Tour '22, Stage 20: Farewell Tour

This Tour de France has definitely been a changing of the guard.  This is another reason why, Philippe Gilbert (Lotto Soudal) is rolling down a start ramp for the last time in the Tour de France.  He has announced that he will retire at the end of this season.  He turned 40 in the middle of this Tour de France, and that is a pretty common age to step off the bike.  He is a former Belgium champion, and World Champion.  I suggest looking at his wikipedia page to see just how great his career has been.  He didn't exactly burn up the course today finishing in 115th place.  Still that is considerably faster than I have ever been able to ride.  He rode an average of just over 44 kph!

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. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3895454-128-294403/Painting/farewell-tour-tdf22-129.html

Tour '22, Stage 14: Fighting Elimination

The early aggressions in hopes of putting the Maillot Jaune of Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) made for a very fast start of Stage 14.  With that and an early climb, the already suffering Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal) was dropped off the back.  Facing the possiblity of being eliminated for not finishing within the time limit, the team sent back Brent Van Moer, the South African champion Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg, and Frederik Frison.  The foursome worked hard to stay in touch finishing the day finishing the day almost forty minutes behind the winner of the stage.  It was a long time back, but it was enough for the Australian sprinter and his teammates for that matter to stay in the Tour.  Tomorrow is a possible sprint stage, the last until Paris, will Caleb have legs to fight for a stage victory?

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-2022/3893996-85-294403/Painting/fighting-elimination-tdf22-86.html

Tour '22, Stage 13: Too Sore to Climb

Like most sprinters (and myself for that matter) Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal) isn't the best of climbers.  This Catagory 3 climb shouldn't have been much of a problem for him, but he bang his knee pretty hard just over 20 kilometers ago.  Right before I painted this he was shaking out his right arm that he had hurt in the fall also.  Bleeding from two different joints he clearly won't be contesting the sprint today.  He must finish the stage if he wants to stay in the Tour, so he will keep suffering for the final fifty kilometers of Stage 13.  I did like the fan on the side of the road point out Caleb to the woman with him who quickly snapped a photo with her phone.

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-2022/3893930-80-294403/Painting/too-sore-to-climb-tdf22-81.html 

Tour '22, Stage 13: Sprinter Down!

Stage 13 wasn't looking like it was going to be a lucky stage for Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal).  As his teammates watching over him in the peloton, the lead rider missed the turn.  He also clipped Caleb's wheel sending the Australian sprinter down hard.  Of course this stage wasn't anywhere as unlucky as stage 3 of last year.  It could be argue that this was worse (not because of the injuries) because he had struggled through the Alps in hopes of being able to contest a sprint today.  Now that has gone out the window.  Last year he went out of the Tour.  He was able to get back on his bike and start riding again.

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-2022/3893927-79-294403/Painting/sprinter-down-tdf22-80.html

Tour '22, Stage 10: The Back of the Front

Once the 22 man break was established it quickly built a nine minute lead over the Maillot Jaune led peloton.  As the break headed up the final climb to the Montee d'Altiport de Megeve, Philippe Gilbert (Lotto Soudal) could be found right a the back of the group.  Ahead of him were Benjamin Thomas (Cofidis), Jasper Stuyven (Intermache-Wanty Gobert) and Pierre Rolland (B&B Hotels-KTM).  Unfortunately, once the attacks started at the front Gilbert and Rolland were quickly dropped.  I was hoping for more from both of these two.  Rolland is on my fantasy team and I, like he, are languishing in the middle of the general classication).

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-2022/3893276-56-294403/Painting/the-back-of-the-front-tdf22-56.html

Tour '22, Stage 8: Not Much Chance

Well, yes, a break away has made it all of the way to the end of a stage to sprint for stage honors, but it is rare.  The peloton hasn't let these three build up much of a lead.  So it is unlikely that Mattia Cattaneo (Quick Step-Alpha Vinyl), Fred Wright (Bahrain-Victorious) nor Frederik Frison (Lotto Soudal) would manage to outwit the peloton.  Still they have no chance of winning the day if they don't try to go in the break, the peloton is just too strong and too deep with talent for them to have a chance in sprinting up the final climb.

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-2022/3892801-42-294403/Painting/not-much-chance-tdf22-42.html

Tour '22, Stage 2: Rehearsal

At Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal) put on an amazing sprint to take out the intermediate sprint in Kalundberg.  The young Australian out sprinted both Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) and Peter Sagan (TotalEnergies).  Is this an indication of how the sprint will go in another 75 kilometers for the stage win?  While Van Aert was adding to his sprint points in the race for the Maillot Vert (a jersey he has on loan today) there are no bonus seconds being given in this year's Tour.

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-2022/3891731-7-294403/Painting/rehearsal-tdf22-7.html

Liege Bastogne Liege '22: Who's Got the Legs?

