Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 1: Collecting Points

With the peloton now all back together, the sprinters were sprinting for maximum points at the intermediate sprint in Groeneweg.  I think I now know where the sprinter Dylan Groeneweggen's name comes from now.  It was Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) showing that she still has the sprint legs that won her the Silver Medal at the Paris Olympics road race just over a week ago.  She got the better of Australian champion Ruby Roseman-Gannon (Liv-Alula-Jayco) and Marthe Truyen (Fenix-Deceuninck).  Her points were enough for her to finish the day in second place in the race for the Maillot Vert.  She will be wearing that jersey at the start of the day tomorrow since the leader in that competition will be wearing the Maillot Jaune instead.  I must say that I prefer the special jersey that the women's Visma-Lease a Bike team has over the one worn by the men in their Tour.  The female symbol on the front and back just makes it that much better.

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.

"Collecting Points TdFF24-4" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix Femmes 23: The Third Queen of Roubaix

It was a brilliant sprint that took Alison Jackson (EF Education-TIBCO-SVB) to the victory on the velodrome in Roubaix.  She becomes the first Canadian to win either the men’s or the women’s Paris Roubaix and is only the third woman to win the now three year old women’s edition.  Marron Borras (St Michel-Mavic-Auber93) opened the sprint but faded to fifth.  It was Katia Ragusa (LIV Racing TeqFind) in second followed by Martha Truyen (Fenix-Deceuninck) grabbing the last step of the podium. Just out of the frame, you can see the arm of Eugenia Duval (FDJ-Suez) who finished fourth on the day.  They collectively held off the peloton of favorites by twelve seconds, marking that rare occasion in professional cycling when the early break away actually wins the day.  It was Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) who won the best of the rest sprint.  A small consolation to the woman who had targeted this race to add to her rather exceptional spring campaign.

Since my wife is in the hospital recovering from a knee replacement revision, I doubt I will be painting the men’s race live.  But I hope to get it done over the next two days.  So, shhhh, no spoilers please.

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-/3944985-528-195767/Painting/the-third-queen-of-roubaix.-prf23-8.html

This painting is sold!

Paris Roubaix Femmes 23: Still Away

The early break away was still away as the remaining six rolled onto the fabled velodrome in Roubaix.  As they approached the line they were led into the bell lap with Marta Lach (Ceratizit-WNT) on the front.  She was followed by Alison Jackson (EF Education-TIBCO-SVB).  To Jackson’s left was Lisa Klein ISD Worx).  Just after I painted this, Klein crashed.  Surprising since this was the smoothest stretch of road of the entire 145 kilometers of racing.  They were joined in the race for the line by their fellow break away companions, Katia Ragusa (LIV Racing TeqFind), Emilia Fahlin (FDJ-Suez), Martha Truyen (Felix-Deceunick) and Marron Borras (St. Michel-Mavic-Auber93).  So while they only had about 15 seconds on the peloton, their ride is proof that every once in a while the break away actually succeeds. 

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-/3944974-527-195767/Painting/still-away-prf23-7.html