Paris Roubaix ‘24: Tight Squeeze

Nils Politt (UAE Team Emirates) was having a tough race.  He has been plagued by bad luck.  He has been forced to chase back on several times already.  At least this time fortune smiled.  The race referee’s car, trying to get around a slow team car cut the corner short just missing the former German champion.  Perhaps he can take it as a sign that his Paris Roubaix luck has started to swing to his favor.  Just ahead is Tom Pidcock (Ineos-Grenadiers) also chasing back from a spot of misfortune.  The two teamed up and got back onto the tail of the leading peloton.

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/Spring-Classics-/4008476-568-195767/Painting/tight-squeeze.-pr24-9.html

Paris Roubaix ‘24: Is My Race Over?

Like most of the peloton, Joshua Tarling (Ineos_Grenadiers) was having a tough race with ill timed flat tires and minor crashes (although some did leave the race by ambulance).  However, Tarling was seen holding on to his team car as it pulled him back up towards the peloton.  At about the half way point, the race referee pulled along side him to let him know he had been disqualified.  All that was left for the Brit was to soft pedal until he could get into is team car.  Phil Liggett made sure to point out that Tarling isn’t a cheat, usually, but he did get caught 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 $95 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/4008474-567-195767/Painting/is-my-race-over-pr24-8.html

Paris Roubaix '22: Keep Going!

With the leading group down to two it was time for Matej Mohoric (Bahrain-Victorious) and Tom Devriendt (Intermache Wanty-Gobert Materiaux) to have a strategy debate.  They knew that at least one rider was coming across, but a 30 second gap was a bit too long to wait for.  It seemed like their best decision was going to be, "keep going!"  At this point they were still in a strong position to win the 119th edition of Paris Roubaix.

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-/3879918-497-195767/Painting/keep-going-pr22-13.html

TDF, Stage 9: Virtually

Ben O'Connor (Ag2r-Citroen) may have started stage nine over eight minutes off the lead of Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates), but at various times towards the end of the stage he actually was the virtual leader of the Tour de France.  The Australian's debut Tour was going incredible well.  He was vying for a stage win that might actually include taking the overall lead.  Behind, it could be assumed that UAE Team Emirates was wanting to let the Maillot Jaune pass to someone they did not thing could possibly take the leader's jersey all the way to Paris.  The forgot that Pogacar was a competitor through and through.  He wasn't about to surrender without a fight.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above.  Since ti is an original work of art, it is a first come first seved reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburth watercolors 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/2021-Tour-de-France/3821978-54-291436/Painting/virtually-tdf21-53.html

Tour, Stage 7: The Next to Try

With the first break away rider back in the fold, it was Laurent Pichon (Fortuneo-Samsic) who tried to go for a long solo effort to the line in Chartes.  It is pretty common for a counter attack to go after a catch is made by the peloton.  That is the reason the group will often delay catching the break until the final kilometers of the stage.  It keeps the opportunist like Pichon from getting a jump on the plans of the sprinters.  With just today and tomorrow being stages for the sprinters ahead of the cobbles and the mountains, it was unlikely any escape would succeed.  A solo effort had no chance at all.

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-2018/3187216-33-251072/PaintingThe-Next-to-Try--T18-33.html

Giro, Stage 14: Clearing Some Space

Chris Froome (Sky) has been having a less than stellar Giro thus far.  Today he hit the final climb with something to prove.  With just under 4 kilometers left to the summit of Monte Zoncolan, he went off the front of the shredded peloton.  Behind, race marshals worked to clear space between each splinter group racing to make their mark on the GC.  Trying to hold the wheel of Froome is the Maglia Rosa of Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott).  Yates had over three minutes in hand on Froome, but others behind had more to worry about.

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/101st-Giro-dItalia/3165246-58-249297/PaintingClearing-Some-Space--G18-58.html

Vuelta, Stage 20: Cabeza de Carrera

It seems only right that I should use a Spanish title for this painting.  Here is Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo) on his way to winning his final mountain stage of his racing career.  All along the course the Spanish police have been running along side of him, attempting to keep him safe from the screaming crowds all calling, "Vega, vega!"   In some cases, the police were more dangerous than the spectators, but at least they were trying to control the crowds.  With this display, Contador almost rode onto the final podium, coming up just 20 seconds short of overtaking the man now in third, Ilnur Zakarin.  Contador had started today in fifth, but he had been below 20th overall early in this Vuelta.

