TDF, Stage 11: When Will It Happen?

I have now decided to use any video that strikes my interest, and this shot definitely did.  I am not quite sure what Ineos-Grenadiers was hoping to achieve by riding on the front for the entire day.  As the peloton started up Mont Ventoux for the second time they were down to just three guys.  Richie Porte was leading Michal Kwiatkowski and Richard Carapaz with the shreds of the peloton on their wheels.  Rafal Majka (UAE Team Emirates) was there for Tadej Pogacar's Maillot Jaune.  The pair were waiting, wondering when Carapaz would launch is inevitable attack.  The others keeping an eye on the Ineos-Grenadiers train were Wilco Kelderman (Bora-Hansgrohe), Enric Mas (Movistar) and Rigoberto Uran (EF Education-Nippo).  There are others, they just didn't make the painting as they were further down the line of riders.

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/3822560-68-291436/Painting/when-will-it-happen-tdf21-67.html

TDF, Stage 3: Looking a Little Better

At first Ineos-Grenadiers didn't send anyone to help Geraint Thomas chase back to the peloton.  I later learned that he had dislocated his shoulder in the crash.  The doctors put it back where it belonged and then he was up and riding again (!!!!!!!).  I think the team didn't want to jeopardize the classification standings of the rest of the team until they knew Thomas was going to be able to finish the stage.  Has he began to feel better more and more teammates appeared to help with the chase.  It fell to Luke Rowe, Johathan Castroviejo and Richie Porte to come back, while the others stayed up with their now sole team leader, Richard Carapaz.

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/3820641-15-291436/Painting/looking-a-little-better-tdf21-15.html

Dauphine, Final Stage: Giving It Another Shot

Ben O'Connor (Ag2r-Citroen) had tried several times to escape from the group with the Yellow Jersey (and the rest of the top positions on the general classification).  Undaunted, he went again with just 3 kilometers to the end of the stage, and the race.  This time it worked.  While he wasn't going to be able to catch the three up the road, he was going to be able to move himself up a couple of positions finishing the Dauphine in eighth place.  In the distance you can see Alexey Lutsenko (Astana-Premier Tech), who finished in second, looking back at the Maillot Jaune of Richie Porte (Ineos-Grenadiers), perhaps trying to decide if he should go after O'Connor in hopes of overtaking Porte.  Geraint Thomas, Porte's teammate, simply wasn't going to let that happen.

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/Criterium-du-Dauphine/3816654-128-185083/Painting/giving-it-another-shot-cd21-44.html

Dauphine, Final Stage: Bike Change

Not quite sure why, but Richie Porte (Ineos-Grenadiers) had a quick bike change at 50 kilometers to go.  It was just before the climbing got going in ernest.  There didn't seem to be a mechanical so it could have been that he wanted to change to a lighter climbing bike with a different gearing then the bike set up for the early part of the stage.  Given how calm and fast the change was, it seemed more planned than a mechanical emergency.  Porte did a beautiful job defending his Maillot Jaune that he claimed in stage 7.  Spoiler alert, he took the overall win at the end of this stage, with his teammate Geraint Thomas taking the final step of the podium.  Alexey Lutsenko (Astana-Premier Tech) finished second overall, a position he held on the general classication since the stage 3 time trial.

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/Criterium-du-Dauphine/3816426-124-185083/Painting/bike-change-cd21-40.html

Dauphine, Stage 7: Who Is Where?

Richie Porte (Ineos-Grenadiers) was the first of the GC riders to go on the offensive on the final climb of the day.  Porte's attack was covered by Enric Mas (Movistar), the American Sepp Kuss (Jumbo-Visma), and Mark Padun (Bahrain-Victorious).  Porte looked back on a sharp turned to see what was happening behind.  His teammate and team leader, Geraint Thomas, wasn't coming along for the ride.  I think he, and everyone else, thought this was part one of a two part plan by Ineos.  It may have been, but only Porte had the legs to do his part of the plan.

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/Criterium-du-Dauphine/3815698-121-185083/Painting/who-is-where-cd21-37.html

Dauphine, Stage 4: On Form

 Richie Porte (Ineos-Grenadiers) clearly came to this Dauphine on form.  He had the best time at the intermediate check and came in with the best time when he finished his effort.  I was a little surprised that the French TV directors didn't put a moto camera out on course with the Tasmanian.  I had to break my "no helicopter shot" rule inorder to get any paintings of one of my favorite riders.  I know it is a silly self imposed rule, so I don't mind breaking it every once in awhile.  His effort in the time trial put him into 7th overall, just 18 seconds off of the race lead.  He is a full eight seconds ahead of his team's designated GC man, Geraint Thomas.

