Tour '24, Stage 20: You Wouldn't Dare!

As the break reached the top of the top of the Col de Turini, Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) looked back seemingly daring anyone to try and take "his" King of the Mountain points.  Marc Soler (UAE Team Emirates) looked like he was going to challenge the Maillot a Pois on behalf of his teammate who sits in second in the race for polka dots.  Watching the two men was Wilco Kelderman (Visma-Lease a Bike).  His team leader sits third in the race for this title, but is too far back to worry about it any longer.  Most of this group was more interested in the stage win seventy-three kilometers from now.  Not to say that wasn't Carapaz's goal too.

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. 

"You Wouldn't Dare! TdF24-126" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Seeing the Devil on the Rise

Long time followers of my cycling art will know that I can't pass up a title with a double meaning, nor can I pass up a chance to paint Didi Stenft, aka "the Devil."  With the way domestic and international politics are going, it seems that the Devil is on the rise.  But I may have been referring to the peloton, led by Marc Soler (UAE Team Emirates) and his teammate Nils Politt seeing the Devil as they started climbing towards the end of Stage 11.  Behind the yellow helmets of the leading trio you can just see the Maillot Blanc on the shoulders of Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step) peeking out from behind his own teammates.

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.

"Seeing the Devil on the Rise TdF24-59" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France 23, Stage 17: Not What Was Expected

I fully expected it to be a real show down on the final climb up the Col de la Loze with the Yellow Jersey in the balance.  I doubt I was alone in that expectation.  All day Jumbo-Visma had been riding on the front of the peloton to my surprise.  I thought they should make UAE Team Emirates work in hopes of tiring them out.  Apparently it didn't matter.  As the group containing both the Maillot Blance and the Maillot Jaune got to where we all expected the attacks to start we were treated to the sight of Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) just losing the tail of the group.  It was so much of a surprise to me I thought he might be bluffing in order to get Jonas Vingegaard to go deep in an effort to distance him.  But when it was obvious when he couldn't hold the wheel of his teammate Marc Soler then I knew he was actually in trouble.  Soler had already been dropped from the lead group so he was not the fastest guy on the climb either.  Later, we heard on the team radio Tadej telling his teammates to go ahead and fight for the stage win and to solidify there places on the general classification.  "I am dead, I'm done," is what he told them.

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-2023/3966375-115-297438/Painting/not-what-was-expected-tdf23-115.html

 

Tour de France 23, Stage 15: Follow the Leader

It may have been more accurate to title this painting, "Catch the Leader."  Marc Soler (UAE-Team Emirates) had jumped away from the group of leaders as they went over the top of the Col des Aravis.  He got a good advantage but didn't quite have the same level of descending skills as Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma).  Van Aert made up the deficit going back down the other side of the climb.  While both Krists Neilands (Israel-Premier Tech) and Wout Poels (Bahrain-Victorious) struggled to stay with Van Aert they did keep the Belgium in sight.  With 42 kilometers to go, they looked to be the group that would decide the stage.  The only possible variant is the both Soler and Van Aert have the top two guys in the general classification and they could get called to wait to help their leaders on the final climb of the day.

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-2023/3965817-97-297438/Painting/follow-the-leader-tdf23-97.html

 

Tour de France 23, Stage 2: A Job to Do

With the Maillot Jaune on one of your teammates, it is your job to set the pace for the whole peloton, oft time all stage long.  While Tadej Pogacar is his team leader, his teammate Adam Yates is the one clad all in yellow at the back of the UAE Team Emirates line.  MIkkel Bjerg and Vegard Stake Laengen swapped turns on the front in the long slow chase of the rather strong three man break up the road.  Marc Soler was the man right in front of Pogacar clad now in the Maillot Blanc of best young rider.  At this point they were still over four minutes behind the Maillot a Pois of Neilson Powless with another 64 kilometers left to race to Saint Sebastien.  Has UAE misjudged the effort?

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-2023/3963310-7-297438/Painting/a-job-to-do-tdf23-7.html

 

Tour '22, Stage 16: With the Voiture Balai

Marc Soler (UAE Team Emirates) was having a very, very rough day.  Apparently having digestive issues which left him suffering and decorating the road (and his jersey) he struggled to continued to stay in the Tour de France.  He has been a strong support rider for his team leader Tadej Pogacar.  The desire to be able to help Pogacar retake the Maillot Jaune in the next two days may be the only reason he stayed on the bike today.  He had been left by everyone but the Boiture Balai (literally translating as car broom).  The Broom Wagon is there to pick up riders who climb off their bikes long after their team cars have gone up the road to be the peloton.  Soler did fight all of the way to the finish in Foix, but he came in over 57 minutes after the stage winner which was outside the time limit for the day.  That translate to a brave ride that respected the Tour de France, but was still his ticket to head home to Spain just over the mountains he struggled over today.

