Ronde Van Vlaanderen, Their Time on the Front

 After nearly sixty kilometers of racing the early break finally formed.  The group of six build up almost a seven minute lead on the peloton, but with 126 kilometers to race it was unlikely they would stay away to the end.  Fabio Van Den Bossche (Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise) was on the back of the group following Samuele Battistella (NTT), Dimitri Peyskens (Bingoal-WB), Gregor Muhlberger (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Gijs Van Hoecke (CCC).  The organizers had asked fans to stay away from the race and watch it all on TV.  While there was clearly less cycling fans on the side of the road, it wasn't completely empty along the narrow lanes of Flanders.

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/3722693-31-280747/Painting/their-time-on-the-front-rvv20-2.html

Tour, Stage 16: A Bit Worrying

After Sunday's collapse of Egan Bernal Ineos-Grenadiers) on the final climb of the day, it had to be a bit worrying to see him drop out of the peloton on the penultimate climb of the day.  Seeing Bernal in the sprinter's grupetto with riders like Sam Bennett (Deceuninck-Quick Step) and the teammates Max Walschied (NTT) and Michael Gogl.  Either Bernal has lost all interest in even trying to ride well in the Tour, or as Bob Roll suggested, he was intentionally losing enough time that the peloton won't chase him when he goes for a stage win.  The main problem with that theory, was that the team sent to guys back to shepherd him home inside the time limit. 

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-2020/3701732-109-282744/Painting/a-bit-worrying-tdf20-103.html

Tour, Stage 15: First Down, First to Go Up

Michael Gogl (NTT) was the one rider who was able to bridge up to the trio that went away on the previous mountain.  However, he proved to be far superior to the descending skills of every body else.  So he was the first down the MOtee de la Selle Fromentel, and used that advantage to hold everyone off on the way up the Cote de la Biche.  I am impressed with the race photographers that hang of the motorcycles, or rush ahead to pick a site that would make a nice shot of the 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-de-France-2020/3700458-99-282744/Painting/first-down-first-to-go-up-tdf20-93.html

Tour, Stage 12: Are You Having Fun?

Max Walschied (NTT) reaches over while he talks to one of his break away companion, Kasper Asgreen (Deceuninck-Quick Step).  Naturally, I have no idea what they were actually saying to each other.  But it is important to the success of a break away that everyone works together and feels up to the challenge had hand.  Ahead, Imanol Erviti (Movistar) is just ahead of the chatting duo.  By the way, I didn't get the scale wrong with Walschied, he is the tallest man in the peloton at 6'6" and just shy of 200lbs, a great guy to be behind in the pace line.  When I was racing back in the 70s I was considered too tall for the sport at just 6'1" so I take pleasure in seening these tall guys succeed at this level of racing.

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-2020/3698024-72-282744/Painting/are-you-having-fun-tdf20-66.html

Tour, Stage 7: His Second

With his team leader safely in the bunch, Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) was given free rein to go get his second stage victory of this year's Tour de France.  Van Aert just beat Edvald Boasson Hagen (NTT Pro Cycling) and a bike lunging Bryan Coquard (B&B Hotels-Vital Concept). 

It was quite the crowd at the line in Lavaur packed rather tightly together along the barriers at the finish line.  The French and I take some comfort in the presence of masks on nearly every excited spectator.  The crowds have been down in numbers along the road side.  It is a combination of social distancing and mask mandates and the fact that it is now September and the holiday season is long 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-de-France-2020/3692340-45-282744/Painting/his-second-tdf20-40.html

Tour, Stage 6: "Pull Through, Damn It"

While the early break went at the 0 kilometer mark, it didn't start out as smoothly as it could have.  Alexey Lutsenko (Astana) wasn't very happy with his break away companions.  He was gesticulating wildly to get them to pull through to make all of their efforts a success.  At this point the group just had a view seconds on the peloton, but it was still uncertain if the break would stick.  Jesus Herrada (Cofidis) seemed the most reluctant to to his share of the effort.  Edvald Boasoon Hagen (NTT Pro Cycling) was the last to join the escapees.  Others in the group included the birthday boy, Nielson Powless (EF Pro Cycling) and the still reigning Olympic Champion, 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-de-France-2020/3690683-35-282744/Painting/pull-through-damn-it-tdf20-30.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 3: Out of No Where!

