TDF, Stage 4: You Can Turn Back Time

I amused myself with this title.  And now I have Cher's "If I Could Turn Back Time" stuck in my head.  But it is worth it just to see Cav take another stage in the Tour de France.  Apparently, Mark Cavendish's (Alpecin-Fenix) dress rehearsal in the intermediate was a good omen for the end of the stage.  Cav last one a stage in the Tour three years ago, and on this very finishing straight six years ago.  Chapeau to one of the good guys.  It was a treat to watch most of the peloton congratulate the new Maillot Vert as they came across the line (if they could fight their way through the press scrum surrounding the stage winner).  As in the intermediate sprint, it is Nacer Bouhanni (Arkea-Samsic) taking second with Michael Matthews (BikeExchange) in third.  Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) is still on the outside looking in, but he is there or there's about.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct 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/2021-Tour-de-France/3820942-25-291436/Painting/you-can-turn-back-time-tdf21-25.html

TDF, STage 4: Dress Rehearsal

It was a sprint dress rehearsal for the following peloton as they came into Vitre.  In my days in theatre the superstition was that a bad dress rehearsal meant you would have a great opening night.  Hopefully the converse of the superstition won't be true for Mark Cavendish (Deceuninck-Quick Step) who won the intermediate sprint.  His leadout man, Michael Morkov (you can just see his shoulder in this painting) took second, denying points to Nacer Bouhanni (Arkea-Samsic) in the race for the Maillot Vert. Michael Matthews (BikeExchange) was also in the mix.  Behind you can see Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain-Victorious).  I am beginning to worry that Sagan's bout with Covid-19 may have taken the edge off of the seven time Maillot Vert and three time World Champion.  I hope he will break through before this Tour is over.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct 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/2021-Tour-de-France/3820888-23-291436/Painting/dress-rehearsal-tdf21-23.html

TDF, Stage 3: No Less of a Victory

Some may discredit Tim Merlier's (Alpecin-Fenix) win today since two of the biggest names in sprinting were laying on the ground behind.  I am not one of those.  If he had not already been ahead of those two he would have crashed as well, so it may be true that he was going to take the stage regardless.  Behind his victory salute, his teammate Jasper Philipsen was looking to make sure that Nacer Bouhanni (Arkea-Samsic) didn't get a bike lunge victory while his sprinter was celebrating.  Behind the top three finishers came Davide Ballerini (Deceuninck-Quick Step), Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain-Victorious), Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix) and then Julian Alphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step).

This was the first day were none of the leaders' jerseys changed hands, however due to multiple crashes many slipped down (and some up) the leader board in the quest for overall victory in Paris.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct 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/2021-Tour-de-France/3820782-20-291436/Painting/no-less-of-a-victory-tdf21-20.html

TDF, Stage 3: In the Final Meters

Here I am breaking one of my own rules (they are meant to be broken), yet I am hoping no one else is breaking anything.  I had a viseral reaction as I watched Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal) go down while in the perfect position to open his closing sprint in Pontivy.  Sprints are high speed with riders so close togther.  Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) had chosen Ewan's wheel as the one to follow in hopes of being able to jump out of the Aussie's slipstream for the win, alas that meant the Slovakian had no chance of not going down with him.  As I write this I don't know how bad Caleb Ewan was hurt, but he did spend a long time laying on the ground.  

I was quite impressed that both Nacer Bouhani (Arkea Samsic) and Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain-Victorious) were able to swerve around the crash with Bouhani finishing in third on the day. Tim Merlier & Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Fenix) were able to keep going despite was happening behind them.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct 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/2021-Tour-de-France/3820773-19-291436/Painting/in-the-final-meters-tdf21-19.html

Amgen ToC, Stage 4: Getting Around to Get Another

Dispite all of the drama and crashing going on behind, there was still a sprint for the stage victory in Morro Bay to be contested.  It was looking like Peter Sagan (Bora Hansgrohe) was perfectly position to get his second stage of this year's Tour.  However, Fabio Jakobsen (Deceuninck-Quickstep) was able to get around Sagan and Jasper Philipsen (UAE Team Emirates) to take the third straight win for his team.  Sagan's third place was enough for him to take over the Green Jersey of points leader.  Coming in fourth was the French sprinter Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis).  Due to the commissare decisions the drama behind had no effect on the overall standings on the general classification.

