Gent-Wevelgem, Yeah, They're Here

 It was a treat to see Mark Cavendish (Bahrain-McLaren) back in the pro peloton.  Today, he changed up his normal tactics and got into the early break in hopes of still being on the front when it came to the final sprint.  He looked over his shoulder to confirm that the leading peloton had in fact caught him and his erstwhile break away companions.  Ahead of Cavendish was Julien Morice (B&B Hotels-Vital Concept) who didn't seem to pay any attention to those joining up with the group.  Behind the Manx Missile were Alexander Konychev (Mitchelton-Scott), Leonardo Basso (Ineos-Grenadiers) and Alexis Gougeard (AG2R La Mondiale).  With 66 kilometers left to race, it was possible to think this was going to be the group that contested for the victory in Wevelgem.

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/3718281-24-280747/Painting/yeah-theyre-here-gw20-2.html

LBL Femmes, Trying to Cross Alone

 Realizing that the seven chasers were never going to get organized and chase down the lone leader, Grace Brown (Mitchelton-Scott) attacked her erstwhile companions.  Brown hope to be able to cross the gap to Lizzie Diegnan (Trek-Segafredo) on her own.  She had enough of a gap on the others that she didn't need to worry about taking someone forward who would only out sprint her in the end.  Alas, Brown never caught Diegnan, but was just a mere 10 seconds behind the winning Brit by the time they reached the line in Liege.  The rest of the chasers sprinted it out over a minute later with one of Diegnan's teammates taking third.  I am always concerned watching the peloton race on these Belgium cement slap roads, the center gap looks to be a tire eater and sure to cause an awful crash.  Thankfully, I have yet to see it happen.  I, however, have had a rather spectacular crash in a tram track while riding in Berlin.  I was fortunate enough to have taken my helmet with me, but I did put quite the gash in my right ear.

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/3714922-21-280747/Painting/trying-to-cross-alone-lbl20-4.html

LBL Femmes, The Chasers

 This group was desperate to chase back the lone Brit, Lizzie Deignan (Trek-Segafredo) who was a mere 50 seconds up the road.  All of us watching ponder why would they let them go, but all of us who have raced know there is that point when you just don't have the legs to go with the move.  It is a sinking feeling to watch the race go up the road and know you just can't do anything about it.  With the strength of former World Champion, Marianne Vos (CCC-Liv), along with Julietter Labous (Sunweb), Grace Brown (Mitchelton-Scott), Kathrine Aalerud (Movistar) amongst others, should have been able to collaborate in the chase, but each desired the win, thus not wanting to pull the others up to the leader.  As it is said, sometimes you have to be willing to loss to win a race.  However, I think these ladies got the wrong end of that stick.

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/3714905-19-280747/Painting/the-chasers-lbl20-2.html

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 15: The First to Give It a Go

Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) was the first to attack the dominate force that is Jumbo-Visma.  As it turns out, until the final kilometer, he was the only one to try and attack.  Maybe because it only took them 500 meters to put him back were they think he belonged.  George Bennett held his pace with Tom Dumoulin ready to take over if it became necessary.  The Maillot Jaune on the shoulders of Primoz Roglic could see that he was well protected, and knew that Sepp Kuss was ready to pass a wheel, a bike, or a hard turn of speed should it ever become necessary.  It has been interesting to see the tactics of Ineos-Grenadiers used against them with such success. Somehow I don't mind as much when Jumbo-Visma does it.  Perhaps the team has a bit more humility, but then they haven't won seven of the previous eight Tours de France.

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-2020/3700475-103-282744/Painting/the-first-to-give-it-a-go-tdf20-97.html

Tour, Stage 14: Fighting to Be Best of the Rest

Bora-Hansgrohe and Peter Sagan had higher hopes for the finale today, but they did add to his point total while the one guy he is chasing got none.  However, with the solo win by fifteen seconds of Soren Kragh Andersen (Sunweb), the peloton was racing for second place.  That honor of best of the rest went to Luka Mezgec (Mitchelton-Scott).  He was followed across the line by Simone Consonni (Cofidis) and then Peter Sagan.  Fifth and sixth went to Casper Pedersen (Sunweb) and Jasper Stuyven (Trek-Segafredo) respectively.  With the peloton coming in all together there were no changes in any of the race classifications.  Sagan did move 33 points closer to Sam Bennett, but has another 43 points to catch the Irishman.  The Tour goes into the high Alps tomorrow, so it will be entertaining to see if any sprinters will be able to get points on the day.  The small advantage they have is that the intermediate sprint comes before any of the mountains of the day.

