Paris Nice, Final Stage: Opening Up a Gap

Even though there was a large break away up the road, these three decided that there just wasn't a hard enough pace in the peloton, so off they went in search of stage glory.  Up the road Lilian Calmejane (Direct Energie) was grabbing up all of the King of the Mountain points, by the summit of this climb he made sure that he would be the winner of the Polka Dot Jersey for the whole of this year's race.  All he has to do is make sure he finished along the coast in Nice.  The trio of David de la Cruz (Quickstep), Simone Petilli (UAE Abu Dhabi) and Serge Pauwels (Dimension Data) used the upper slopes of the penultimate climb of the day, the Cote de Peille to simply ride the others off of their wheels.  Not only was this the penultimate climb of the day it was the same for the entire 75th Paris Nice.

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%20/2932872-373-195767/PaintingOpening%20Up%20a%20Gab%20PN17-37.html

Tour, Stage 17: Obstacle Course

These three, Julian Alaphilippe (Etixx-Quickstep), Serge Pauwels (Dimension Data) and Alberto Losada (Katusha) flew down the last of the smaller climbs on the front side of the stage.  As they reached the bottom, there was a hard left that was filled with the "road furniture" that litters the roads of Europe.  To try and keep the riders safe, the signs and barriers in the middle of the road have hay bales place in front of them and then they are wrapped in plastic that has red and white stripes to make them stand out on the crowded corners.  Oddly, in France, the coverings are always on the diagonal, here in Switzerland, the are on the horizontal (or vertical).  Fortunately, everyone got around them safely.  No one seemed to want to test the padding around the signs.

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%202016/2826260-119-224974/PaintingObstacle%20Course%20TdF120-Greig-Leach.html#.V4_uTriAOko

Tour, Stage 15: Surging Forward

The other way I enjoy titling my work, is to play about with puns.  It was too tempting to go with "Surging Forward" since the rider to the right of the painting is Serge Pauwels (Dimension Data).  Pauwels is surging forward in this foursome trying to reach the summit of the Col de la Rochette ahead of the others.  Pauwels is getting the jump on Sebastien Reichenbach (FDJ), who is followed by Rafal Majka (Tinkoff) and the French fan favorite, Thomas Voeckler (Direct Energie).  Majka had taken two out of the first three climbs for maximum points and the new leader in the King of the Mountains competition.  The only climb he didn't win thus far went to Voeckler.  A bit of a dick move, since he has very few points in the competition and at that point, Majka needed the maximim.  That kind of a move is one of the reasons he may be a fan favorite, but that opinion is not shared in the peloton.  Missing the successful break of the day was the man in the Maillot a Pois, Thomas De Gendt, so he will be missing his polka dot jersey tomorrow.

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%202016/2824702-104-224974/PaintingSurging%20Forward%20TdF105-Greig-Leach.html#.V4wTxrgrLIU

Tour, Stage 12: Going One Better

Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal) managed on Mont Ventoux what he could not achieve on Stage 5 on the way into Le Lioran.  Then he claimed the Maillot a Pois of the King of the Mountain, but finished second on the day.  This time it was both the stage and the Polka Dot Jersey.  After he and Serge Pauwels (Dimension Data) had dropped each other several times, it was De Gendt who made the final move when it mattered most.  Throwing his arms wide at the line that came six kilometers earlier than originally planned, he had little idea (nor did we) that his victory was about to be seriously upstaged.

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%202016/2823790-88-224974/PaintingGoing%20One%20Better%20TdF87-Greig-Leach.html#.V4hFeLgrLIU

Tour, Stage 12: Get Away from Me!

When I paint cycling (or the Olympics) I create the work live, or as close to live as possible.  Most notably, I make sure that I have no idea what has happened prior to where I am in the development of the race.  So when I painted this piece, I was focusing on, first, that Daniel Navarro (Cofidis) had dropped away and it was Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal) that was on the front along with his countryman, Serge Pauwels (Dimension Data).  Secondly, I wanted to point out that Pauwels had raised his hand, but did not strike a fan that was getting in his face, yelling in his ear.  I point this out in reaction to Chris Froome (Sky) having struck an equally annoying and endangering fan in an earlier stage.  I had little idea that I was foreshadowing what was to come.

