Tour de France 23, Stage 20: Almost There

This trio that contained the American, Kevin Vermaerke (DSM-firmenich), Rigoberto Uran (EF Education-EasyPost) and the French Champion, Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ) had been chasing all of the way down the previous climb.  As they came into the feed zone, they were almost back up to the leaders on the road.  They hoped to catch the large group in hopes of being able to fight for the stage victory.  Many riders and teams knew this was their last chance to win a Tour stage so if they have the legs there is no holding back 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/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2023/3966830-132-297438/Painting/almost-there-tdf23-132.html

 

Tour de France 23, Stage 15: A Virtual Tie

Alas, all of the work Neilson Powless EF Education-EasyPost) has been doing to claim the Maillot a Pois and holding it longer than any American has ever done in the Tour meant he was unable to stay with the leaders on the next climb of the day.  So when Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek) went over the top of the next climb, the Col de Aravis, his sprint went unchallenged.  It was cleared that Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) didn't have much interest in the King of the Mountains competition as he went over in second place.  More surprising was the Powless' teammate Rigoberto Uran didn't try to get the maximum points thus depriving the maximum points going to Ciccone.  Without doing that, Ciccone moved into a virtual tie with the American on the American team.  Since Ciccone had bested Powless on the two climbs thus far, he now had the virtual lead on the road.  It seemed unlikely that he would need to worry about the erstwhile wearer of the coveted Maillot a Pois.  In the distance you can just make out another of the American's in the race. That is Lawson Craddock (Jayco-Alula) riding on the Australian team.

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-2023/3965799-96-297438/Painting/a-virtual-tie-tdf23-96.html

Tour '22, Stage 2: Forced to Chase

A minor crash at the start of the 18 kilometer bridge forced most of EF Education-EasyPost to drop back to help get Rigoberto Uran back into the peloton.  Basically, Owain Doull and Alberto Bettiol chased the entire span of the bridge in hopes of getting their team leader back on.  It wasn't until their time trial specialist, Stefan Bissenger, drop back that they were able to rejoin the peloton at the base of the bridge.  Sadly, it was just in time to get caught up in another crash, but at least that was inside the final three kilometers so they all got the same time as the stage winner.  Marijn Tusveld (DSM) was one of many that were able to take advantage of the pink chase to rejoin as well.

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-2022/3891739-9-294403/Painting/forced-to-chase-tdf22-9.html

TDF, Stage 18: Collateral Damage

Do I need to defind collateral damage?  Ineos-Grenadiers have spent countless Tours de France setting a relentless pace on the front of the peloton slowly eliminating their competition on climb after climb.  They are doing the same this Tour, but with much different results.  Yes, there pace on the front cracked Rigoberto Uran (EF Education-Nippo) on the climb of the Col du Tourmalet.  However, they also cracked the guy who has one the Tour for them in the past, Geraint Thomas.  He has suffered this Tour after dislocating his shoulder in the early crashes in the early stages of the Tour, but the whole team (with two notable exceptions) just aren't living up to what is normally expected of them.  Perhaps they just aren't having any fun on their bikes anymore.  I am sure they were all riding hoping to move their newly designated leader, Richard Carapaz into at least second place on the GC.  I suspect they felt he could get that fugitive stage victory for the team today as well.

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 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/3824240-118-291436/Painting/collateral-damage-tdf21-117.html

TDF, Stage 17: Who Can Respond?

Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) has a five and a half minute lead over the rest of the peloton, so he really only needed to stay within site of his main GC rivals.  But that isn't his style.  Once his last remaining teammate swung off on the climb of the Col du Portet, he launch and attack from the front of the group.  At first it was only Jonathan Castroveijo (Ineos-Grenadiers) who could match the acceleration.  But when he realized that his team leader, Richard Carapaz wasn't coming, he back of just a bit.  Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) upped his paced and caught back up, as did Carapaz a little later.  The true victim of the attack was Rigoberto Uran (EF Education-Nippo) who lost some big time today, and his step of the current podium.

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 it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg 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/3824084-111-291436/Painting/who-can-respond-tdf21-110.html

TDF, Stage 15: Each Attacking the Other

The top men of the Tour attacked each other repetitively on the way up the Col du Beizalis.  Each hoping that they could dislodge the other.  Each man was on his own without teammates which represented the best change to dislodge one of the top ten men on the general classification.  This time it was Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) on the attack covered by Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates.  The pair opened up a small gap on Richard Carapaz (Ineos-Grenadiers) and Rigoberto Uran (EF Education-Nippo).  In turn they were dropping others.  Still once dropped each guy would claw his way back, with the notable exception of Guillaume Martin (Cofidis) who had never gotten back on terms having been drop on the way down the previous climb.  In the end they all came to the line together.  I am sure this will repeat itself the day after tomorrow's rest day.

