UCI Worlds, Zurich 2024, Elite Men's Road Race: Checking Everyone Out

As the home team rider, Silvan Dillier (Switzerland) swings off the front of the breakaway, he looks at each of his five companions in turn.  He had been chatting quite a bit with the second guy in line, Rui Oliveira (Portugal) for a number of kilometers.  I do think he was trying to judge if Oliviera, along with Luc Wirtgen (Luxembourg), Tobias Foss (Norway), Simon Geschke (Germany) and Piotr Pekala (Poland) have the legs to take this break deep into the race.  At this point they do have three minutes on the peloton, but they have 213 kilometers left to race.  They haven't gotten to the start of the seven-lap circuit in and around Zurich yet.  But as Dillier and Geschke both know, you have got to roll the dice and go in the break to have any chance of winning the day against the favorites of the men's 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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Checking Everyone Out Z24-7" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Down Under, Stage 6: All Working Together

The early break away finally got established and set about working together to build a three and a half minute lead over the following peloton.  At this point Franck Bonnamour (Decathlon-Ag2r-Mondale) was slipping off the front as the veteran Simon Gerschler (Cofidis) prepares to take over the pace making duties for the seven allies.  Behind Geschke is Jacopo Mosca (Lidl-Trek).  Maurice Ballerstedt (Alpecin-Deceuninck) had finished his turn on front and was sliding to the back to get a bit of rest before rolling through again.  Later Ballerstedt stopped taking turns and just hung onto the back of the group, perhaps feeling the kilometers they had already ridden this week building up in his legs.

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-Down-Under/3996270-202-194179/Painting/all-working-together.-tdu24-25.html

Tour '22, Stage 18: Not the Day He Wanted

Simon Geschke (Cofidis) hadn't expected he could hold onto the Miallot a Pois through the Alps but now that he was riding the final mountain stage of the Tour he had dared to believe he could gain enough points to hold it the rest of the way to Paris.  Alas, having tried mulitple times to get into the break, he was beat by the time he finally across to the leaders only to lose the pace on the way up the Col d'Aubisque.  He had a chance to hold onto the lead, but he would need others to not score points as well.  His teammates Ion Izaguirre and Anthony Perez had come back to help him in hopes he would come right for the next to climbs.  It was unlikely since they would factor into the GC battle that was sure to kick off on the Col de Spandelles.

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. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3895181-112-294403/Painting/not-the-day-he-wanted-tdf22-113.html

Tour "22, Stage 17: The Cream of the Tour

I had thought I would entitle this painting, "The Cream Always Rises to the Top"  But thought better of it.  So, as the peloton hit the Col de Val Louron-Azet only the truly strong men were able to stick with the brutal pace being set by the American, Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates).  At this point he was followed by his team captain, Tadej Pogacar in the Maillot Blanc.  Closely watching the Slovenian was the Maillot Juane of Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) with his American teammate Sepp Kuss.  Vingegaard spent the whole climb waiting for Pogacar to attack, he never did.  On his wheel was the man sitting third overall, Geraint Thomas (Ineos-Grenadiers) and then came the Colombian Nairo Quintana (Arkea-Samsic).  Quintana had started the day in fourth.  So the top four, two with teammates were all there.  They had dropped Simon Geschke (Cofidis) who had already done what he needed to do to hold onto the Maillot a Pois for at least one more day.  He tried to hold onto the wheels, but just didn't have the legs to join this freight train.

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-2022/3894901-105-294403/Painting/the-cream-of-the-tour-tdf22-106.html

Tour '22, Stage 16: You Wouldn't Dare!

Perhaps Simon Geschke (Cofidis) had seen someone attack Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) when they weren't even in the Maillot Vert competition, or perhaps he was just making sure no one would challenge him.  He may even have thought that Van Aert would exact a kind of revenge for the intermediate sprint by stealing points from Geschke.  Watching it all was another of the young Amerians in this Tour, Matteo Jorgenson (Movistar).  In the end, no one sprinted to the top, so Geschke added to his point total in the King of the Mountains competition.  He has held the Maillot a Pois much longer than even he thought he would.  With just two more days of big mountains (and big points) he has a chance to keep it all of the way to Paris.

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-2022/3894711-98-294403/Painting/you-wouldnt-dare-tdf22-99.html

Tour '22, Stage 11: The French Are Over the Top

 It was two Frenchmen who led the race over the top of the Col de Telegraphe.  Behind Simon Geschke (Cofidis) was doing enough to hold onto his Maillot a Pois as he went over third.  But it was Pierre Latour (TotalEnergies) who took maximum King of the Mountain points with Warren Barguil (Arkea-Samsic) on his wheel.  There is plenty of climbing and KOM points yet to come in today's stage, but it was a good start for the two Frenchmen.  All three placings were taken by men who are on French 'wildcard' teams.