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%202016/2823784-86-224974/PaintingGet%20Away%20from%20Me!%20TdF85-Greig-Leach.html#.V4g1_7grLIU

Tour, Stage 12: Man to Man

At this point on the slightly shorten climb up Mont Ventoux these two guys were off the front of the early break of the day.  It was beginning to look like the rarity of the break succeeding all of the way to the finish would happen for the second time in the 103rd Tour de France.  Unfortunately for the French fans, neither Serge Pauwels (Dimension Data) nor Daniel Navarro (Cofidis) were French, but Cofidis is a French team, so for now, it will have to do.  Yo-yoing being this duo was the other Belgium rider from the break, Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal).  De Gendt had come up short on the other successful break of this Tour, but was rewarded with claiming the Maillot a Pois on that day.  Should he managed to catch and pass these two, he would reclaim that jersey, becoming the King of the Mountains.

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%202016/2823778-84-224974/PaintingMan%20to%20Man%20TdF83-Greig-Leach.html#.V4gu47grLIU

Dauphine, Stage 2: A Clear Victory

Many had tried and failed to get away from the clutches of the peloton, including the eventual winners teammate, Ruben Fernandez (Movistar).  But the peloton just caught the remnants of the breakaway allowing Jesus Herrada (Movistar) to out sprint the tiring Tony Gallopin (Lotto Soudal) and Serge Pauwels (Dimension Data).  Yet again, the results of the stage did not change the over all standings that were established in the opening prologue.  Although the time gaps in the lower half of the top ten have shifted just a bit.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2804602-51-185083/Painting.html#.V1eZeJErLIU

Milano-San Remo: Bringing Mark Back

Milano San Remo is a very long race, made longer this year by a rock slide that closed off part of the planned course.  The rerouting added another 9 kilometers to the stage, making the total kilometers cover while racing 300 with another 7 K of the neutral start in the city of Milano.  With that many kilometers of road to cover, flats, mechanicals and even crashes were inevitable.  Mark Cavendish Dimension Data), sporting his new team's kit, was brought back to the back of the peloton by his teammate Serge Pauwels.  Given his past victory in the race, the TV Moto was sure to cover every move the sprinter made.  Notice that the camera operator is standing on the back of the motorcycle while filming, with his other hand firmly grasping a pole on the back of the bike.

This is a small original watercolor that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watecolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  In addition, the painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  The painting is available for sale and can be found by following the direct link at the end of this post.

Be sure to check out my newest cycling book, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships.  The book is available through your favorite book seller worldwide or at my publishers website, www.artofcycling.bike.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2747770-290-195767/Painting.html#.Vu9rbPkrLIU

Tour de France, Stage 18: Making the Polka Dots His

Even though Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) has been wearing the Maillot a Pois, he has only had it on loan from Chris Froome (Team Sky).  With Froome's ownership of the Maillot Jaune, the wearing of the next jersey in importance goes to the rider in second position in that competition.  Today, Rodriguez put himself into the early break going over the early climb of the Col Bayard first with Serge Pauwels (MTN-Qhubeka) just off of his wheel.  With the five points on offer, the Polka Dot Jersey of the King of the Mountains was now his by rights (on the road).  It does remain to be seen if he can out score any off the others in the break with him.  The second stage in the Alps still has 180 kilometers and six more categorized climbs to go.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Co., www.richesonart.com.  They are a small US based family run art supply company that has really wonderful products for art making.  This painting, and all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Be aware that because it is an original one of a kind work, once it has sold it is gone. So, don't delay.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2583577-115-210122/Painting.html#.VbE_wflVikr

Tour de France, Stage 16: Urging the Climbers On

The press surrounding the Tour has may quite a bit of hay over the actions of a few fans along the side of the road, although, given their actions "fans" is far to generous of a word.  The lion share of the millions of cycling fans that line the sides of the road are there to cheer on their heroes and every rider who takes on the challenge of the Tour.  One of the treats for those along the road is the publicity caravan the precedes the peloton distributing trinkets, hats, t-shirts and noise makers to the waiting throngs.  On the mountain stages, Carrefour (a French grocery store chain), who sponsor the King of the Mountains Maillot a Pois.  This guy is cheering on the early break in his newly captured polka dot t-shirt.  Those assailing the Col de Cabre almost twenty minutes ahead of the peloton incuded Damiel Navarro (Cofidis), Michal Golas (Etixx-Quickstep), Serge Pauwels & Edvald Boasson Hagen (MTN-Qhubeka), and oddly enough the sprinter Peter Sagan (Tinkoff Saxo).