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%20of%20California/3332848-77-223355/Getting%20Around%20to%20Get%20Another%20%20ToC19-22.html

Dauphine, Stage 4: A Power Sprint

The uphill sprint was tailor made for the power sprinter from Team Dimension Data, Marcus Burghardt.  The Norwegian Champion was thrilled to raise his arm in a victory salute as he claimed his first stage victory in the 68th Criterium du Dauphine.  Out of the frame of this painting was the wearer of the White Jersey of Best Young Rider, Julian Alaphilippe (Etixx-Quickstep) who finished second on the stage.  Finishing out the podium placings was the Green Jerseyed Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis), who was less than pleased with his result.  Alas, Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) was washed away along with the South African, Daryl Impey (Orica-GreenEdge).

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2805700-63-185083/Painting.html#.V1pGPPkrLIU

Dauphine: Stage 2, Holding onto the Tail

As the peloton started up the penultimate climb of the day, although it should be said that there was no real down hill before the final climb to the finish line, the sprinters started sliding to the back of the pack.  Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis) resplendent in his Green (Points Leader) skinsuit was one of those that wasn't happy with the climbs to come.  Joining him at the rear of the peloton was Stephen Cummings (Dimension Data) and Daryl Impey (Orica-GreenEdge).  It wasn't long before they, and quite a few other riders, started falling off the back and into the Grupetto.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2804566-47-185083/Painting.html#.V1eMo5ErLIU

Dauphine, Stage 1: Fighting for the Victory

Even with Haimar Zubeldia (Trek-Segafredo) trying to calm things down a bit, the lead up to the sprint got rather dodgie.  Sprinters need to be fearless and agressive, but today there were quite a few elbows flying and helmets butting.  It is frequently said that so-n-so sprinter was fighting for such-n-such rider's wheel, today short of actually throwing punches, Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) and Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis) were fighting it out for the Katusha lead out train.  Bouhanni used his experience as an amateur boxer and his legs to get through to claim the first stage of the 2016 Criterium du Dauphine.  Coming up short behind the diminutive Frenchman were Jens Debusschere (Lotto Soudal), Sam Bennett (Bora-Argon), Jonas Van Genechten (IAM Cycling) and Daryl Impey (Orica-GreenEdge).  Despite the victories, the over all classification's top ten remained unchanged from the results of the Prologue Individual Time Trial.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2804062-46-185083/Painting.html#.V1ZLR5ErLIU

Milano-San Remo: Jumping Them All

Arnaud Demare (FDJ) had just cause to celebrate this victory, not only had he won Milano-San Remo by several bike lengths, he had done so after being on the ground with just 25 kilometers left to race.  It to herculean effort to get back to the peloton and then all the way up to the business end of affairs.  He was able to hold off Ian Stannard (Sky) who was the only one who could come close to matching the Frenchman's speed to the line.  Just missing the podium was Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) and pounding his handle bars was fellow Frenchman, Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis) who surely preferred to have been taking the race for France.

This is a small original watercolor that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watecolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  In addition, the painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  The painting is available for sale and can be found by following the direct link at the end of this post.

Be sure to check out my newest cycling book, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships.  The book is available through your favorite book seller worldwide or at my publishers website, www.artofcycling.bike.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2747795-296-195767/Painting.html#.Vu979vkrLIU

Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne: Fueling Up

With the final cobbled obstacles done and dusted, it was time for teams to get their sprinters organized and to make sure that they would have the energy to power through to the line in Kuurne.  Florian Senechal (Cofidis) dropped back to his team car along with his sprinter, Nacer Bouhanni, to grab a few power bars and to shed some extra layers.  By this point the cold air was being super ceded by the generate body warmth of the effort of the race.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and many, many other pieces of cycling art are 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.