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 it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg 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/3823343-97-291436/Painting/each-attacking-the-other-tdf21-96.html

Tour, Final Stage, The Art of Cycling

 Rigoberto Uran (EFPro Cycling) wanted to make sure his teammates, TeJay van Garderen and Hugh Carthy were taking in the beauty of the moment they were experience as they road across the plaza at the Louvre.  The art that resides past the entrance within the glass pyramids designed by Pei, is some of the most important artworks in the world.  As the peloton rounds the corner ahead, they will allow UAE-Team Emirates and Tadej Pogacar to have a promenade onto the Champs Elysees before the race for the final sprint begins.

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-2020/3705777-140-282744/Painting/the-art-of-cycling-tddf20-132.html

Tour, Stage 18: It Doesn't Get Any Easier

 There is an adage in cycling that seems to be attributed to Greg Lemond the only American to win the Tour that has not had is victories expunged for doping.  He is quoted as saying that riding never gets easier, you just get faster.  This was the opposite for this quartet on the lower slopes of the Montee du plateau des Glieres.  Pierre Rolland (B&B Hotels-Vital Concept) was drifted back through the peloton having once been in the break away.  He is now hoping to latch on to the EF Cycling trio of their leader, Rigoberto Uran and his domestiques Daniel Felipe Martinez and Hugh Carthy.  It may not be fair to call Martinez a domestique, after all he has won a mountain top finish 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.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2020/3703945-124-282744/Painting/it-doesnt-get-any-easier-tdf20-117.html

Tour, Stage 14: The Right Wheel to Follow

Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step) really had only one job today, stay on Geraint Thomas' (Ineos) wheel.  The Frenchman started the day with a minute fifteen on the defending champion, so he didn't need to attack.  Around him, both Rigoberto Uran (EF Education First) and Jakob Fulgsang (Astan) were both needing to attack the leader of Team Ineos.  As yet, neither seemed capable of breaking the hold of Movistar and Ineos on the front of the very small peloton.

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"

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Tour, Stage 13: Out of the Gate

One of the first of the start of the race favorites to roll down the start ramp was Rigoberto Uran (EF Education First), The Colombian has been having a quiet Tour up until today.  He got around the course in thirty five and a half minutes, putting him near the top of the leader board at the line in Pau.  His efforts did help move him up the general classification, but not far enough for his liking.

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%202019/3362557-70-263530/Out%20of%20the%20Gate%20%20TDF19-70.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

Tour, Stage 9: Looking After Uran

Others fared worse, but Rigoberto Uran (EF Education First) lost some time today, but others lost more.  Or they had to leave the Tour altogether.  In his video diaries, Taylor Phinney said that the team would be riding a team time trial between each pave sections, apparently the American is clairvoyant.  After a crash, Uran got back underway on a new bike but forgot to grab his waterbottles.  He need not have worried, his teammate, Sep Vanmachke, passed him a bottle and did his best to pace him back into the race.  Uran lost time on the day, but others fared worse.

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-2018/3187724-45-251072/PaintingLooking-After-Uran--T18-45.html

Il Lombardia Catching Then at the Line

Diego Rosa (Astana) had launched yet another attack with just a couple hundred meters to race, it looked like he had both Columbians beat.  But alas, it was Johan Esteban Chaves (Orica-BikeExchange) who was able to launch his sprint from the back of the threesome and just nip Rosa at the line.  Chaves' victory was the first for any Columbian in the Il Lombardia.  Rosa held on for second, which given all of the work he had done earlier was rather impressive.  The race commentators were sure it would be Rigoberto Uran (Cannondale-Drapac) who would out sprint the other two, but he seemed not to have the legs and took third on the day.

This is the final race I will paint before the UCI Road World Championships in Doha, Qatar.  I may follow that up with Paris Tours, but that will be it until 2017.

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/Other%20Cycling%20Art/2860585-32-206768/PaintingCatching%20Them%20at%20the%20Line%20IL8-Greig-Leach.html#.V_HIyPArLIU

Il Lombardia: Tactical

The foursome, now a trio, had enough of a lead to start to play out some race tactics.  Diego Rosa (Astana) had tried to attack Rigoberto Uran (Cannondale-Drapac) and Johan Esteban Chaves (Orica-BikeExchange), but the two put him back into the fold on both occasions.  Rosa seemed to chat with Uran, perhaps trying to figure out how they could get rid of Uran's countryman, Chaves.  Chaves however was continuing his smart race, keeping his nose out of the wind and waiting for the right moment to attack.

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/Other%20Cycling%20Art/2860496-31-206768/PaintingTactical%20IL7-Greig-Leach.html#.V_HDNPArLIU

Il Lombardia: One of These Four

Diego Rosa (Astana) had been given free rein by his leader Fabio Aru.  Aru seemed not to have the legs for this long race at the end of the season and felt sure that his teammate could take the win for the team.  Rosa had managed to bridge across to the other three; Johan Esteban Chaves (Orica-BikeExchange), Romain Bardet (Ag2r), and Rigoberto Uran (Cannondale-Drapac).  With around a minute over those behind and just 29 kilometers to race, it was beginning to look like the winner of the race would come from the quartet.  Uran and Rosa had done quite a bit of effort to be out front, but both Bardet and Chaves had managed to keep their noses out of the wind.