The closest man in the break to the Maillot Jaune was almost an hour behind.  So all of the GC riders were happy to let these guys vie for the stage and basically take the day off until the final climb and descent of the day.  Well as much of a day off as one can have covering 201 kilometers and two categorized climbs

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, www.richesnonart.com.  They are a small family run art supply company located in the North Central United States.  In addition this painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Remember it is an original painting, so when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2582676-100-210122/Painting.html#.Va115_lViko

Tour de France, Stage 11: Still One More

Dan Martin (Cannondale Garmin) who had made a spectacular bridge across from the peloton to the break away up the Col d'Aspin, was the first to summit that Col.  He then hung with the lead group up the Col du Tourmalet until the last kilometer of the group.  Well technically, he did hold on to the group, he just wasn't able to go with the attacks put in by Rafal Majka (Tinkoff Saxo) and Serge Pauwels (MTN-Qhubeka).  Both Majka and Pauwels slipped away from the others and gained more time on the fast descent off of the Tourmalet.  Pauwels couldn't hold onto Majka across the valley, and Martin was able to catch the Belgium on the final climb up to the finishing line, but just didn't have enough road to catch the climber from Poland.

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 is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for just $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Don't delay, this is a one of a kind original, so once it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2581040---210122/Painting.html#.VacpJvlViko

Tour de France Stage 11: On Their Way Up

On the heels of a most difficult first stage in the Pyrennes, today the peloton set out to conquer to of the infamous climbs of the Tour.  This break of Thomas Voeckler (Europcar), Serge Pauwels (MTN-Qhubeka), Rafal Majka (Tinkoff Saxo) and Emanuel Buchman (Bora-Argon 18) amongst others were the first to hit the lower slopes of the Col d'Aspin.  Voeckler was hoping to repeat some of his earlier career exploits where he has escaped the peloton and gone on to solo for a victory.  Having Majka along might make that a little more difficult to achieve.

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 is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for just $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2580828---210122/Painting.html#.Vaaf5_lViko

Milano Sanremo: Thinning Down

As the breakaway hit the Cape Berta, one of the short step climbs ahead of the two bigger and infamous climbs that come with just a few kilometers to the line, it was Stefano Pirazzi (Bardiani CSF) whose pace thinned out the break.  Seven members of the break were already dropped and it appears that Serge Pauwels (MTN-Qhubeka) and Julien Berard (AG2R) will shortly join the others.  It was only Pirazzi's countryman, Matteo Bono (Lampre Merida) that could hold the Italian's wheel.  It would be a tall order for these two to stay away, but now it is only about 40 kilometers left to race.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting 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.  The painting is only $50 USD and international shipping is available.

If you are enjoying reading about bike racing this way with the accompanying artwork please check out my recently published Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France.  The book is available through virtually every online bookseller.  So google the title to discover where you can get a copy and avoid international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2531038---195767/Painting.html#.VRDPKvnF-xU

Milano Sanremo: Gambling Long

A large group of eleven riders formed the early break away of the day.  It was a move that was more than the average long shot.  This group including, Stefano Pirazzi (Bardiani CSF), Marco Frapporti (Androni Giocattoli), Serge Pauwels (MTN-Qhubeka) among others, have another 100 kilometers to attempt to thwart the desires of the sprinters.  The course doesn't have enough sharp climbs to shed the sprinters, nor hide the break away from the peloton.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting 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.  The painting is only $50 USD and international shipping is available.

If you are enjoying reading about bike racing this way with the accompanying artwork please check out my recently published Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France.  The book is available through virtually every online bookseller.  So google the title to discover where you can get a copy and avoid international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2531036---195767/Painting.html#.VRDMl_nF-xU

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