Tour '25, Stage 10: Are They Still There?

Shortly after Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) found his parents along the side of the road on the climb of one of the uncategorized hills, he went off on his own.  With twenty-seven kilometers to go, he was hoping to improve his previous second place behind the man that is chasing him right now.  I now know that my suspicion about what is going to happen when Simmons tucks up his hair.  He came to the start today with his hair up under his helmet, I think he had a plan tucked up under there too.  Chasing the American champion is the former Irish champion, Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) along with Anders Halland Johannessen (Uno X-Mobility), Pablo Castrillo (Movistar), and Michael Woods (Israel-Premier Tech).  At this point in the stage, Ben Healy was the virtual leader of the Tour.  Now he has to rely on his legs, and a detente between the leaders of the Tour about five minutes back down the road.

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. 

"Are They Still There? TdF25-62" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 10: Unchallenged

With the lone attack of Ben O'Connor pulled back into the leading breakaway, it was Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious) who jumped clear in search of the King of the Mountain points just a few meters up the road.  He was unchallenged by the group behind containing Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek), Michael Woods (Israel-Premier Tech), Simon Yates (Visma-Lease a Bike), and Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost).  From this group he was the lone Frenchman hoping to make his mark on this Bastille Day.  In addition, with these points he becomes the virtual Maillot a Pois.  And with this climb, he is ensured that the French will have one of their own on the podium on their day of independence.  

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.

"Unchallenged TdF25-59" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France 23, Stage 14: Mutually Beneficial

Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek) pressed on with the advantage that he got on the previous climb and was joined in the effort by Michael Woods (Israel-Premier Tech).  The two worked well together as the rode up the Col de la Ramez.  There were after different goals for the stage.  It certainly seemed as if Ciccone was trying to ride himself into the lead of the King of the Mountains competition, while Woods had to be looking for another stage win to go with the Puy de Dome stage.  Ciccone is reaching out to grab a water bottle from one of the neutral service motorcycles since the team cars are stuck back behind the peloton.

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-2023/3965612-87-297438/Painting/mutually-beneficial-tdf23-87.html

Tour de France 23, Stage 9: He Flew Up the Mountain

I stand by my prediction that an american would win the day, a North American, and so it was.  Michael Woods (Israel-Premier Tech), a Canadian, passed the USA national, Matteo Jorgenson (Movistar) with about 750 meters to race.  He was the one that came over the rise under the lens of the press photographers alone, Jorgenson was caught and passed by others leaving just off the podium in fourth place on the stage.  The Tour can be very cruel to some, and a sweet mistress to others.

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-2023/3964568-53-297438/Painting/he-flew-up-the-mountain-tdf23-53.html

Fleche Wallonne 23, Men’s Race: What Was Expected

Just because everyone expected Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates), it doesn’t mean they were going to be able to do anything about it.  With roughly 500 meters left to climb, Pogacar went on the offense after all of the work his team had done all day.  At first it looked like Guilin Ciccone (Trek-Segafredo) was going to catch the fleeing Slovenian, but he soon faded finishing fifth on the day.  Last year’s victor, Michael Woods (Israel-Premier Tech) looked like he might be poised to repeat, but he too, was unable to match the power of Pogacar in the closing meters of the day.  He managed a fourth this time out.  It was Ciccone’s teammate, Matthias Skejlmose, who took second today, and a surprised rush by Mikel Landa (Bahrain-Victorious) who claimed third.

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-/3946981-547-195767/Painting/what-was-expected-fw23-11.html

Tour '22, Stage 16: A Quick Recovery

The young American on the Spanish team found himself in a tough position on the way down the Mur de Peguere.  First he was with Michael Woods (Israel-Premier Tech) who's teammate Hugo Houle was up the road.  Then trying to get away from Woods he lost his front wheel on a turn a slid all of the way across the road.  Full of adrenaline, he jumped back up and continued descending the mountain even faster.  Woods was surprised the see the guy from south of his border coming back up to him in the small town near the bottom of descent.  Also closing fast on these two as Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ) but I never saw him coming. Nor did this duo for that matter.  Because of Madouas' arrival Jorgenson got another fourth place in a stage finish, the French just missed winning a stage again, and Woods made it two Canadians on the podium today.  I guess that should have had a spoiler alert.

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-2022/3894719-101-294403/Painting/a-quick-recovery-tdf22-102.html

Olympics 2020, The Next to Get Away

This trio that went off the front next was a bit more threatening.  All three had just finished some great racing in the Tour de France and were more than ready to take it to the peloton.  When they left the peloton on the foothills of Mount Fuji there was no one else up the road.  Tadej Pogacar (Slovenia) looks back over his shoulder to see what king of a gap he, Brandon McNulty (USA) and Michael Woods (Canada) had generated.  With just 37 kilometers left to race of a long, hard day, it was time to get down to the business of winning gold.