Plus, I have just released my second book, this one entitled, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships.  Obviously, it focus on the 2015 Championships that took place here in Richmond, Virginia this past September and includes my paintings and writings on all of the races contested on the very streets that I ride every week.

I am having trouble with loading my artwork on to my website.  Please email me at greigsart@gmail.com if you are interested in purchasing this work, or any of my other Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne paintings.

Paris Nice Stage 5: One for an Italian

Today it was a new team and a new country that got to throw their arms wide at the finish line in Paris Nice. The Italian, Davide Cimolai (Lampre Merida), got the win ahead of a fading Bryan Coquard (Europcar) with Michael Matthews (Orica GreenEdge) managing third place solidifying his hold on the Green sprinter's jersey.  Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis) just missed the podium.  All of these players will be back to contest the final sprint into Nice on the Avenue des Anglais along the edge of the Mediterranean Sea.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  If you interested in purchasing this original artwork, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Enjoying reading about a bike race with these accompanying paintings?  Then check out my recently published Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France.  The book is available through most online booksellers around the world, so google the title to find where you can get it without paying international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2525098---195767/Painting.html#.VQMxb_zF-xU

Paris Nice Stage 1: Scoring First

Team Katusha played its cards right on this long flat stage.  They managed to stay off of the front of the peloton saving their energy for the last kilometer of the stage.  That way they were able to lead the fast Norwegian, Alexander Kristoff, to the final sprint.  So it was Kristoff who score the first sprint of the 2015 Paris Nice in the town of Contres.  He was followed across the finishing line by two French sprinters, Nacer Bouhani (Cofidis) in second, and Bryan Coquard (Europcar) in third.  All three sprinters were far enough behind race leader Michal Kwiatkowski (Etixx-Quickstep) that they did not effect his hold on the Maillot Jaune.

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 for only $50 USD.  International shipping is available.

If you are enjoying reading about cycling with this accompanying artwork be sure to check out my recently publish book on the Tour de France, Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France.  The book is available through most every online book sellers around the world, just google the title to learn where you can get your copy and avoid international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2522866---195767/Painting.html#.VP6IOfzF-xU

Giro d'Italia Final Stage: Flying

The final sprint of the Giro d'Italia was hotly contested, it included the possibility of a change of ownership of the Maglia Russo, the sprinter's jersey.  If the perennial runner up, Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek Factory Racing) could win and Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ) not place at all, the it would be Nizzolo who would claim the Jersey for the Giro.  Unfortunately for him, it was Marcel Kittel's lead out man Luka Mezgec (Giant Shimano), in the German sprinter's absence, who to the stage.  Nizzolo finished second yet again, with the American, Tyler Farrar (Garmin Sharp) taking the third slot on the podium.  But for the French, it was Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ) taking fourth on the stage and first in the Maglia Russo.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting please follow the direct link at the end of this post.  While you are there, why not take the time to browse around at all of the artwork on offer?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2374000---198213/Painting.html#.U4uUNc_D_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 10: Wearing Red for a Reason

In the Giro d'Italia the Red Jersey, Maglia Rosso, is awarded to the most consistent sprinter in the peloton.  The current holder of the jersey, Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ), proved today that he is the rightful owner of the Maglia Rosso, taking his third stage win ahead of Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek Factory Racing) who has now finished second in a stage, three different times.  Ben Swift (Team Sky) was unable to reward the efforts of his team on the way into town, although that may have had something to do with the crash in the penultimate turn.  It was Tyler Farrar (Garmin Sharp) who went down first, taking out about ten men, fortunately none seriously hurt, but it certainly disrupted the sprint and eliminated Elia Viviani's (Cannondale) chances to contest the victory, to say nothing of Farrar's hopes for glory.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this painting follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2366659---198213/Painting.html#.U3uojc_D_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 7: Along the Barriers

Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ) is fast proving himself to be the fast man of the Giro now that Marcel Kittel is no longer in the peloton.  Today he grabbed his second stage victory, this time getting the win without any of the other sprinters going down on wet slippery roads on the approach to the line.  He was able to charge past Luka Mezgec (Giant Shimano) who was the first to jump out from behind his train and to hold off the fast charging Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek Factory Racing).  Today's victory should be enough to but him back into the Red Jersey of the leader in sprint points (or most consistently strong finisher), the jersey he took over when Kittel couldn't start the first stage in Italy.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting you can follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2364877---198213/Painting.html#.U3cpxs_D_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 4: The Final Dash for the Line

All of the sprinters may have had a sense of relief when they learned that Marcel Kittel would not be starting the stage due to a high fever that came on during the rest day.  Not that any of them would wish him harm or celebrate his illness.  Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ) took the anger and adrenaline from his chase back on and rewarded his team's efforts in getting him back on with a very dramatic charge to the line around Tom Veelers (Giant Shimano) and ahead of Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek Factory Racing) and Roberto Ferrari (Lampre-Merida).  Where you may ask is Cannondale?  They fell victim to the wet roads and sharp corners just ahead of the flame rouge.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase at my artist website, www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2363409---198213/Painting.html#.U3KBz8_D_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 4: Pacing Their Sprinter Back

First and explanation of "Neutralized"  The organizers finally settle on taking the times for the stage at the bell lap, the start of the final lap in the town of Bari.  This was done to protect both the GC contenders from crashes on the wet roads, and to thin down the peloton to let only the sprinters and their lead out trains vie for the stage making the sharp turns a bit safer.  The sprinter for FDJ, Nacer Bouhanni, had the misfortune of having a puncture on the lap just prior to the lap that the times would be taken at.  He had a hard charge to get back, first one teammate dropped back to help pace him back, and then the whole team waited at the back of the peloton to help bring him back to the business end of the race.  Unfortunately for all involved, the rains began to fall as the race heated up for the final lap and the wheels started sliding out from the peloton on the right angled turns.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase at my artist website, www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting, you can follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2363379---198213/Painting.html#.U3J9-8_D_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 2: First Sprint, First Win

Stage 2 was the first open road stage of the 2014 Giro d'Italia and its relatively flat course out and back to Belfast was destined to be one for the sprinters.  Of the current marquee sprinters of the Pro Tour only Marcel Kittel (Giant Shimano) has chosen to ride the Giro. The others, Peter Sagan (Cannondale) and Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma Quickstep) have opted to race the Tour of California.  So with the first sprint contested it is Kittel one and all of the others, zero.  Although Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ) gave it a good show to finish second to the big German.  But it was Michael Matthews' (Orica GreenEdge) eight place finish that was enough for him to take over the race lead and to don the Maglia Rosa and spray the crowd with champagne.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by visiting my artist website at www.greigleach.com or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Thank you and good luck being the first to get this original work of art.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2362039---198213/Painting.html#.U26z3s_D_IU

Paris-Nice Stage 2: Heads Down Legs Churning

The stage ended with a false flat climb up to the finishing line making the sprint just that much harder.  Add to that the bonus seconds for placing and it made for a very aggressive drive for the line that even the Yellow Jersey had to be part of.  While the stage went to the fast charging Moreno Hofland (Team Belkin), Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ) successfully defended his Maillot Jeune and John Degenkolb (Giant-Shimano) moved himself up into second overall.  The finish was so tight there was no time for the traditional arms in the air victory salute.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist website, www.greigleach.com or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2325515---195767/Painting.html#.Ux5qYs_D_IU

Paris-Nice Stage One: Grabbing the Win

With all of the efforts put in by the big teams and their lead out trains, it was Nacer Bouhanni who grabbed the first stage of Paris Nice with a little improvised freelance sprinting.  He forced his way through the crowds, jumping from train to train, finally coming clear at full speed with about 200 meters to the line.  With the opening stage win, he will start the race tomorrow in the leader's Yellow Jersey and have the lead in the Points Jersey as well.  This is an original watercolor and ink painting that can be yours by visiting my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  Or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2324989---195767/Painting.html#.Ux1aS8_D_IU