Paris Roubaix: Tete de la Course

I look forward to this, my most favorite of the Monuments, Paris Roubaix.  I picked up the race as the leaders, the "tete de la course" entered the 24th section of "pave."  The large break, almost the leading peloton, was taken onto the cobbles by Matti Breschel (EF Education First).  The cobbled sections of the race are numbered in descending order starting with #29 with the final section being comparably as smooth as glass just before the velodrome in Roubaix.

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/Spring-Classics-/3319159-430-195767/PaintingTete-de-la-Course-PR19-1.html

Tour, Stage 7: Are They Coming?

Coming down the back side of the first much smaller climb of the day these three got a jump on the larger break away behind. The only Canadian in the Tour, Antoine Duchesne (Direct Energie) looks back over his shoulder to see if there were others coming across.  David Navarro (Cofidis) risks a quick peek as well.  While Matti Breschel (Cannondale-Drapac) just keeps pushing this legs around.  I guess he figured that the actions of the other two would give him the information he needed.  This trio (and all of the peloton) are cheered nearly every kilometer of the road by enthusiastic fans along the way.

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%202016/2820958-43-224974/PaintingAre%20They%20Coming?%20TdF43-Greig-Leach.html#.V3_9hrgrLIU

Tour, Stage 7: Getting Organized

The break away had quite a time getting established today.  The first two formations included the former wearer of the Maillot Vert, Peter Sagan (Tinkoff), the teams of the two men ahead of him in that competition, were not going to let him get the intermediate sprint points on offer.  Once the World Champion was back in the peloton, this group was given the go ahead, oddly one of their number included the Maillot Jaune of Greg Van Avermaet (BMC).  It was a large group being headed up by the earlier King of the Mountains, Jasper Stuyven (Trek-Segafredo) along with Jurgen Roelandts (Lotto Soudal) and three riders from Cannondale-Drapac; Alex Howes, Matti Bieschel and Sebastien Lageveld.  Stuyven is helping himself to a cold water bottle from the neutral service moto sponsored by Vittel.

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%202016/2820952-41-224974/PaintingGetting%20Organized%20TdF41-Greig-Leach.html#.V3_10LgrLIU

Paris Nice Stage 5: Crevaison

Matti Beschel (Tinkoff Saxo) seems to be having all of the punctures in Paris Nice, at least all of the ones that are caught on camera.  He takes the opportunity to stretch out his back while the team mechanic quickly changes the rear wheel before giving him a push to send him along his way.  Unlike his puncture when he was in a late break for the line, thankfully, this one was early in the day with 40 kilometers left to race in the stage.  He will have no problem rejoining the peloton.

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 is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  If you interested in purchasing this original artwork, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Enjoying reading about a bike race with these accompanying paintings?  Then check out my recently published Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France.  The book is available through most online booksellers around the world, so google the title to find where you can get it without paying international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2525000---195767/Painting.html#.VQMlsPzF-xU

Paris Nice Stage 3: A Joyful Salute

It was a very joyful Michael Matthews (Orica GreenEdge) who threw his arms wide as he grabbed the stage victory on Stage 3 of Paris Nice.  Matthews out sprinted Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek Factory Racing), Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) and Matti Breschel (Tinkoff Saxo) among others at the line.  While his victory was not enough to take the Green sprinter's jersey off of the shoulders of Kristoff, with the bonus seconds, it was enough to claim he Maillot Jaune of race leader ahead of the mountain stages to come.  His time in yellow may be short live, but that does nothing to dampen his joy at the results.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting is painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.   To purchase this particular painting for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  If you are enjoying reading about bike racing with this accompanying artwork, be sure to check out my recently published Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France.  The book is available through virtually all online booksellers, please google the title to find out where you can purchase your copy and avoid international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2523672---195767/Painting.html#.VQCLb_zF-xU

Paris Nice Stage 2: A Powerful Quartet

Once the bold move from Cannondale-Garmin fizzled it was time for the individual attacks to get started.  So at just seven kilometers left to go it was the three time World Time Trial Champion, Tony Martin (Etixx-Quickstep) that had a go.  Not the best man for the peloton to let escape, even more so when he is sitting third overall on the general classification.  He was quickly joined by one of those high placed on the GC who did want to lose out, Geraint Thomas (Team Sky), the others that joined the attack included Lars Boom (sporting his new Astana kit) and Matti Breschel (Tinkoff-Saxo),  Sadly for Breschel, just after the group got a decent gap, he had a flat tire, ending his attempt at upsetting the sprinters.  Without Breschel's turns in the drafting rotation even the legs of Tony Martin were no match for the lead out trains of the sprinters' teams.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that 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.  The 4"x6" painting is only $50 USD and international shipping is available.  Be sure to check out my recently released, Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France.  The book is available through nearly every online booksellers, just google the title to find out where you can get your copy and avoid international shipping channels.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2523074---195767/Painting.html#.VP9jjPzF-xU

2014 UCI Worlds: I Did It!

With enough time in hand to celebrate his surprise victory, Michal Kwiatkowski, made a meal of it.  First clasping his face in disbelief, then swinging his arms wide in victory.  He crossed the line reaching down to kiss the Polish flag emblazoned upon his jersey.  He was chased all the way to the line, with Simon Gerrans (Australia) claiming the silver and Alejandro Valverde (Spain) grabbing bronze for the second year running.  While Kwiatkowski is new to the Worlds, Valverde has been on the podium seven times now, just never on the top step.  Just slipping into fourth place was the Danish rider, Matti Breschel, who had started the attacks that led this group to the line almost together.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website, www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/2014%20World%20Championships/2443458---202544/Painting.html#.VCi5Tc_D_IU

2014 UCI Worlds: Pushing Their Advantage

With Tony Martin (Germany) pulled back into the fold, it was time for this year's king of the breakaway, Alessandro De Marchi (Italy) to toss his hat into the ring.  Or perhaps his wheel into the wind?  De Marchi was quickly joined in the effort on the penultimate trip up the steep final climb on the 18 kilometer lap by Cyril Gautier (France) and Matti Breschel (Denmark).  The trio presented a serious threat to the peloton that was scrambling behind to get the chase organized.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that 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.  While you are there, be sure to check out my soon to be released, "Book de Tour."  It is a collection of my paintings and writings of the 101st Tour de France, a race and a book were De Marchi is well represented.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/2014%20World%20Championships/2443420---202544/Painting.html#.VCiry8_D_IU