Men's Tour Down Under '25, Stage 5: Four Climbers

With roughly five hundred meters left to race, it has come down to four strong climbers off the front on Willunga Hill.  Luke Plapp (Jayco-Alula) was the one who chased down Javier Romo (Movistar) taking Oscar Onley (Picnic-PostNL) and the Ecuadorian champion, Jhonathan Narvaez (UAE Team Emirates) along with him.  The three dropped the Ochre Jersey in the closing meters with Narvaez having the legs to take the stage ahead of Onley.  In so doing he also took the leader's jersey off of the shoulders of Narvaez.  Sorry, the TV camera didn't give me a good image of the new Ochre Jersey winning the stage.  So it goes.

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.

"Four Climbers TDU25-41" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Men's Tour Down Under '25, Stage 5: The Best Defense

As the peloton hit the bottom of Willunga Hill for the final time, it was Javier Romo (Movistar) in his Ochre Jersey who jumped free of the peloton.  Most everyone expected him to follow the attacks of others, so it was a strategic move to attack his closest rivals instead.  At first, he opened up a couple of seconds before those behind could get themselves organized.  Given how close the top positions on the general classifications were, it was understood that whoever reached the summit first would most likely win the twenty-fifth Tour Down Under. 

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.

"The Best Defense TDU25-40" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Men's Tour Down Under '25, Stage 4: Covering the Moves

Javier Romo (Movistar) wasn't leaving anything to chance.  He had a list of guys he wasn't going to let escape.  He was covering most everything, but when Patrick Konrad (Lidl-Trek) went he made sure he was on the Austrian's wheel.  Konrad started the day sitting in third overall, just ten seconds off of Romo's lead.  They did finish the day in the same positions on the general classification.  And they still had just ten seconds between them.

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.

"Covering the Moves TDU25-35" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Women's Tour Down Under '25, Stage 3: Third Is Enough

It may not have been absolutely necessary, but finishing third in Stirling gave Noemi Ruegg (EF Education-Oatley) three extra bonus seconds ensuring her final victory of the 25th Women's Tour Down Under.  Her nearest competitor, Silke Smulders (Liv-Alula-Jayco) was trying to sprint for the win on the stage, but came second.  While that position gave her six bonus seconds and she managed to finish one second ahead of this sprinting trio, it still allowed Ruegg to win the race by thirteen seconds.  Ruegg proved she could climb yesterday with the win on Willunga Hill, but she put up a fierce sprint to best Ruth Edwards (Human Powered Health) and Sarah Van Dam (Ceratizit) to get third on the day.  

It was a great three days of racing!  I'll be back in a couple of days to paint the six days of the men's Tour Down Under.

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.

"Third Is Enough TDU25-16" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Down Under, Stage 6: Leaving No Doubt

Much was made about how the final climb up Mount Lofty and the end of the stage might play out.  Stephen Williams (Israel-Premier Tech) had started the day tied with Oscar Onley (DSM-Firmenish-PostNL) and just a five second lead on Jhonatan Narvaez (Ineos-Grenadiers).  But as they sprinted for the line, Williams was able to get around Narvaez (and the rest of those looking to take either the stage or the jersey) to claim the stage, a ten second time bonus, and the 2024 Tour Down Under.  While Narvaez claimed second and a six second bonus it left him in second place overall.  Finishing the stage in third thus moving himself in third was a former wearer of the Ochre Jersey, Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates).  Bart Lemmen (Visma-Lease a Bike) finished in fourth on the day, and fifth in the Tour.  Just peeping in behind this group was the man who started the finale attacks, Laurence Pithie (Groupaman-FDJ).

This is the finale of the Tour Down Under.  I will be back painting some of the Spring Classics and Monuments over the coming months.  But now it is on to finishing a cycling art commission and then preparing for an exhibition of my large scale figurative works at the end of March in Richmond, VA.

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 painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.  

