Tour '25, Stage 16: Eyes Down

This title comes from the expression 'eyes down' meaning it is time to get to work.  I was playing with the idea that the helicopter above had its eyes (and therefore ours) on the move off the front from Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Pro Cycling).  He had been in a very large break of thirty-one guys and clearly didn't want to go to the base of the final climb with such a big bunch.  Behind him, Pascal Eenkhoorn (Soudal-Quick Step) was looking to see if he was going to get any help chasing down the fleeing Frenchman.  The French have yet to win a stage of this Tour.  I believe Alaphilippe was intent on changing that reality.

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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Eyes Down TdF25-102" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 7: Racing Back

With thirty-three kilometers to race, Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step) was being paced back into the peloton after a nature break by his teammate Pascal Eenkhoorn.  The pair streaked pass Jonas Rutsch (Intermarche-Wanty) who may have been looking for his team car.  Evenepoel is wearing a white jersey since he is currently the best young rider of this Tour.  Evenepoel won the Maillot Blanc in 2024 and finished third taking the final step of that Tour's podium.  He seemed to be having a bit of trouble regaining the peloton as the speed continued to increase as the race flew to the conclusion of the day.

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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Racing Back TdF25-43" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 3: Back to the Peloton

As I said earlier, it was a day for many stops along the road.  It wasn't a big worry because the peloton was riding at a leisurely pace (for pro racers).  However, whenever the Maillot Jaune is off the back it is proper etiquette to wait for him (or her) to rejoin the peloton.  This little group of returnees was led by Pascal Eenkhoorn (Soudal-Quick Step).  He was followed in turn by Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) wearing the Maillot a Pois for only the second time in his career.  Next came Phil Bauhaus (Bahrain-Victorious) and then Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alepcin-Deceuninck) all decked out in yellow astride a yellow bike.  I do wonder if it was the same bike that was delivered to his teammate for yesterday's stage.

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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Back to the Peloton TdF25-14" (Original art by Greig Leach)

This painting has sold!

Men's Tour Down Under '25, Stage 5: Retaliation

It was a rather clever (and a bit mean spirited) move by the drop quartet when they caught back up to those who attacked them on the climb of Wickham Hill.  Lead by Michael Hepburn (Jayco-Alula), Oliver Bleddyn (ARA Australian Cycling), Pascal Eenkhoorn (Soudal-Quick Step), and Ben Swift (Ineos-Grenadiers), caught the two leaders at full speed.  Rather than warning the others of their approach, they chose instead to sprint pass them giving the first attackers no chance of catching their wheels.  The plan worked to perfection.  Neither Torres nor Lopez were never able to rejoin their erstwhile companions, and eventually sat up to wait for the peloton.  Once those two were gone, the peloton dropped the hard chase giving these four up to a four minute advantage.

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.

"Retaliation TDU25-38" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France 23, Stage 19: Still More to Say

Much was made of the words had between Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and Pascal Eenkhoorn (Lotto-Dstny) both on air and on line yesterday.  I had thought that Philipsen was unhappy with some perceived dangerous passing by Eenkhoorn, but in post race interviews Philipsen said he was trying to limit the number of guys in the break away.  So in other words he was trying to bully Eenkhoorn into doing what HE wanted.  And perhaps the dangerous pass was caused by his Alpecin-Deceuninck trying to prevent Eenkhoorn from trying to bridge up to the break away.  He got there anyway and was a major factor in the Green Jersey not being able to get his fifth stage win in this Tour.

So was this conversation had while behind Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) more of the same, or a mending of the rift between themselves and their teams.  After I painted this, Eenkhoorn looked back, laughed and slid out of camera.

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-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2023/3966632-126-297438/Painting/still-more-to-say-tdf23-126.html

 

Tour de France 23, Stage 18: From Start to Finish!

Against all odds, and literally everyone's predictions, three of the four from the early break (two who went from start to finish) actually vied for stage honors.  With the fast closing sprinter led peloton almost on their wheels, Kasper Asgreen (Soudal-Quick Step) gave that much looked for stage win to his team.  Bounding his bars in frustration was he crossed the line in second was Pascal Eenkhoorn (Lotto-Dstny).  He was the one who Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) was cross with some time ago.  With Philipsen missing the catch and finishing fourth, I guess Eenkhoorn was able to thumb his nose at the Green Jersey.  It was the other guy who had gone from the beginning of the stage, Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X) who claimed the last step of the podium.  Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) finished out the top five with many of the other expected contenders for stage honors quite a bit further back.

I guess tomorrow the sprinters will have to be even more vigilant if they want a stage win before the Champs Elysees on the final day of the Men's Tour de France.

It is always a treat to see the break away succeed.  But then I am a big fan of the underdog.

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-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2023/3966497-124-297438/Painting/from-start-to-finish-tdf23-124.html

This painting has sold, but there are digital prints available.