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/2020-Summer-Olympics/3826100-4-291661/Painting/the-next-to-get-away-o21-4.html

TDF, Stage 15: Sprinting to the Top

Wout Van Aerts (Jumbo-Visma) decided he would get into the mix of the race for the Maillot a Pois. As Wout Poels (Bahrain-Victorious) and Michael Woods (Israel Start Up Nation) traded sprints for the last two days, it was Van Aerts who surprised them both.  The Belgium champion was fourth in the race for the King of the Mountains title at the start of the day, so I am not sure why Poels and Woods were surprised by his attack for maximum points atop the Col de Puymorens.  What was surprising is that Nairo Quintana (Arkea-Samsic) stay out of this sprint on the one on the previous mountain.  Perhaps his form isn't where it should be, or he could be suffering from some undisclosed malady.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.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/2021-Tour-de-France/3823337-93-291436/Painting/sprinting-to-the-top-tdf21-92.html

TDF, Stage 14: Chasing One Man

This trio (well actually it is a quartet, but you can't see Patrick Konrad - Bora-Hansgrohe) was climbing in hopes of catching the one guy up the road.  Mattia Cattaneo (Deceuninck-Quick Step) was leading Sergio Higuita (EF Education-Nippo) and Michael Woods (Israel Start Up Nation), but I am sure Woods will be the one to go over the top first of this group.  He was.  He only got one point for the effort, but in the competiton for the Maillot a Pois,every points count.  Behind them the Basque flag flies as they near the Spanish and Andoran borders.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.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/2021-Tour-de-France/3823012-87-291436/Painting/chasing-one-man-tdf21-86.html

TDF, Stage 14: He's Coming

When I play poker, this move is akin to sand bagging.  In poker a player will pretend to have a lousy hand, pass on bets, and then raise later in the bidding process.  It is frowned on.  I think Michael Woods (Israel Start Up Nation) will frown on this move by Wout Poels (Bahrain-Victorious).  Poels had been hanging around the back of the break away feining no interest in going for the points atop the Cote de Galimagues.  Woods was fortunate enough to catch sight of the fast closing Poels, but didn't have the legs to hold of the already fast moving Dutchman.  However, Woods going over the top second meant that he will take possesion of the Maillot a Pois at the end of the day in Quillan.  It will be a tough day defending it as the Tour goes into the Pyrennes.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.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/2021-Tour-de-France/3823008-85-291436/Painting/hes-coming-tdf21-84.html

TDF, Stage 14: Not This Time!

Michael Woods (Israel Start Up Nation) kept a sharp eye on Wout Poels (Bahrain-Victorious) as the pair approached the top of Col de la Croix de Morts.  On the previous climb, Poels had out sprinted Woods for the points in the King of the Mountians competition.  If Woods gets to the top first on this climb he will become the virtual King of the Mountians.  This time, Poels couldn't get around the Canadian but there are two more climbs before the finish in Quillan.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.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/2021-Tour-de-France/3823005-84-291436/Painting/not-this-time-tdf21-83.html

TDF, Stage 9: What Are You Going to Do?

On the Haute Category Col du Pre, it was a locked battle for the lead in the King of the Mountains competition.  Early in the stage, Michael Woods (Israel Start Up Nation) had become the virtual leader in the competion for the Maillot a Pois.  On the previous climb, Nairo Quintana (Arkea-Samsic) had just nipped the Canadian for the maximum points atop the Col des Saisies.  As the duo approached the summit of the Col du Pre, it seemed that one was asking the other what they were going to do.  While the two battle it out, Sergio Higuita (EF Education-Nippo) and Ben O'Connor (Ag2r-Citroen) did their best to keep the others in sight.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct 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/2021-Tour-de-France/3821976-53-291436/Painting/what-are-you-going-to-do-tdf21-52.html

TDF, Stage 8: It Was Enough for Yellow

 As this trio rounded the corner within site of the finish in Le Grand Bornand, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) knew he had done enough to be swapping his Maillot Blance for a Maillot Jaune.  Technically he will have both jersey, but will be wearing the Maillot Jaune at the start line tomorrow.  As he lined up for the sprint against Ion Izagirre (Astana-Premier Tech) and Michael Woods (Israel Start Up Nation) he also new there were some time bonuses for second and third place.  I don't know if he decided he didn't need the bonus, or he had blown his legs in the amazing effort to sieze the jersey, but he finished third out of these three and fourth on the stage.  Regardless, he now has a large lead in this Tour and I am wondering if we saw him win the Tour today.  Can anyone rival his attack today? Or is anyone remotely close to the level of this 22 year old?  I am sure he was heartened to see all of the Slovenian flags that are appearing all along the routes of this year's Tour.  

