Tour, Stage 20: Want to Join Me?

Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) felt the moment was right with just eight kilometers left of climbing to launch an attack from the back of the small peloton.  He was covered by Marc Soler (Movistar) and the French National Champion, Warren Barguil (Arkea Samsic).  As the trio caught Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha-Alpecin) Yates seemed to invite the Russian to catch onto their wheels.  Yates has two stage victories in this year's Tour already, he sure seemed to want just one more.  Alas, it wasn't to be.

Watch me paint this watercolor as I talk about the Tour over the past two days on my You Tube channel :

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%202019/3366223-116-263530/Want%20to%20Join%20Me?%20%20TDF19-116.html

Tour, Stage 20: It's a Long Shot

The early break that included Micheal Woods (EF Education First), Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha-Alpecin), Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida) and two others hoped that the peloton would be too interested in each other to bother with them.  With such a short stage, but a long climb, it was going to be a bit of a long shot to stay off of the front.  Behind there would be efforts to drop one another which will inevitably increase the peloton's pace.  Woods has been racing most of this Tour with two broken ribs, which makes his position off the front on a big climb just that much more impressive.

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%202019/3366048-114-263530/It's%20a%20Long%20Shot%20%20TDF19-114.html

Tour, Stage 17: The First to Attack

As the large break neared the end of the 200 kilometer stage, it was a forgone conclusion that someone would try to get away from the rest.  The first to go on the offensive was Nils Politt (Katusha-Alpecin).  He opened a gap on the others, but was shortly pulled back into the fold ahead of the next attack.  While he went first, it wasn't his attack that was going to take the stage in Gap.

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%202019/3364846-94-263530/The%20First%20to%20Attack%20%20TDF19-94.html

Tour, Stage 14: Starting His Effort

Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida) has been saying from the start of this Tour that he is only here to win stages.  He certainly is too far back to be an overall contender.  Today he got into the break and then went on the offensive on the first big climb of the day, the Col du Soulor.  He was joined by another potential GC man who is too far behind, Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha-Alpecin).  The third member of the leading trio is Lennard Kamna (Sunweb), no back story here, he is just keeping an eye on the proceedings.

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%202019/3362735-75-263530/Starting%20His%20Effort%20%20TDF19-75.html

Tour, Stage 10: A Beautiful Ride

I do enjoy a title that has more than one interpretation, so it is with this one.  Not only does this leading group have a beautiful, scenic road to enjoy, they are also have a great ride off the front of the race.  It may not last for Michael Schar (CCC), Natnael Berhane (Cofidis), and Mads Wurtz Schmidt (Katusha-Alpecin), but again, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

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%202019/3360151-51-263530/A%20Beautiful%20Ride%20%20TDF19-51.html

Tour, Stage 2: Better Than Expected

As Katusha-Alpecin came through the first time check, they surprised everyone, including themselves, by posting the new best time.  If they were able to maintain the pace it would put most every other team on the back foot.  By the time they reached the line in Brussels they had faded by six seconds to the time of Team Ineos - finishing the day tied for 4th place on the stage.

See this painting come to life in this time lapse video...

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%20de%20France%202019/3356826-8-263530/Better%20Than%20Expected%20%20TDF19-8.html

Tour, Stage 1: Pushing On

Now that Greg Van Avermaet had dropped back to the chasing peloton, it was left to these three to push on in vain hope for a stage victory.  Mads Wurtz Schmidt (Katusha-Alpecin), Natnael Berhane (Cofidis) and Xandro Meurisse (Wanty Group) knew that the odds were stacked against them, but there was nothing left but to try.  This stage was seen as one for the sprinters, and with a Yellow Jersey on offer for the stage winner, it was very unlikely that a break away would succeed.  But if one doesn't try, then it definitely won't happen.

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%20de%20France%202019/3356413-2-263530/Pushing%20On%20TDF19-2.html

Amgen ToC, Stage 6: The Other Sagan

It must be a challenge to be the other Sagan, after all no sibling enjoys sharing the lime light, and Juraj's brother Peter sure soaks up a lot of lime light.  Not that he doesn't deserve it.  This Sagan, Juraj (Bora-Hansgrohe) was one of seven in the early break of the Queen's stage of the 2019 Tour of California.  He was joined by Matteo Fabbro (Katusha-Alpecin), Pawel Bernas (CCC) and Max Walscheid (Team Sunweb) amongst others.  These guys were hoping to get a head start up the Glendora climb inorder to be available to help their team leaders on the slopes of Mount Baldy.

