Tour '24, Stage 12: Left Behind

Pello Bilbao (Bahrain-Victorious) has not been having the Tour he hoped for.  He started the day in 35th having dropped from fifteenth on the fast mountain stage yesterday.  He was dropped on the first climb of the day but managed to catch the peloton on the way across the valley.  No sooner had the road head back up the Cote de Rocamadour than he popped back off.  He was watching team cars drive off and the gendarme on the motorcycle zipped pass him on the way to the front of the race.  So it wasn't much of a surprise when not long after this, his team car pulled over for a chat.  He simply pulled up, got off the bike and climbed into the back seat with the mechanic.  His Tour de France is over.

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.

"Left Behind TdF24-66" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France 23, Stage 10: Victorious!

I swear, I couldn't resist.  Just as Phil Liggett so desperately wanted to call the Bilbao had one the opening stage in Bilbao, I just love playing off the name of the team that today's stage winner in Issoire rides for.  So yes, it was Pello Bilbao (Bahrian-Victorious) who had the legs to out sprint Georg Zimmerman (Intermache-Circus-Wanty) for the victory.  To you see the title right there in his team's name?  Just out of frame is Ben O'Connor (Ag2r-Citroen) unable to match the sprint of these two settling for third on the stage.  O'Connor had tried to get the jump on these guys, but they kept him close.  The guy who they had been forced to chase, Krists Neilands (Israel-Premier Tech) held on for fourth place on the day.  Well behind the general classification remained the same despite the aggression of the early kilometers of the stage.  Bilbao did move himself up to fifth overall.  O'Connor didn't move as far up the GC but he did pull back just shy of three minutes on the Maillot Jaune.

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-2023/3965004-61-297438/Painting/victorious-tdf23-61.html

Tour de France 23, Stage 2: Fifteen Years!

I original wrote the title as "Sixteen Years!" because that was how long Phil Liggett said it had been since Cofidis had won a stage in the Tour de France.  As a French team, that is a terrible stat!  It is slightly better, it has been fifteen years (I reworked the title after photographing the painting). Victor Lafay (Cofidis) took full advantage of his outsider status, jumping from the back of the group with one kilometer to go.  Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) had chased everyone else down, so he didn't jump right away perhaps because he was confident that Lafay didn't have the legs to hold them all off.  Clearly, Wout miscalculated.  After the finish he pounded his handlebars in frustration.  Taking third (again) was Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) but that meant even more bonus seconds on the day.  Pello Bilbao (Bahrain-Victorious) did well to come back from his first attempt to finish fifth, and you can just make out Michael Woods (Israel-Premier Tech) finishing in seventh over Lafay's right shoulder.  Tomorrow the race will cross back into France in a day seemingly tailor made for the sprinters.  Will Cav get the magical 35th stage win in the Tour de France?

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-2023/3963336-12-297438/Painting/fifteen-years-tdf23-12.html

 

Tour Down Under '23, Stage 3: Mutual Respect

After crossing the line while coasting to a stop, Simon Yates (Jayco-Alula) reaches out to congratulate Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates) on becoming the next to wear the Ochre Jersey of the leader of the Tour Down Under.  The stage winner, Pello Bilbao (Bahrain-Victorious) looks on clearly sharing the respect that Yates was expressing to Vine.  Bilbao is now in second just 15 seconds behind and Yates is in third only one second behind the Bahrain-Victorious team leader.  Sitting fourth is still the young American Magnus Sheffield (Ineos-Grenadiers) which leaves him in the White Jersey of best young rider.

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/3928211-166-194179/Painting/mutual-respect-tdu23-20.html

Tour Down Under '23, Stage 3: The Dash to the Line

While it may have been Jay Vine (UAE Team Emeriates) who opened the attack that was quickly covered by Simon Yates (Jayco-Alula), it was the third man to join the escape at the summit of the Corkscrew, Pello Bilbao (Bahrain-Victorious) who had the legs to mount the most aggresive sprint in the final kilometer.  The duo of Yates and Bilbao were around twenty seconds down on the general classification from Jay Vine, so all Vine had to do was keep them close as they race to the line in Campbelltown.

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/3928210-165-194179/Painting/the-dash-to-the-line-tdu23-19.html

Tour Down Under '23, Prologue: Wet Roads

With a rare rain falling during the prologue of the Tour Down Under many faced wet roads and dangerous corners as they raced against the clock in the opening individual time trial.  Pello Bilbao (Bahrain-Victorious) was one of those who went later in the day, and thus had to go considerably slower than those not splashing throught the streets of Adelaide.  He finished 25th on the day, but that is only 20 seconds behind the first Ochre Jersey of the race.

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/3927868-149-194179/Painting/wet-roads-tdu23-3.html

Tour, Stage 18: "What Do You Want Me to Do?"

 I am assuming that was what Michal Kwiatkowski (Ineos-Grenadiers) was asking as this trio came off of the Col des Aravis.  The other possiblity was he was trying to find out what happen to Marc Hirschi (Sunweb) who had been in the group at the start of the descent.  Hirschi had crashed, he was up quickly but he wasn't going to see the front group again.  On the wheel of the former World Champion was his teammate Richard Carapaz and Pello Bilbao (Bahrain McLaren). It was beginning to look like this trio was going to be the winning move of the day.  Others were chasing by these three were holding off those behind.