As the leading group went up the Cote du Stockeu Harm Vanhoucke (Lotto Soudal) pushed the pace up the climb.  He did split the early group apart.  He took a quick look behind to see who was still with him.  Unfortunately, he did drop his own teammate.  While the group of now six men had a sizable gap on the peloton, just over three minutes, they still had another 75 kilometers to race.  

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/Spring-Classics-/3881078-501-195767/Painting/whos-got-the-legs-lbl22-1.html

Ronde Van Vlaanderen Men '22: Just Catching On

The move from Ivan Garcia Cortina (Movistar) ~ see previous post ~ helped form a strong group of 13 riders that may well be in a position to win today's Ronde Van Vlaanderen.  Realizing the danger, this trio of Kevin Geniets (Groupama-FDJ), Tim Wellens (Lotto Soudal) and Connor Swift (Arkea-Samsic) rode hard to bridge the gap to the group.  At this point there is still the early break away of six riders up the road, but no one seems to be paying them much mind.  Certainly not the camera motos, the producers or myself for that matter.  This is where the racing was at.

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/Spring-Classics-/3876938-479-195767/Painting/just-catching-on-rvv22-2.html

Milano Sanremo: Cramped Up, Cramped Out

Having lost the wheels of his erstwhile break away companions near the top of the Capo Berta, Filippo Conca (Lotto Soudal) had pushed deep to catch back on.  Perhaps he went too deep.  As he rode along the bottom of the climb he suddenly shoot out his leg as straight as possible.  The next thing we knew he was grimacing in pain and rubbing out his legs as he came to a stop.  I felt the need to paint this moment having had a similar experience on century rides all too often.  Conca had cramped terribly after being off the front in a break away for over 250 kilometers thus far.  As he stretched his leg out, he soon fell to the ground in pain.  It looked like his day of racing was done, but that would be assuming he wasn't determined.  Surprisingly, he got back on his bike moments after I painted this.  He would have been caught by the peloton not long after, but I didn't see him for the rest of the day.  Still, particualry for an Italian it is very important to finish a race on his home soil.  I can relate, I have finished every century I have started, leg cramps or not.

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/Spring-Classics-/3873549-466-195767/Painting/cramped-up-cramped-out-ms22-3.html

Paris NIce 2022: Off He Goes

Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates) had dropped to the back of the ten man early break to pass his arm warmers to his team car and grab a bottle.  From the back he jumped on his pedals sweeping around everyone on a steep hairpin turn.  Both Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies) and Harm Vanhoucke (Lotto Soudal) tried to go with the violent acceleration of the American on the Arabian team.  They, nor anyone else in the break, could cover the move as they watched his wheels roll away from them.  They should have realized that if he got a gap, they most likely wouldn't see him again.  Perhaps, they knew, but just couldn't do anything about it.

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/3871507-59-272742/Painting/off-he-goes-pn22-22.html

Paris Nice 2022: Polka Dots Are the Goal

Not only was the panels covered in polka dots at ths summit of the Cote de Toulard the immediate goal for Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ) and Harm Vanhoucke (Lotto Soudal), the similarly bedeck jersey was the goal of the day for Madouas.  Vanhoucke was doing what he could to try and reduce the points that Madouas garnered at each summit in hopes of keeping his teammate in the King of the Mountains jersey.  However, Madouas had gotten the best of the Belgium rider in red on every climb thus far, including this one.  That fact has insured that the Frenchman will be pulling on the Maillot a Pois at the end of today's 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 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/3871506-58-272742/Painting/polka-dots-are-the-goal-pn22-21.html

Paris Nice 2022: Two Out of Three

The title comes from the fact that two out of these three riders have been in at least one of the previous break aways in Paris Nice.  The odd man out was Owain Doull (EF Education-EasyPost).  Conversely, Alexis Gougeard (B&B Hotels-KTM) has made it into a break three times out of three stages.  Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal) has done it yesterday and today.  One thing is for sure, none of them will be in a break tomorrow since it is a day of racing against the clock in the individual time trial.

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/3870934-47-272742/Painting/two-out-of-three-pn22-10.html

Paris Nice 2022: Slipping Away

With little hope of outsprinting some of those in the front group Stefan Bissegger (EF Education-EasyPost) went off the front of the peloton with roughly 15 kilometers to race.  The Swiss rider was joined by his countryman, Stefan Kung (Groupama-FDJ) and Philippe Gilbert (Lotto Soudal).  You can't see, but trust me he is there, Christophe Laporte (Jumbo Visma) bridge across to defend his Yellow Jersey and the position on the GC of his teammates.  He need not have worried, too many in the peloton fancied their chances in a sprint finale, so these escapes were put back into the peloton in quick order.  It is impressive that Gilbert had the legs to go again having been off the front of the peloton for 100 kilometers and then in the front group for another 45.

