that was created using cake watercolors, brushes and paper from www.richesonart.com  They are a family run company that make some great art supplies that I have been using for the last 30+ years.  This work is available through my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2179397---186227/Painting.html#.UeShiMvD_IU

Tour Stage Eight: The Top of the Tour

Nairo Quintana left everyone behind on his way up to the highest point of the 100th Tour de France, he crested the Col de Pailheres alone in a screaming crowd of cycling fanatics, many whom had been camping on the mountain top for days.  None too few of them had been drinking since they got there but the Gendarmes kept everything under control.  He set off back down the other side with about two minutes on Pierre Rolland who was riding to get back into his Polka Dot Jersey he would have succeed save for Chris Froome.  But then there are a lot of members of the peloton saying, "I would have ___ save for Chris Froome.  However, he will start the Stage 9 in polka dots since Froome will be decked out in yellow.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available in a quick 3 day auction on ebay.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to bid on original art of the 100th Tour de France.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251300708825

Tour Stage Seven: Riding Defensively

Stage Seven was a veritable clinic in stage racing team strategy and that is what is being played out here.  Kadri, still up the road with Jens Voigt, has grabbed the lead in the King of the Mountains competition (the polka dot jersey) away from Pierre Rolland.  With Kadri's lead only one point and just that many still available at the top of the climb, Rolland jumped out of the peloton only to find Kadri's teammate coming along for the ride.  As Rolland opened the spring for the points, Bardet got the better of him gaining the final point (and depriving Rolland) thus giving the lead to his teammate (and hometown boy) the Polka Dot Jersey for the stage.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available at my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 100th Tour de France. 

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2178351---186227/Painting.html#.UeIUNsvD_IU