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-2022/3894709-97-294403/Painting/with-the-voiture-balai-tdf22-98.html

Tour, Stage 13: Down in the Super Tuck

The American, Nielson Powless (EF Pro Cycling) is a demon descender.  He let the rest of the large break away down the other side of the mountain in what has come to be known as the super tuck.  It is when a rider comes off the saddle, sits on the main tube and gets as low over the handle bars as possible.  It is not very stable or safe, but it is aero-dynamic. Behind the stone falling down the mountain are Pavel Sivakov (Ineos-Grenadiers) who had finally recovered from his double falls in stage one, along with Daniel Felipe Martinez (EF Pro Cycling), Warren Barguil (Arkea-Samsic) and Marc Soler (Movistar) amongst others.  EF was in a great tactical position having put three men into the seventeen man break, it is their stage to lose.  Only Bora-Hansgrohe had managed to get more than one guy into this front group.

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-de-France-2020/3699083-82-282744/Painting/down-in-the-super-tuck-tdf20-76.html

Tour, Stage 12: They've Left the Peloton

The peloton never let the break have much of a gap, which means everyone in the main group thought they could get away for the stage victory.  After a long day of Bora-Hansgrohe putting down the hammer to rid itself of all of Sagan's Maillot Vert rivals, it was time for the opportunists to take their shots.  Soren Kragh Andersen (Sunweb) and his teammate, Tiesj Benoot went on the offensive.  Joining the duo was Marc Soler of Movistar on the climb of the Cote de la Croix du Pey.  What remains to be seen is what the peloton will due and/or is this a move by Sunweb to set up another of their teammates?

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-de-France-2020/3698127-74-282744/Painting/theyve-left-the-peloton-tdf20-68.html

Tour, Stage 20: Want to Join Me?

Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) felt the moment was right with just eight kilometers left of climbing to launch an attack from the back of the small peloton.  He was covered by Marc Soler (Movistar) and the French National Champion, Warren Barguil (Arkea Samsic).  As the trio caught Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha-Alpecin) Yates seemed to invite the Russian to catch onto their wheels.  Yates has two stage victories in this year's Tour already, he sure seemed to want just one more.  Alas, it wasn't to be.

Watch me paint this watercolor as I talk about the Tour over the past two days on my You Tube channel :

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.  If you enjoy what you see on the channel, please subscribe.  I need to get over a hundred subscribers so I can name the channel, "Art of Cycling"

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202019/3366223-116-263530/Want%20to%20Join%20Me?%20%20TDF19-116.html

Tour, Stage 14: Driving on the Front

There is going to be quite a bit of discussion about why Movistar put the whole team on the front of the peloton across the valley.  Where they bluffing that Nairo Quintana was in good form?  Or had he let them know that it wasn't his day, so someone on the team should try to take stage honors?  And then it could just be that they wanted to make the race has hard as possible for Team Ineos and the Maillot Jaune of Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step).  Whatever the reason, with 48 kilometers to go, Andrey Amador, Marc Soler, Mikel Land (who did finish fifth on the stage) and Alejandro Valverde all drove the pace before the climb of the Tourmalet.

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.  If you enjoy what you see on the channel, please subscribe.  I need to get over a hundred subscribers so I can name the channel, "Art of Cycling"

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202019/3362778-77-263530/Driving%20on%20the%20Front%20%20TDF19-77.html

Tour, Stage 20: New Best

It amuses me when I go back over the paintings, prepping them for posting to this blog.  Sometimes I find interesting mistakes, misspellings or omissions.  Today in my haste to create this painting while taping it for my You Tube channel, I seemed to have omitted the final word in the title.  I had intended to entitle this, "New Best Time," but clearly I did not succeed in that effort.  As Marc Soler (Movistar) approached the line, it was assumed he wasn't going to take over the lead in the stage up to his finish, but he did.  Unfortunately for Soler, it didn't last long.  His time was better about five minutes later and again just two minutes later.  Ultimately, Soler ended the day in 9th place on the stage, nothing to be ashamed of when the top three from the World Championships finished ahead of the Spaniard. 

As I said, this is the painting of today's six watercolors that I filmed as I created it.  As you watch this painting come to life, you can learn about the Tour, the discipline of time trialing and why I create the piece the way I do.  I hope you will subscribe to the channel, so you will know when I post the next video about cycling, artmaking and what inspires me.

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-2018/3195912-108-251072/PaintingNew-Best--T18-107.html

Tour, Stage 11: Feeling Good?