 

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/3870707-45-272742/Painting/slipping-away-pn22-8.html

Paris Nice 2022: A Change of Direction

Mathew Holmes (Lotto Soudal) had been rewarded for his early break away yesterday with the Polka Dot Jersey of the King of the Mountains.  Not one to think one day is enough, he went out early today with his teammate Philippe Gilbert to suck up the available points in the early (and only) climbs of the day.  Joining the Lotto Soudal was a member of yesterday's late break away, Alexis Gougeard (B&B Hotels-KTM).  Riding in defense of his teammate, Gilbert made sure to take second over the two climbs while Holmes got over first.  That kept Gougeard from over taking the Brit in KOM points.  However the Frenchman's efforts will keep him in second place in the climbing 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 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/3870609-43-272742/Painting/a-change-of-direction-pn22-6.html

Paris Nice 2022: Trying Later

After the peloton slowed and Frederik Frison (Lotto Soudal) went off the front Alexis Gougeard (B&B Hotels-KTM) and the Kazikstan Champion, Yevgeniy Fedorov (Astana Qazaqstan) bridged across.  The trio was able to build up almost a minite and a half on the peloton as the entered the finishing circuit around Mantes La Ville.  The trio had sucked up the bonus seconds in the first sprint and the king of the mountain points, but the first Polka Dot Jersey would be going elsewhere.

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/3870435-39-272742/Painting/trying-later-pn22-2.html

Paris Nice 2022: If You Are Going to Stop...

Etiquette says you don't attack the race leader when they are off the back due to a mechanical, crash or a nature break.  Two things however, it doesn't applied to those not considered to be a favorite nor on the first day when there is no race leader yet.  So it wasn't a dirty trick for Frederik Frison (Lotto Soudal) to attack the peloton when it had slowed so must could take a pee on the side of the road.  The Belgium rider on a Belgium team quickly stretched out his gap to 30 seconds with 46 kilometers left to race.

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/3870431-38-272742/Painting/if-you-are-going-to-stop...-pn22-1.html

Paris Roubaix: Sprinting in Roubaix

Riders caked in mud and sprinting on a velodrome could only happen at Paris Roubaix.  Try as they might neither Matthieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Felix) nor Florian Vermeersch (Lotto Soudal) could get rid of Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain-Victorious) on the final kilometer before the Roubaix velodrome.  Both knew that they were going to have and out sprint a well known sprinter if they wanted to win since they couldn’t shed themselves of the European Champion before the finale.  So when these three came around the bell lap it went down as most would have expected.  Sonny Colbrelli won his first attempt at the Hell of the North, with Florian Vermeersch just nipping Matthieu Van Der Poel for second.  In the back ground you can see Gianni Moscon (Ineos-Grenadiers) having been lapped by the podium trio.  He risked losing in hopes of winning and claims fourth in his last race for Ineos-Grenadiers. 

This is most likely my last paintings for a remarkable 2021 season.  I hope to be able to paint the opening race of 2022, the Tour Down Under.  But it was canceled last year, and Australia is still being very strict with their travel restrictions, so here’s hoping it will happen.  If not I’ll be back for the Spring Classics.  Thank you all for your support of my cycling art!

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

 https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-2021/3840269-63-290150/Painting/sprinting-in-roubaix-pr21-16.html

Paris Roubaix: Who’s Who

Is this not the most iconic image of all that is Paris Roubaix?  As Phil Liggett and Bob Roll commented on the race, one of their main difficulties was figuring out who was who the more the riders got caked with mud.  This is yet another title that is a bit of a play on words.  First it was very difficult to tell who was who, and these three men, Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain-Victorious), Matthieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Felix), and just peaking over their shoulders, Florian Vermeersch (Lotto Sousa) were looking to be the who’s  who of this Paris Roubaix.  The trio caught and dispatched Gianni Moscon on the fabled Carrefour de l’Arbre and were now vying to find their places on the podium.  The fans crowded the course as they too tried to make out just who was their man for the race.

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

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-2021/3840265-62-290150/Painting/whos-who-pr21-15.html

Paris Roubaix: Can It Get Worse?

It should come as a surprise to no one that with all of the rain last night and during the race today large puddles formed along the course.  Just before the entrance to Section 23, the Artres a Querenaing, the railroad crossing had helped to form a huge deep puddle at the start of the cobblestones.  First Florian Vermeersch (Lotto Soudal) and then Nils Eekhoff (DSM) road through unable to see their feet nor almost the hubs of their wheels.  Fortunately there wasn’t any potholes hidden beneath the surface of the small pond.  Fortunately, they and the rest of the peloton got through the slough without more than muddy soaking wet feet.

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

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-2021/3840221-58-290150/Painting/can-it-get-worse-pr21-11.html