A good sprinter will be able to stay out of sight, and out of the wind, until the very last moment,  Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal) is a master of just that skill, and the master of today's sprint in Sisteron.  He came from back in the back in the last two or three hundred meters to fly past the best sprinters in the world.  Taking second was the Irish National Champion, Sam Bennett (Deceuninck-Quick Step), with the both Italian and European Champion, Giacomo Nizzolo (NTT Pro Cycling) taking the last step of the stage podium.  Rounding out the top five were Hugo Hofstetter (Israel Start Up Nation) and Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe).  Sagan's fifth place and the less than ideal finish for Alexander Kristoff was enough for Sagan to claim the Maillot Vert of best sprinter in the Tour.  And honor that he has carried to Paris a record breaking seven times.  Will he be able to make it an eighth 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.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2020/3688516-23-282744/Painting/out-of-no-where-tdf20-17.html

Tour, Stage 3: Winding It Up

With less than a kilometer to the line in Sisteron, it was time for the leadout trains to try and put their sprinter in the best possible position.  At this point it is Team Sunweb on the front with Ag2r La Mondiale and NTT Pro Cycling mixing it up with the boys in white and black.  Oddly, none of these teams really figured in the finale.

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-2020/3688501-22-282744/Painting/winding-it-up-tdf20-16.html

Strade Bianche, Clouds of Dust

With Simon Clarke (EF Pro Cycling) put back into the peloton, it was Michael Gogl (NTT Pro Cycling) was the next to ride away from the group.  One of the distinctive features of Strade Bianche is the white gravel roads that kick up dense clouds of dust as the motos, race vehicles and the bikes themselves race over the rough surfaces.  Gogl seemed to be trying to go for a solo run, but with 53 K to race, it was more likely he just wanted to get out of most everyone else's dust clouds.  I am sure it made breathing a bit easier.

At the start line, and at the end of the race, the competitors would quickly don a cloth mask to help stop the spread of the Covid-19 virus.  Gogl may have been wishing he had kept his with him.  Although I find it impossible to ride with one on, and I am sure I am not putting out anywhere near the wattage he is.

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/3609580-6-280747/Painting/clouds-of-dust-sb20-6.html

Paris Nice, Stage 3: Staying Upright

I don't thing I have seen such narrow roads on flat stages before!  With everyone trying to stay at or get to the front of the peloton there just isn't enough road.  Already a few had been off into the ditches, fortunately for Patrick Konrad (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Victor Campenaerts (NTT Pro Cycling) they were both able to remain upright despite the soft mud and grass just off of the asphalt.  Not only is fitness a by-product of hours and hours on the bike, but so is being completely one with the machine.

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/Paris-Nice/3488940-11-272742/Painting/staying-upright-pn20-11.html

Paris Nice, Stage 2: Kicking into Overdrive

It look like the stage was going to belong to Pascal Ackerman (Bora-Hansgrohe) then a very patient Giacomo Nizzolo (NTT Pro Cycling) found his over drive and sprinted away from the bunch.  Behind the Italian, it was Nils Politt (Israel Start Up Nation) and Alex Kirsch (Trek-Segafredo) seemingly watching the stage slip through their fingered gloves.  You might notice that there isn't a big crowd of cheering cycling fans along the barriers.  With the threat of the coronavirus growing in Europe, large gatherings are now banned in France so the finish line was barred to spectators.

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/Paris-Nice/3488571-9-272742/Painting/kicking-into-overdrive-pn20-9.html