Paris Nice '25, Stage 2: Forced to Chase

As the speeding peloton went through a sharp right corner a crash tangled up many and ended the day for one of Arkea-B&B Hotels riders.  Many found themselves off the back and forced to chase down the still flying peloton.  One of those chasing (and sitting right on the bumper of his team car) was the Maillot Jaune of Tim Merlier (Soudal-Quick Step).  He was joined in this chase group by the Australian Champion, Luke Durbridge (Jayco-Alula) as well as, Miles Scotson (Arkea-B&B Hotels) and the two guys from Movistar, Will Barta and Jefferson Alveiro Cepeda.  They all caught back on.  Unfortunately for Durbridge he went down again in the intermediate sprint in Bellegarde.  The second time he didn't get back on the bike, ending his Paris Nice before it had really gotten started.  

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 $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Forced to Chase PN25-6" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Nice 23, Stage 3: Off the Front and Out the Back

Today’s stage was a team time trial, the first in almost sixty years contested in the Paris Nice race.  Jayco-Alula went out hot and seemed to keep building speed as they went around the 32 kilometer course.  The discipline has each teammates spending time on the front pushing through the wind as those behind get a bit of a break until it is their turn to put their nose into the wind.  This is the first time each rider will be given their actual finish time, and the team’s time will be taken by the first rider to cross the line.  Usually, the clock stops on the fourth or fifth rider to cross the line, and that is the time given to each member of the team.  Lucas Hamilton had just finished his turned on the front, but it was all he had to give.  As he swung away, he simply drifted on past his teammates; Chris Harper, Matteo Sobrero, Simon Yates, Luke Durbridge, and Kellan O’Brien.  Their sprinter, Michael Matthews had already been dropped by the group setting new best times all along the course.  

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/Paris-Nice/3938693-88-272742/Painting/off-the-front-out-the-back.-pn23-6.html

Wollongong 2022, Mixed Team Relay: Time to Use the Turbo

If you are unaware, Luke Durbridge's (Australia) - he is on the front - nickname is 'Durbo Turbo'.  He is often found on the front of the peloton chasing down break aways for his BikeExchange-Jayco team.  Today he is using that particular skill to pull himself, Michael Matthews and Team Australia towards a new best time as the men's half of the Mixed Team Relay.  His efforts and that of his female teammates were enough to earn the home team a bronze medal after a long time in the hot seat.  It does seem to be a pattern of these Worlds, to have an Australian rider sit in first place right up until the end of the time trials of these games.

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/Wollongong-2022-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3906699-14-295031/Painting/time-to-use-the-turbo-uci22-14.html

Tour, Stage 18: Rolling Along (2)

Ironically, I was congratulating myself this morning on not having duplicated a title for the first 95 paintings of this Tour.  And then I called this one "Rolling Along" and blew that stat.  This is a group of five that the peloton wasn't interested in letting go.  While Niki Terpstra (Quick Step) was pushing hard on the front, the peloton never gave them more than two minutes.  Joining the former Dutch national champion were two riders from Mitchelton-Scott, Matthew Heyman and Luke Durbridge, along with the French sprinter, Thomas Boudet (Direct Energie) and Guillaume Van Keirsbulck (Wanty-Groupe Gobert).  With today and Paris the last chances for the sprinters to get a stage, neither I nor more importantly the peloton were giving any chance of this break succeeding.

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-2018/3194584-97-251072/PaintingRolling-Along-2--T18-96.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Men's Road Race: Warming Up

As the peloton came onto the 11 lap circuit, after having already gotten 39 kilometers into their legs, they were definitely warming up.  With the feed zone and scores of soigneurs just up the road, many like Nikias Arndt (Germany) decided to pull off a layer or two.  Just ahead of the disrobing Germany was Luke Durbridge (Australia).  I always feel a bit sheepish about one of my paintings of Durbridge from 2014.  He was accidentally knocked over by a soigneur on an opposing team in the Tour de France.  He jumped back up and pushed the offender over, got back on his bike and rode on.  I capture that moment in my book, "Book du Tour".  I have been trying to show his better side ever since.  This duo was letting a bit of a gap open, but with Durbridge's power, it will be closed in a heartbeat.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be 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.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3038016-48-239826/PaintingWarming-Up--Bergen-48.html

Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne: A Very Sticky Bottle

The title of this painting refers to the trick of the sport director holding onto the bottle longer than is necessary to give his rider a boost.  The race directors can dock time if they deemed the act provided an advantage to the racer, they can even disqualify them from the race.  Luke Durbridge (Orica-Scott) may have held on too long, but it did nothing to help in gain an unfair advantage.  With a day of over 200 kilometers of racing in the cold, I am sure all of those out on their bikes were hoping for a rest of any sort.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be 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.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2926080-331-195767/PaintingA%20Very%20Sticky%20Bottle%20KBK17-4.html#.WLOVwfkrLIU

Tour Down Under Stage 5 Racing to the Bottom

Yet again the peloton caught the break with less than six kilometers left to race   Now it was time to fly to the bottom of Willunga Hill in hopes that one's respective team leader would be able to grab victory at the summit  Luke Durbridge (Orica-Scott) looks back over his shoulder to see how his teammate Damien Howson and the rest of the "Orica boys" were doing   Ready to take over the pace making duties is Geraint Thomas (Team Sky)  Try as the two teams might they were unable to split apart the peloton as they crossed the flat lands before the final ascent

Sorry the gremlins don't like punctuation and the keyboard has fallen to their whims

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be 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.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2908179-125-194179/PaintingRacing%20to%20the%20Bottom%20TDU17-27.html#.WIOkHfkrLIU

Doha 2016, Men's TTT: Hugging the Barrier

Orica-BikeExchange came to Doha with a strong team for the Team Time Trial, some of those who took to the road for the Australian team were Luke Durbridge (Australia), Svein Tuft (Canada), Daryl Impey (South Africa) amongst others.  The boys in there blue and bright green kit were able to claim the final step of the podium, after having lead the race when they crossed the line.  Their third place represented a step higher (and on to the podium) from their performance in Richmond, Virginia last year.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be 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.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2863230-6-227958/PaintingHugging%20the%20Barrier%20Doha6-Greig-Leach.html#.V_qdgPArLIU

Donostia Classica: Up the Final Climb

Luke Durbridge (Orica-BikeExchange) hit the final climb up the Bordako Tontorra, pulling hard for his man, Adam Yates.  The race organizers have a group of motorcycle riding officials who stop along the way and warn riders of potential dangers along the route.  Sometimes the motorcycles them selves are the danger, but not today.

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.

To buy this painting, just follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2830787-324-195767/PaintingUp%20the%20Final%20Climb%20Dono6-Greig-Leach.html#.V52GybgrLIU

Donostia Classica: Using the Turbo

The peloton took a quick ride through the finishing town of San Sebastian (or Donostia) before heading back out for the final climb in the race.  The young star from the Tour de France, Adam Yates (Orica-BikeExchange) is the defending champion, and his team was eager to have him repeat.  Orica-BikeExchange put the powerhouse, Luke Durbridge, on the front, follow closely by Christopher Juul Jensen.  Waiting in the wings are the domestiques of BMC and Katusha, ready to bring their team leaders to the business end of the race.

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.

To buy this painting, just follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2830784-323-195767/PaintingUsing%20the%20Turbo%20Dono5-Greig-Leach.html#.V52DbLgrLIU

Tour, Stage 10: From this Group

As per usual, the large group had too many passengers, so this group jumped away from the others.  Surprisingly, Orica-BikeExchange managed to put all three guys from the large group into this one.  Joining the Orica boys; Luke Durbridge, Daryl Impey and Michael Matthews, were Peter Sagan (Tinkoff), Greg Van Avermaet (BMC), Edvald Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data), and Samuel Dumoulin (Ag2r La Mondiale).  Once this group had established it self, it seemed that the peloton simply surrendered.  They had pulled back three minutes from the original seven minute gap, but then they sat up.  Given the power represented here it was clear that this group was where the stage would be won from.  With three men on Orica-BikeExchange it was their stage to lose.

