Paris Nice 23, Stage 3: Leading Them Home

Nils Politt (Bora-Hansgrohe) drove hard all of the way through the finish line keeping as many seconds to the team’s advantage as possible.  Behind the big German, his countryman and team leader, Maximilian Schachmann was pulling faces just to stay on his wheel. The duo gapped Marco Haller and another teammate in the final meters of the team time trial course.  They finished 29 seconds off of the best time, leaving Schachmann 28 seconds out of first place going into the mountain top finish stage tomorrow.

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/Paris-Nice/3938701-90-272742/Painting/leading-them-home.-pn23-8.html

Tour Down Under '23, Final Stage: Chasing the Counter Move

Once he was caught, Maximilian Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) found he had to chase the counter move launched by Ewen Costiou (Arkea-Samsic).  Mikias Arndt (Bahrain-Victorious) was able to get onto the wheel of his fellow countryman as they worked to catch the attack Frenchman.  You can see the shadows of their erstwhile break away companions trying to catch back up to the fleeing trio.

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-Down-Under/3929043-175-194179/Painting/chasing-the-counter-move-tdu23-29.html

Tour Down Under '23, Final Stage: The Next to Try

First it took quite a few attacks to form the thirteen man break away, but that group wasn't able to get even a minute ahead of the peloton.  So then it was time for some of those escapees to try and get away from the break away.  After one went, it was Maximilian Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) who was the next to try to escape the grasps of both the break away and the peloton.  Success won't mean that he becomes the new Ochre Jersey, but there is a stage win to be had.

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-Down-Under/3929037-174-194179/Painting/the-next-to-try-tdu23-28.html

Tour Down Under '23, Final Stage: These Points Are Mine

It took forever to get a break away started in today's final stage of the Tour Down Under.  I suspect because there were several different goals for those getting away from the peloton.  First was an early intermediate sprint and second the early King of the Mountains points.  And then there is always the goal of sneaking away with a stage win, I imagine that was going to be a tall order today.  It seemed that Michael Matthews (Jayco-Alula) was letting the trio of Michael Gogl (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Rueben Thompson (Groupama-FDJ) and Maximilian Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) know that he was the one already in the sprinter's jeresey and that they had best not try and out sprint him in about ten kilometers time.  They didn't.  With Matthews taking the three points towards the jersey in Urladia, he now will be the winner of the Tour Down Under's best sprinter jersey.  The others would still have to strive to win the stage over the next 99 kilometers of racing.

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-Down-Under/3929003-172-194179/Painting/these-points-are-mine-tdu23-26.html 

Tour '22, Stage 19: Going Off Script

Normally, on a flat stage no one would try to gain time on the race leader, but then Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) is certainly not a normal rider.  Pogacar saw Max Schachmann (Bora-Hasgrohe) and Hugo Houle (Israel-Premier Tech) winding up to attack the peloton in some minor crosswinds.  He may have thought, "why not have a go?"  I am sure neither Schachmann nor Houle were pleased to see the man in second over all going off the front with them.  With the Maillot Blanc with them, there was no way the peloton was going to let this threesome go up the road.  In fact it was Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) was the one who popped out of the peloton and brought them all 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 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-2022/3895289-124-294403/Painting/going-off-script-tdf22-125.html

Tour '22, Stage 7: Passing Out Drinks

It was a large group that got away from the peloton today, althought the Maillot a Pois wasn't able to bridge across to the original eleven escapees.  Max Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) whose teammate, Lennard Kemna, was in the break with him, dropped back to the neutral drinks moto to get a bidon for himself and his teammate.  The driver then went up along the group offering the others a drink as well.  Along with neutral service vehicles for mechanical issues, the race organizers also allow a company to sponsor a vehicle who is just there to provide fluids to the riders.  This year it is the French bottled water company Vittel.  That has to be a great marketing opportunity for them.  I can't think of a better way to get your product in front of more French people, or the rest of the world for that matter then 21 stages of the Tour de France.  I will assume they will also be there for the eight days of the Tour de France Femmes.

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-2022/3892712-34-294403/Painting/passing-out-drinks-tdf22-34.html

Tour '22, Stage 5: Sensing His Moment

With many having troubles with the cobbles, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) knew he had a chance to gain time on the lion share of his rivals.  On Sector 5 he went to the front a raise the pace.  On his wheel was Alberto Bettiol (EF Education-EasyPost) helping in the chase, for some unknown reason.  After the stage, it was argued that his efforts in this chase cost his teammate, Neilson Powless the Maillot Jaune. But I am not sure that is accurate because Van Aert finished just over a minute behind the stage winners and he didn't join this group until the very end of the stage.  It is Max Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) on the Italian's wheel making sure his team leader will finish the stage close the the Maillot a Blanc of Pogacar.

Watch this painting come together in real time as I talk about my reasons for painting it, what it measn for this Tour de France, and techniques of watercolor painting.

Consider subscribing to my channel so you don't miss any of the Tour Tutorials.  Plus be sure to give this video a thumbs up and leave me a comment about what you think of the artwork and/or the video.

