Tour '25, Stage 19: You Wouldn't Dare

Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious) looks back at Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal-Quick Step) as they approach the summit of the Cormet de Roselend.  He seems to say, "You wouldn't dare!" as he sprints for the maximum points on offer.  He got there relatively unchallenged by Primoz Roglic (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) nor Paret-Peintre.  Had he not been docked KOM points for a way too sticky bottle yesterday, he would now be back even on points with the race leader, Tadej Pogacar.  It did help that neither of his two breakaway companions were interested in the Maillot a Pois.  They were racing for stage honors instead.

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. 

"You Wouldn't Dare TdF25-128" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 19: From the Back of the Moto

I have truly enjoyed Christian Vande Velde's commentary from the back of the motorcycle from the middle of the race.  I have been looking for the right image to catch him with my paintbrush and feel pretty good about this one.  He and his driver had pulled over to watch the leaders as they were climbing up to the summit of the Cormet de Roselend.  Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious) had managed to get over the first climb first in his quest to reclaim his Maillot a Pois.  He was joined in the effort by Primoz Roglic (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) and Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal-Quick Step).  Both of them were after a stage win.  Perhaps, Roglic was also looking to reclaim the title of team leader back from his young teammate Florian Lipowitz.  I admit I don't understand why he is being allowed to do this (he may not be). Lipowitz sits in third place and is wearing the Maillot Blanc of best young rider, but he only has fourteen seconds on his nearest rival for both honors.

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. 

"From the Back of the Moto TdF25-127" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25: Stage 18: The Lead Group

All of those off the front had been caught by the top of the Col du Madeleine with Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) just getting the maximum points ahead of Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates).  I don't think either were trying to race for the King of the Mountain points, more likely, they were just wanting to be on the front for the descent off the mountain.  With another fifty-two kilometers to race it was Matteo Jorgenson leading his teammate Vingegaard down. Naturally Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) was right on Vingegaard's wheel.  The rest of this leading group included Primoz Roglic (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), Felix Gall (Decathlon-Ag2r-La Mondiale), Ben O'Connor (Jayco-Alula), and Einer Rubio (Movistar).  They all had one more climb to the mountain top finish on the Col de la Loze.

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. 

"The Lead Group TdF25-121" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 18: Back Up to the Leaders

As the breakaway hit the base of the Col du Madeleine Thymen Arensman (Ineos-Grenadiers) and Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) went off the front of the breakaway.  While they had dropped the others with another seventeen kilometers to climb, they managed to come back led by Bruno Armirail (Decathlon-Ag2r-La Mondiale) leading his team leader Felix Gall.  Behind them is a resurgent Primoz Roglic (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe).  I honestly can't remember who else was in the group but they all had a bit over three minutes on the Yellow Jersey Group.

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 Up to the Leaders TdF25-119" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 13: Redeeming His Tour

Even I had trouble reading this title, but it does say, "Redeeming His Tour" despite what I thought a moment ago.  This Slovenian was another of those who found yesterday's stage less than ideal.  Primoz Roblic (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) lost big time and dropped well behind his young teammate, Florian Lipowitz in the general classification.  Today he was not the only one who re-found his legs on this tough uphill time trial.  He was first when he finished his effort but dropped behind both Vingegaard and Pogacar when the stage was finished.  He did pull back a couple of seconds on his own teammate, although not enough to retake the mantel of team leader.  I will say again that this is my new favorite kit in the ProTour. 

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.

"Redeeming His Tour TdF25-86" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 5 ITT: Work to Be Done

Primoz Roglic (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) isn't having his best Tour although he has managed to avoid the crashes and stay upright thus far.  He started today in thirteenth place, not where a GC guys want to be.  Despite looking it like he was not having the time trial he is capable of he did move himself up into eighth place at the end of the stage.  However, he sits two-and-a-half minutes off the time of the new Maillot Jaune.  So, as it often is, good news, bad news for the other Slovenian in 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 work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.  

"Work to Be Done TdF25-28" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Volta ao Algrave '25, Stage 2: It Had to Happen

Despite a group of four up the road (a different four then the last post), it was Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) who attacked the peloton on the final climb.  As he went with two kilometers to climb of the Alto de Foia, his move was covered by Primoz Roglic (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), Joao Almedia (UAE Team Emirates), and Romain Bardet (Picnic-PostNL).  Just dangling off the four top riders is Tao Geoghegan Hart (Lidl-Trek).  Do they have enough road to catch the leaders?

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.

"It Had to Happen VA25-6" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 12: Bringing Roglic Home

It was hard seeing a big pile up of riders due to a ridiculous high curb in the middle of the roadway inside of the last ten kilometers.  An Astana-Qazaqstan rider got caught and went down in the middle of the peloton.  He took out a number of riders and delayed many others.  The first guy to go down over the Astana bike was Primoz Roglic (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe).  Unlike his much softer crash yesterday, this crash was well outside of the three kilometer (or four or five) so he won't be getting the same time as who he was with when he went down.  Most of his team came back to help pace him back to the peloton.  He was led home by Bob Jungels, Marco Haller, Nico Denz and Danny Van Poppel.  They weren't able to go full gas and get him in quick enough for him to keep his fourth place in the general classification.  I think he wasn't able to ride hard and was most likely injured more than his bloody shoulder might indicate.  He dropped to sixth place.  But more importantly is he okay and will he be able to take to the start line tomorrow?

