Tour de France 23, Stage 17, Taking Stock

The early break kept growing and growing with those competing for the Maillot a Pois, others riding for their team leaders and still more going for the stage victory.  As I painted Felix Gall (Ag2r-Citroen) looking back to see where his guy, Ben O'Connor was, I assumed he was in the break riding for Ben.  He did find him hiding behind Jack Haig (Bahrain-Victorious) and Lawson Craddock (Jayco-Alula).  Both of them were definitely there on behalf of their leaders.  

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-2023/3966340-112-297438/Painting/taking-stock-tdf23-112.html 

 

Tour de France 23, Stage 17: Insurance

Obviously, Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek) started the day with the Maillot a Pois and the lead in the King of the Mountains competition.  With only five points to the good, he got himself into the break with his nearest competitor, Neilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost).  Alas, Powless just didn't have the legs to keep the fight going, but that didn't mean Ciccone wasn't going to look back and make sure no one was going to try and steal the maximum points on offer atop the Col des Saisies.  He was being helped beautifully by his Danish Champion teammate, Mattias Skjelmose.  On their wheels, with other goals for the day were Ben O'Connor (Ag2r-Citroen) and the pair of Jayco-Alula of Simon Yates and Lawson Craddock.

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-2023/3966317-110-297438/Painting/insurance-tdf23-110.html

Tour de France 23, Stage 15: A Virtual Tie

Alas, all of the work Neilson Powless EF Education-EasyPost) has been doing to claim the Maillot a Pois and holding it longer than any American has ever done in the Tour meant he was unable to stay with the leaders on the next climb of the day.  So when Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek) went over the top of the next climb, the Col de Aravis, his sprint went unchallenged.  It was cleared that Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) didn't have much interest in the King of the Mountains competition as he went over in second place.  More surprising was the Powless' teammate Rigoberto Uran didn't try to get the maximum points thus depriving the maximum points going to Ciccone.  Without doing that, Ciccone moved into a virtual tie with the American on the American team.  Since Ciccone had bested Powless on the two climbs thus far, he now had the virtual lead on the road.  It seemed unlikely that he would need to worry about the erstwhile wearer of the coveted Maillot a Pois.  In the distance you can just make out another of the American's in the race. That is Lawson Craddock (Jayco-Alula) riding on the Australian team.

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-2023/3965799-96-297438/Painting/a-virtual-tie-tdf23-96.html

Dauphine, Final Stage: Can He Keep It?

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Lawson Craddock (EF Education-Nippo) had spent the last two days off the front of the peloton collecting King of the Mountain points so that he could start the final stage in this Maillot a Pois.  I seemed to remember the Dauphine using the reverse of the Tour KOM jersey, red spots on a white background.  I like the Easter egg quality of the light blue, with the deep blue-purple shorts and the hot pink gloves, helmet accents, and team logo.  Just ahead of the American are the two top placed riders on Bora-Hansgrohe, Wilco Kelderman and Patrick Konrad.  Without being in the break today, it is unlikely he will hold the jersey at the end of the day or the Criterium du Dauphine.  Still to wear a leader's jersey for even one day is something most of those who started the race did not achieve.

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/Criterium-du-Dauphine/3816429-125-185083/Painting/can-he-keep-it-cd21-41.html

Dauphine, Stage 7: Now We Know Why

I have been wondering why Lawson Craddock (EF Education-Nippo) has been going off on his own these last three stages.  After each attack he gets got and drops back through the peloton.  Now I know why.  Today, Craddock had his teammate and team leader helping him get to the summit of the Cormet de Roseland.  As he went over, Bob Roll let us know that he was now the leader virtuale in the King of the Mountains competition.  Benefiting from the efforts of Craddock and Michael Valgren, were Kenny Elisonde (Trek-Segafredo) and Martijn Tusveld (DSM) who were able to keep off the front of the chasing peloton.

