Tour, Stage 16: The Next Group

With the peloton (and all of the general classification riders) seemingly taking the day off, it was clearly the day to be in the break away.  Three chasers had already bridged up to the ever growing break away.  So was the hope of this next group on the road.  Simon Geschke (CCC) was making sure his team had a man up front, as was poth Mikel Nieve (Mitchelton-Scott) and Romain Sicard (Total Direct Energie).  For the other two, Nielson Powless (EF Pro Cycling) and Pavel Sivakov (Ineos-Grenadiers) it was about getting up to help out their teammates make the best of their presence in the break.  They did get there, but then that seemed to be the last I ever saw of them.

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-de-France-2020/3701729-108-282744/Painting/the-next-group-tdf20-102.html

Tour, Stage 17: Status Quo?

Yes, Nairo Quintana (Movistar) and Dan Martin (UAE Team Emirates) are up the road, but the top positions on the general classification seemed to be holding each other's wheels.  There isn't much change happening despite the pre-stage billing for fireworks on this final climb.  Right now, Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale) is on the back of the select group being led by Egan Bernal (Sky), with the maillot jaune of Geraint Thomas (Sky) on his wheel.  Next in line is Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) and then it is Mikel Nieve (Movistar) and, oddly, Chris Froome (Sky) is hanging around the back.  Somewhere, but not in this painting, are two riders from Lotto NL Jumbo.  Just after I finished this painting, Bardet lost the wheel of Froome and slipped back down the mountain, and the GC.  I should point out the Orca on the back of Sky's jerseys.  They are supporting Ocean Rescue and drawing attention to the plastic pollution of our oceans. 

The fans on the side of the road do seem to be getting out of the way.  No one wants to take another big man of the Tour out of the race.  It is funny to see the one fan with the "Sagan" sign.  This isn't exactly the kind of terrain where the world champion shines.

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/Tour-de-France-2018/3193965-93-251072/PaintingStatus-Quo?--T18-92.html

Tour, Stage 11: Two More Are Coming

Mikel Nieve (Mitchelton-Scott) looked over at his break away companions.  I'm not sure if he was letting them know that Nicolas Edet and Daniel Narvarro (Cofidis) were coming up to them, or if he was about to attack Damiano Caruso (BMC) and Warren Barguil (Fortuneo Samsic).  They were on the way up La Rosiere, the final climb of the day.  Unlike yesterday, there would be no riding down the other side of the mountain.  Today the stage would end on top of the Catagory 1 climb.

And yes, Nieve, went on the offensive, riding everyone off of his wheel.

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/Tour-de-France-2018/3189409-60-251072/PaintingTwo-More-Are-Coming--T18-59.html

Giro, Stage 20: Flying Solo

Mikel Nieve's (Mitchelton-Scott) gamble paid off big.  Nieve, who spent most of this Giro working for his team leader, Simon Yates, showed just how strong of a climber he is.  He road all of the final climb on his own gaining time on all of the rest of those left in the race on the way to Cervinia and his team's sixth stage victory.  I have grown use to seeing less exciting vehicles as race cars, but leave it to the Giro d'Italia to use the gorgeous Alpha Romeos to ride the race directors and referees around.  Not bad, not bad at all.

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/3169721-90-249297/PaintingFlying-Solo--G18-94.html

Giro, Stage 20: The Last 10 K of Climbing

As Mikel Nieve (Mitchelton-Scott) started up the final climb of this Giro d'Italia, the Cervinia, he set off on his own.  Nieve had been working tirelessly helping is team leader, Simon Yates, hold onto his Maglia Rosa for thirteen days.  Now he was free to use his climbing prowess to his own gain.  Riding under the ten kilometers to go banner, it was looking like he was going to get his first stage win, and the sixth for his team.  Despite not holding the Maglia Rosa all of the way to Rome, Mitchelton-Scott has had a brilliant Giro!

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/3169675-88-249297/PaintingThe-Last-10-K-of-Climbing--G18-92.html

Vuelta, Stage 12: Chasing Flat Out!