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.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2822854-68-224974/PaintingFrom%20this%20Group%20TdF68-Greig-Leach.html#.V4V-J7grLIU

Tour Down Under: Taking Them Up

Orica-GreenEdge has been expected to do the work on the front, first by being a ProTour team from Australia, and secondly, because the Ochre Jersey is on one of their team members.  So it is that Luke Durbridge, Michael Hepburn and Michael Albasini were called upon to ride tempo and keep the lone break away rider in check.  With the repetitive uncategorized climb on the finishing circuit, it was unlikely that their sprinter, Caleb Ewan, would be able to keep is leader's jersey, but the team leader, Simon Gerrans, had already picked up 5 bonus seconds in the earlier intermediate sprints.  He must be setting the stage to go for the General Classification lead by the end of the day.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting created using watercolors from www.richesonart.com and 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.  In addition, be sure to check out my new book, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships" available now at www.artofcycling.bike.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2674747-69-194179/Painting.html#.Vp_PwPkrLIU

Tour Down Under: Drinking on the Job

With the heat beating down on the peloton, it was important to keep drinking.  Michael Hepburn (Orica-GreenEdge) and his teammate, Luke Durbridge rode tempo on the front of the peloton,  The duo pegged the break away at two minutes, holding them there until the last kilometers of the stage. With the three men up the road, it was less likely that someone with fresh legs would jump out of the pack and spoil the sprinters' day.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting created using watercolors from www.richesonart.com and 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.  In addition, be sure to check out my new book, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships" available now at www.artofcycling.bike.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2673259-63-194179/Painting.html#.Vp3VE_krLIU

Richmond 2015 UCI Worlds:

After days of swinging through the city streets of Richmond, Virginia, under rather grey skies, it was a pleasure to see the rolling country side and the bright sunlight of a beautiful autumn afternoon.  Luke Durbridge (Australia) was riding along one of the major older highways that run along the eastern edge of the United States from Florida to Maine.  Durbridge is a strong powerful rider who's strengh has earned him the nickname, "Turbo Durbo."

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  In addition this painting is available along with two different sizes of prints in the Richmond Convention Center just a block away from the finish line of every race of the UCI World Road Racing Championships.  Just come look for me directly across from the awards podium.  Plus you can find a live stream of my painting the works at www.richmond.com were the paintings will soon be available for purchase.

Giro Final Stage:An Upset Victory

This year's Giro seems to be the year of the breakaways.  I don't have an exact number, but it feels like far more stages have been won by a member of the breakaway, either the early break working all day to achieve victory, or like today, the late attack that catches the peloton off guard.   For this pair of Lijo Keisse (Etixx Quickstep) and Luke Durbridge (Orica BreenEdge) you could see it enter their minds on the bell lap that one of them was about to win the final stage of the 98th Giro d'Italia.  Keisse had the advantage of coming from the track and from being wise enough to force Durbridge to start his sprint from the front.  Durbridge did what he could but with the peloton charging down on the duo, he couldn't do the classic game of cat and mouse, but instead had to hope that he had the legs and Keisse didn't.  Alas, for the Aussie, Keisse had them.  Durbridge can take comfort knowing that Orica GreenEdge held the first four Maglia Rosas and one the opening Team Time Trial stage.  Whereas, Etixx-Quickstep had yet to claim a stage, and their team leader had been unable to produce his former prowess in previous Giros.  So it was truly and upset victory even if the over all winner has been known for weeks.  So "Chapeau, Contador!"

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from the small family run art supply company, Jack Richeson and Company.  There website is www.richesonart.com.  Plus, this painting is available through my artist website for only $50 USD, plus shipping (international is available) at www.greigleach.com.  To get this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post, but don't delay.  This is an original work of art, so when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2561858---184157/Painting.html#.VWvLgM9Viko