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%20of%20California/3333638-82-223355/The%20Other%20Sagan%20%20ToC19-27.html

Paris Roubaix: A Long Time Coming

Philippe Gilbert (Decenunick-Quick Step) is one of the senior statesmen of the peloton, and one of the more victorious.  He has a stated goal of winning all of the Monuments before he retires.  Until today, the Hell of the North had eluded him.  So it was with great joy that he spread his arms in victory on the legendary velodrome of Roubaix.  Nils Politt (Katusha-Alpecin) had to content himself with a hard fought second place.  The trio finished at least thirty seconds ahead of  Gilbert's teammate, Yves Lampaert.  Gilbert's bold attack with 15 kilometers to race was the moment of victory since it was only Politt who could match the acceleration of the former World Champion.  Chapeau, Gilbert!

I plan to paint on or two more of the Spring Classics ahead of the Tour of California and the Tour de France.

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/Spring-Classics-/3319286-439-195767/PaintingA-Long-Time-Coming--PR19-10.html

Paris Roubaix: One of These Six

As the leaders entered Pave Section 9, it was beginning to look like these six would be the ones who would vie for the win on the velodrome of Roubaix.  It was Philippe Gilbert (Decenunick-Quick Step) who lead Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe), Nils Politt (Katusha-Alpecin), with his teammate Yves Lampaert, Sep Vanmarcke (EF-Education First) and Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma).  Behind the peloton was trying to chase, but did not seem able to close the one minute gap.

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/Spring-Classics-/3319278-436-195767/PaintingOne-of-These-Six--PR19-7.html

Paris Roubaix: Taking Their Turn

For those of you who read this blog regularly, you will know that I love a good pun.  This title examplifies that perfectly.  After catching Wesley Kreder (Wanty-Gobert), this trio of Philippe Gilbert (Decenunick-Quick Step), Nils Politt (Katusha-Alpecin) and Rudiger Selig (Bora-Hansgrohe) decided it was their turn to go on the attack.  With Gilbert in the group (a former World Champion) the peloton was going to pay attention to this move.  Selig was there to monitor the move for his team leader (and defending champion of Paris Roubaix), Peter Sagan.

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/Spring-Classics-/3319187-435-195767/PaintingTaking-Their-Turn--PR19-6.html

Tour, Stage 19: Sneak Peak

With just one more stage in the mountains, nearly everyone who could was out on the offensive.  Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha-Alpecin) wasn't having the Tour he had hoped for.  Quite a few of his teammates went out of the race in the early stages due to crashes and illness.  And then he just didn't have the legs, until today.  As this foursome off the front rides through one of the snow tunnels on the Col du Tourmalet, he peers back over his shoulder to see just how many of his erstwhile breakaway companions they had gotten rid of.  The Zakarin group is being led my Mikel Landa (Movistar), Rafal Majka (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale).  All were hoping to be the ones to stay away for a stage victory.  Two of the teams represented have yet to win a stage this year, the others have a tiny bit of pressure eased from their team managers.

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-2018/3195474-101-251072/PaintingSneak-Peak--T18-100.html

Tour, Stage 1: Opening Up

It was Fernando Gaviria (Quick Step) who opened up his account in the Tour de France.  The Colombian sprinter (a country known more for its climbers) tooked his first stage victory in his first stage ever in the Tour!  With his victory, he claims the Maillot Jaune of race leader, the Maillot Vert of most consistant sprinter, and the Maillot Blanc of best young rider.  Now if he had only gone first over the only climb, he could have had all of the leaders jerseys.  Just behind, in his World Champion's jersey was Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe), followed by Marcel Kittel (Katusha Alpecin) and Alexander Kristoff (Bahrain-Merida).  Kristoff is in the European Champion's jersey.  With a few more days of flat stages for the sprinters, we may be seeing quite a lot of this young Colombian.  Given all of the races Quick Step has won, we will be seeing quite a few lead outs by the men in blue who call themselves the Wolf Pack.

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-2018/3184450-5-251072/PaintingOpening-Up--T18-5.html

Giro, Final Stage: Attacking the Bell Lap

On the final lap through the streets of Rome, a small group got away led by Tony Martin (Katusha-Alpecin).  He went clear of the rest as they crested the only climb of the day.  Just to his left are the Spanish Steps leading back down to the piazza.  His route will include a couple of tight hair pin turns before encircling the piazza on their way back to the Coloseum.  Just off of the piazza is a small church that houses on of Caravaggio's best paintings, the Crucifixion of St. Peter.  Oddly it is located in a dimly lit side altar, although a few euros will bring it to brilliant light for a few minutes.  I digress.  With a rider like Tony Martin, it will be a big effort for the sprinters' lead out trains to re-establish control at the front of the race.