As always, Team Sky was there to support their leader, Chris Froome.  After his two crashes, Froome still had both Wout Poels and Mikel Nieve to help him chase down the GC group and Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo).  Froome was able to ride hard and limit his time losses, although thanks to his teammates he seemed to be in little danger of losing his lead.  Now, it will be interesting to see how seriously he was hurt (I'm sure adrenlin helped him ignore any pain at the time of the crash).  Fortunately for him, tomorrow is a flat stage for the sprinters so he will have some time to recover.  Unless of course the crosswinds blow up and split the peloton apart.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be 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.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Vuelta-2017/3024537-15-239162/PaintingChasing-Flat-Out!-V-16.html

Vuelta, Stage 11: How They Do

The title uses a bit of urban slang to say this is what Team Sky does to the rest of the peloton.  With their leader, Chris Froome in the Red Jersey of race leader, they just drive the pace at the front of the peloton with dominate numbers of teammates. As the ascend the Alto de Velefigue it is Salvatore Puccio riding on the front followed in turn by David Lopez, Mikel Nieve, Wout Poels and then Froome himself.  On the back of the Sky train is Jack Haig (Orica-Scott) and Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain Merida).  Behind them are the rest of the GC hopefuls all wondering how they can derail the power of Froome's team.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be 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.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Vuelta-2017/3023713-6-239162/PaintingHow-They-Do-V-7.html

Paris Nice, Stage 6: On the Move

The pace setting by Mikel Neive for his team leader Sergio Henao (Sky) wasn't enough to either shake the Maillot Jaune of Julian Alaphilippe (Quickstep) nor stop the attacks of stage hopefuls.  One of those who was able to jump out of the small peloton containing the Yellow Jersey was Simon Yates (Orica Scott).  Yates is wearing the Maillot Blanc of the Best Young Rider of the race.  Actually, the jersey belongs to Alaphilippe, but since he is already wearing the yellow, Yates wears it as the second best young rider in this Paris Nice.  Yates was over two minutes down on the race lead, so no one was all that eager to chase after his attack.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be 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.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2932288-363-195767/PaintingOn%20the%20Move%20PN17-27.html

Paris Nice, Stage 6: On to the Climb

For the first time in the 75th Paris Nice, the familiar sight of a peloton being lead by the boys in black of  Team Sky.  By this point it was Sebastian Henao (Sky) followed by his cousin and Colombian National Champion, Sergio Henao.  Waiting in the wings to take over for Sebastian on the front was Mikel Nieve.  Just a  guy or two back you can  just see the Yellow Jersey on the back of the young Frenchman, Julian Alaphilippe (Quickstep).

The peloton was now climbing up to the end of the stage before heading back out for another lap around the countryside near Fayence.  They were just 30 seconds behind the last two members of the early morning break.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be 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.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2932277-361-195767/PaintingOn%20to%20the%20Climb%20PN17-25.html

Donostia Classica: Taking Fluids

With the peloton approaching just 20 kilometers to go, riders were dropping back to their team cars to grab water bottles and gels.  Once there is less than 20 k to race, riders can no longer get any thing to eat from their team cars.  Mikel Nieve (Sky) was the man on the team to go back to the car.  He may have not only been collecting water for the team, he probably collect some information of the final climb as well.  It is less usual to see a rider with a bib number that end in a 1 being the one to go to the team car.  His #41 designates him as the team leader of Team Sky.

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, just follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2830783-322-195767/PaintingTaking%20Fluids%20Dono4-Greig-Leach.html#.V51-SbgrLIU

Tour, Stage 8: Still Okay?

The teams of Movistar and Sky kept trading off the pace making on the front of the ever dwindling peloton.  As the boys on the British Team Sky pushed the pace on the Col de Val Louron Azet, Mikel Nieve looked over at the unzipped jacket and sweat dripping face of Geraint Thomas asking if he was still okay.  Riding just behind the near metronomic Team Sky was the Irishman, Dan Martin (Etixx-Quickstep).  So many of the top contenders for the overall victory in Paris on the same time added to the fact that the Yellow Jersey was already seven minutes behind the peloton meant that a stage win would yet again give the winner the race lead to boot.

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, just follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2821639-51-224974/PaintingStill%20Okay?%20TdF51-Greig-Leach.html#.V4HjtLgrLIU

Ruta del Sol Stage 4: Mano a Mano

The final card played by Team Sky was Mikel Nieve, once he could no longer hold the high pace on the 20% gradient, it was time for the two biggest names of the ProTour to fight it out for the overall.  Chris Froome (Team Sky) wearing the blue points jersey (on loan from Contador), feeling the sting of getting dropped in Stage 3 by the Spaniard, Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) hit the front attacking hard striving to drop the pedal dancing two time Tour de France winner.  Despite the severity of Froome's attack, it look like the two were going to go up the mountain pedal stroke for pedal stroke.  I was quite surprise what happened as soon as I finished painting this watercolor.

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.  And yes, international shipping is available.