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3996273-205-194179/Painting/leaving-no-doubt.-tdu23-28.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 6: The Fight for Ochre

Inside of the final three kilometers of the climb of Mount Lofty, it was time to make a play for the Ochre Jersey of race leader.  Having covered the first attack the erstwhile leader of the Tour Down Under, Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates) found himself on the front being covered by the former Spanish Champion, Jhonatan Narvaez (Ineos-Grenadiers).  The Spaniard was just five seconds behind the lead of Stephen Williams (Israel-Premier Tech), so Williams was staying glued to his wheel in hopes of keeping his leader’s jersey.   Now tacked onto the back was the guy who started the attacks, Laurence Pithie (Groupama-FDJ) who still had hopes of winning the final stage of the 2024 Tour Down Under.

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 painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.  

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3996272-204-194179/Painting/the-fight-for-ochre.-tdu24-27.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 4: Bringing the Jersey Back

I had watched the leader pull off the front of the peloton for what appeared to be a “nature break.”  Moments later I noticed Isaac Del Toro’s (UAE Team Emirates) teammate, Antonio Morgado pulled off to wait for the Ochre Jersey that demarks the leader of the Tour Down Under.  Morgado suddenly zoomed back into frame with Del Toro tucked on to his wheel as the camera filmed the tail end of the peloton.  Piet Allegaert (Cofidis) - who had crashed earlier - was struggling to hold onto the wheel of Baumé Mollema (Lidl-Trek).  Max Kanter (Astana-Qazaqstan) was another that was finding the pace of the peloton just a bit to fast for their liking.  Perhaps they were just trying to do as little as possible to be fresh for the two final tough days of the Tour.

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 painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3996038-193-194179/Painting/bringing-the-jersey-back.-tdu24-16.html

Tour Down Under '23, Final Stage: The Stage but Not the Jersey

While Simon Yates (Jayco-Alula) was strong enough to win the stage atop Mount Lofty, he didn't have the legs to get rid of Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates) who stays in the Ochre Jersey as the winner of the Tour Down Under.  I felt it was too fun not to play with the title that I used when Rohan Dennis (Jumbo-Visma) won stage two and pulled on the leader's jersey (The Stage and the Jersey).  And then although I didn't use the reverse of this in stage three when Jay Vine came in third on the stage, but had enough time to claim his first Ochre Jersey of the race leader, it seemed this was the time to switch up the title a bit.  Just peeping into the background are the legs of Ben O'Connor (Ag2r-Citroen) who finished third on the day moving himself up to sixth overall.  The rest of the jersey went to Magnus Sheffield (Ineos-Grenadiers) as best young rider, Mikkel Honore (EF Education-EasyPost) as best climber, and Michael Matthews (Jayco-Alula) as best sprinter.  Chapeau to all!

I will be back in about a month for Omloop fet Niewsblad, and then it will be a smattering of Spring Classics.

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 painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3929067-177-194179/Painting/the-stage-but-not-the-jersey-tdu22-31.html

Tour Down Under '23, Stage 4: Safely in the Front Group

The directors of the broadcast used the helicopter shots to figure out just who was in what echelon out on the road.  As they check out the front of the front group it was easy to spot the Ochre Jersey of the race leader, Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates).  He was being led through the rotation into the wind by his teammate.  They were accompanied by two riders for Movistar, Johan Jacobs and Ivan Romeo along with Alex Baudin (Ag2r-Citroen).  This group was just the tip of the roughly fifty riders who had managed to get away from another eighty riders on the straight roads into the town of Willunga.  Barring distaster, it seemed that Vine had ensured that he would wear the leader's jersey into the final stage of the Tour Down Under tomorrow.  Will he still be wearing it at the end of the final stage of the race?  He does have 15 seconds on Simon Yates (Jayco-Alula) and Pello Bilbao (Bahrain-Victorious) who are now tied for second place.

