Tour '25, Stage 17: The Early Break

Most every stage a group will break free of the grasp of the peloton in the early kilometers and today was no exception.  This quartet that included Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies), Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno X-Mobility), Vincenzo Albanese (EF Education-EasyPost) and Quentin Pacher (Groupama-FDJ) built up a three-minute lead on the peloton before those behind decided that was plenty.  As they got closer to the intermediate sprint point the sprinter's teams in the peloton ramped up the pace in hopes of getting to sprint for the maximum points on offer.  They didn't make it.  This breakaway proved too strong for those behind to catch by the time they all reached Roche Saint Secret Beconne.  Will they be strong enough to keep away all of the way to the finale in Valence?

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 Early Break TdF25-111" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 5: Little Chance

Perhaps because they knew it would be futile to try and hold off the sprinters' teams it wasn't until 45 kilometers before a break away got formed.  It was Quentin Pacher (Groupama-FDJ) that got off the front alone.  Within a kilometer or two he was joined by Matteo Vercher (TotalEnergies).  I believe that Groupama-FDJ has been in every single break away of the Tour thus far.  The duo built up a nearly five minute lead on those behind before they started the chase in earnest behind.

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.

"Little Chance TdF24-23" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France 23, Stage 13: Leading on Bastille Day

Today is Bastille Day so it is no surprise that the French are eager to do well on the climb up the Grand Colombier.  Quentin Pacher (Groupama-FDJ) on a French team had an eight second advantage over those closest to him and another three and three quarter minutes on the peloton.  The French cycling fans (many shirtless in the heat) were thrilled to see one of their own first on the early slopes of this Hellish climb.  With another fourteen kilometers seemingly straight up, it was going to take something special to stay off the front, but nothing ventured, nothing gained.

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-2023/3965434-79-297438/Painting/leading-on-bastille-day-tdf23-78.html

Paris Nice 2022: Hardly a Sprint

I don't know which sadist decided that it would be fun to have the second intermediate just eleven kilometers away from the end of a mountain top finish.  This point in La Bollene Vesubie is seven kilometers into the measure portion of the climb of the Col de Turini, but these tattered remnants of the twenty man break away didn't really factor into either the Green Jersey Points nor the bonus seconds.  Given the way Gregor Muhlberger (Movistar) is tailing off of the wheels of Quentin Pacher (Groupama-FDJ) and Franck Bonamour (B&B Hotels-KTM) it may well be just two men left in the break very shortly.

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/3871881-71-272742/Painting/hardly-a-sprint-pn22-34.html

Tour, Stage 4: Everybody Working?

Tiesj Benoot (Sunweb) checks over his shoulder as he swings over from his pull on the front of the six man break away.  Benoot may well have been checking to see if anyone was skipping turns at the back of the group.  Behind him, Quentin Pacher (B&B Hotels-Vital Concept) prepares to ride through for his turn on the front.  Nils Politt (Israel Start Up Nation) waits in the wings for his turn.  With this kind of shared effort, the break may have a chance of staying away from the peloton.  Not likely, however, since this is the first mountain top finish of this Tour, the earliest in a Tour ever.

Later, Benoot had a frightening crash over a guard rail that busted his bike to pieces, fortunately, he and his bones remained intact.  But that was the end of his day off the front of the race.

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-2020/3689189-26-282744/Painting/everybody-working-tdf20-20.html

Tour, Stage 4: First Tour, First Points

Quentin Pacher (B&B Hotel-Vital Concept) is in the Tour de France for the first time.  Today he grabbed some King of the Mountains points, making this climb his first points earned in the Tour.  He went on to be the first over the next three climbs (and second over the fourth).  However, the climbs were not big enough for him to come anywhere near to claiming the Maillot a Pois, but one has to start building up points at some point.  While he had ridden away from his break away companions, he wisely waited for them to catch back up.  He did still have 93 kilometers until the end of the stage, and that is just way too far to go for a solo win.

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-2020/3689183-25-282744/Painting/first-tour-first-points-tdf20-19.html

Paris Nice, Stage 7: In Pursuit

This trio comprised of Cyril Gautier (Ag2r La Mondiale), Quentin Pacher (Delko Marseille Provence KTM) and Diego Ulissi (UAE Abu Dhabi) were trying to chase down the lone Frenchman who was just up the road.  The three certainly had the advantage of numbers now that the four had reached the valley roads ahead of the final climb up the Col de la Couillole.  Unfortunately for them, the peloton wasn't far behind, and all of the General Classification were looking to use the mountain top finish to put time into their rivals.

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%20/2932577-368-195767/PaintingIn%20Pursuit%20PN17-32.html