Update: Roglic didn't start Stage 13 and is therefore out 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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Bringing Roglic Home TdF24-70" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 11: The Attack Comes

It was inevitable that Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) would attack on the steepest section near the top of the Puy Mary Pas du Peyrol.  But that didn't mean that the others were going to be able to go with him despite knowing it was coming.  Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Primoz Roglic (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) tried their best riding shoulder to shoulder to stay within sight of the Maillot Jaune.  A little further back was the Maillot Blanc of Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step) struggling to keep all three men in his sight.  It was only 600 meters to the summit, but the intensity of the attack and the Slovenian's expert descending skills meant that catching Pogacar back was going to be very tough.

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 Attack Comes TdF24-60" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 4: The Race for Second

I truly hope this title does not be come prophetic.  This group of Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quickstep), Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) and Primoz Roglic (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) came in thirty-five seconds after the stage winner and Almeida's teammate Tadej Pogacar.  Another two seconds further back are Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Carlos Rodriquez (Ineos-Grenadiers).  Three had started the day equal on time with the new Maillot Jaune, and Roglic had been a few seconds back on the others.  Then there is Almeida who just by virtue of helping his team leader has moved himself up in the general classification.  I do hope that all will still be fighting to win the 111th Tour and switch to racing for the podium.  We won't know until the Individual Time Trial on Stage 7.  For the next two days we can focus on the sprinters and whether Mark Cavendish will get that 35th Tour stage win.

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 Race for Second TdF24-22" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '22, Stage 12: A Relentless Pace

Jumbo-Visma has already proven that they have brought the strongest team to this year's Tour.  Now with the Maillot Jaune back on one of the team's shoulders, it was time to prove it.  If you are not aware, they also have the Maillot Vert in the team as well.  They controled the peloton on the first climb, and then ramped up the pace on the Col de Croix de Fer.  But when they got to the Alpe d'Huez they just hammered it.  The effect was those lower down on the GC began to drop off the back.  And perhaps more importantly, no one could attack in hopes of either gaining time or stealing Jonas Vingegaard's (Jumbo-Visma) shoulders.  By now it was down to their original team leader (now working on behalf of his teammate) Primoz Roglic and Sepp Kuss.  So it was that Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) back in the Maillot Blance could just hold onto the wheels.  That was equally true for Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers). By the end of the day, these three became the top three on this 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 $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available. 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3893853-74-294403/Painting/a-relentless-pace-tdf22-74.html

Tour '22, Stage 11: Trading Blows

Once He was isolated, first Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) would attack the Miallot Jaune of Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates), then it would be Jonas Vingegaard's (Jumbo-Visma) turn.  But each time the Slovenian would come back to the attacker's wheel.  For the Jumbo-Visma crew the question is are they weakening themselves of Pogacar.  The main benefactor in these parries was Geraint Thomas (Ineos-Grenadiers).  All he had to do was go with each move but not put himself into the red with an attack.  Plus, they were all pulling away from the rest of the field before starting up the Haute Category climb of the Galibier.

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.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3893517-62-294403/Painting/trading-blows-tdf22-62.html

Tour '22, Stage 11: Attack Yellow

I probably meant to write "Attacking Yellow." but this might be a more accurate title.  I can just imagine the pre-race meeting in the Jumbo-Visma bus.  "First, Wout, you go get max points for the Green Jersey, than everyone... Attack Yellow!"  Anybody know if that was a direct quote, because it sure was the direct game plan by them today?  

As the peloton hit the lower slopes of the Col du Telegraphe, it was Tiesj Benoot (Jumbo-Visma) who  lead out their best placed man on the GC, Jonas Vingegaard.  Both Sepp Kuss (Jumbo-Visma) and Primoz Roglic watched to see how the Maillot Jaune would react.  Sensing that this might be a move that would stick, and not wanting to give any time away, Adam Yates (Ineos-Grenadiers) swung out of the pack to get onto the Jumbo-Visma train.  With all of the Col de Telegraphe, the Col du Galibier, and the assent of the Col du Granon yet to come, it was going to be a long hard day for everyone today.

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.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3893489-60-294403/Painting/attack-yellow-tdf22-60.html

Tour '22, Stage 7: It Is Why He Wears Yellow

Once his last teammate dropped off the front of the strongest of the peloton, it was Tadej Pogacar's (UAE Team Emirates) turn to race the pace and show why he is the leader of the race.  Lennard Kamna (Bora-Hansgrohe) was still ahead just around the corner unaware that a steaming freight train was headed his way.  Behind the Maillot Jaune Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) and his teammate Primoz Roglic did their best to stay glued onto the wheel of the man in yellow.  Adam Yates (Ineos-Grenadiers) was starting to let a gap open, he wasn't the only one who couldn't hold the wheel on the 24% rise on the graveled approach to the line.