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 painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3928403-169-194179/Painting/safely-in-the-front-group-tdu23-23.html

Tour Down Under '23, Stage 1: All About Seconds

 Once the peloton had caught the lone rider up the road, all of the bonus seconds were on offer at the second intermediate sprint as they rode through Tanunda.  Michael Matthews (Jayco-AlUla) managed to take a second second place taking four seconds off is total time thus far.  Corbin Strong (Israel-Premier Tech) took first.  Ethan Hayter (Ineos-Grenadiers) looked to his left and sat up knowing he had been beaten, but that allowed Matthews to just get pass him to claim second.  Alberto Bettiol (EF Education-EasyPost) tried to prevent either Hayter or Matthews from gaining any time on him, but just missed out on the bonus seconds coming in fourth.  Now he has to hop that Matthews doesn't win the stage.  Should he do so, then it will be Matthews in the Ochre Jersey of race leader tomorrow.

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 painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3928004-153-194179/Painting/all-about-seconds-tdu23-7.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 4: Two Victorious

As I said in the previous post, the foursome of contenders were caught by the reduced (and elite) peloton.  Two of those who managed to get back on terms were the race leader, Paddy Bevin (CCC) and the stage winner, as well as defending champion of the race, Daryl Impey (Mitchelton-Scott).  The duo went one-two on the stage, with the race perinnial, Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana) taking third.  Impey got the stage win, but Bevin's second place was enough to keep in in the over all leader's jersey, and add time to those closest to him on the general classification.

It is beginning to look like the New Zealander, Bevin, is going to be rather difficult to unseat.

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/3286172-134-194179/PaintingTwo-Victorious--TDU19-16.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 3: Full Gas

It appeared that Caleb Ewan (Mitchelton-Scott) and his team out smarted themselves.  As their train came to the line, Ewan and his leadout man, Alexander Edmondson, had opened a gap on the rest of the field.  It appeared that Ewan decided that the gap was enough that he could let Edmondson take the victory (a thank you to his hard work for the team and himself).  What he didn't see when he looked both left and right, was the fast closing Elia Vivianni (Quick Step).  Once Ewan saw is error, he just wasn't able to wind his sprint up, to the full gas Viviani was applying.  Out of the edge of this painting, Phil Bauhaus (Sunweb) got aroung the Ochre Jersey of Ewan as well.  Viviani played it perfectly, and got to salute the crowd in true sprinter fashion. 

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. To purchase this artwork, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3099400-108-194179/PaintingFull-Gas-TDU18-15.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 3: Right Hander

Mitchelton-Scott seemed to have it all in hand as they hit the right and then left turns that led into the final meters of the race into Victor Harbour.  As we have seen, it was Daryl Impey playing pilot fish for the Australian national champion, Alexander Edmondson and the Ochre Jersey clad Caleb Ewan.  Behind the Mitchelton-Scott train, all ot the other sprinter's and teams were trying to see if they had a chance of disrupting the seemingly inevitable second stage win by Ewan.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. To purchase this artwork, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3099389-107-194179/PaintingRight-Hander-TDU18-14.html

Tour Down Under Stage 5 Leaving Them All Behind

Richie Porte (BMC) did what he has done three time previously on Willunga Hill, he rode absolutely everyone off of his wheel.  The difference for Porte today was that he was already in the Ochre Jersey of race leader.  His fourth victory on the top of Willunga Hill all but guarantees his overall victory.  In addition he keeps himself even on KOM points with Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal).  Behind Porte and fading rather quickly are Sergio Henao (Sky), Esteban Chaves (Orica-Scott) and Rafael Valls (Lotto Soudal), none of whom could hold the wheel of the very motivated leader of 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/2908185-126-194179/PaintingLeaving%20Them%20All%20Behind%20TDU17-28.html#.WIOm8vkrLIU

