Tour '22, Stage 21: Attacking the Bell Lap

None of this Tour had gone to script, so why should today be any different.  I am not sure who went first, but is suspect it was Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) attacked on the bell lap and was quickly covered by Geraint Thomas (Ineos-Grenadiers).  Given the presence of Thomas' teammate, Luke Rowe, I am inclined to think it was Ineos-Grenadiers who went on the offensive first.  I am not sure that Jonas Vingegaard even saw this move, but he certainly didn't try and cover it.  He knew full well that no one was going to gain over three minutes nor eight minutes in the final lap of the Tour de France.  I am not sure why they did this, but it did make for a few minutes of exciting television before the final sprint to the finish in a ten minutes time.

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-2022/3895597-147-294403/Painting/attacking-the-bell-lap-tdf22-141.html

Tour '22, Stage 10: Still Not Established

Perhaps it was the long downhill to kick off the stage, or perhaps it was due to yesterday's rest day, but it took a long, long time to get a break established in Stage 10.  Attack after attack was pulled back only to watch another group attempt to get away.  Finally, this bunch was beginning to look like they might be the ones to make it stick.  Anthony Perez (Cofidis) looks back to see who might be joining him in this effort.  Over his shoulder he could spy the Ineos-Grenadiers duo of Luke Rowe and Dylan Van Baarle.  He probably spotted the bright pink kit of the former King of the Mountains, Magnus Cort (EF Education-EasyPost).  However behind his opposite shoulder was Jack Bauer (BikeExchange-Jayco) and the American Tour neophyte Matteo Jorgenson (Movistar).  With 73 kilometers to go, it was the start of the Col de Jambaz the set up their departure from the grip of the peloton.

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-2022/3893260-53-294403/Painting/still-not-established-tdf22-53.html

Paris Nice 2022: Teasing Each Other

Michael Morkov (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl) had been up the road in the original 20 man break away at the start of the climb of the Col de Turini - although the measured climb had yet to start.  As he dropped off the pass and was caught by the peloton he made a very Italian looking gesture to Luke Rowe (Ineos-Grenadiers).  Morkov was pretending to be offended that his friend and oft times companion in the groupetto had chased him down.  It brought a big smile to Rowe's face and to that of Rowe's teammate the Spanish Champion Omar Fraille.  Given the effort that was going into the pace of the peloton, I'm sure a little levity was much appreciated.

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/3871880-70-272742/Painting/teasing-each-other-pn22-33.html

TDF, Stage 3: Looking a Little Better

At first Ineos-Grenadiers didn't send anyone to help Geraint Thomas chase back to the peloton.  I later learned that he had dislocated his shoulder in the crash.  The doctors put it back where it belonged and then he was up and riding again (!!!!!!!).  I think the team didn't want to jeopardize the classification standings of the rest of the team until they knew Thomas was going to be able to finish the stage.  Has he began to feel better more and more teammates appeared to help with the chase.  It fell to Luke Rowe, Johathan Castroviejo and Richie Porte to come back, while the others stayed up with their now sole team leader, Richard Carapaz.

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/2021-Tour-de-France/3820641-15-291436/Painting/looking-a-little-better-tdf21-15.html

Milano-Sanremo 2021 - Making It Hard

 As the peloton went up the penultimate climb of Milano-Sanremo (the Capo Cipressa) Sam Oomen (Jumbo Visma) hit the front setting a hard pace for his team leader, Wout Van Aert.  Van Aert was using the strategy that if the pace was super fast on this climb no one would be able to launch the traditional race winning attack.  He was right. Lined out behind the two from Jumbo Visma were Ineos-Grenadiers including Luke Rowe, Tom Pidcock (in his race debute), and Michal Kwiatkowski.  It was looking like it was either going to be an attack on the final climb of the Poggio or it would be down to a sprint finale.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow th edirect 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/Spring-Classics-2021/3801733-15-290150/Painting/making-it-hard-ms21-4.html

Gent-Wevelgem, And?