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-2022/3892407-25-294403/Painting/sensing-his-moment-tdf22-25.html

Tour, Final Stage: Nothing Ventured...

 We all know the expression, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained."  For this quartet, it is demonstratively true.  They know that the likelihood of winning the stage from a break away on the Champs Elysees are slim indeed, however the chances that Greg Van Avermaet (CCC), Pierre-Luc Perichon (Cofidis), Conor Swift (Arkea-Samsic) and Maximilian Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) would win from a bunch sprint are infinitely smaller still. And so it is that off they go into a four man break in hopes of staying away to the finale.  They did not, but the tried, and in so doing earned some rather useless sprint points towards the Sprint Competition in the doing.

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/Tour-de-France-2020/3705848-142-282744/Painting/nothing-ventured...-tdf20-134.html

Strade Bianche, Closing In

With Jakob Fulgsang (Astana) alone up the road, it was this quartet that had to give chase.  As they road up another of the gravel sections, Davide Formolo (UAE Team Emirates) lead Alberto Bettiol (EF Pro Cycling) followed by the fast closing Maximilian Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Wout Van Aert (Jumbo Visma).  Along the side of the road the tifosi were out, many wearing masks and all keeping a safe distance from each other.  One of their main interactions with the racers was to pour their cold water bottles, a much appreciated gesture, over the over-heated athletes.

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/2020-Bike-Racing-Revised-Season/3609670-8-280747/Painting/closing-in-sb20-8.html

Paris Nice, Final Stage: Every Last Ounce

Maximilian Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) had to dig very, very deep to keep Tiesj Benoot (Sunweb) from taking the Maillot Jaune off of his shoulders.  He succeed in that effort holding onto the final Yellow Jersey by 18 seconds.  The effort cost him every last ounce of his strenght, even too exhausted  to get off of the bike at the end of the stage.  Schachmann becomes only the tenth rider in the 78 year history of Paris Nice to hold the lead from start to finish.  Perhaps it would have been different with one more stage, but I doubt it.

This will be the final painting of what may be the last race of the season.  The Pandemic has stopped all racing officially until mid April, but it is doubtful that the world will be in a strong enough place to risk bring hundreds if not thousands of racers, teams and cycling fans back together.  I have read that the Tour de France is looking at ways to keep the roads fan free as the finishing areas were made to be here.  I can't see how that would be possible.  One of professional cycling's greastest strengths is that it is on open roads, free to watch wherever fans and the course take it.  I hope this all ends soon, and our lives regain a sense of normal, but that is months away.  So I am sure the Giro d'Italia is gone for 2020, I will presume so too is the Tour de France, and as bad as things are in Spain I can't image there will be a Veulta d'Espania either.

Stay safe, stay healthy and stay home!

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/Paris-Nice/3492767-37-272742/Painting/every-last-ounce-pn20-37.html

Paris Nice, Stage 6: Bad Luck with One Kilometer

The way I create these works is to first to the line drawing in ink.  Then write the titles, finally laying in the colors.  Having done the drawing, I think I stumbled over the title.  But liking the drawing I just kept going with this image.  Inside of the final three kilometers Max Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) over cooked into a corner and went down against the fence barriers.  He quickly got back up on his bike and under way, but he had  lost the wheels of the group he had been with.  It will be up to the commissares to decide if he will get the same time as them, or the time he actually crosses the line.  Either way, he will still be in the Maillot Jaune.  It is just a question of what the time gaps will be going into the final stage of the race.

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/Paris-Nice/3491280-29-272742/Painting/bad-luck-with-one-kilometer-pn20-29.html

Paris Nice, Stage 4: Building on His Advantage

It has been said that the Maillot Jaune gives you wings.  Max Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) was certainly flying around the 15 kilometer individual time trial course today.  As the last to go, he knew the time splits of everyone that had gone before (a distinct advantage give the leader of the race).  While the German wasn't able to win the stage, he only missed the mark by two seconds, he was able to build on his lead over all of the pre-race favorites.  It is beginning to look like he will carry yellow all of the way to Nice.  And then there is the possiblity that the race will be stopped at any point along the route for fear of the spread of the Corona Virus.  It happened during the Tour of the United Emirates, where the race was called with two stages left to race.

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/Paris-Nice/3489821-18-272742/Painting/building-on-his-advantage-pn20-18.html

Paris Nice, Stage 2: Riding Away

The crosswinds were playing their part again today.  This group had managed to drop a number of the big names (with big expectations) of this year's Paris Nice.  They were building a 20 second lead on a number of contenders.  Leading the push to pull away were Mads Schmidt (Israel Start Up Nation) and Mads Pedersen, current World Champion (Trek-Segafredo).  Some of those benefitting from their efforts were the race leader Max Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe), Nils Politt (Israel Start Up Nation) and Segio Higuita (EF Pro Cycling).  While still cold, it was nice to see the sun peak out and cast some shadows on the race.