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: Grabbing Another

The big debate as the riders road up the climb out of Port Elliot was whether or not the sprinters would be able to contest for the win in Port Victor.  They were there, but didn't have the legs to stop Simon Gerrans (Orica GreenEdge) from claiming his second victory in a row in the Tour Down Under.  Just behind the man in the Ochre Jersey of race leader was Ben Swift (Team Sky) and Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek-Segafredo), both sprinters.  Just missing out of collecting bonus seconds was Jay McCarthy (Tinkoff) who held second overall but lost time to the victorious Gerrans.  It is begining to look like Gerrans will claim yet another overall victory in his home tour.  Only Willunga Hill and the final stage stand in his way.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting created using watercolors from www.richesonart.com and 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.  In addition, be sure to check out my new book, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships" available now at www.artofcycling.bike.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2679739-86-194179/Painting.html#.VqKW4vkrLIU

Tour Down Under: First of the Year

For my regular readers, you will know that I love a title with more than one meaning.  Here is another.  First of the Year refers to both Caleb Ewan's (Orica-GreenEdge) first win of 2016, but it also refers to the first ProTour stage win of the season and the first win for Orica-GreenEdge.  Nothing like getting the first victory out of the way, not that it makes a sprinter any less hungry on the next day out.  With this victory it follows the Ewan is the first overall leader of the Santos Tour Down Under and will be spraying the press photographers with champagne shortly.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting created using watercolors from www.richesonart.com and 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.  In addition, be sure to check out my new book, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships" available now at www.artofcycling.bike.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2673672-67-194179/Painting.html#.Vp6JXfkrLIU

Tour Down Under Stage 5: Counting Heads

After cresting the first ascent of Willunga Hill, Lars Boom (Astana) along with several teammates hit the front of the drastically reduced peloton to toughen up the race for his man, Luis Leon Sanchez.  Both men are new to Astana and are eager to show team management what they can do for the team in the first ProTour race of the 2015 calendar.  Showing that he is never one to miss a move, you can see the Ochre Jersey of race leader, Rohan Dennis (BMC) keeping a sharp eye on all of the tactics being deployed.

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.  Enjoying this way of learning about a professional ProTour race?  Then check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France".  The book is available online world wide, and can be ordered from the publisher's website at http://www.dementimilestonepublishing.com/#!book-de-tour/c1nth.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2501198---194179/Painting.html#.VMPa3tg5DIU

Tour Down Under Stage 5: Chatting by the Sea

The longest and penultimate stage of the Tour Down Under started innocently enough with a couple of laps that ran along the beautiful coastline of Southern Australia.  Michael Schar, Danilo Wyss and Peter Stetina (BMC) chatted amiably as they road tempo pass the beach in defensive of their man, Rohan Dennis, wearing the Ochre Jersey of race leader.  It is usually the job of the team with the leader's jersey to ride tempo at the front of the peloton, often in pursuit of the early break away.

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.  They are a wonderful family run art supply company based in the northern mid-west of the United States.  This painting is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  If you enjoy reading about bike racing with the accompanying watercolors, please check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France".  It is available world wide and can be ordered from the publisher's website, http://www.dementimilestonepublishing.com/#!book-de-tour/c1nth.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2501184---194179/Painting.html#.VMPRJ9g5DIU

Tour Down Under Stage 3: Soaring to the Heights

Rohan Dennis (BMC) took perfect advantage of the steep climb and the favorites watching each other.  Dennis jumped from behind as his team leader, Cadel Evans and Richie Porte (Sky) marked each other, slowing before their final assault.  Cadel put in a final surge to give BMC, first and second on the stage, move himself up on his contenders on GC and it will be Dennis going to the starting gate in the Ochre Jersey of overall race leader.  Strategically, it is an ideal situation for the Swiss BMC team.

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.  If you enjoy reading about important bike races this way, be sure to check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France."  The book is available world wide, just google the title to find an online store where you won't have to pay international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2500076---194179/Painting.html#.VMCcrk05DIU