 At the summit of the first trip up the Kemmelberg, it was a rider from Alpecin-Fenix on the front of the chasing peloton.  He looked back to the rider from Groupama-FDJ seeming to ask what he had to give.  The duo had opened a bit of a gap on those behind that included Luke Rowe (Ineos-Grenadiers) amongst others.  With 81 kilometers to race and a group of seven up the road, it remains to be seen if this will become a move that sticks.  I am sorry that I wasn't able to get the names of these riders off the front, neither I nor the commentators on FloBikes were able to see their bib, nor bike numbers.  If you know their names, please let me know.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow th edirect 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/2020-Bike-Racing-Revised-Season/3718259-23-280747/Painting/and-gw20-1.html

Tour, Stage 8: Having to Chase

I am sure there was quite a sharp intake of breath when nearly the entire Ineos team went down with about 22 kilometers left to race.  One of the riders, perhaps Gianni Moscon's (Team Ineos) carbon frame was left in pieces.  As the chasers reached the final climb up the Cote de la Jailere, it was Egan Bernal (in the White Jersey) dropping back to assist Luke Rowe and Wout Poels in pacing Geraint Thomas back up to the peloton.  In the end, neither of the team's leaders lost anytime to the main rivals, but they are further behind the new Maillot Jaune than they were at the start of the 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.

Be sure to check out my daily videos on You Tube

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202019/3359450-41-263530/Having%20to%20Chase%20%20TDF19-41.html

Amgen ToC, Stage 2: A Quick Peak

First a quick note about the landscape in this painting, the striations of whites along the right side of the artwork is a carved snow bank.  The race went into the high Sierra Nevada Mountains where this year, finally, the mountains have been covered in snow, with snow falling as recently as last week.

Now on to the Tour of California, with this stage being basically uphill from the first kilometer it was a bigger chance of success for the break away.  Luke Rowe (Ineso) peaks back over his shoulder to see if any of those that had been with his leading group were making it back across.  With Rowe are Pawel Bernas (CCC) and Maximilian Walscheid (Sunweb) amongst others.  At this point, they had only build about a minute over the peloton, but another 80 kilometers of climbing could leave the bulk of the peloton far, far behind.

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/3331441-60-223355/A%20Quick%20Peak%20%20ToC19-5.html

This painting has sold!

Tour, Final Stage: Cheers!

The final stage of the Tour de France is broken into two distinct parts.  First the riders amble along on the way to Paris, chatting, visiting each other, and celebrating the fact that they have finished the incredible effort of racing the Tour de France.  Another tradition is the toast by the winning team, or the team of the winner toasting each other over a fight well fought.  Team Sky has been doing the arm and arm riding across the finish line for a while now, but today they road together toasting the horde of press motorcycles and photographers and each other.  Only one of the team didn't make it to Paris.  Gainni Moscon lost his temper and punched another contestant forcing his ejection from the race.  On Geraint Thomas's right are Michal Kwiatkowski and Chris Froome (who was the one in Yellow for four previous Tours de France) and on his left are Wout Poels and Luke Rowe.  Sadly, Egan Bernal and Jonathan Castroviejo were just out of frame.  Froome's work on behalf of his teammate and friend have forced me to re-evalutate my opinion of him.  He was kind, generous and did all he could once it was clear that Thomas was going to be the best place in the team, and that he would carry the Maillot Jaune to Paris.

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-2018/3196290-114-251072/PaintingCheers!--T18-113.html

This painting is sold!

Tour, Stage 11: Running with the Devil

I am sorry to day that I can remember this uber fan dressed as the Devil.  He has been following the Tour for decades always appearing at the base of a climb in the Alps, jumping wildly and running along side the peloton.  You can see that Luke Rowe (Sky) is looking over, checking out the costume, the very real beard, and the surprising fast pace of the aged imp.  Behind Rowe, all of Team Sky is lined out on the front of the peloton.  Sky is using their usual method of just grinding out a hard pace.  They don't bother to chase attacks, they just ride hard enough that few will try, and those that do end of returning (before being spit out the back).

You can watch this painting to come to life on my You Tube channel, and one painting for every stage of this Tour.  I hope you will take the time to watch the video as I talk about the race, creating watercolors in the moment, and bike racing in general.

