Tour '26, Stage 12: Trying a Little Dig

With the peloton all together, it was time for others to try and escape the grasp of the peloton.  Or perhaps Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) was doing what he could to shed some of the other sprinters on behalf of his sprinter Mads Pedersen.  The attack by the Champion of the USA came on the last categorized climb of the day, the Cote de Montagny les Buxy.  He was covered by Louis Vervaeke (Soudal-Quick Step).  Vervaeke was riding in defense of his very successful sprinter, Tim Merlier.  I love the way the peloton seems to be peering over the rise in the roadway as they 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 work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "Trying a Little Dig TdF26-83" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

And learn about Leach's published books at The Art of Cycling: Cycling Books by Greig Leach

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Fleche Wallonne 23, Men’s Race: The Last Survivor

With just five kilometers and one very steep climb to go, Louis Vervaeke (Soudal-Deceuninck) was the last of those that had been off the front.  While he was not part of the original early break away, he did bridge up to the leaders with there was still another 35 kilometers to go.  At this point he still had twenty seconds on the big names in the race.  Normally, that had a chance to be enough, but today the last kilometer includes a climb that has sections at an eighteen percent gradient.  I had noticed a large hand made sign rooting him on half way up the climb.  I’m sure he saw it on the previous trips up the Mur de Huy.  Will it give him enough lift to stay away on the final ascent?

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, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3946922-546-195767/Painting/the-last-survivor-fw23-10.html

Fleche Wallonne 23, Men’s Race: Getting Some Help

With just two guys up the road, Samuel Battistella (Astana-Qazaqstan) jumped out of the peloton in hopes of joining the pair.  While he had escaped the immediate grasps of the main group, he seemed stuck in the middle.  That is he was stuck until Louis Vervaeke (Soudal-Quick Step) came across.  The two then set off to finish bridging up to the other two on the front of the race.  They did get there by working together, which is far better/easier than trying to do it on their own.

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, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3946915-545-195767/Painting/getting-some-help-fw23-9.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

Dauphine, Prologue: Pushing All the Way

The four kilometer race was unbelievably tough, with some sections of the climb rising at almost 18%.   The fastest riders were taking almost 12 minutes to cover the rather short distance.  Louis Vervaeke (Lotto Soudal) spent most of the effort out of the saddle with his mouth agape, but still took almost twelve and a half minutes to reach the line under the chair lift.  Apparently, the riders had the option to go back down the mountain by chair lift, although some took the gravel access route, since the only other way down was full of those racing up the mountain against the clock.

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 art supplies.  This painting is also available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are there be sure to check out all of the cycling art, and other types of work, along with my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2803597-38-185083/Painting.html#.V1TXqZErLIU

Giro Stage 12: Continuing On

Louis Vervaeke (Lotto Soudal) had sprinted out of the peloton for the intermediate sprint points inbetween the two climbs of the day.  Once he had gotten off of the front of the group, he decided that he might as well continue on.  The breakaways have been succeeding at a surprisingly high percentage of the time, perhaps that peloton would get it wrong yet again.  Then there is always the thought that without taking a chance, I am sure he felt he had no chance of a stage win.  Any chance no matter how slim is better than no chance at all.  Vittoria, an Italian tire manufacturer, is sponsoring the neutral service vehicles.  They are there to provide a replacement wheel or bike should Vaeraeke have a mechanical while his team car is trapped behind the peloton.  As Simon Gerrans (Orica GreenEdge) learned today, that wait for the team car can be very long indeed.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from the American family run art supply company, Jack Richeson & Company, www.richesonart.com.  This painting is available for purchase through my artist website for the low price of $50 USD, plus shipping (including international shipping).  To buy this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2557676---184157/Painting.html#.VV463flViko