Tour Femmes '25, Stage 2: With Fifty Meters to Spare

Against the odds, Mavi Garcia (Liv-Alula-Jayco) was able to hold off the fast-sprinting peloton over the final climb and through the finish at Quimper.  Behind her it is Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) trying desperately to catch Garcia, but must settle for second place on the second stage of Tour de France Femmes.  Kim Le Court's (AG Insurance-Soudal) third place just ahead of Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) with its four second time bonus meant that she will be the second woman to wear the Maillot Jaune in as many stages.  I would have expected Garcia to figure in the GC now, but she was so far back at the start of the stage, that while she moved up 39 places, she is still just shy of five minutes off of Le Court's 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 work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"With Fifty Meters to Spare TdFF25-11" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25. Stage 2: Out of Sight

Mavi Garcia (Liv-Alula-Jayco) used a lull on the front of the peloton once the breakaway had been caught to launch her solo attack.  She used her climb prowess to go on a rise.  She quickly opened up an eighteen second gap on those behind who seemed unsure who was responsible to chase the lone escapee down.  As she started up the Cote du Chemin de Troheir for the final time, she saw no one chasing as she peeked back over her shoulder.  It is a long shot to think she can hold them off for just over another six kilometers, but it is mainly uphill to the finish in Quimper.

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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Out of Sight TdFF25-10" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 6: Knowing When to Go

All along the side of the road today fans have been waving signs, create yard art, and generally cheering on one of their own, Juliette Labous (DSM-Firmenich-PostNL).  Once the peloton had caught the last of the women in the early breakaway, the French Champion used her knowledge of her local roads to launch an attack on the Cote des Fris.  Her move was covered by Mavi Garcia (Liv-Alula-Jayco) and another Frenchwoman Cedrine Kerbaol (Ceratizit-WNT).  The trio got a bit of a gap, but they were all to high up in the general classification to be allowed much of a gap.

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.

"Knowing When to Go TdFF24-30" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Women's Road Race: The Narrow Climb to Montemartre

J'adore Paris!  And have been many times including walking this very street.  At the top of the hill is a lovely square populated by artists selling their tourist focused artwork.  I doubt they were out there today.  Bridget and I had the chance to talk with a few and she let them know I was an artist.  We were invited back to the studio of one guy to space that many of the "tourist artists" kept their studios where they made their "real" work.  If I am not mistaken, the door to that space is just to the left as we look that this painting.  It almost looks like Kristen Faulkner (USA) is looking to see what paintings she can spy through the door.  In reality, she is looking at Mavi Garcia (Espana).  The pair were leading this small group that got established after a crash at the base of this climb.  Along for the ride are Blanka Vas (Hungary) and Marianne Vos (Netherlands).  This feels like it must be the move that will stick 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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"The Narrow Climb to Martmontre PO24-62" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Women's Road Race: Starting a Move

As the women returned to Paris, it looks like Mavi Garcia (Espana) is starting a move out of the peloton with 67 kilometers to go.  The Spaniard was joined in the effort by Marianne Vos (Netherlands), Noemi Ruegg (Suisse) and Ashleigh Mooman (South Africa).  They opened a bit of a gap, but no one was going to let this strong of a group get away.  With this move, attacking became the pattern for the rest of the race.  Most every time someone went, they were chased down by the rest of the peloton.  What would it take to break things open?

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.

"Starting a Move PO24-61" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Fleche Wallonne 23, Women’s Race: Making Sure

With just 150 meters to go, Demi Vollering (SD Worx) looked back to make sure no one was coming up too quickly on her.  She did find Liane Lippert (Movistar) and Mavi Garcia (Liv Racing TeqFind) were back there.  But as she turned back forward her smile let everyone know that she knew the victory was going to be hers.  I don’t think I have ever seen such a smile grow so broadly across a rider’s face before.  Lippert, the German National Champion, held on for second, yet, Garcia, the Spanish National Champion, faded to fourth on 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 $90 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3946449-541-195767/Painting/making-sure-fwf23-5.html

Flanders 2021: Adding to Her Advantage

The next to get away from the aggressive Dutch led peloton was Mavi Garcia (Espana).  Unlike anyone before her, she opened up a thirty second lead on those chasing behind.  She had 21 kilometers left to race, but at least through the downtown, fan lined, streets of Leuven, no one was getting any closer to the Spaniard’s wheel.  Even the official’s motorcycle and the Shimano service moto were having trouble getting through the sharp corners as quickly as Garcia.  It was going to take a united effort to pull this woman back.

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 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/Flanders-2021/3838697-25-292177/Painting/adding-to-her-advantage-uci21-25.html

Strade Bianchi Donne - An Escaping Quartet

 Alas, the race coverage app I am using felt that they didn't need to provide coverage of the women's race until the final 20 kilometers of the race (I'll find out later how much coverage there is of the men's race).  However, at least they did provide some coverage of women's cycling.  On the upside just as they came to the race this powerful quartet of Ellen Van Dijk (Trek Segafredo), Chantal Van Den Broeck-Blaak (SD Worx), Sabrina Stuliens (Liv Racing), and Mavi Garcia (Ale BTC Racing).  At this point they only had a few seconds so it wasn't a sure thing that this was going to be the move.

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-2021/3798873-7-290150/Painting/an-escaping-quartet-sbd21-1.html