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-2018/3189383-56-251072/PaintingRunning-with-the-Devil--T18-56.html

Paris Nice Stage 1 On the Attack

The final couple of kilometers of the day featured a small climb that was proving too much for some of the marquee sprinters  First to go was Bryan Coquard (Direct Energie) followed by John Degenkolb (Quickstep) and finally Andre Greipel (Lotto Soudal)  With his teammate off the back It was Julian Alaphilippe (Quickstep) who jumped free on a steep section of the approach surprising the ever dwindling lead group  The only one to catch the wheel of the fleeing Frenchman was Tony Gallopin (Lotto Soudal) also now free of working for his team's sprinter  Trying to cover the attack was Luke Rowe (Sky) but all of the work he had already put in on the front of this group left him without the legs to go with the move  With just over two kilometers left in the stage this may well prove to be the winning move

I apologize for the lack of punctuation but the gremlins are still denying me periods commas semi-colons and question marks  Perhaps I will devise a work around before the race reaches the Mediterranean Sea

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%20/2929395-339-195767/PaintingOn%20the%20Attack%20PN17-4.html#.WLzsQPkrLIU

Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne: Making Sure

It may have been Matteo Trentin (Quickstep) who opened the sprint to the line in Kuurne, but it was Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) who finished it out.  He had the speed and the time to look behind, just making sure that neither Jasper Stuyven (Trek-Segafredo) nor Luke Rowe (Sky) were closing in.  Sagan claimed the win after being disappointed with his second place finish yesterday.  Sagan seems to have never been affected by the "curse of the Rainbow Jersey;"  Stuyven had to settle for one step lower on the podium than 2016, and Luke Rowe finished the day in third.  The original five just managed to stay in front of the chasers, and they in turn just held on ahead of the peloton.

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%20/2926092-335-195767/PaintingMaking%20Sure.html#.WLOqJvkrLIU

Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne: Looking Them Over

With the red kite marking the final kilometer of the race in the distance, Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) looked over those off the front with him.  Sagan was not in the best position to launch an attack, but the others, Tiesj Benoot (Lotto Soudal), Luke Rowe (Sky), Jasper Stuyven (Trek Segafredo) and Matteo Trentin (Quickstep), weren't about to hand any advantage to the two time Road World Champion.  While jocking for position, the quintet risked slowing enough to let the chasing peloton sweep them up thus dashing all of their chances for claiming victory.

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%20/2926090-334-195767/PaintingLooking%20Them%20Over%20KBK17-7.html#.WLOlyfkrLIU

Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne: One of These Five

It was these five very talented riders who managed to ride away from everyone else on the road.  The group included the Rainbow Jersey of Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe), Luke Rowe (Sky), Tiesj Benoot (Lotto Soudal), Matteo Trentin (Quickstep) and the winner twelve months ago, Jasper Stuyven (Trek Segafredo).  They have 36 seconds on the chasing group, which in turn has a minute on the peloton.  Given that there are only 13 kilometers left to race, it is relatively safe to assume that the winner of the 2017 Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne will be one of these five men.

I have had the pleasure of riding in parts of Europe, so I quickly recognized the red bike lane just to the right of the racers.  My home town is trying to catch up with this kind of cycling infrastructure, but we may have a way to go.

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%20/2926088-333-195767/PaintingOne%20of%20These%20Five%20KBK17-6.html#.WLOg0PkrLIU

Tour: Stage 20: One for You, One for Me

Reaching out and grabbing a musette, Luke Rowe (Team Sky) came away with two instead.  Simplifying things, he kept one and passed it to the hero of stage 19, Geraint Thomas.  Team Sky was riding tempo up the penultimate climb of the Tour, the Col de la Colombiere.  None of the men up the road were any threat to the Maillot Jaune of Chris Froome, so the team wasn't in the mood to chase.  Sky figured that the teams who were being challenged by Romain Kreuziger's (Tinkoff) presence in the break away, would eventually be the ones to commit to the chase.  You know they were right...

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%202016/2828156-148-224974/PaintingOne%20for%20You,%20One%20for%20Me%20TdF149-Greig-Leach.html#.V5QUILgrLIU

Paris Roubaix: Teammates Down!

