Tour, Stage 6: Starting His Attack

The youngest and the only first time Tour rider in the break was Nielson Powless (EF Pro Cycling).  It may have been his youthful vigor, or the fact that today is his birthday, but he definitely had the legs to go on the attack from the break on the final climb of the day.  As they hit the steeper section of the Col de la Luscette, it was only Nicolas Roche (Sunweb) who had the legs to go with the American's attack.  Was Powless about to give himself a Tour de France stage victory as a birthday present?

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-2020/3690693-36-282744/Painting/starting-his-attack-tdf20-31.html

Vuelta, Stage 10: Leading Them Down

In the catagory of "Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained" Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain Merida) attacked the peloton near the summit of the final climb in hopes of using his descending skill to gain time on the Red Jersey of Chris Froome (Sky), unfortunately, others were able to stay with the flying Italian, so the plan just didn't work.  As the reduced group hit the bottom of the climb, it was Nicolas Roche (BMC) who lead them through the final turns.  Roche was able to surprise the regrouped peloton that had declared a truce and gain almost half a minute on all of his general classification rivals.  Sneaky!

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-2017/3022833-2-239162/PaintingLeading-Them-Down.html

Tour of Britain, Stage 4: Using Team Tactics

The two climbers competing for the King of the Mountains Jersey have been Nicolas Roche (Sky) and Xandro Meurisse (Wanty Group Gobert).  The pair had traded best of the rest on the first two climbs of the day, leaving Meurisse in the lead by one point.  As they approached the final climb of the day, the first four placings had already been claimed by the breakaway.  With 2 points of the next guy over the summit, and one of the next one, Wanty Group Gobert sent Marco Marcato up the road to get the two points.  Now with just one point left, the best Roche could to was pull back even.  However, Meurisse was able to get the final KOM point of the stage.  I am sure this competition will go all the way to London.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2848885-50-189075/PaintingUsing%20Team%20Tactics%20ToB24-Greig-Leach.html#.V9DXNJgrLIU

Tour of Britain, Stage 3: With Some Help

As the peloton approached the summit of the Cat and Fiddle climb, Wout Poels (Sky) jumped out of the peloton with his teammate Nicolas Roche on his wheel.  The duo had hoped to surprise the King of the Mountians Jersey of Xandro Meurisse (Wanty Group Gobert) was attentive and quickly covered the Irish Champion's wheel.  Try as the Sky duo might, it was still Meurisse who went over the rise in fifth place, moving him into the outright lead in the King of the Mountains competition.

Lining the summit of the climb were hundreds of cycling fans, many of whom had ridden up to the top on their bikes.  I am sure having ridden the climb, they had a much better appreciation for what the pros were able to achieve and the speeds at which they did it.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2848539-45-189075/PaintingAfter%20More%20Points%20ToB19-Greig-Leach.html#.V8-z1pgrLIU

Tour of Britain, Stage 3: After More Points

Both Nicolas Roche (Sky) and Xandro Meurisse (Wanty Group Gobert) started the day equal on points in the King of the Mountain competition, but it was Meurisse who wore the black jersey of the KOM leader (due to count back).  Roche was able to beat Meurisse to the summit of the Brickhouse climb moving him one point ahead on the road.  The four break away riders had already claimed the first four positions at the summit.  But that left Roche adding two points and Meurisse with one additional point.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2848530-43-189075/PaintingAfter%20More%20Points%20ToB17-Greig-Leach.html#.V8-u9JgrLIU

Tour of Britain, Stage 1: On a Scottish Lane

It was the Irish National Champion, Nicolas Roche (Sky) who had the job of leading the peloton's chase of the early break away.  A five man group got off the front from the first kilometer out of Glasgow, Scotland, so it fell to the workers of the Pro Tour teams to peg the escapes for their sprinters.  Riding on the wheel of Roche is Paul Martens (LottoNL Jumbo) and then riders from Dimension Data and Lotto Soudal.  I had hoped to catch sight of the peloton on the streets of Glasgow, the city of my father-in-law's youth.  But instead, the first of my paintings of the Tour of Britain is from the country lanes of Scotland on the way to Castle Douglas.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2846876-27-189075/PaintingOn%20a%20Scottish%20Lane%20ToB1-Greig-Leach.html#.V8zfGJgrLIU

Tour de France, Stage 18: Not Giving Up

Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) has vowed to fight for the Yellow Jersey all of the way to Paris.  I do wonder if he will break with tradition and actually attack the jersey on the final stage of the Tour.  Today he certainly gave it everything to gain back the time he lost on the previous stage due to his crash on the descent of the Col d'Allos.  Using the HC Category climb of the Col du Glandon, the Spaniard jumped out of the small group of favorites and danced away up the mountain.  Nicolas Roche and the rest of the remaining members of Team Sky, let him go.  Contador is now over eight minutes behind the Maillot Jaune of Chris Froome, so they felt it was up to others to chase the main in the lime green kit of Tinkoff Saxo.  I was a little surprise to see the flag of Israel along the side of the road.  But then the sport if cycling is truly international.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Co., www.richesonart.com.  They are a small US based family run art supply company that has really wonderful products for art making.  This painting, and all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Be aware that because it is an original one of a kind work, once it has sold it is gone. So, don't delay.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2584001-119-210122/Painting.html#.VbFEpPlViko

