Tour de France 23, Stage 13: Jumping the Break

With the break away unlikely to stay away until the summit of the Grand Colombier, those in the front group needed to get what prizes they could.  At least that seemed to be the thinking of Mike Teunissen (Intermache-Circus-Wanty).  While it appeared that Anthon Charming (Uno-X), Matej Mohoric (Bahrian-Victorious), and the rest of the large group of escapees, were happy to just roll through the intermediate sprint in Hauteville Lompnes, Teunisson went for the maximum points and prize.  He wasn't really challenged, but I guess it made him feel good to be on today's results list.

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-2023/3965432-78-297438/Painting/jumping-the-break-tdf23-78.html

Gent-Wevelgem, Last Time Up the Baneberg

 The course of Gent-Wevelgem took the riders over some climbs multiple times including two climbs of the Baneberg.  All of the climbs were short, steep and paved with cobblestones.  I had been planning on painting the famous cobble stone race of Paris-Roubaix, yet it has been canceled due to the resurgence of Covid-19 throughout France.  So I found coverage of this other cobbled semi-classic.  The major difference in the two races is that Paris-Roubaix's cobbled sections are much longer and they are all flat.  These roads seem somewhat smoother as well.  This is the back end of the leading group on the road that includes Sep Vanmarcke (EF), Gianni Vermeersch (Alpecin-Fenix), Mike Teunissen (Jumbo-Visma) Alexis Gougeard (AG2R La Mondiale) and Luke Rowe (Ineos-Grenadiers).  Gougeard was the only rider that managed to stay with the lead group from the original break away of the day.  With 40 kilometers to go, most of those behind had little chance of figuring in the finale in just over an hour from now.

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/2020-Bike-Racing-Revised-Season/3718294-25-280747/Painting/last-time-up-the-baneberg-gw20-3.html

Tour, Stage 3: Dangling

I always find it tough to watch a wearer of a Maillot Jaune dropping off the back of the peloton, my heart breaks for the guy.  So it was with Mike Teunissen (Jumbo-Visma) as he watched the tail of the pack ride away from him on the Cote de Mutigny, just 15 kilometers from the end of the stage.  He has worn the jersey for two days, a jersey that wasn't ever suppose to be his.  In the end he finished almost five minutes behind the stage winner, a sure sign that his days in yellow were over. 

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%20de%20France%202019/3357652-14-263530/Dangling%20%20TDF19-14.html

Tour, Stage 2: Better Than Defending

Team Jumbo-Visma had planned to go out and defended the Maillot Jaune of their sprinter.  However, yesterday their designated sprinter crashed and wasn't able to contend the finale.  No matter, one of his lead out men, Mike Teunissen step into his place and took the stage yesterday.  So today they are defending the Maillot Jaune.  Yet, they did more than defend it, they extended his lead over all of the other contenders in the 2019 Tour!  The team crossed the line 20 seconds quicker than the erstwhile stage leaders, Team Ineos, leaving Teunissen with a 24 second lead over his four teammates, Wout Van Aert, Steven Kruijswijk, Tony Martin and George Bennett.  He has 34 seconds on the next guy on the general classification who isn't a teammate.  Chapeau!

The Dutch were hoping to hold both the Maillot Jaune in the Tour and the World Cup in the finale of the Women's World Cup today.  I will gladly let them have the Maillot Jaune as I cheer the victory of the USA Women's soccer team!

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%20de%20France%202019/3356887-10-263530/Better%20Than%20Defending%20%20TDF19-10.html

Tour, Stage 1: This Is for Yellow

It was Mike Teunissen (Jumbo Visma) who surprised everyone, even himself, by taking the opening stage of the 2019 Tour de France.  His team's designated sprinter, Dylan Groenewegen, had crashed with just a kilometer and a half to the line, so Teunissen was left to try and take the wind instead.  He Dutchman just bearly got past Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) for the victory, the Maillot Jaune, and the Maillot Verte (although the two are equal on points).  Coming in third is Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal).  While I am sure he would have prefered the stage and Yellow, he did claim the first Maillot Blanc of best young rider.  The final leader's jersey, the Maillot a Pois, did go to Greg Van Avermaet (CCC). 

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%20de%20France%202019/3356444-6-263530/This%20Is%20for%20Yellow%20%20TDF19-6.html

Paris Roubaix: Do We Keep Going?

First it was Mike Teunissen (Sunweb) who launched a counter attack to catch the ever dwindling break away up the road.  His move was quickly covered by Philippe Gilbert (Quickstep).  Quickstep was playing a numbers game covering all of the moves and boasting two former winners of Paris Roubaix at the start of the day.  The famed Tom Boonen, who has won this race four times, is a former member of the team as well.  They know how to get this done.  One snag with today, however, they have let Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) slip up the road to join the remanents of the early break.

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/Spring-Classics-/3141697-409-195767/PaintingDo-We-Keep-Going?--PR18-5.html