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. 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3892723-38-294403/Painting/it-is-why-he-wears-yellow-tdf22-38.html

Paris Nice 2022: Together They Should Save Yellow

Admittedly this image belies what is happening in the chase to keep the Maillot Jaune.  Simon Yates (BikeExchange) had gotten free on the final climb endangering the race lead of Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma).  Clearly, Roglic was 'on the rivot' on the climb trying to stay on the wheel of his teammate, Wout Van Aert, in the Maillot Vert.  Several times on the climb, Van Aert had to wait for his team leader.  On the way down he had recovered enough to give his loyal lieutenant a bit of a rest as they worked together to pull back the Brit on the Austrailian team.  At this point, they were close enough to ensure that the Maillot Jaune would stay on the shoulders of Roglic, but I think the next goal was to set up Wout Van Aert for a stage victory (other than the time trial stage earlier in the week).  They didn't quite achieve that goal, but Roglic with the help of Van Aert did enough to win Paris Nice.

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/Paris-Nice/3872118-81-272742/Painting/together-they-should-save-yellow-pn22-44.html

Paris Nice 2022: It's Up to You

At the steepest section of the final climb of Paris Nice, the Col d'Exe, it was Nairo Quintana (Arkea-Samsic) who was the first to attack.  It was just the Jumbo-Visma duo of Primoz Roglic and Wout Van Aert along with the Brit Simon Yates (BikeExchange-Jayco) left with the Colombian climber.  It seems that the Jumbo-Visma riders were looking at Simon Yates to see if he would chase down this attack.  It was looking like they might be on their limit.  But then Roglic has almost two minutes on Quintana, so he didn't really have to chase, but Yates was not as far ahead of the Arkea-Samsic leader.  I honestly think that Yates was sizing up Roglic to see if he could drop the Slovenian in the Maillot Jaune on the way up the Col d'Eze.

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/Paris-Nice/3872112-79-272742/Painting/its-up-to-you-pn22-42.html

Paris Nice 2022: A Very Select Group

It has been a very hard Paris Nice and the final stage was no different.  On the penultimate climb up the Cote de Peille this very select group got off the front containing first, second, third and fifth on the general classification.  The odd man out was Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) in the Maillot Vert.  He was there to aid his team leader in the Maillot Jaune, Primoz Roglic.  The quintet was rounded out by Daniel Felipe Martinez (Ineos-Grenadiers), Nairo Quintana (Arkea-Samsic), and Simon Yates (BikeExchange-Jayco).  It seems that they were all able to stay with each other on this climb, but there is still the Col d'Eze.

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/Paris-Nice/3872081-77-272742/Painting/a-very-select-group-pn22-40.html 

Paris Nice 2022: The Best Defense

Sometimes the best way to defend oneself from attacks is to launch one yourself (this does not apply to current tensions in eastern Europe).  That is exactly what Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) did.  He went hard with a couple of hundred meters left to race opening up space between himself an his rivals.  Daniel Felipe Martinez (Ineos-Grenadiers) was able to stay on his wheel, but unable to come around the Maillot Jaune.  Martinez's ride moved him in to third overall.  He is now just thirteen seconds behind Simon Yates (BikeExhange-Jayco) who was third on the stage, but sits in second in the general classification.  Yet, with the time bonus for winning the stage and the small gaps, Roglic stretched his leaded out to 47 seconds and one minute respectively.  All Roglic has to do is not crash out tomorrow like he did in the Dauphine last year while in Yellow.

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/Paris-Nice/3871900-75-272742/Painting/the-best-defense-pn22-38.html

Paris Nice 2022: Trading Punches

This foursome seemed to be very equally matched.  Each time one would go on the attack the others would catch back on.  Some took a little longer than others, but yet thus far they kept coming back together. Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) dropped back to the back where he could keep a close eye on each person who went on a runner and then decide if he needed to chase. Just in front of him is Simon Yates (BikeExchange-Jayco) who is only 39 seconds back on GC.  But it looks like Daniel Felipe Martinez (Ineos-Grenadiers), who started the day almost a minute behind the Maillot Jaune, is giving it another go.  With these three is Nairo Quintana (Arkea-Samsic) who has gotten himself closer since his poor showing in the time trial, now just over a minute and a half off the pace.  With just a kilometer left to race, it is going to take a heroic attack combined with a complete collapse to bring about any substantial reordering of the general classification.  Stanger things have happened, and they have happened in this 80th edition of the race to the sun, Paris Nice.

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/Paris-Nice/3871898-74-272742/Painting/trading-punches-pn22-37.html

Paris Nice 2022: In Control

I imagine that Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) was tired of being attacked repeatitively on the climb up the Col de Turini, so he went off on his own.  When he went everyone tried to go with him but only the Colombian, Daniel Felipe Martinez (Ineos-Grenadiers) was able to hold onto the Slovenian's wheel.  With six kilometers left to climb, this could be the order that finishes the day.  Although I am sure those just behind will try and have something to say about that.

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/Paris-Nice/3871891-73-272742/Painting/in-control-pn22-36.html