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/Criterium-du-Dauphine/3815688-117-185083/Painting/now-we-know-why-cd21-33.html

Dauphine, Stage 6: Still Free

I couldn't resist this title.  In stage 5, Lawson Craddock (EF Eduation-Nippo) went on a solo attack.  When I painted that effort I titled it, "Going Free"  So naturally when the Texan went again today I had to titled it "Still Free"  Craddock was looking good up and over the Cote de Frete, but those behind weren't going to let him stay out there unchallenged.  With just fifteen seconds and another 6 kilometers to race, most of them uphill, it was unlikely he would succeed in the effort.  He did move himself into second in the King of the Mountian competition.

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/Criterium-du-Dauphine/3815293-115-185083/Painting/still-free-cd21-31.html

Dauphine, Stage 5: Surprising the Peloton

It takes more than power and fitness to win a stage race, not that Geraint Thomas (Ineos-Grenadiers) doesn't have plenty of both.  It also takes strategy.  Thomas made sure he was on the front of the peloton as they came off of the final climb.  He (and his team) knew there was a sharp u-turn at the base of the climb at just about one kilometer to the finish.  He had a his teammate Michal Kwiatkowski on his wheel.  That allowed his teammate to leave a gap and to disrupt the inital response to the Brit's move.  That left Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain-Victorious) to use his last lead out man to try and catch the former winner of the Tour de France.  Swinging on to the chase is Lawson Craddock (EF Education-Nippo) still having the legs to chase after his attack on the other side of the Cote.

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/Criterium-du-Dauphine/3815107-109-185083/Painting/surprising-the-peloton-cd21-25.html

Dauphine, Stage 5: Going Free

Lawson Craddock (EF Education-Nippo) used the final climb of the day, the Cote du Montrebut to launch an attack on the peloton.  As he left the peloton I was reminded of another bike racer from Texas.  Craddock opened up a half minute pretty quickly, but then a combination of GC teams and sprinters teams decided they didn't want to let the stage victory get away from them.  Craddock took them over the climb but was caught at the bottom of the descent.  Still, it was worth the effort.

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/Criterium-du-Dauphine/3815084-108-185083/Painting/going-free-cd21-24.html

Yorkshire 2019 - Elite Men's Road Race: A Small Gap

I had wanted to entitle this painting, "Showing Their Colors," but then realized there isn't much color between the two of them.  It appears that Lawson Craddock (USA) and Stefan Kung (Switzerland) had gotten their kit from the same store.  Beneath their rain kits, one was in red, white and blue and the other was wearing a white cross on a read field.  The only color in the painting came from the fans and officials along the side of the crest of the climb Oak Bend. 

The duo was opening up a small fifteen second gap on the every dwindling peloton.  Was this going to be the move that ended in a Rainbow Jersey?

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.

Please be sure to visit my YouTube Channel and subscribe if you like what you see.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Yorkshire%202019/3400671-47-266225/A%20Small%20Gap%20%20UCI19-47.html

Yorkshire 2019 - Elite Men's ITT: Off the Radar

Lawson Craddock (USA) showed, yet again, his strength of character.  No one seemed to be paying any attention to his ride despite his posting great times all along the route.  There was plenty for commentators and TV cameramen to focus on, but it was dedication to craft that brought Craddock to the line in second at the time he finished.  He later dropped to 6th overall.  Not a bad ride at all, and the best posted by an American in the Men's ITT.

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.

Please be sure to visit my YouTube Channel and subscribe if you like what you see.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Yorkshire%202019/3395485-26-266225/Off%20the%20Radar%20%20UCI19-26.html

Amgen ToC, Final Stage: Counter Move

There wasn't much chance to change the over all standings on the final stage of this Tour of California today.  The two climbs of the day were only Category 3 and 2 and came midway through the relatively short stage.  But, there is always a possibility that riders will crack, even on the easiest of climbs.  So it was that George Bennett (Jumbo-Visma) going on the offensive from the main peloton.  The only one able to match his initial acceleration is Sergio Higuita (EF Education First).  Behind, Higuita's teammate, Lawson Craddock, is ready to go with anyone trying to bridge across to his defacto team leader.

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/3333910-87-223355/Counter%20Move%20%20ToC19-32.html

This painting has sold!

