Paris Nice '25, Stage 2: Forced to Chase

As the speeding peloton went through a sharp right corner a crash tangled up many and ended the day for one of Arkea-B&B Hotels riders.  Many found themselves off the back and forced to chase down the still flying peloton.  One of those chasing (and sitting right on the bumper of his team car) was the Maillot Jaune of Tim Merlier (Soudal-Quick Step).  He was joined in this chase group by the Australian Champion, Luke Durbridge (Jayco-Alula) as well as, Miles Scotson (Arkea-B&B Hotels) and the two guys from Movistar, Will Barta and Jefferson Alveiro Cepeda.  They all caught back on.  Unfortunately for Durbridge he went down again in the intermediate sprint in Bellegarde.  The second time he didn't get back on the bike, ending his Paris Nice before it had really gotten started.  

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.

"Forced to Chase PN25-6" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Down Under, Stage 4: Tit for Tat

Like every break away that sees a chance for victory, this one broke down as the stronger climbers started attacking the others.  It was the local rider on a French team, Miles Scotson (Groupama-FDJ) who launched the aggressions.  Initially, it was Scotson and the Austrian, Herman Pernsteiner (Bahrain-Merida) that gapped the other four.  Only Jasha Sutterlin (Movistar) that was able to claw is way back to the duo's wheels.  Not content to just catch back on, Sutterlin attacked the others, giving 'tit for tat.'  However, as it oft happens, the aggressions spelled the doom of the break as those behind closed in.

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/3286123-132-194179/PaintingTit-for-Tat--TDU19-14.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 4: Quite an Advantage

Today's group of escapees (six strong) built up the biggest advantage yet allowed by the chasing peloton.  With 74 kilometers left to race, these guys had almost five minutes on the true contenders behind.  Three of those in the break include Herman Pernsteiner (Bahrain-Merida), Benoit Cosnefoy (Ag2r La Mondiale) and Miles Scotson (Groupama-FDJ).  Cosnefoy is still covered with bandages up and down his right side from his spectacular crash in the sprint at the end of Stage 2.  Clearly, pro cyclist deal well with pain.  After a similar crash in my early amateur career, I hung up my racing cleats.  I chose instead to focus on my more successful (then beginning) art career.

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/3286109-130-194179/PaintingQuite-an-Advantage--TDU19-12.html

Tour Down Under Stage 3: Your Turn

The peloton's chase of the four man break was starting to make real progress particularly because the teams of the sprinters have joined the chase as the finish line draws ever closer.  Gregor Nuhlberger (Bora Hansgrohe) looks back over his shoulder as he swings off the front seemingly telling Miles Scotson (BMC) that it is his turned to pull everyone along.  Not that Scotson would have any trouble figuring that out on his own after all he has been out there most of the day already.  Joining in the effort is Damien Howson (Orica-Scott) and just peeking into the frame is the Ochre Jersey on the back of Richie Porte (BMC).

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/Tour%20Down%20Under/2906666-112-194179/PaintingYour%20Turn%20TDU17-14.html#.WIDtKfkrLIU

Tour Down Under Stage 3: Doing the Work

With the leader's Ochre Jersey on the back of their team leader, Richie Porte, it was time for BMC to do the work of pulling back the break.  Doing the lion share of the effort was the neo-pro Miles Scotson who is also the brand new Australian national champion.  Joining him in the effort are two of his teammates, Francisco Ventoso and Danilo Wyss  The last time I remember painting Scotson was when he was on the ground after crashing in the Under 23 Road World Championships in 2015 in Richmond Virginia.  Scotson had crashed on the same piece of road that has bitten off some of my skin in the past.

The painting of Scotson along with all of the action of the 2015 UCI Road World Championships are available in my book Art of Cycling:  Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships available at www.artofcycling.bike

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/Tour%20Down%20Under/2906639-109-194179/PaintingDoing%20the%20Work%20TDU17-11.html#.WIDkdfkrLIU

Doha 2016, Men's U23 Road Race: Life at the Back

With the heat and the long race, riders where hard pressed to keep their fluids up and their bodies cool.  Half of the bottles the riders took from their team cars were poured over their heads and body in hopes of generating a little cooling action from the wind.  Miles Scotson (Australia) has dropped back to his car even though he just got a bottle from a teammate.  He not only got two more for himself, but loaded up with even more bottles and gels to take up to his guys.  Also hanging out at the back of the peloton are Alexander Cowan (Canada) and Patrick Jager (Austria).  With the flatness of the course the sticky bottle really wasn't a thing today.

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/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2864959-43-227958/PaintingLife%20at%20the%20Back%20Doha43-Greig-Leach.html#.V__ATuArLIU

Doha 2016, Men's U23 ITT: Catching Another

Perhaps I should have titled this one a little differently.  Jan-Willem Van Schip (Netherlands) is the only rider that Miles Scotson (Australia) manged to catch.  But it was at least the second time I had seen a rider catch the man who had started before him.  Miles Scotson went early, but his brother was set to go in the final heat.  But it was Miles, another rider who was out early in the start list, who finished day on the final step of the podium, taking home the bronze medal.

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/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2863815-20-227958/PaintingCatching%20Another%20One%20Doha20-Greig-Leach.html#.V_x7i-ArLIU

Richmond 2015 UCI Worlds: It's Rough at the Back

With the technical nature of the road race course, it was unwise to hang out at the back of the peloton.  Due to the constant cornering or the three short step climbs, radical changes of speed were bound to lead to a touch of wheels and a tumble on the tarmac.  It was Miles Scotson (Australia) who caused the small pile up at the back of the pack.  Most riders like Fabian Lienhard (Swiss) remained upright it was one of the Romanians who joined the Aussie sitting on the road way.  Fortunately, everybody was able to get back underway.  With the wreck coming so early in the race, all were able to rejoin the peloton but at what cost?

This is an original small watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  These paintings are created live while watching the races through a feed provided by the Richmond 2015 Worlds organization.  For two more days, you will be able to watch me create the works live at the Fanfest area at 5th and Marshall Streets near the finish line.  You can also purchase either the originals or one of two different sizes of prints while you are there, or later at www.richmond.com.