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-2020/3699704-95-282744/Painting/fighting-to-be-best-of-the-rest-tdf20-89.html

Tour, Stage 8: Just a Small Gap

Again, another title with more than one interpretation.  As Enric Mas (Movistar) and Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) neared the top of the final climb, the Col de Peyresoule, a small gap opened between them and those ahead, ahead both on the road and on the general classification.  Both Phil Liggett and Bob Roll were amazed and delighted to see just how many fans were lining the road to cheer on the Tour.  I was pleased to see that virtually everyone was wearing a mask.  Although I did notice that the guy on the right in the red stripe shirt holding the Spanish flag was doing the ridiculous classic.  He was wearing a mask, but had it pulled down below his nose and mouth.  I oft want to ask those who do this, just exactly what protection they think that provides?  But his actions didn't seem to dampen the enthusiasm of the Basque supports cheering on the race.

But I digress, the other small gap was what the cheering tifosi were allowing for the race to pass by.

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-2020/3693249-52-282744/Painting/just-a-small-gap-tdf20-47.html

Tour, Stage 6: It Is What They Do

Team Ineos-Grenadiers has been conspicuous in its absence thus far in this Tour de France.  Finally, today on the last climb, they put all of the team that could on the front of the peloton on the way up the Col de la Luscetter.  Jonathan Castroviejo and Richard Carapaz were the last two driving the pace for their team leader, Egan Bernal.  Bernal is the defending champion of the Tour but it isn't feeling like his team is as strong as it has been over the last decade.  Behind Ineos-Grenadiers, Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) look quite comfortable in his oddly claimed Maillot Jaune.  He clearly has the legs to merit the leader's jersey, but he didn't take it over by out riding the erstwhile leader.

Yesterday, Julian Alaphilippe was penalized 20 seconds for taking a bottle from a soigneur inside the final 20 kilometers.  The rules are clear about when and where riders can take bottles and food, but it seems to me that the soigneur was the one at fault, Alaphilippe just took the bottle when it was offered.  To other riders on other teams were equally penalized, but it was losing the lead that made the news for Deceuninck-Quick Step.  He has been gracious (and grabbed back a couple of seconds at the finish today).

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-2020/3690726-37-282744/Painting/it-is-what-they-do-tdf20-32.html

Tour, Stage 5: Under Control

As the peloton speed into the final kilometer in Privas, it was Team Sunweb that had control of the front.  They were riding for their sprinter, Cess Pol.  By being on the front, they were leading him out and keeping any other of the teams from putting their man in a winning position.  On their shoulders, Mitchelton-Scott was organizing itself for their man.  Behind the two teams, it looked like the European Champion Giacomo Nizzolo (NTT Pro Cycling) was bobbing and weaving in an effort to find a good wheel to follow into the sprint.

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-2020/3690240-33-282744/Painting/under-control-tdf20-28.html

Tour, Stage 2: So Very Close

So very close describes to different aspects of this sprint finish.  One that Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step) only beat Marc Hirschi (Sunweb) by not quite a bike length, and two, that the fast closing peloton finished just two seconds behind the gutsy Frenchman.  With the second place bonus seconds atop the final climb, and the eight seconds bonus for the win, Alaphilippe will be the new Maillot Jaune.  The man in second, Hirschi, becomes the new Maillot Blanc, the best place young rider in the Tour.  Just peeking around the shoulder of Hirschi is Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) whose third place and bonus seconds on the stage moved himself in to second place on the General Classification. Yates was the only other rider who was able to go with the two escapees, although he crossed the line on the Promenade des Anglais a second behind the other two, and a second ahead of the Greg Van Avermaet (CCC) led peloton.

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-2020/3687341-18-282744/Painting/so-very-close-tdf20-12.html

La Course, Off the Climb

Annemiek Van Vleutin (Mitchelton-Scott) leads the chase off of the final climb of La Course.  On her wheel are Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo Women) and Demi Vollering (Parkhotel Valkenburg).  It is a bit unusual for Van Vleutin to be the one chasing in hopes of catching the leaders.  It is her usual style to simple ride away from her competitors as she did in Strade Bianche this season.  However, it is certainly possible that with 23 kilometers to go, that it could still go down as usual.

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-2020/3687238-10-282744/Painting/off-the-climb-lc20-5.html

La Course, Not Tactics Needed

Now this should be the break that stays away.  First there are two former World Champions and on who is both current and former, Annemiek Van Vleutin (Mitchelton-Scott), and second they have over a minute on the chasers with just downhill a flat roads to race.  Van Vleutin has spent the last 15 kilometers trying to ride the rest of the six woman break off of her will.  She has not yet succeeded in that effort.  Stuck on the Champion's wheel were Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo Women) and her teammate, Lizzie Deignan.  Close behind the Trek duo was Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon SRAM).  While the crowd sizes are down from normal Tour de France (and La Course) standards, there are still thousands lining the course, and most are doing their best to social distance and wear their masks (as required by French state mandate).

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-2020/3687229-9-282744/Painting/no-tactics-needed-lc20-4.html

Strade Bianche - Women, Waving for the Camera

Annemiek Van Vleuten (Mitchelton-Scott) showed why she has the rainbow bands across her chest and arms.  She was able to chase down the lone leader and the group that Margarita Garcia Canellas (ALE BTC Ljubljana) had left behind.  Van Vleuten dropped the ALE rider with just about 2 kilometers left to the finish and Siena.  Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, there were no crowds massed at the finish line in the old city square.  So instead, Van Vleuten waved to the press core and the TV cameras as thought it was the crowded Italian Piazza.  This makes it two Strade Bianches in a row for the on fire Dutch phenom.

