La Course, The Throw to the Line

It came down to a well timed bike throw for Lizzie Diegnan (Trek-Segafredo) to claim victory in La Course on the Promenade des Anglais.  (Appropriate, given she is an English licensed racer.)  Her throw gave her the victory over the fast closing Marianne Vos (CCC-Liv).  Seems about right since both women are former UCI Road World Champions.  Watching from the sprint from the third step of the podium was Demi Vollering (Parkhotel Valkenburg).  Unlike the men, this is only a single day race (although it has been a two stage race in the past).  I am excited that the 2022 edition will be a week long race that starts the day after the men's Tour de France.

So naturally, this concludes that Women's race, but I will be painting every stage of the Tour live going forward.  Well, up until I go into surgery on Stage 17.  I will be donating a kidney as my wife gets a kidney transplant.  After I am recovered enough to finish painting the Tour, I will go back to sharing the artwork.

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-2020/3687247-11-282744/Painting/the-throw-to-the-line-lc20-6.html

La Course, Off the Climb

Annemiek Van Vleutin (Mitchelton-Scott) leads the chase off of the final climb of La Course.  On her wheel are Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo Women) and Demi Vollering (Parkhotel Valkenburg).  It is a bit unusual for Van Vleutin to be the one chasing in hopes of catching the leaders.  It is her usual style to simple ride away from her competitors as she did in Strade Bianche this season.  However, it is certainly possible that with 23 kilometers to go, that it could still go down as usual.

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-2020/3687238-10-282744/Painting/off-the-climb-lc20-5.html

La Course, Not Tactics Needed

Now this should be the break that stays away.  First there are two former World Champions and on who is both current and former, Annemiek Van Vleutin (Mitchelton-Scott), and second they have over a minute on the chasers with just downhill a flat roads to race.  Van Vleutin has spent the last 15 kilometers trying to ride the rest of the six woman break off of her will.  She has not yet succeeded in that effort.  Stuck on the Champion's wheel were Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo Women) and her teammate, Lizzie Deignan.  Close behind the Trek duo was Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon SRAM).  While the crowd sizes are down from normal Tour de France (and La Course) standards, there are still thousands lining the course, and most are doing their best to social distance and wear their masks (as required by French state mandate).

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-2020/3687229-9-282744/Painting/no-tactics-needed-lc20-4.html

La Course, Job Done

Having driven the pace for her teammates on the first lap of La Course, Dmma Cecilie Norsgaard (Equipe Paula Ka) let the peloton slip away before the second climb of the Cote de Rimiez.  On her wheel was Maaike Boogaard (Ale BTC Ljubljana) whom I met when she was a Junior at the World Championships back in 2015.  She was the first of a formidable Dutch team that was intrique with the live paintings I was doing at the races that year in Richmond, VA.  It is very exciting to see her in La Course racing with a professional cycling contract.  I feel so proud, not that I have had anything to do with her success.  Still, it is cool to have met someone who is now racing on the international 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-2020/3686994-8-282744/Painting/job-done-lc20-3.html

La Course, One of These Six?

It was looking like these six had made the move of the day.  They had slipped off the front of the main peloton at the summit of the Cote de Rimiez and pushed their advantage on the rolling climb and following descent back down to Nice.  Anna Hendersen (Sunweb) took a drink as she rolled to the back of the pace line.  Ahead of her were Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (FDJ Nouvelle Aquitaine Futuroscope), Lotte Kopecky (Lotto Soudal Ladies), Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon SRAM), and Christine Majerus (Boels Dolman). It was Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo Women) that was driving the pace on the highway back into Nice.

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-2020/3686989-7-282744/Painting/one-of-these-six-lc20-2.html

La Course, Wanting to Be Queen

While I watched the two races in reverse order, it was the women who first raced around the streets of Nice and up the Cote de Rimiez.  Unlike the men, the women's race started out by going straight for the climb to the Queen of the Mountain points.  With such a blistering pace on the climb, it wasn't long before many of within the peloton found their day over before it even started.  As the peloton neared the summit, Christine Majerus (Boels-Dolmans), the oft champion of Luxembourg, jumped free to collect the maximum points on the climb.  If the same rules were applied as for the men, it means she claims the Maillot a Pois of Queen of the Mountains.  Giving chase was Maria Guila Confalonieri (Ceratizit-WNT) and it was Dani Christmas (Lotto Soudal Ladies) taking second over the cote for the first time.

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-2020/3686988-6-282744/Painting/wanting-to-be-queen-lc20-1.html

La Course: I Can't Believe It

As Chloe Hosking (Wiggle High 5) crossed the line, she held her hands to her face in disbelieve.  She had chased down the fleeing Eleonora Van Dijk (Boels Dolmans) with less than a kilometer to go.  She starter her sprint just after rounding the last corner around the Place de la Concorde, under the shadow of Joan d'Arc.  She was able to hold off the fast closing Marianne Vos (Rabo Liv) who is the defending champion from last year's rather rain soaked event.  She did well to survive the late crashes that took out some of the bigger names in the sport, and held others or their lead out trains behind.  Coming in second was Lotto Lepisto (Cervelo Bigla).  Others in this painting include Roxane Fournier (Poitou-Charentes Futuroscope 86) and Joanne Kiesanowski (Tibco Silicon Valley).