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/Vuelta-2017/3031650-53-239162/PaintingCabeza-de-Carrera-V-54.html

Tour, Stage 16: Off on Their Own

It seems that every stage has had an early break away, but never one of this calibre.  It may have been that Tony Martin and Julian Alaphilippe (Etixx-Quickstep) were hoping that others would join in the effort, but once you get off the front, you kind of have to go for it.  Martin is a four time World Time Trial Champion and is the current German National Champion.  The skill set that has earned him those titles would definitely come in handy on trying to stay off the front of the peloton for the 180 kilometers left to race.  Alaphilippe has a great wheel to follow, and since Martin is his teammate, he will be allowed to do a much smaller share of the work.  Add in that both of these riders are over an hour behind the Maillot Jaune, it will only be those who want to win the stage into Bern who will try to chase the French and German duo down.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

Be sure to check out my second cycling art book, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships, available online or through your local book seller.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2824918-112-224974/PaintingOff%20on%20Their%20Own%20TdF113-Greig-Leach.html#.V40Ry7grLIU

Tour, Stage 9: Celebrating in the Rain

Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin) had been dangling off the back of the peloton most of the day, but somehow found the strength to hold on up the penultimate climb of the day.  As the break rode across the valley floor on the way to the mountain top summit at Andorre Arcalis, the Dutchman went long for the win on the day before the first rest day of the Tour.  Dumoulin was able to keep his focus as the skies opened, dumping ice buckets on his head as plowed a lone furrow up the last mountain of the day.  I had thought about calling this, "Singing in the Rain," but then thought better of it.  Besides, I doubt he had enough air in his lungs to sing, but he sure could celebrate in the rain (and hail)!  Chapeau!

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2822218-65-224974/PaintingCelebrating%20in%20the%20Rain%20TdF65-Greig-Leach.html#.V4MDqLgrLIU

Tour of California, Stage 6: Fighting All the Way

This title reflects just what Julian Alaphilippe (Etixx-Quickstep) was able to accomplish today.  While the discipline of racing against the clock is not his strong suit, nor did he have an untalented field trying to take the yellow jersey from his back, the Frenchman was able to ride fast enough to keep possession of the overall lead in the Amgen Tour of California.  He got home with about 5 seconds to spare,   The stage had the effect of bunching the top five places on GC closer together ensuring that the race will be competitive all the say through Sunday.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting along with my book, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI World Road Racing Championships," is 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.  Remember, it is a one of a kind piece, so once it is sold, it is no longer available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2794130-35-223355/Painting.html#.V0C_2_krLIU

Giro Stage 4: Keeping Watch

The title of this painting has several different possible interpretations.  The most obvious refers to the race director who is standing on the seat of the race car, poking out of the sunroof so he can keep an eye on the racers, the team cars and all of the other vehicles in the race caravan.  Another version is that the director sportif for Tinkoff Saxo is keeping an eye on his man, Roman Kreuziger.  The final way to look at the title is in reference to the team tactic of putting a man up in the break to keep an eye on the moves and to cover the attacks for their respective team leaders.  So Kreuziger is watching over the break for Alberto Contrador, and Kanstantsin Siutsou (Team Sky) is doing the same for Richie Porte.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson and Company, www.richesonart.com.  They are a lovely family run business that has incredible art supplies for professionals and hobbyist alike.  In addition, this painting (and all of my cycling art) is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And, yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2553572---184157/Painting.html#.VVPKeiHBzGc

Paris Nice Stage 4: Almost On

Poor Andrew Talansky (Cannondale Garmin) has the worst luck in Paris Nice.  Today was no exception.  Just before getting to the final climb of the day he had a rear tire puncture.  His teammate, Ben King (who is from my adopted home town) sacrificed a rear wheel to his team leader and sent him on a hard chase to get back onto the peloton.  Two other teammates joined in to help Talansky get back on expending all the energy they had to give.  Talansky made the last effort on his own just as the final climb up to Croix de Chabouret began.

This is an original small watercolor and ink painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com for only $50 USD.  International shipping is available.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  If you enjoy reading about professional cycling with this accompanying artwork, please check out my recently published Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France.  It is available through virtually every online bookseller, so google the title to find where you can get a copy and avoid international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2524438---195767/Painting.html#.VQHxvfzF-xU

Paris NIce Stage 2: All by HImself

One of the unwritten rules of the professional peloton is that the team(s) that get a wildcard berth into a particular race are expected to ride the race aggressively.  Bretagne-Seche has certainly lived up to its part of the bargain in the 2015 Paris Nice.  Yesterday they were in the two man break, today, it was Arnaud Gerard giving it ago all on his own.  I admit that I did watch the movie, "Bridget Jones' Diary" yesterday, so the title was kind of rolling around in my head.  Gerard may have been counting on another slow parade from the peloton, but it is truly a long shot to have a solo break stay all the way to the line.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting (for only $50 USD plus shipping) just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

If you are enjoying the artwork and accompanying text, be sure to check out my recently published book of the 2014 Tour de France, Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France.  You can find it at most any online book seller world wide.  Simply google the title to learn where you can get the book and save on international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2523050---195767/Painting.html#.VP9W0fzF-xU

US Pro Challenge Stage 2: Stopping the Race

On rare occasions races need to be stopped or neutralized for safety sake.  Never an easy thing to decide and even more difficult to perform.  Worst of all, no one is ever happy with how and why it is done.  With the skies opening up and dumping buckets down on the break away and the peloton alike as they summit the final climb, it was apparent that the muddy descent would be very dangerous to do at speed.  /The problem was, the racers weren't stopped and the time gap taken at the summit, the organizers let them race the dangerous descent and then stopped them in the valley once they reached the paved highway.  It was relatively easy to stop the solo leader, Robin Carpenter (Hincapie Sportswear), but stopping a charging diminished peloton pressing their advantage was far more of a challenge.  Facing there verbal abuse for stopping them once the danger (if not the rain) had passed was not for the feint of heart.  With a neutralization, when the racing starts again, the riders are set off at the same time gap intervals that they were at when racing stopped.  All are now rested and angry, so the re-start can't help but shake up what may well have been the results otherwise.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that can be yours by visiting my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/US%20Pro%20Challenge%202013/2422536---201508/Painting.html#.U_VTF8_D_IU

Tour Stage 13: The Best Defense...