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/3609424-4-280747/Painting/waving-to-the-camera-sb20-4.html

Strade Bianche - Women, Next on the Road

With just one rider up the road, the next to go on the attack was none other than the reigning World Champion, Annemiek Van Vleuten (Mitchelton-Scott).  With 14 kilometers left to race, it was going to take a spectacular ride by Van Vleuten if she was going to take the victory in Siena.  Van Vleuten has been on amazing form this season having won four out of four races.  She is clearly hoping to make it five out of five.

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/3609352-2-280747/Painting/next-on-the-road-sb20-2.html

Tour, Stage 21: The Third One Is the Best

Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal) took his third stage win of this Tour.  To have that happen on the Champs Elysees is truly special.  Dylan Groenewegen (Jumbo-Visma) looks over seemingly surprised to see that Ewan had come from off of his wheel and still got ot the line first.  In the frame, but not really "in" the sprint is Matteo Trentin (Mitchelton-Scott), finishing in seventh today.  None need be embarassed, all three of these guys have at least one stage win in the 106th Tour de France.  Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) seemed to sit this one out.  He had ample points to secure his seventh Maillot Vert, so he need not endanger himself by sprinting today.

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%202019/3366756-127-263530/The%20Third%20One%20Is%20the%20Best%20%20TDF19-127.html

Tour, Stage 20: Want to Join Me?

Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) felt the moment was right with just eight kilometers left of climbing to launch an attack from the back of the small peloton.  He was covered by Marc Soler (Movistar) and the French National Champion, Warren Barguil (Arkea Samsic).  As the trio caught Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha-Alpecin) Yates seemed to invite the Russian to catch onto their wheels.  Yates has two stage victories in this year's Tour already, he sure seemed to want just one more.  Alas, it wasn't to be.

Watch me paint this watercolor as I talk about the Tour over the past two days on my You Tube channel :

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%202019/3366223-116-263530/Want%20to%20Join%20Me?%20%20TDF19-116.html

Tour, Stage 19: No, Honestly

The 19th stage of the Tour was neutralized as the peloton sped down the back side of the Col de l'Iseran.  It took awhile for the message to get through to the men on the road.  Apparently, Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) knew ahead of Egan Bernal (Ineos).  It seemed that the young Colombian was skeptical of what the Brit was telling him.  Shortly after I painted this, you could see Bernal on his radio getting the news.  What they couldn't see was that there was a very bad hail storm in the valley before the final climb of the day.  From aerial shots, snow plows and front loaders were desperately trying to clear the road, but the water run off was way too dangerous.  They could have resumed the race at the foot of the final climb, but getting everyone to that point may have proved impossible.  Instead, since the stage was to be a mountain top finish anyway, they decided to make the finish at the top of the mountain they had just surrmounted.

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%202019/3365901-111-263530/No,%20Honestly%20%20TDF19-110.html

This painting has sold!

Tour, Stage 17: Trying to Get Down First

Bridget's favorite for today's stage.  The European Champion, Matteo Trentin (Mitchelton-Scott) attack a kilometer before the Cote de la Sentinelle.  This gave him the jump on the others and they were just a little too slow to respond.  Trentin was able to stretch out his advantage on the way down the other side of the climb.  With just eight kilometers left to go, it was doubtful that anyone was going to catch this Italian.

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%202019/3364903-95-263530/Trying%20to%20Get%20Down%20First%20%20TDF19-95.html

Tour, Stage 15: Easy as Pie

This evening while photographing these watercolors I started laughing out loud.  It struck me that I had named this piece "Easy as Pie" and then thought that this is Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott).  Now what amused me was the thought of the nursey rhyme, "Simple Simon was a Pie Man."  Well, I thought it was funny.  Yates had the time to get his kit just so for the photographers as he claimed his second mountain top finish in this year's Tour.  Yates is the only other rider besides the Maillot Jaune to have one a second stage.  I believe that leaves us at thirteen different stage winners in fifteen stages, and still no clear indication on who will wear the final Yellow Jersey in Paris in a week's 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.

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%202019/3363392-87-263530/Easy%20as%20Pie%20%20TDF19-87.html

Tour, Stage 14: Helping His Brother Out

The last road stage it was Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) spreading his arms wide in victory.  He is a good bit down on the general classification than his twin brother Adam, so it fell to him to drop back and try and pace the leader of Mitchelton-Scott back into the peloton.  The aggressive pace being set on the way up the Col du Soulor had put many a man in difficulty.  It appears that the pace would be the end of Adam Yates' dreams of winning the Tour.  There is still the climb to the top of the Tourmalet to come in this 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.

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%202019/3362768-76-263530/Helping%20His%20Brother%20Out%20%20TDF19-76.html