Tour de France 23, Stage 18: In the Shadows

Despite the admonishment from the Maillot Vert and with the help of his teammate Victor Campenaerts (Lotto-Dstny) Pascal Eenkhoorn was able to join the front trio who got away from the very start of the stage.  Along with Kasper Asgreen (Soudal-Quick Step) and Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X) the quartet never got more than a minute on the peloton behind.  With just twelve kilometers to race to the line in Bourg en Bresse and a mere thirty eight second lead, they must have felt that they could see if not feel the shadow of the peloton.  Yet they were all willing to keep working together.  And the others didn't seem to worried about there being two guys on the same team.  It was highly unlikely that any of them would hold off the hungry sprinters, but at least they were all willing to keep working in hope the peloton would get it wrong.

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-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2023/3966490-123-297438/Painting/in-the-shadows-tdf23-123.html

 

Tour de France 23, Stage 18: Dressing Down

Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) wasn't real happy with Pascal Eenkhoorn (Lotto-Dstny).  Eenkhoorn had just made a rather dangerous pass going off the road and just missing a van parked right at the edge of the road.  When he came back onto the road surface he just about took out one of Philipsen's teammates.  Given that they were on the front of the peloton, he could have taken out half of the Tour de France.  I suspect that the Maillot Vert felt that he needed to teach the Tour neophyte a little Tour de France etiquette.  It wasn't like this was the only place the pass could have been made, nor did Eenkhoorn continue to make a move off of the front of the group.  However, after a bit of sulking, he did jump clear to join his teammate up the road.  Another move that left me and the commentators mystified.

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-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2023/3966486-122-297438/Painting/dressing-down-tdf23-122.html 

Paris Nice 23, Stage 7: Looking Around at the Front

Javier Romo (Astana) seemed to have the better legs of his own teammate in the early break away.  He is one of five who slipped away from the other dozen as they got ready to climb the Col de la Couiollole.  Both Nils Politt (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Pascal Eenkhoorn (Lotto-Dstny) seemed to have a lot to say to Romo and Jeremy Cabot (Total Energies).  As I painted this, I noticed that Eenkhoorn had his bottle in his hand, and was gesturing to his team car (off to the left as you view this) that he needed another bid on before he started the final climb of the day.

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, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3939677-104-272742/Painting/looking-around-at-the-front.-pn23-22.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 5: A Natural Return

 With the pace off in the peloton, a number of riders had dropped back for what is euphemistically called a “nature break”. Clearly that is why Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) was drafting off of his teammate Nathan Van Hooydonck, who was in turn drafting off of the team car on their way back up to the main group.  Van Hooydonck seemed to be having a bit of a conversation with his countryman (and Champion of his country, the Netherlands), Pascal Eenkhoorn (Lotto-Dstny).  The Lotto rider was more than happy to tack onto the Jumbo-Visma car to make the chase back just that much easier.  Most times the race referee will turn a blind eye to this minor rule violation, but had it been due to an inability to hold the pace, it can get the riders disqualified.

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, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3938946-98-272742/Painting/a-natural-return.-pn23-16.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 4: Hoping They’ll Catch Up

Pascal Eenkhoorn (Lotto Dstny) bedecked in his Dutch National Champion’s jersey, looked back over his shoulder on the way back down the Cote de Vernet.  He had opened up quite a gap on his former break away companions.  However, I am guessing he didn’t really want to ride the final 38 kilometers alone.  He could see Lilian Calmejane (Intermache-Circus-Wanty) coming across with a few others just behind the Frenchman.

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, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3938779-94-272742/Painting/hoping-theyll-catch-up.-pn23-12.html

Doha 2016, Men's U23 Road Race, Working Together Now

It seems that the break got itself re-organized, perhaps the ever closing peloton made them realize that they still needed each other.  The tall Swiss rider Patrick Muller, is just about to take over the head of the group from Jean Claude Umizebe (Rowanda).  Everyone else is doing their share of the work, mainly because Pascal Eenkhoorn (Netherlands) is policing the group.  He seems to be giving an earful to Amanuel Gebrezgabihier (Eritrea).  Gregory Daniel (USA) is just getting on with the job and hand with his jersey zipped down in hopes of staying a little cooler.  I would think that the Africans in this group would be best suited to the climate but it seems to be the northern Europeans who are fairing best in the heat.

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/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2864961-44-227958/PaintingWorking%20Together%20Now%20Doha44-Greig-Leach.html#.V__Ej-ArLIU

Doha 2016, Men's U23 Road Race: Falling Apart

The traditional early break formed piece by piece, eventually building to nine riders.  The initial break was formed by the Dutchman, Pascal Eenkhoorn.  Some of those that joined him can be seen in this painting including Gregory Daniel (USA), Mahdi Rajabikabodchesmeh (Iran), Bryan Gomez (Columbia), Amanuel Gebrezgabihier (Eritrea) and the Irishman Michael O'Loughlin.  At this point over 100 kilometers into the race, the break was starting to attack each other, while others like the Irani rider were struggling with leg cramps and the oppressive hear.  Most of the attacking was coming from O'Loughlin, seems like he was fulfilling an old stereotype.

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/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2864951-42-227958/PaintingFalling%20Apart%20Doha42-Greig-Leach.html#.V_-6OuArLIU