With Richie Porte losing ground, the expected course of action for the race leader, Vincenzo Niblai (Astana) would be to get into a rhythm and watch the others with him, to defend his position.  Having watched Nibali in the 2013 Giro d'Italia, I know that is not his style.  He won mountain stages in the Pink Jersey of race leader then, I am sure he wanted to win a mountain top stage in Yellow in the Tour.  So as the rest of the contenders played watch and wait, Nibali attacked. No one could catch his brutal acceleration, he was off alone to catch the remaining two men that were up the road.  This bold move was done under the eyes of both the race referee and the TV Moto.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com and will be included in my soon to be self published book of the 101st Tour de France art, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre-order a copy, or to discover how you can be a part of bringing the art of the sport we love to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some excellent incentives for backers at every level starting at $5 USD.  Everyone who backs the project will have their name included in the special thanks page.  If you would like to purchase this painting directly, just follow the link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2404840---199992/Painting.html#.U8nK18_D_IU

Tour Stage 4: Clearing Out the Gap

The race referees have a number of different functions as the peloton rolls along French roads for the first time in the 101st Tour de France.  When the time gap between riders falls below a minute he will call all of the vehicles out of the gap between the racers.  This is done to prevent those behind having an unfair advantage, drafting off of the cars and motorcycles, using them to get up to the man ahead.  I was taken with the apparent fearlessness of the referee as he stood on the pegs of the motorcycle to better signal the drivers in the gap.  For the bike racer up front, it is always discouraging to suddenly see all of the cars zipping by.  Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) had last seen the peloton 140 kilometers ago, he would have preferred to have never seen them again.  This is an original small watercolor and ink painting that  is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com and will appear in my soon to be self published tome on the 2014 Tour de France, "Book de Tour".  To learn more about the book project, to pre-order your copy, or to get involved in bringing the 101st Tour de France to print please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour  If you would like to purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2398336---199992/Painting.html#.U7xe28_D_IU

Dauphine Stage 5: Escorted Home

Certainly Simon Spilak's (Katusha) victory was a solo win, having gotten away on the final climb of the day, but he hardly crossed the line alone.  The Slovenia was accompanied to the line in La Mure by the race referee's red car, the yellow motorcycle of the time keeper, the race communication moto and one of the TV motos as he raised his arms in a jubilant victory celebration.  This is the second victory in a row for Katusha and this time the Director Sportif made sure his man zipped up his jersey before claiming the stage for the team.  This is an original small watercolor and ink painting (4"x6") that could be yours through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 66th Criterium du Dauphine. 

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Dauphine%202014/2388028---199476/Painting.html#.U6OgFs_D_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 14: Watching Nico Go

Nicholas Roche (Tinkoff Saxo) used the penultimate climb of the day to launch his attack on the break away, hoping to use the descent to put time into his rivals.  That way he would have a good head start up the climb to Oropa.  Roche has hit out a couple of times usually when the road points up.  The race has several cars that contain referees that watch the proceedings making sure that the rules are followed and the motorcycles don't interfere with or assist the rider's progress up the mountain.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2369370---198213/Painting.html#.U4GJZM_D_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 10: Not Happy

The rules in the break away are that everyone do their fair share, but as the stage drew to an end and the peloton was closing in, Andrea Fedi (Neri Sottoli) was less than happy with the work being done by his companion, Marco Badiera (Androni-Giacaottoli).  Fedi was trying to get him to pull through but Badiera was sitting on.  Fedi wanted to keep pushing ahead in hopes that the peloton would get it wrong, perhaps Badiera knew it would be in vain.  In the end they shook hands as the peloton swooped down on them (another of the chivalrous traditions of professional cycling).  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2366653---198213/Painting.html#.U3uhG8_D_IU

Paris-Nice Stage 2: Staying Off the Front

Another stage and another break away made up of the invitational teams.  Aleksejs Saramotins (IAM Cycling) and Anthony Delaplace (Team Bretagne) got away from the peloton with just 2 1/2 kilometers covered.  Delaplace was the first to surrender but the stronger Saramotins managed to hold off the rest of riders until less than 10 kilometers left to cover.  He is trying to make himself as aerodynamic as possible having slid forward off of the saddle and nearly resting his chin on the handlebars.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by visiting my artist website, www.greigleach.com or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2325465---195767/Painting.html#.Ux5hmM_D_IU