Movistar had a plan today.  Once Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) had over a minute on the Team Sky led peloton, his teammate, Marc Soler, dropped back from the early break.  The duo did all they could to ride across the gap.  Soler kept looking back over his shoulder to make sure his team co-captain was going well.  Soler was willing to ride until if he dropped if he could help get Valverde in yellow.  Movistar still had Nairo Quintana glued to the wheel of Chris Froome (Sky) should Valverde's attack come to naught.

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-2018/3189407-59-251072/PaintingFeeling-Good?--T18-58.html

Paris-Roubaix: Hoping to Get There First

If it is racing, it is an early break away.  Today it was a group that swelled to nine riders that build up an eight and a half minute lead on the rather relaxed peloton.  That would all change as soon as the first of the 29 sections of pave were reached in Troisvilles just another nine kilometers up the road.  A couple of those at the back of the group included the Swiss National Champion, Silvan Dillier (Ag2r La Mondiale), Marc Soler (Movistar), Jay Thomson (Dimension Data) and Ludovic Robeet along with his teammate JImmy Duquenny (WB Aqua Protect).  With a single day race, the rules of thumb go out the window when it comes to a break's success or eventual failure.

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/Spring-Classics-/3141631-405-195767/PaintingHoping-to-Get-There-First-PR18-1.html

Vuelta, Stage 20: Riding Like Twins

Sorry, I just couldn't resist this one.  Twin brothers Simon and Adam Yates (Orica-Scott), riding together on the back of the break away, nearly pedal stroke for pedal stroke was just too tempting of an image to let ride away.  Ahead of the Yates twins are Marc Soler (Movistar), Enrico Mas (Quickstep), Soren Kragh Andersen (Team Sunweb) and Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale).  It was begining to look like the stage winner would come from this group.  Although the peloton hadn't let them get more than a minute and a half as they toiled up the Alto del Cordal.  Sky had no need to drive the pace, but other teams wanted to ensure their positions on GC, and some still harbored hopes that Froome would crack and they could claim the Jersey Rojo.

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/Vuelta-2017/3031638-51-239162/PaintingRiding-Like-Twins-V-52.html

Vuelta, Stage 20: A Climbing Sprinter

As the break away headed up the first of the catagorized climbs, all were surprised to see the sprinter, Soren Kragh Andersen (Team Sunweb) leading the true climbers up the mountain.  Andersen is new to the pro peloton, but may be discovering that he has the combined ablities of the now two time World Champion, Peter Sagan.  Andersen is looking over at Marc Soler (Movistar) to encourage the Spaniard to do a pull on the front of the group.  Behind him is Tomasz Marczynski (Lotto Soudal) and Jaime Roson (Caja Rural-Seguros).

Andersen rode brilliantly at the front of the race until he was called back to help his team leader, Wilco Kelderman defend his third place overall.  Andersen may not have won the stage (but he was in with a chance), but Kelderman wasn't able to hold onto third, either.

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/Vuelta-2017/3031636-50-239162/PaintingA-Climbing-Sprinter-V-51.html

Paris Nice, Final Stage: Tete de la Course

Marc Soler (Movistar) decided to play the roll of spoiler on the final kilometers into Nice.  Ironically, after refusing to assist Contador in the chase earlier, he called unsuccessfully to get his two remaining escapees to aid in his efforts.  Being denied, he attacked near the summit of the Col d'Eze, taking the KOM points (which mattered little to everyone), and the bonus seconds at the final intermediate sprint.  The sprint bonus seconds hurt Contador's bid for Yellow, leaving him only two seconds gained in d'Eze.  Behind, the group containing the Yellow Jersey was slowly clawing back precious seconds on the three escapes.  Now they were racing for a stage victory and its bonus seconds.  Should Contador take the stage, the 10 bonus seconds, he would most likely be able to claim the final Maillot Jaune.  Right now, that was in the legs of Soler, but Contador had another rival with him, David de la Cruz (Quickstep).

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%20/2932999-378-195767/PaintingTete%20de%20la%20Course%20PN17-42.html

Paris Nice, Final Stage: Do Some Work!

After sprinting away from the peloton with the help of his teammate, Jarlinson Pantano (Trek Segafredo), Alberto Contador quickly caught up with the large break away that was just up the road.  He was able to slip up to the front of the group and use them to slow down Sergio Henao's chase.  Contador started to get a bit frustrated as the break away simply jumped onto the Spaniard's wheel and didn't contribute to the effort.  He repeatedly turned around to gesture to those following to come forward and do a pull.  On his wheel was Marc Soler (Movistar) who wasn't about to help Contador put time into his team leader, and I doubt Nicolas Edet (Cofidis) had much to offer.  Finally, the UAE Abu Dhabi riders, Simone Petilli and Diego Ulissi came to the front to give a bit of a break to the gesticulating Spaniard.

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%20/2932896-375-195767/PaintingDo%20Some%20Work!%20%20PN17-39.html