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/Other%20Cycling%20Art/2860446-28-206768/PaintingOne%20of%20These%20Four%20IL4-Greig-Leach.html#.V_G3RvArLIU

Giro Stage 20: Something to Fight For

This group had managed to drop Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) along with some others whose absence would effect the general classification for most of this very select quintet.  Fabio Aru (Astana) with his teammate on his wheel were over four minutes behind the Maglia Rosa, so while they were gaining time on Contador, it was unrealistic to think that one of them might actually reclaim the coveted Pink Fleece.  For Ryder Hesjedal (Cannondale Garmin) this group meant that he now has a very real chance of finishing in the top five, two minutes more and he might even make the top four.  For the yellow clad Steven Kruijswijk (LottoNL Soudal) he was looking for that elusive stage win, and even had a long shot at reclaiming his Maglia Azzurro.  Finally, Rigoberto Uran (Etixx Quickstep) was reclaiming his honor, health, and had the strongest sprint of the group and could therefore honestly hope for the first stage win for himself and his team.

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.  In addition, this painting is available for purchase from my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But be advised, this is a one of a kind painting, so don't delay, when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2561508---184157/Painting.html#.VWqxvs9Viko

Giro Stage 20: A Monster of a Ride

The final section of the penultimate climb of the Giro was some of the worst surfaces for bike racing, out done only by the famed pave sections of Paris Roubaix.  However this road was also on a 10% average gradient, whereas those of Northern France are straight and flat.  Both race courses come with thousands of yelling, costumed fans, many of whom are considerable less than sober as well.  Today the peloton found it self negotiating the winds and exposed crags above the tree line and into the remaining pockets of last winter's snow.  Ryder Hesjedal (Cannondale Garmin) has truly come into his own over the last week of the Giro, climbing not only mountains but the general classifications standing as well.  Tucked onto the resurgent Canadian's wheel is another who's final days of the Giro are far superior to the opening days, Rigoberto Uran (Etixx Quickstep).  Both men should move even further up the GC based on their efforts today.

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.  In addition, this painting is available for purchase from my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But be advised, this is a one of a kind painting, so don't delay, when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2561498---184157/Painting.html#.VWqrYM9Viko

Giro Stage 14: And Away He Goes

Resplendent in his Colombian National Time Trial Champion kit, Rigoberto Uran (Etixx Quickstep) rolled down the start ramp full of hope and determination.  Uran has been caught out in several stages by the accelerations of Fabio Aru (Astana), Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) and Richie Porte (Sky), so the individual time trial should have been his chance to regain some of his time losses thus far in the Giro.  But like Porte, today just didn't seem to go according to script for the leader of the Etixx Quickstep team.

This is an original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company, www.richesonart.com.  This painting is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  International shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2558890---184157/Painting.html#.VWFvPflViko

Giro Stage 8: Everyone that Matters

The old saying, "The cream rises to the top" was certainly true on the ascent to Campitello Matese today.  Fabio Aru (Astana) was the first to launch an attack on the Magila Rosa, and attack that everyone who matter had to counter.  Although it didn't seem that anyone was able to actually counter the attack, at best they could only cover the move.  As the young Italian in the Maglia Blanco went up the road, anyone with a hope of holding the Magila Rosa in Milan had no choice but to follow his wheel.  So it was that Alberto Contador (Astana), Richie Porte (Sky) and Rigoberto Uran (Etixx Quickstep) jumped onto the fleeing wheel of Aru.  Aru and Astana had the advantage of numbers and it was Mikel Landa (Astana) that launched the next attack.  Fortunately for Landa, the GC contenders weren't interested in chasing him 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 and Company, www.richesonart.com.  They are a lovely small family run art supply company that has some of my favorite media.  The painting is also 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.  But don't delay, these are original one of a kind paintings and when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2555206---184157/Painting.html#.VVfw1yFViko

Giro d'Italia Stage 20: Job Well Done

Both Nairo Quintana (Movistar) and Rigobeto Uran (OPQS) can be saying, "Job well done" to their teammates after today.  First for Quintana, his team worked tirelessly to drive the pace of the peloton and to chase down any of the attacks from the top five riders on General Classification.  And Uran will thank Pieter Serry (OPQS) who put in one last push as he was drifting back from the break to pull Uran further away from Fabio Aru (Astana) who is just behind Uran on the GC.  Still hanging tough after throwing something from a fan into the woods, is Serge Pauwels (OPQS) pulling Uran up the incredibly steep Monte Zoncolan.  Perhaps Uran was hoping to gain time on his fellow Colombian who is clad in pink, but he couldn't have realistically thought he would make up three minutes on his compatriot.  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%202014/2373554---198213/Painting.html#.U4pGhcvD_IU