Ronde Van Vlaanderen Men '22: Kicking It Off

Yes the race had already covered 178 kilometers but it wasn't until Ivan Garcia Cortina (Movistar) attacked the peloton that the race really kicked off.  Mick Van Dijke (Jumbo-Visma) had just swung off from his turn on the front when Ivan decided it was time to attack the favorites in this group.  Perhaps he was hoping to catch the others napping since another 88 kilometers to race was a bit early to go off on a lone effort.  Behind the Spaniard's wheel Olivier Le Gac (Groupama-FDJ) and Alberto Bettiol (EF Education-EasyPost) were able to cover the move.  Others were not so lucky thus the first selection of Ronde Van Vlaanderen was made.

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 $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3876937-478-195767/Painting/kicking-it-off-rvv22-1.html

Gent-Wevelgem Men '22: Checking Their Progress

With the early break away safely tucked back into the peloton, it was time for others to try their hand (or wheels) at getting away from the peloton.  Both Greg Van Avermaet (Ag2r-Citroen) and Olivier Le Gac (Jumbo-Visma) look back over their shoulders to see how much of a gap they were opening up on the chasing peloton.  While that information might have pleased them, the fact that they had another 18 riders with them may have been a bit discouraging.  It was nice to see Van Avermaet back on the front of a race again, although I do miss his golden helmet from when he was the reigning Olympic road racing champion.

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 $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3875462-472-195767/Painting/checking-their-progress-gw22-2.html

Tour, Stage 9: A Drink Before the Cobbles

I am somewhat at the mercey of the video broadcast of the Tour, so I wasn't able to paint the peloton hitting the first section of pave today.  Instead, this is section 14, d'Eswars a Paillencourt, (counting backwards to Roubaix).  Just before the day's break away riders hit the cobble stones they wisely grab a drink.  No one should try to take a hand off of the handle bars once on the incredible rough pave sections.  At the back of the nine man group are Chad Haga (Sunweb), Olivier Le Gac (Groupama-FDJ), Lilian Calmejane (Direct Energie) and Omar Fraile (Astana). Every kilometer of today's stage will be lined by fans, many of home have been waiting (and drinking) for days just to see the Tour fight it out on these iconic roads of northern France.

You can watch this painting come together as I talk about watercolor painting, the Tour, professional cycling and who knows what else.  I hope you will take the time to watch the videos, and to become a subscriber to the channel (no charge).  And you can watch the video right here.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2018/3187631-42-251072/PaintingA-Drink-Before-the-Cobbles--T18-42.html

Paris Nice Stage 1 Letting the Gap Go

The relentless pace of the teams of Quickstep and Lotto Soudal along with the strong crosswinds were having their toll on those trying to stay with the leaders  It just took a small rise and the gap opened in front of Grega Bole (Bahrain-Merida) and Olivier Le Gac (FDJ)  Le Gac had been working for others of his teammates that were still in the group so he can be pardoned for losing contact  Bole was just on the wrong wheel at the wrong time - although I doubt he had much left to give either

I apologize for the lack of punctuation but the gremlins are still denying me periods commas semi-colons and question marks  Perhaps I will devise a work around before the race reaches the Mediterranean Sea

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/Spring%20Classics%20/2929394-338-195767/PaintingLetting%20the%20Gap%20Go%20PN17-3.html#.WLzo6_krLIU