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/Criterium-du-Dauphine/3814854-100-185083/Painting/on-form-cd21-16.html

Tour, Stage 20: Riding on to the Podium

 Richie Porte's (Trek-Segafredo) wife had a baby right at the start of the Tour de France, according to the press she wanted him to go and ride the Tour.  Porte has felt that this was his last chance to ride the Tour has a team leader, in fact he has official said he will not do so again.  According to the press again, all he wants is to photograph on the Champs Elysees standing on the podium.  His third place in today's time trial ensure that his desire was going to be his reality.  He stormed around the course going so far as to pass his two minute man, Mikel Landa (Bahrain McLaren) and to gain enough time to over take Miquel Angel Lopez (Astana) who had started the day third on the general classification.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow th edirect 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/Tour-de-France-2020/3704450-136-282744/Painting/riding-on-to-the-podium-tdf20-128.html

Tour, Stage 18: A Devil of a Ride

 I titled this as I did for two reasons.  First of Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo) descended like a demon to get within striking distance of the GC contenders in this Tour de France.  He joined up with the Jumbo-Visma duo of Wout Van Aert and Tom Dumoulin who were more interest in getting back to their team leader, Primoz Roglic than they weren't concerned that they were bringing Porte back into the group of the Miallot Jaune.  With just a flat stage, a uphill time trial, and the promenade into Paris, this was realistically the last chance to put time into each other's rivals, but instead it was a relatively neutral day.  That being said some riders slipped away on the final climb.

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-2020/3703982-127-282744/Painting/a-devil-of-a-ride-tdf20-120.html

Tour, Stage 18: Quick Change at a Bad Time

 Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo) is having a great Tour despite his near daily need of a bike change when the race is at its most decisive.  Today it was the gravel section across the final climbs plateau that puncture his front tire.  He manged to keep racing on the flat while both calling for his team car and staying with his group on the gravel road.  His bike change was swift and he was able to catch up on the decent to finish with his GC rivals.  I do enjoy seeing the cowboy bandit scarf method of a mask that Porte's mechanic is employing.

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-2020/3703971-126-282744/Painting/quick-change-at-a-bad-time-tdf20-119.html

Tour, Stage 15: Looking for a Stage Win

With so many of the marquee Tour de France riders off the back, it was a real treat to see Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo) get a gap on the Maillot Jaune of Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) and the Maillot Blanc of Tadej Pogacar (UAE-Team Emirates). Only Roglic's teammate Sepp Kuss and Miquel Angel Lopez (Astana) were able to follow the Tazmanian's attack.  With 300 meters to the line, it wasn't like Porte was going to open up a big lead, but he was the one with the legs to try.  In the end, both Roglic and Pogacar got around him, but he crossed the line in third and got a couple of bonus seconds in the bargain.  After today's efforts, he lies in sixth place just a mere two and a quarter minutes off of the lead.  It is impressive that just over two minutes is all that seperates the top six riders this deep into the Tour.  While the two Slovenians look solid, anyone of six or seven guys could still win the Tour as we go into the second rest day.

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-2020/3700480-104-282744/Painting/looking-for-the-stage-win-tdf20-98.html

Tour, Stage 14: As Quickly as Possible

Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo) had a very badly time mechanical, but he, his teammate Kenny Elissonde and the team mechanic all acted very quickly.  Ellisonde passed his bike first, and then when his team car could get to him, they made a very quick change onto Porte's back up bike.  With everyone's quick actions Porte was able to tuck back into the peloton.  The video of him re-entering the tail of the group was wild, it seemed he was traveling at three times the speed of the tail of the multi-bike beast.

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-2020/3699670-93-282744/Painting/as-quickly-as-possible-tdf20-87.html

Paris Nice, Final Stage: Who Is Going Now?

With four kilometers left of the 2020 Paris Nice (and perhaps the entire cycling season), Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo) looked over to see who was going on the attack.  He quickly decided he didn't need to chase Nairo Quintana (Arkea Samsic) who was behind the Maillot Jaune (and his teammate, Vincenzo Nibali) by two minutes.  Given the strength of the Colombian climber, it was little chance any one would see him until the end of the race.  Spoiler alert:  It was Quintana who won the final stage of Paris Nice.  It makes one wonder what would have happen had he not crashed, losing time in stage 2.

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/Paris-Nice/3492514-35-272742/Painting/who-is-going-now-pn20-35.html

Tour, Stage 13: What Has to Be Done

Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo) had dropped pretty far down on the general classification over the first half of this year's Tour.  Today, he had to put in a good ride if he had any hope of having a highly placed finish in Paris.  He did just that finishing fifth on the day, putting time in most of those ahead of him on the leader board.

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%202019/3362560-71-263530/What%20Has%20to%20Be%20Done%20%20TDF19-71.html

Tour, Stage 10: Those Who Lost Time

On a day that should have been a simple formula, of break goes - sprinters' teams chase, catch is made - sprinter takes the stage, today was anything but.  While a non-sprinter won the stage, the rest of the podium was manned by the fast men of the sport.  However, behind the winning group, were three distinct groups full of general classification riders losing between a minute thirty seconds and over two minutes.  Again, today was not a day to win the Tour, but many lost their chance of winning.  Or in other words, today, they lost the Tour.  Coming in a minute and a half down this group contained some of those that started the Tour thinking they could win like, Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo, Rigoberto Uran (EF Education First), Jakob Fulgsang (Astana) and Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ). These king of time losses shouldn't have happened on a flat stage before the rest day, but they did.