Team Sky was feeling like they were in a perfect position on the front of the race.  They had four of their riders driving the pace, putting the pain to all of those trying to hold their wheels.  But there are many things that can go wrong and do so almost instantly when racing on wet cobbles.  Elia Viviani heard the sickening sound of a crash on his wheel. As he snapped his head aroung he could see his teammates, Salvatore Puccio and Luke Rowe, going down hard.  Ian Stannard (Sky) was able to slip around the crash, but it was obvious that their advantage had disappeared just that quickly.

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.  In addition this painting, and all of my cycling artwork, 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.

Be sure to discover my most recent book, Art of Cycling: Richnond 2015 UCI Road World Chanpionships.  You can find the book at your favorite online retailer or at www.artofcycling.bike.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2767295-314-195767/Painting.html#.VwsdtPkrLIU

Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne: Willing to Work

A smaller group of 15 riders that included some big names had used the final climb of the day and the strong cross winds to get away from the main peloton, but still had a few remaining members of the early break up the road.  Both Trek-Segafredo and Etixx-Quickstep had the luxury of having two men in the group.  Boy Van Poppel (Trek-Segafredo) was working for his teammate, Jasper Stuyven, but Tom Boonen (Etixx-Quickstep) was willing to share the work with his domestique, Julien Vermote.  Boonen had missed the move in yesterday's Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and wasn't willing to let the opportunity for victory elude him again.

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.  This painting and many, many other pieces of cycling art are 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.  And yes, international shipping is available.

Plus, I have just released my second book, this one entitled, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships.  Obviously, it focus on the 2015 Championships that took place here in Richmond, Virginia this past September and includes my paintings and writings on all of the races contested on the very streets that I ride every week.

I am having trouble with loading my artwork on to my website.  Please email me at greigsart@gmail.com if you are interested in purchasing this work, or any of my other Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne paintings.

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad: Fleeing the Peloton

Everyone was expecting the move on the final climb of the day to come from Etixx-Quickstep and Tom Boonen, even the Cycling.tv commentator, Rob Hatch.  However it was Daniel Oss (BMC) who launched the move, one that was quickly covered by Luke Rowe (Sky), Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) and Tiesj Boonet (Lotto Soudal),  Joining them was Oss's teammate, Greg Van Avermaet who has been on the podium of this race, but has yet to reach the top step in numerous attempts.  Given the pedigree of these four riders, this could well be the winning move even though there is still 50 kilometers of racing yet to unfold.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson and Company, www.richesonart.com.  Plus this painting is avialable through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to purchase your piece of this early spring semi-classic.  International shipping is available.

Then there is my new book of the 2015 Road World Championships entitled, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships.  Available world wide and at www.artofcycling.bike.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2720275-254-195767/Painting.html#.VtMp3vkrLIU

Tour Down Under: Competing Trains

With such a clean relatively flat, straight run to the line, the teams had time to get their lead out trains in order.  Geraint Thomas (Team Sky) looks over to see Reinardt Janse Van Renburg with Tyler Farrar (Dimension Data) on his wheel.  He may have been wondering just who were these two successful sprinters working for.  Thomas had Luke Rowe and his sprinter, Ben Swift on his wheel as the two teams hoped to put their man in the perfect position to win the sprint and the stage.  Just peaking into the upper left corner is the train for Giant-Alpecin, a train that has had some very successful sprinters tucked onto the final wheel.

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/2683093-97-194179/Painting.html#.VqU9xfkrLIU

Tour Down Under: Taking Control

For the second day in a row, Team Sky hid out in the peloton until the final kilometers in the race.  As the peloton started the final 8 kilometer climb up to the finishing line in Sterling, Ian Stannard lead his teammates, Luke Rowe, Geraint Thomas and Peter Kennaugh as the Sky boys raised the pace just as BMC had done on the previous lap.  The question is, are they setting up Thomas for the GC or Kennaugh for the stage.  Hint, it was Kennaugh who was the first to start the sprint for the line.  Spoiler alert, he didn't get there first.

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/2674783-71-194179/Painting.html#.Vp_VhPkrLIU