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/Paris-Nice/3488566-8-272742/Painting/riding-away-pn20-8.html

Paris Nice, Stage 2: Setting Up Schachmann

You know you are in good shape when you have the three time World Champion, Peter Sagan (Bora- Hansgrohe) leading out your sprint for bonus seconds.  Max Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) wasn't leaving anything for granted as he sprinted for a bonus of three seconds in the small town of Puiselet.  Schachmann has taken over the Maillot Jaune on stage one and wasn't about to risk losing it (even if you can barely see it under his rain jacket.

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/Paris-Nice/3488560-7-272742/Painting/setting-up-schachmann-pn20-7.html

Paris Nice, Stage 1: Over the Top

Frequent readers will know that I love a title that can have more than one meaning.  This one is another of those titles.  Maximilian Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) had come over the top of Dylan Teuns (Bahrain-McLaren), as well as Tiesj Benoot (Sunweb) and the fading Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step), to take the win in Plaiser.  The slight climb to the finish required Schachmann to have the legs to literally come over the top of the climb to claim the first Yellow Jersey of the 2020 Paris Nice.  So the opening GC battle is now Schachmann followed by Dylan Teuns and then Tiesj Benoot.

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/Paris-Nice/3487803-5-272742/Painting/over-the-top-pn20-5.html

Paris Nice, Stage 1: Two More Coming

With just four kilometers left to race, Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step) looks over his shoulder to see that two more riders have leapt out of the chasing group in an attempt to bridge across to him and Tiesj Benoot (Sunweb).  Leading the charge is the German National Champion, Maximilian Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) with Dylan Teuns (Bahrain McLaren) glued to his wheel.  It will vastly increase the chances of staying off the front to the line, but now one of the four will not be on the podium for the stage.  Conversely, one of the four will be pulling on the Yellow Jersey of race leader in four kilometers' time.

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/Paris-Nice/3487782-4-272742/Painting/two-more-coming-pn20-4.html

Amgen ToC, Final Stage: Bonus Points and Seconds

First, it was stunning to watch Remi Cavagna (Deceuninck-Quickstep) drop back to the chasing peloton, pick out his teammate, Kasper Asgreen, and bring him back to the front of the race.  We didn't get to see Asgreen come away from the chasers, but I can't understand why no one covered their move.  Asgreen sat third overall, but with these 3 bonus seconds, he moved within a second of second place.  He also added to his sprint points, setting up what would be a securing of the Green Jersey.  Even if Peter Sagan won the stage, with these points, the jersey was Asgreen's.  Maximilian Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) was vying for a maximum of bonus seconds to move up as well, but had to settle for second place and two seconds.  Behind, Remi Cavagna (Deceuninck-Quickstep), Davide Ballerini (Astana) and Lennard Hofstede (Jumbo-Visma), just got out of the way and let these two fight it out.  Ballerini had already done enough to claim the final Polka Dot Jersey of best mountain climber.

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/3334027-91-223355/Bonus%20Points%20and%20Seconds%20%20ToC19-36.html

This painting has sold!

Amgen ToC, Final Stage: Down to the Finale

Maximilian Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) was desparate to move up, or possible even win, the general classification.  He worked well with his break away companions, Lennard Hofstede (Jumbo-Visma) and Remi Cavagna (Deceuninck-Quickstep), on the way down into Pasadena.  At this point, they only had a fifteen second buffer on the chasing peloton, but odder things have happened.  By now, the best any of these guys could hope for would be a stage win, they were all too far down to take over the Yellow Jersey at the end of the day.  It was a relief to watch Cavagna descend today, he was a considerable better on the wide gradual turns than he was the day he won a 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.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/3334024-90-223355/Down%20to%20the%20Finale%20%20ToC19-35.html

Amgen ToC, Stage 6: Using the One, Two

Under the watchful eye of the race commissare, Maximilian Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) went of the front of the peloton.  The early break had faltered on the lower slopes of the Mount Baldy climb and now it was time for the GC men to implement their race strategies.  While Schachmann was the best place rider on the team, it appeared that the team sent him up the road as a lure to tire the other GC hopefuls.  If he was pulled back to the fold, then the team could launch Felix Grosschartner for the win.  He was pulled back, but Grosschartner didn't have the legs to go on the offensive.

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/3333657-84-223355/Using%20the%20One,%20Two%20%20ToC19-29.html

Giro, Stage 18: Sneak Peak

This duo from the original break of twelve proved to be the strongest on the ascent of the Prato Nevoso.  Maximilian Schachman (Quick Step) is looking back to see where the other two had gone, while Mattia Cattaneo (Androni Giocattoli) was looking at Schachmann.  It looks to me like Cattaneo is about to take advantage of Schachmann's blind side to go on an attack.  Ultimately, it was Schachmann who took stage honors on the summit adding to Quicksteps impressive total of stage wins in the Giro (5) and this season (36).  Cattaneo did finish second.  All of the break ended the day well ahead of the GC contenders who finished their day eleven minutes after Schachmann.  More about that in the next post.

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/101st-Giro-dItalia/3167752-75-249297/PaintingSneak-Peak--G18-80.html