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

Be sure to check out my second cycling art book, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships, available online or through your local book seller.

To buy this painting, just follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Professional%20Womens%20Cycling/2828546-22-207546/PaintingI%20Can'%20Believe%20It%20LC7-Greig-Leach.html#.V5W-0rgrLIU

La Course: Flying Away

Hoping to be able to rely on her time trial skills, Eleonora Van Dijk (Boels Dolmans) went off the front of the peloton with just 2 kilometers left to ride.  She was still holding everyone off as she went under the flame rouge showing the riders that their was only one kilometer left to race.  It was looking like the Dutch girl had made the winning move as she road by the gardens outside of the Louvre.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

Be sure to check out my second cycling art book, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships, available online or through your local book seller.

To buy this painting, just follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Professional%20Womens%20Cycling/2828544-21-207546/PaintingFlying%20Away%20LC6-Greig-Leach.html#.V5W6z7grLIU

La Course: What's Left?

Laura Stephens (Tibco Silicon Valley) looked into the eyes of Lucinda Brand (Rabo Liv) trying to determine if she had anything left.  The two were joined in the next break by Amy Pieters (Wiggle High 5).  With just eight kilometers left to go, they were in with a real chance.  In less than a kilometer they would hear the welcome sound of  the bell signifying one lap to go.  As the race has gone on the crowds have grown by leaps and bounds.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

Be sure to check out my second cycling art book, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships, available online or through your local book seller.

To buy this painting, just follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Professional%20Womens%20Cycling/2828543-20-207546/PaintingWhat's%20Left?%20LC5-Greig-Leach.html#.V5W4K7grLIU

La Course: Come Around

As I said, as soon as one group was caught, another went.  Now it is Danielle King (Wiggle High5) looking over her shoulder.  She is both checking on her progress and trying to convince her companion riding for LIV-Plantur to come around to take a pull.  The woman behind the rider on the front will use thirty percent less energy than the one on the front.  Given the effort, King was trying to get a little help pushing through the wind.  Both were riding in the gutter up against the barriers trying to find the smoothest course up the Champs Elysees.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

Be sure to check out my second cycling art book, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships, available online or through your local book seller.

To buy this painting, just follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Professional%20Womens%20Cycling/2828540-19-207546/PaintingCome%20Around%20LC4-Greig-Leach.html#.V5W0bLgrLIU

La Course: Trying to Escape

With the first break away back in the fold, several more attempts were made to get of the front.  Every time they were pulled back, just to see another group try again.  Riding in the Capital of her homeland, Audrey Cordon (Wiggle High5) felt she would be the one to get away.  She was joined by riders from UnitedHealthcare and Orica-AIS.  I am sorry that I wasn't able to discover these riders names.  I really do want to name everyone who gets out and competes in the professional peloton.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

Be sure to check out my second cycling art book, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships, available online or through your local book seller.

To buy this painting, just follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Professional%20Womens%20Cycling/2828537-18-207546/PaintingTrying%20to%20Escape%20LC3-Greig-Leach.html#.V5WxorgrLIU

La Course: In the Gutter

Prior to the men arrive for the final sprint of the Tour de France, it was the women's turn to race on the cobbled boulevard between the Louvre and the l'Arc du Triomphe.  The constant jarring of the cobbles can be very fatiguing so the women are all trying to ride in the gutter, the only section of some pavement to be found.  The gutter brings the risk of flat tires or worse.  I have once clipped a curb with my pedal sending me sprawling on the ground.  Later in the race, there were some crashes where at least one time, the curb was the cause for these hard women, too.  Riding on the back for now is the American,  Alison Tetrick (Cylance Pro Cycling).  Joining her were riders from ALE Cipolini and Boels Dolmans.  I have become a fan of Cylance ever since they added Kathryn Bertine to their roster.  Just to tie it into a nice little bow, she was part of the group that help to make La Course happen.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

Be sure to check out my second cycling art book, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships, available online or through your local book seller.

To buy this painting, just follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Professional%20Womens%20Cycling/2828534-17-207546/PaintingIn%20the%20Gutter%20LC2-Greig-Leach.html#.V5WunbgrLIU

La Course: Making the First Attack

It was a power foursome that were to get off the front of the third annual La Course.  La Course is a Pro Tour Women's race contested on the finishing circuit of the final stage of the Tour de France.  It was the newly minted British National Champion, Hannah Barnes (Canyon SRAM), who was joined by Lucinda Brand (Rabo Liv), Olga Zabelinskaya (BePink) and Chantal Blaak (Boels Dolmans).  The women used the downhill section of the Champs Elysees to open up a bit of a gap on those behind.  It was rather early in the race, so it was unlikely that they would be able to stay away for the rest of the day.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

Be sure to check out my second cycling art book, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships, available online or through your local book seller.