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct 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/2021-Tour-de-France/3821779-51-291436/Painting/it-was-enough-for-yellow-tdf21-50.html

TDF, Stage 8: Together Now

Today's stage was an easy one to get confused on.  With riders spread all up and down the mountains, there was even a group over 16 minutes behind the race at this point, it is no wonder I got this painting a little wrong.  Michael Woods (Israel Start Up Nation) had managed to chase down the loan guy up the road and he did ride for Bahrain-Victorious.  However, this is Dylan Teuns (Bahrain-Victorious) who was not the guy sucking up the King of the Mountian points on the day.  That was his teammate Wout Poels.  Teuns has just done what Woods did before.  Teuns had left the chasing group and gone up the road in search of the leader on the road, but in this case it was Woods who was the prey, just as Woods had been the hunter on the Col de Romme.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct 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/2021-Tour-de-France/3821763-48-291436/Painting/together-now-tdf21-47.html

TDF, Stage 8: Looking for One Guy

I admit it, I was struck by the beauty of this image (and a masochistic desire to ride up this same climb). I assume Michael Woods (Israel Start Up Nation) at least notice the beauty of his surrounds will he chased Wout Poels (Bahrain-Victorious) up this beautiful climb of the Col de Romme.  This looks quite a bit like the spot that one of the publicity trucks got wedge ahead of the race.  For a few minutes it looked like the race would need to be re-routed, but it all came unstuck long before Michael Woods ant the rest of the peloton arrived.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct 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/2021-Tour-de-France/3821755-46-291436/Painting/looking-for-one-guy-tdf21-45.html

TDF, Stage 4: Stand Down

The dangers and crashes of the first three days of the Tour let to a riders' protest at the start of today's stage.  Frustrated that they don't have a voice and the UCI (Union Cyliste International) seems to be a rubber stamp for race orgainizers, the peloton though a visual exclaimation point was needed.  I hope this gets a couple of pro riders the right to review course long before the race is staged and get the veto power to back up their concerns.

This is the a view of the back of the peloton as they stood on the side of the road for a full minute after the offical start of the stage.  You can see one of the race photographers in the middle lifting his/her camera to get a shot of the riders standing around.  You can see Michael Woods (Israel Start Up Nation) and Ben O'Connor (Ag2r-Citroen) with several Qhubeka riders, but clearly it was the complete peloton standing in resistance to the dangers that they can be placed in without a chance to effect change.  For those who say why wasn't something said earlier, it works best when the cameras are on you.  Then you have a voice and power.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct 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/2021-Tour-de-France/3820873-21-291436/Painting/stand-down-tdf21-21.html

LBL Men: Who Is With Me?

Michael Woods (Israel Start Up Nation) hit the front on the Cote de La Roche aux Faucons.  He hoped to drop some of the faster finishers that couldn't climb as fast as he could.  On his wheel was Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step) who could be described as a strong finisher and a strong climber.  Just gapping off the back of the duo were David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) and Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates).  I loved the look of the socially distanced fans watching their heros from the other side of the hedge.  It wasn't the normal wild throngs of cycling fans, but then Covid-19 has made everything change over the last year for us all.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct 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-2021/3808164-40-290150/Painting/who-is-with-me-lbl21-5.html

Tour, Stage 20: It's a Long Shot

The early break that included Micheal Woods (EF Education First), Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha-Alpecin), Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida) and two others hoped that the peloton would be too interested in each other to bother with them.  With such a short stage, but a long climb, it was going to be a bit of a long shot to stay off of the front.  Behind there would be efforts to drop one another which will inevitably increase the peloton's pace.  Woods has been racing most of this Tour with two broken ribs, which makes his position off the front on a big climb just that much more impressive.

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%202019/3366048-114-263530/It's%20a%20Long%20Shot%20%20TDF19-114.html

Tour Down Under, Final Stage: Is There Enough Road?

Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo) has been dubbed the King of Willunga Hill, having one this climb the last five years running.  As he went under the flame rouge, the final kilometer of the race, he check to see how much of a gap he had opened up on his main rivals.  If he could win the stage by nine seconds over Daryl Impey (Mitchelton-Scott), he would win the 2019 Tour Down Under.  While he could only see Wout Poels (Team Sky) and Michael Woods (EF Education First) behind him, the question remained, did he have enough road left to get the kind of gap he needed on the South African Champion.

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-Down-Under/3286988-142-194179/PaintingIs-There-Enough-Road?--TDU19-24.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 4: Turning the Screws

The final climb up Corkscrew Road, was looking like it would separate the contenders from the pretenders.  It was Wout Poels (Sky) who opened up the attacks out of the peloton.  His move was quickly covered by Michael Woods (EF Education First), Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo) and George Bennett (Jumbo-Visma).  With this burst, both the remanents of the break and the Ochre Jersey of Paddy Bevin (CCC) were swept away.  It seemed as though the race was going to come down to how well this foursome descended.  It did not.  The vastly reduced peloton was able to catch these guys as everyone went over the summit with just four kilometers 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/Tour-Down-Under/3286161-133-194179/PaintingTurning-the-Screws--TDU19-15.html