Tour, Stage 18: Still Here

And he is still in the race!  Lawson Craddock (EF Education First), the American who crashed badly on the first day of the Tour is still hanging on the back of the peloton.  He broke his scapula and got a bunch of stitches over his left eye.  He decided he would donate a $100 for every day he could stay in the Tour, and challenged others to donate as well.  He has raised over $120,000 for a Houston, Texas velodrome that was destroyed on the hurricane last year.  Ahead of the American ride Rory Sutherland (UAE Team Emirates), Wout Poels (Sky) the loyal hard working teammate of Chris Froome, and the Maillot a Pois of Julian Alaphilippe (Quick Step).  With just 12 K left to ride today, Alaphilippe dropped back to save his legs for the last day of climbing tomorrow.  It is doubtful that anyone can take the jersey from him, he is sure to go in the break again on stage 19.

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-2018/3194784-98-251072/PaintingStill-Here--T18-97.html

Tour, Stage 7: A Long Flat Stage

This is one of the paintings were I am very satisfied with how the sky turned out.  This stretch of road is usually used near the end of the Tour.  The road leads to Chartes, just a half hour train ride out of P
aris.  Today's stage was the longest of this year's Tour at 231 kilometers.  With the exception of a brief moment where the peloton split is some relatively mild cross winds, it was a rather relaxed stage with the peloton riding almost an hour behind the slowest predicted time.  That alone was a good thing for the American Lawson Craddock (EF Education First) amongst others.  Craddock has been nursing his injuries from Stage 1 and has been fearing having to head home every stage.  He has been raising money, getting fans (and himself) to pledge money to a Huston cycling group and Velodrome that suffered mightly in last fall's hurricanes.

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-2018/3187218-34-251072/PaintingA-Long-Flat-Stage--T18-34.html

Tour Stage 2: Using Some of His Luck

This is the new hero of the Tour, Lawson Craddock (EF Education First).  The Texan crashed off camera yesterday breaking his scapula and getting a bad gash above his left eye.  He was able to finish that stage, and hang with the peloton today, despite yoyo-ing off the back ever time the peloton applied some pressure.  His first two Tour stages of his life prove just how hard this race can be, and just how tough the men are who race it.  Hopefully, he will be able to recover in the coming days, and ride all of the way to Paris.

This is the piece from Stage 2 that I filmed being painted.  You can watch this painting come to life on my You Tube channel (or watch it here).  Be sure to suscribe to catch a painting from every stage, every day.  Please feel free to share the video on your social media.

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-2018/3184866-6-251072/PaintingUsing-Some-of-His-Luck--T18-6.html

Tour, Final Stage: An American in Paris

As soon as I saw the American, Lawson Craddock (Cannondale-Drapac) go into the first serious break away on the Champs, I knew what the title would be.  Now I just had to find the right image to go with it.  For those who aren't aware, Gene Kelly, did a wonderful film shot in the 50's about an artist who moved to Paris to follow his dream.  Craddock is following his dream.  Every bike racer no matter how amateur dreams of racing on the cobbled boulevard of Paris, I know I did.  Craddock actually got to see that dream come true, and he certainly make sure his family saw him (along with every American cycling fan watching at home).  Joining Craddock was Marcus Burghardt (BMC), Daniel Teklehaimanet (Dimension Data), Brice Feillu (Fortuneo Vital Concept) and Rui Costa (Lampre-Merida).  The other rider who is hidden right now is Jeremy Roy (FDJ).  The group stretched their lead out to almost thirty seconds before the sprinters' teams decided to shut it down.

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, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2828453-158-224974/PaintingAn%20American%20in%20Paris%20TdF159-Greig-Leach.html#.V5U-l7grLIU

US Pro Challenge Stage Two: Attacking the Final Climb

These three are fighting it out on the final climb knowing that who ever gets across the line will almost definitely pull on the Yellow Jersey.  The two on the motorcycle in the referee jerseys are the sign board time keepers.  They let the riders know what the time splits are on the road, a hold over from before the days of race radios in the peloton's ears.  All of the climbs were lined with very enthusiastic fans carrying and wearing flags, costumes and speedos.  Just around the corner Mattias put in a blistering attack in an attempt to gain the stage and Yellow.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available in a short three day auction on ebay.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the US Pro Challenge.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251323681837