To buy this painting, just follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Professional%20Womens%20Cycling/2828532-16-207546/PaintingMaking%20the%20First%20Attack%20LC1-Greig-Leach.html#.V5WrZLgrLIU

La Course: Taming the Champs Elysees

When the peloton still hadn't caught the lone rider it inspired them to take even bigger risks through the final corners of the race.  Unfortunately, those risks let to a crash that claimed sprinters and lead out trains alike.  The disruption may have been that extra advantaged that allowed the lone figure off the front, Anna Van Der Breggen (Rabo-Liv) to hold off the charging peloton and claim victory on the cobbled Champs Elysees.  Rabobank had gotten frustrated with the doping scandals in men's professional cycling back around the turn of the century, eventually pulling all sponsorships from the male side of the sport.  They have stayed in women's cycling and were rewarded yet again as their logo will be on newspapers all over the world.  I will let you take your own conclusions about their use of their sponsorship dollars.

This is an original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company, www.richesonart.com.  In addition, this painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  As this is an original painting, don't hesitate, once it is sold it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Professional%20Womens%20Cycling/2586133-11-207546/Painting.html#.VbUmz_lViko

La Course: Racing for Home

Rabo-Liv had the perfect tactical advantage on the final lap of La Course.  They had the Dutch National Time Trial Champion, Anna Van Der Breggen, holding off the entire peloton 15 seconds ahead.  This move forced the other teams to do the chasing allowing the team to sit in and save their energy for getting their leader, World Champion Pauline Ferraud Prevot to the line in her homeland capital.  Another advantage for them is should the others not manage to catch Van Der Breggen before the line, then they still win the day.

This is an original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company, www.richesonart.com.  In addition, this painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $50n USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  As this is an original painting, don't hesitate, once it is sold it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Professional%20Womens%20Cycling/2586122-10-207546/Painting.html#.VbUjT_lViko

La Course: Looking for Her Teammates

After yet another crash in the peloton, World Women's Road Racing Champion, Pauline Ferraud Prevot (Rabo-Liv) is looking around for her teammates.  Prevot didn't go down in this crash but she was caught out and was hoping to have some teammates to help pace her back to the business end of affairs.  Riding next to the World Champion is Helen Wyman (Matrix Fitness) who among others, wasn't enjoying the wet conditions nor the cobbles.

This is an original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company, www.richesonart.com.  In addition, this painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $50n USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  As this is an original painting, don't hesitate, once it is sold it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Professional%20Womens%20Cycling/2586115-9-207546/Painting.html#.VbUhQ_lViko

La Course: Leading Them Around

With Orica-Ais finally put back into the peloton, it was Anna Van Der Breggen (Rabo-Liv) who lead the peloton around the l'Arc de Triomphe for the fifth time.  During the 100th Tour de France the organizers finally convinced Parisian official to allow the race to swing around the famous Arc providing TV viewers with a beautiful image of another piece of Napolean's ego.  It also makes for a safer turn around point as the riders do multiple laps up and down the Champs Elysees.

This is an original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company, www.richesonart.com.  In addition, this painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $50n USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  As this is an original painting, don't hesitate, once it is sold it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Professional%20Womens%20Cycling/2586109-8-207546/Painting.html#.VbUfcflViko

La Course: Off on Her Own

Orica-Ais came to Paris to race!  The first of their riders to launch an attack was Gracie Elvin.  She used the sling shot effect of swinging around the l'Arc de Triomphe to get away from the peloton.  The long down hill strait of the Champs Elysees helped her to build on the lead.  As soon as Elvin was caught it was another Orica-Ais rider who went.  They just kept repeating the strategy hoping that one time the peloton wouldn't be able to pull one of the riders in blue and bright green back.

This is an original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company, www.richesonart.com.  In addition, this painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $50n USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  As this is an original painting, don't hesitate, once it is sold it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Professional%20Womens%20Cycling/2586081-7-207546/Painting.html#.VbUdk_lViko

La Course: Assessing

The second annual La Course, a professional women's cycling race on the finishing course of the Tour de France was raced in rather miserable conditions.  With the rain falling on the oil stained cobbles of the Champs Elysees, the racers faced ice skating rink like conditions.  After the first major pile up of limbs and wheels, Christine Majerus (Boels Dolmans) was on the front of the peloton trying to asses which of her teammates were still with her.  La Course is being raced without the benefit of race radios, so figuring out which teammates crashed and where everyone is can be rather difficult.

This is an original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company, www.richesonart.com.  In addition, this painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $50n USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  As this is an original painting, don't hesitate, once it is sold it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Professional%20Womens%20Cycling/2586067-6-207546/Painting.html#.VbUb2PlViko

La Course: Rough & Tumble

Bike racing is bike racing regardless of who is on the saddle and the cobbles of the Champs Elysees are just as rough for the inaugural La Course as they are for the 101st Tour de France.  Ana Teresa Casas Bonilla (Estado de Mexico Faren) discovered just how rough the surface of the avenue is the hard way as she tangled wheels with a rider from Austalie.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is 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.  While you are there why not take a look at all of the paintings on offer.  This painting will be part of my soon to be published, "Book de Tour: art of the 101st Tour de France".  Check back to find the link to purchase the book in a week or two.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2421390---199992/Painting.html#.U_K5Ec_D_IU