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/101st-Giro-dItalia/3170397-96-249297/PaintingAttacking-the-Bell-Lap--G18-100.html

Giro, Final Stage: Riding 'Round Roma

I have ridden this exact stretch of road!  Not as fast, not without traffic and certainly not with anyone cheering my progress around the city, but exciting just the same.  With half of the peloton out the back and out of danger, this duo of Viacheslav Kuznetsov (Katusha-Alpecin) and Christopher Juul Jensen (Mitchelton-Scott) thought they might be able to surprise the sprinters' and their teams.  With 29 kilometers, or just under three laps to go, it was unlikely that they will succeed.  It is the Colosseum on their right as they swing through the Piazzo del Colosseo and head into the finishing straight. 

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/101st-Giro-dItalia/3170227-95-249297/PaintingRiding-'Round-Roma--G18-99.html

Giro, Stage 11: Taking Tom Back Up

The defending champion of the 100th Giro d'Italia, Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) is being lead back up through the peloton.  His team is always near by, ready to lend a hand in any way the team leader may need.  Former break away stars, Maxim Belkov (Katusha) and Marco Frapporti (Androni Giocattoli) moved over, to let Louis Vervaeke and Chris Hamilton lead number 1 through.  With 63 kilometers left to race, there was no reason to be worried.

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/101st-Giro-dItalia/3164925-49-249297/PaintingTaking-Tom-Back-Up--G18-49.html

Giro, Stage 9: Chasing a Few Points

With a larger group of escapee then heretofore, it was going to take some effort to get any sprint points (or KOM points for that matter).  At the first of two sprints before the climb up the Gran Sasso d'Italia, it was Maxim Belkov (Katusha-Alpecin) who went on the offensive.  His move was covered, and bested, by Davide Ballerini (Andronni-Giocattli) in Bussi Sul Tirino.  Two others that had been leading the fourteen member group, Simone Andreetta (Bardiani CSF) and Mathias Brandle (Trek-Segafredo) decided not to get involved with the duos shennanigans.  However, it should be noted that Andreetta came third across the line.  10 kilometers up the road the duo went at it again, with Belkov trying from further out, again to no avail.  And again, Andreetta came third.

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/101st-Giro-dItalia/3162382-36-249297/PaintingChasing-a-Few-Points--G18-36.html

Giro, Stage 4: Well Played

The three surviving members of the early break, took the opportunity to shake hads as they neared the 15 K to go banner.  After prying out a five minute gap on the peloton over the preceeding 183 kilometers, it was now just a couple of seconds until they would be re-absorbed by the chasing peloton.  It is always a long shot that a break will work out, but it is always worth the attempt.

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/101st-Giro-dItalia/3159784-19-249297/PaintingWell-Played--G18-19.html

Giro, Stage 4: Sorry About That

The race had it's required early break away, a group of five that included the Maglia Azzurro along with Jacopo Mosca (Wilier Triestina-Selle Italia), Marco Frapporti (Androni Giocattoli-Spidermac) and Maxim Belkov (Katusha-Alpecin).  Apparently Frapporti had a touch of wheels with the Russian Belkov - or some other incident (it happened off camera so who knows what actually happened).  The Italian made sure to apologize or at least explain what happened, knowing full well that the group was going to have to work together to stay away from the peloton all the way to Caltagirone.

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/101st-Giro-dItalia/3159764-17-249297/PaintingSorry-About-That--G18-17.html

Giro, Stage 2: LIfting the Pace

With just seven and a half kilometers to the finish of the first road stage, it was time to try and line out the peloton.  Maunele Boaro (Bahrain Merida) and his teammate Domenico Pozzovivo vied for control at the front with Tony Martin (Katusha-Alpecin).  Martin had stretched the group out as they came out of the first two tight ninety degree turns.  He was using his famed time trial skills to keep his team's GC man save on the run in to the finish.  Boaro was trying to set up Pozzovivo for the stage win.  I will admitt that I enjoy that there are two Arab based teams racing through the streets of Israel to the cheers of crowds all along the course.

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/101st-Giro-dItalia/3158047-9-249297/PaintingLifting-the-Pace--G18-9.html