Tour de France Stage 9: Come On, We Need You

As Team Sky pushed hard to the line trying to make up a one second deficit to BMC Pro Cycling, they realized that Nicolas Roche was slipping off of the back of the other four.  As I have noted, the time will be taken by the fifth rider, so it was worth it for Chris Froome to go back to Roche, and encourage him to push through the pain for another half of a kilometer.  While the fading Roche may have cost the team the stage victory, Sky did finish just one second behind the reigning Champion BMC.  The gab was tight enough that it had very little effect on who would next wear the Maillot Jaune.  Tinkoff Saxo finished 38 seconds back, so Sagan wouldn't be taking over, nor would the loss of one second to van Garderen force Froome to surrender the prized Yellow Jersey.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson and Company, www.richesonart.com.  In addition this painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Don't delay, this is an original work of art, so when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2579686---210122/Painting.html#.VaLc-vlViko

Ruta del Sol Stage 4: Sky Ups the Pace

Team Sky wasn't happy with how they got out played by Tinkoff Saxo at the finish of Stage 3.   So they decided they would hope that their rivals pace setting before the final climb would leave Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) isolated on the ascent.  Team Sky had the luxury of multiple cards to play since they started the day with three riders in the top ten on the General Classification.  Nicolas Roche (Team Sky) was the first to lift the pace, with Peter Kennaugh (Team Sky) in his British National Championship jersey being the first to attack the peloton and the leader's jersey.  Sitting in reserve was Konstanstin Siutsou all in hopes of getting Chris Froome on top of the leader board.

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/2515230---206768/Painting.html#.VOqAKU05DIU

Ruta del Sol Stage 1: Nico's New Colors

Ruta del Sol, also called the Veulta a Andulcia, is one of the first major races of the European season.  Raced in Southern Spain, the riders were facing warmer temperatures than most of the EU.  The race opened with a split first stage of a shorter road race followed by a late afternoon short individual time trial.  With the two big names of the contemporary peloton, Chris Froome and Alberto Contador, all eyes were on the pair to see who would draw first blood in the first meeting of 2015.  The day was also a chance to see the new teams of many well know riders including Nicolas Roche, now riding for the UK based Team Sky. 

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  In addition this painting 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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Other%202015%20Cycling%20Art/2513666-1-0-206768/Painting/Sports.html#.VOeIAtg5DIU

Tour Stage 11: Thinking About a Stage Victory

Having caught Martin Elmiger (IAM Cycling) all five began to think that they had a solid chance of taking the stage victory.  Jan Bakelants (OPQS) had been in this position in 2013 and got the victory.  Nicolas Roche (Tinkoff Saxo) had done much the same, plus had the additional incentive of getting the victory for the team the day after their team leader, Alberto Contador, was forced to abandon the race. Cyril Gautier (Europcar) was looking for the first stage for his team and for his country, as was Elimger and Jon Izaguirre (Movistar).  All the group had to do was hold of the Cannondale lead peloton off of their wheels and then fight it out amongst themselves.  And then there was the final climb up the Cote d'Echallon and the long descent into Oyonnax.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  This painting will be included in my soon to be self published book, "Book de Tour".  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy, or to discover how you can become part of bringing the tome of the Tour to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  To purchase this painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post. 

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2403858---199992/Painting.html#.U8dtV8_D_IU

Tour Stage Nineteen: A Blistering Pace

With the race for the Polka Dot Jersey and the stage win going on 10 minutes up the road, there was another battle for GC positions going on in the Malliot Jaune Group.  Saxo Tinkoff, the team of second and third overall (Contrador and Kreuziger) went to the front to lift the pace and see who they could put into difficulty.  While Froome has a very solid lead for the overall, there is currently only 45 seconds separating second place from fifth place and easy amount to overcome on a mountain stage.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist website where you can buy this painting.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of art of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2183663---186227/Painting.html#.UfCEzM_D_IU

Tour Stage Sixteen: Pushing on Ahead

With just seven kilometers to go after the summit of the Col du Manse everyone in the big break away was trying to use it as a springboard for a stage victory.  Rui Costra jumped with Dani Navarro quickly covering the move, Nicolas Roche is trying to bridge across to the other two attackers.  Even with the famous Alpine climbs looming in the days to come, the col was lined with campers and enthusiastic fans cheering the break on with unbridled enthusiasm.  Moviestar is hoping for a stage victory to go with their almost win on Mont Ventoux, so Rui was given the freedom to fly.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the art of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2183157---186227/Painting.html#.Ue9EZc_D_IU

Tour Stage Eleven: Pushing It Home

Each and every rider in the Time Trial is followed by his team car, were the director sportif is able to encourage, conjole and advise either through a megaphone mounted on the grill or (more commonly now) through the radio that is plugged into the hard riding pro tour cyclist.  It often feels like the car is going to pull up close enough to push the struggling riders across the line.  This is Nicolas Roche, son of the only Irishman to ever win a Tour de France and until Sunday the only one to every win his stage.  Just to keep it in the family, the new Irish stage winner, Dan Martin, is the cousin of Nicolas and the nephew of Steven Roche (the Tour de France winner of the Yellow Jersey in 1987).  While he didn't win the stage, he did manage to come in 28th, which is a very honorable ride.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase at my artist web site.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your artistic piece of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2182361---186227/Painting.html#.Ue2Ylc_D_IU