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-2020/3703919-123-282744/Painting/what-should-i-do-tdf20-116.html

Tour, Stage 18: Checking on His Teammate

 Michal Kwiatkowski (Ineos-Grenadiers) set the pace on the front of the break away, check back regularly to see how his teammate, Richard Carapaz was doing.  Ineos-Grenadiers have had to quickly rethink their team stradegy since the sole designated leader had to drop out of the Tour yesterday mid stage. Pello Belbao (Bahrain-McLaren) and Nicolas Edet (Cofidis) were benfiting by the Polish riders efforts in the lumpy valleys had Ineo-Gerandiers went looking for a stage win and perhaps the Maillot a Pois.  It was a great day for the break to succed as long as no one under a half hour behind the leader dared to go up the road.

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-2020/3703889-121-282744/Painting/checking-on-his-teammate-tdf20-115.html

Tour, Stage 12: Off He Goes

 Never to let an opportunity go, Julian Alahpilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step) kept going on the attack in hopes of a stage win.  It was his stated goal for this Tour.  On this his third attempt in this stage he got away from Pello Bilbao (Bahrain-McLaren) and the rest of the small group ahead of the peloton.  It seems this small cate 2 climb had really broken the peloton apart.  It did come at the end of the longest stage of the 2020 Tour de France.  He did get away with a small group, but then he broke a spoke losing 3/4s of a minute on the group he was with.  Luck has not been very kind to this countryman of the Tour.
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-2020/3698153-77-282744/Painting/off-he-goes-tdf20-71.html

Tour, Stage 12: Getting Twitchy

As this trio of Gregor Muhlberger (Bora-Hansgrohe), Pello Bilbao (Astana) and Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) came onto the final straight away, it was Yates in the best postion.  On the front, Muhlberger was getting twitchy awaiting someone's launch of the sprint.  Bilbao, the better climber, was just hoping to be on the podium.  Well, all three were going to be on the podium, the question was, "in what order?"

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.

Be sure to check out my daily videos on You Tube.  If you enjoy what you see on the channel, please subscribe.  I need to get over a hundred subscribers so I can name the channel, "Art of Cycling"

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202019/3361773-66-263530/Getting%20Twitchy%20%20TDF19-66.html

Tour, Stage 12: Three Going Down

As these three went over the top of the Hourquette d'Ancizan, Pello Bilbao (Astana) was able to join the leading two riders.  He used the "super tuck" to get down the backside of the climb as fast as possible.  Both Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) and Gregor Muhlberger (Bora-Hansgrohe) took advantage of having a third man to help pull away from the seven chasers.  With just 14 kilometers to the bottom and the line in Bagneres de Bigorre, it was highly likely that one of these three would be the next to win a stage in this year's Tour.

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.

Be sure to check out my daily videos on You Tube.  If you enjoy what you see on the channel, please subscribe.  I need to get over a hundred subscribers so I can name the channel, "Art of Cycling"

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202019/3361735-65-263530/Three%20Going%20Down%20%20TDF19-65.html

Giro, Stage 19: Yes, Please

Pierre Rolland (Cannondale-Drapac) was one of the five that got themselves into the early break.  He is reaching back to one of the following cars in the caravan for a bidon.  The camera never did show me if it was his team car or neutral service. To his right rides Pello Bilbao (Astana) who had just been back to the Astana car to get bottles for himself and his teammate, Luis Leon Sanchez.  Today was the day to be in the break.  The peloton had all of the GC men in it, so they were willing to saunter their way to the final climb of the day.  Then the racing will be on in earnest!

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.

With the racing of the 100th Giro d'Italia, I am crowd funding my third cycling art book through Kickstarter.  I could use your support in helping this book get made, please consider backing the project here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/art-of-cycling-100th-giro-ditalia.  This will be just one of the hundred plus paintings that will be included. With Kickstarter, if there is not a 100% funded, no one is charged a dime, and the project recieves 0% funding.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/100th-Giro-dItalia/2973272-125-235247/PaintingYes,-Please-G17-133.html

Giro, Stage 4: Climbing Away

While one rider was still up the road, it was time to try and gain time on the other GC men.  Pierre Rolland (Cannondale-Drapac) was one of the first team leaders to attack the peloton of favorites.  With the Maglia Rosa back down the volcano it was a sure thing that the race leader was going to chance for the fourth time at the end of the stage.  Behind Rolland the Astana rider, Pello Bilbao (Astana) was trying to get onto the wheel of the Frenchman.

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.

With the start of the Giro d'Italia, I am crowd funding my third cycling art book through Kickstarter.  I could use your support in making this book get made, please consider supporting the project here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/art-of-cycling-100th-giro-ditalia.  This will be just one of the hundred plus paintings that will be included.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/100th-Giro-dItalia/2964224-29-235247/PaintingClimbing-Away-G17-29.html