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%202019/3360521-54-263530/Those%20Who%20Lost%20Time%20%20TDF19-54.html

Amgen ToC, Stage 6: On the Offensive

Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo) has been quite all week.  But not on the closing kilometers of the climb up Mount Baldy.  Once Schachmann was back in the fold, Porte launched out of the greatly reduced peloton, leaving the others trying to get back on the Tazmanian's wheel.  Behind the top three on GC were losing ground as those like Porte saw their chance to take over the Yellow Jersey of race leader.  Just behind Porte, Sergio Higuita (EF Education First), George Bennett (Jumbo-Visma) and Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) tried to get themselves organized to chase the leader of Trek-Segafredo.  All knew they would be moving up on GC, it was only a question of who would take the stage and the Yellow Jersey.

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%20of%20California/3333662-85-223355/On%20the%20Offensive%20%20ToC19-30.html

Tour Down Under, Final Stage: Two, Three, One

The strange title of this painting refers to the overall placing of these three on the general classification.  While Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo) won the stage, and added a sixth consecutive win over the top of Willunga Hill, it was Daryl Impey (Mitchelton-Scott) that was third on the stage,  However, Impey won the 2019 Tour Down Under.  And he is the first to ever win the race to years in a row.  Wout Poels (Sky) took second on the day, but finished on the final step of the race podium.  While the four day leader of the race, Paddy Bevin (CCC) may not have taken the race victory, it is still a shame that his crash in stage five ensured that he would be unable to wear the final Ochre Jersey of race leader.

I will be back painting some of the Spring Classics like Paris-Nice, Paris Roubaix and Fleche Wallone, among others.  I hope you will check out the work as it happens.  And that you will follow me here and on twitter @ArtofCycling.

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-Down-Under/3286992-143-194179/PaintingTwo,-Three,-One--TDU19-25.html

Tour Down Under, Final Stage: Is There Enough Road?

Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo) has been dubbed the King of Willunga Hill, having one this climb the last five years running.  As he went under the flame rouge, the final kilometer of the race, he check to see how much of a gap he had opened up on his main rivals.  If he could win the stage by nine seconds over Daryl Impey (Mitchelton-Scott), he would win the 2019 Tour Down Under.  While he could only see Wout Poels (Team Sky) and Michael Woods (EF Education First) behind him, the question remained, did he have enough road left to get the kind of gap he needed on the South African Champion.

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-Down-Under/3286988-142-194179/PaintingIs-There-Enough-Road?--TDU19-24.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 4: Turning the Screws

The final climb up Corkscrew Road, was looking like it would separate the contenders from the pretenders.  It was Wout Poels (Sky) who opened up the attacks out of the peloton.  His move was quickly covered by Michael Woods (EF Education First), Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo) and George Bennett (Jumbo-Visma).  With this burst, both the remanents of the break and the Ochre Jersey of Paddy Bevin (CCC) were swept away.  It seemed as though the race was going to come down to how well this foursome descended.  It did not.  The vastly reduced peloton was able to catch these guys as everyone went over the summit with just four kilometers left to 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-Down-Under/3286161-133-194179/PaintingTurning-the-Screws--TDU19-15.html

Tour, Stage 9: Shades of 2014

For those who don't get the title of this painting, it is two fold.  First like Richie Porte (BMC) crashed out of this Tour de France with out every putting a wheel on a single pave, just as Chris Froome (Sky) did back in 2014 (the last time the Tour raced on some of the Paris Roubaix paves).  Secondly, it was stage 9 when Porte crashed out in spectacular fashion last year.  Fortunately for BMC and Porte, his injuries were not anywhere near as severe as 2017.  Porte wasn't the only one who hit the deck here, nor all over the roads and pave of today's stage.  There is a reason the classic, Paris Roubaix, is called "The Hell of the North"  Today it was a hellish ride for many in the peloton.  Others may have suffered physically, but at least their GC hopes are still entacted.

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-2018/3187624-41-251072/PaintingShades-of-2014--T18-41.html

Tour, Stage 3 TTT: Checking on the Others

Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) looks over his shoulder to make sure there are enough riders to post the best possible time for the team.  There were.  And the team posted the best time thus far.  Should the time stand, not only did Van Avermaet check on everyone, their efforts (and his) put himself into the Maillot Jaune of race leader.  They also moved the American, Tejay van Garderen, into second.  They also moved their race leader up ahead of almost every other GC contender.

This is the painting that I filmed being created today.  You can see it on my You Tube Channel where I hope you will become a subscriber.  And you can watch it here as well.

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-2018/3185246-12-251072/PaintingChecking-on-the-Others--T18-12.html