Giro Final Stage: Trying to Make It Stick

Luke Durbridge (Orica GreenEdge) and Lijo Keisse (Etixx Quickstep) went from almost the moment the Promenade was over, prying almost a thirty second gab on the peloton full of sprinters.  Sprinters who surely wanted to vie for one more stage victory.  With the technical nature of the 5 lap circuit, the powerful duo had the strength and the long shot of actually making the escape stick.  They had already spoiled the Red Jersey hopefuls chances of getting maximum points at the intermediate sprint, now it was beginning to look like they might do the same at the final finish line of the 98th Giro d'Italia.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from the small family run art supply company, Jack Richeson and Company.  There website is www.richesonart.com.  Plus, this painting is available through my artist website for only $50 USD, plus shipping (international is available) at www.greigleach.com.  To get this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post, but don't delay.  This is an original work of art, so when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2561846---184157/Painting.html#.VWvFfs9Viko

Giro Stage 5: Where They Belong

Today was the first day that Orica GreenEdge had to do their traditional duty.  It is an unwritten law that the team that holds the leader's jersey must ride on the front of the peloton keeping tabs on the break aways and generally pay homage to the Maglia Rosa.  Orica GreenEdge has been spared their duty by other teams hoping to put their rivals into difficulty.  Today, a truce seemed to have been drawn and the duty fell to the Aussies and their adoptees.  With the early break now 10 minutes past the small down of Bagni di Lucca, it was time to raise the tempo ahead of the coming finishing climb to Abetone.

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, www.richesonart.com.  They are a small family run art supply company located in the upper midwest of the United States.  This painting is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com for only $50 USD.  And yes, international shipping is available.  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/2553620-160-156-184157/Painting/Sports.html#.VVP8iyFViko

Tour Down Under Stage 1: Getting Twitchy

Surprisingly, it appears that the peloton missed the formula that would catch the break away before the line.  Instead the four, that had gone from the very first kilometer of the stage were still away with less the 500 meters to the line.  The more experience Mazim Belkov (Katusha) and Lieuwe Westra (Astana) goofed, ending up on the front of the foursome, snapping their heads around trying to see which Aussie was going to jump first.  For his part, Jack Bobridge (UniSA-Australia) kept an close eye on the fast approaching peloton.  This game of high speed chess was watched from the back of the motorcycle of the neutral service vehicle, the duo ready to loan a wheel should anyone have a very poorly timed flat tire.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  If you would like to get this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

If you are enjoying this cycling art, you may be interested in checking out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France".  Google the title to find where you can get the book near you.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2499420---194179/Painting.html#.VL8MNE05DIU

Tour Down Under Stage 1: Over the Top

With only one categorized climb in the opening stage of the Tour Down Under, whoever got over Checker Hill first would be wearing the King of the Mountains Jersey tomorrow.  With such a coveted prize on offer, the breakaway tabled its cooperative spirit as they neared the top of the climb.  Luke Durbridge (Orica GreenEdge) launched the first attack, but it was his countryman, Jack Bobridge (UniSA-Australia) that had the legs to get over the crest and under the Subaru banner first.  With nearly twenty kilometers left to go to the line, the pair of Aussies waited for the other two before racing down the other side of the hill.  With the steep descent it was looking like there was a chance that the breakaway may have a chance.  This is an original small watercolor and ink painting that is available for purchase through my artist website, www.greigleach.com   To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

If you like the paintings you see here, be sure to look into my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France" available online and in bookstores around the world.  Just google the title to find in near you.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2499416---194179/Painting.html#.VL8JEk05DIU

Tour Down Under Stage 1: At the Beginning

The Santos Tour Down Under and the 2015 ProTour Road Racing season is now underway.  Stage One was lit up from the drop of the flag with a three man break away that included, Lieuwe Westra (Astana), Maxim Belkov (Katusha) and Jack Bobridge (UniSA-Australia).  The trio was quickly joined by the Australian on the other Australian team, Luke Durbridge (Orica-GreenEdge).  The now quartet never build up more than a minute and a half on the peloton, so it looks to be a mass mad dash down to the finish line off of the only categorized climb of the day.  This is an original small (4"x6") watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  In addition this painting and many other pieces of original cycling art 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. 

If this appeals to you, be sure to take a look at my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France" available world wide.  Just Google it to find out where you can buy a copy.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2499294-31-30-194179/Painting.html#.VL7Ymk05DIU