If you like reading about cycling along with original art, be sure to check out my "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France" available online world wide through Amazon and other online book retailers.


http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Other%202015%20Cycling%20Art/2515238---206768/Painting.html#.VOqDWE05DIU

Tour Stage 18: Chatting on the Way Up

First it was Mikel Nieve (Team Sky) that sprung off of the front of the lead group on the Tourmalet, but he was quickly joined by Blel Kadri (AG2R).  Kadri is part of the French team that has the overall team lead, which in determined by the combined times of the three highest placed riders on each team.  He was also the first Frenchman to win a stage in this Tour and has worn the Polka Dot Jersey in the first half of the race.  Nieve is racing on his home roads and was on the now defunct Basque team of Euskatdel-Euskadi, with these incentives and the desire to redeem Team Sky's Tour with a stage victory, he was riding hard up the fabled climb of the Col du Tourmalet to deliver the victory on the final climb up the Hautacam.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  This painting along with all of my artwork of the 101st Tour de France will be included in my soon to be self published tome, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy or to discover how you can be a part of bringing this beautiful race to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  Be sure to check out the generous Backer Rewards for those who choose to pledge their support to the "Book de Tour" project.  If you would like to purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But don't you want a copy of the book as well?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2407902---199992/Painting.html#.U9HVas_D_IU

Tour Stage 14: Teammates

Normally, when you see one team member passing a bottle to another, it is a clearly defined roll of domestique to team leader, or of a domestique who has retrieve bidons for the entire team.  Mikel Nieve (Team Sky) passed a bottle over to Geraint Thomas under the watchful eye of Jose Serpa (Lampre-Merida) and the TV Moto, but it was unclear who was riding for whom.  While it was no where near as hot as the previous day, it is still essential that the riders keep their fluids up, not only for the task at hand, but to improve their recovery and to protect their form for the following stages.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com and it will appear in my soon to be self published, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre-order your copy, or to discover how to become involved in bringing the 101st Tour de France to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some wonderful backer rewards all of which include the Backers name in print on the Special Thanks Page of the book.  Other incentives include an artist signed book, pins, original art, and a few lucky signed copies, signed by whomever wins this Tour de France.  If you would rather just purchase this particular painting, please follow the direct link at the end of this post, but wouldn't you rather have a copy of "Book de Tour" too?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2405250---199992/Painting.html#.U8vf58_D_IU

Tour Stage 14: Headed to the Top of the Tour

Joaquim Rodriquez (Katusha) started the day in second place in the King of the Mountains competition, while he was wearing the Polka Dot Jersey on loan from Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) he would prefer to be the holder of the Jersey outright.  Since Nibali is also the holder of the Maillot Jaune he is wearing the more important of the two jerseys, and it is the only time when the guy in a leader's jersey is not the leader of the competition the jersey represents.  The last man to win all three of the top Jerseys was Eddy Merckx, he would have had the White Jersey as well, but he was too old.  Rodriquez went on the attack on the fabled Col d'Izoard to try and gain enough points to claim the Polka Dots on his own.  He was followed up to the highest point of the 101st Tour de France by Steven Kruijswijk (Belkin Pro Cycling), Mikel Nieve (Team Sky) and Rein Taarame (Cofidis) all of whom hoped to gain some extra time for the final assault up to Risoul.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  It will appear in my soon to be self published, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre-order your copy, or to discover how you can get involved in helping to bring the art of the 101st Tour de France to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some excellent Backer rewards including an artist signed copy, original artwork, pins, postcards and all starting for as little as $5 USD.  Absolutely everyone who backs the project at any level will have their name included in print on the special thanks page of the book.  If you would like to purchase this particular painting, please follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2405248---199992/Painting.html#.U8vbqc_D_IU

Tour Stage 13: Hoping to Recover

Vincenzo Nibali (Astana), the TV announcers, Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen, the remaining peloton and me were all surprised and confused when Richie Porte (Team Sky) suddenly lost contact with the group.  He went to his radio to talk to the team car and Mikel Nieve (Team Sky) dropped back with him.  Nieve was there to pace the Sky leader up the climb, hoping he would recover as quickly as he hit the wall.  Porte started losing big chunks of time right away and was probably going to be almost as out of contention as Chris Froome or Alberto Contador (both of whom had already gone home).  Naturally, the Photo Moto dropped back with Porte trying to get the shot that told the story of yet another deviation from the script of the 101st Tour de France.  For the previous two years, we have gotten use to seeing the black kit with the wide blue stripe of Team Sky controlling the peloton with the Yellow Jersey at the back of the line.  Will it be the turquoise of Astana instead for this edition of the Tour?  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com and will be included in my soon to be self published book of the 101st Tour de France art, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre-order a copy, or to discover how you can be a part of bringing the art of the sport we love to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some excellent incentives for backers at every level starting at $5 USD.  Everyone who backs the project will have their name included in the special thanks page.  If you would like to purchase this painting directly, just follow the link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2404836---199992/Painting.html#.U8nH-8_D_IU