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-2022/3893496-61-294403/Painting/the-french-are-over-the-top-tdf22-61.html

Tour '22, Stage 9: Getting There First

The Tour started today in Switzerland and the fans were out in droves to cheer the peloton on through the beautiful mountains along the French border.  As the break away neared the top of the Col de Mosses Pierre Latour (TotalEnergies) jumped away in hopes of starting his campaign to win the Maillot a Pois.  As a Frenchman, he could also have just been trying to get home as soon as possible.  He had left both Hugo Houle (Israel-Premier Tech) and Simon Geschke (Cofidis) behind.  Spoiler alert...  Geschke was the Frenchman who did just enough over the course of the day to be the one to  pull on the King of the Mountains polka dot jersey heading into the second rest day.

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-2022/3892900-47-294403/Painting/getting-there-first-tdf22-47.html

Tour '22, Stage 7: Time to Attack

Simon Geschke (Cofidis) was the first to attack the remnants of the break away gaining around 15 seconds on his former allies.  He was off the front long enough for his team to begin to hope that they may final win a stage in the Tour (the last was in 2008).  On the climb, Lennard Kamna (Bora-Hansgrohe) took off in pursuit of the Frenchman on the French team.  When he caught Geschke, he sat on his wheel for a few seconds and then launched another attack.  His effort left Geschke unable to jump onto his wheel.  So as Kamna flew up the road, Cofidis' hopes flew out the window.

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-2022/3892717-37-294403/Painting/time-to-attack-tdf22-37.html

Tour '22, Stage 7: Adding Points

The beard of the peloton, Simon Geschke (Cofidis) was mopping up all of the King of the Mountain Points on the first two climbs of the day.  He won't be able to take over the lead in the competition unless he scores some points at the finish atop the Planches les Belles Filles.  On his shoulder is two of the remaining break of five, Dylan Teuns (Bahrain-Victorious) and Cyril Barthe (B&B Hotels-KTM). Teuns is hoping to repeat his victory atop the final mountain.  Since the stage ends at the top of a climb, there are double KOM points on offer, so Geschke will need to place in the top three on the stage to claim the Maillot a Pois.

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-2022/3892716-36-294403/Painting/adding-points-tdf22-36.html

 

Tour, Stage 16: The Next Group

With the peloton (and all of the general classification riders) seemingly taking the day off, it was clearly the day to be in the break away.  Three chasers had already bridged up to the ever growing break away.  So was the hope of this next group on the road.  Simon Geschke (CCC) was making sure his team had a man up front, as was poth Mikel Nieve (Mitchelton-Scott) and Romain Sicard (Total Direct Energie).  For the other two, Nielson Powless (EF Pro Cycling) and Pavel Sivakov (Ineos-Grenadiers) it was about getting up to help out their teammates make the best of their presence in the break.  They did get there, but then that seemed to be the last I ever saw of them.

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-2020/3701729-108-282744/Painting/the-next-group-tdf20-102.html

Tour, Stage 15: Riding Away from Jesus

I apologize for the title, but I couldn't resist.  I mean when am I going to get the chance again?  On the first climb of the day, the Montee de la Selle du Fromentel, Simon Geschke (CCC) started the aggression out of the early eight man break.  Quickly on to the bearded German's wheel was Pierre Rolland (B&B Hotels-Vital Concept).  The duo was distancing the former Spanish Champion, Jesus Herrada (Cofidis), thus the title.  Behind this trio, others were trying to find their legs, some did, some did not.

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-2020/3700445-98-282744/Painting/riding-away-from-jesus-tdf20-92.html

Tour, Stage 18: Keep It Going

After the Col d'Izoard Simon Geschke (CCC) wanted to keep the groups advantage growing.  He looked behind to find Tim Wellens (Lotto Soudal) and Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale) not looking like they wanted to put in the effort.  Or it could be that he wanted another look at the woman on the side of the road.  Geschke had two teammates somewhere nearby and wanted to give them a head start up the Col du Galibier.

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%202019/3365263-99-263530/Keep%20It%20Going%20%20TDF19-99.html

Tour, Stage 15: Leading Up the Hill

Sure that he had the legs to leave everyone behind, Simon Geschke (CCC) went off on his own on the climb of the Mur de Peguere.  Geschke has been the main chaser of break aways for his team over the years so he must have been excited to be off the front for himself.  He does have one Tour stage win in his resume, but that wouldn't diminish his joy in claiming another.

Watch this painting come together in a time lapse painting here:

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%202019/3363349-83-263530/Leading%20Up%20the%20Hill%20%20TDF19-83.html

Tour, Stage 3: Getting Sorted

I call Richmond, Virginia (in the USA) my home, so I couldn't pass up the opportunity to include a painting of Richmond area native, Ben King (Dimension Data).  I would have prefer that it was because he was off the front like he was in the 2015 UCI Road World Championships, but you never know when you will see any rider again.  King had gone down (and tangled his handlebars) with Simon Geschke (CCC) and Pat Bevin (CCC).  No one was hurt, but the roundabouts, islands and other traffic furniture are a constant danger to the peloton.  At least they are not dealing with vechile traffic (most of the time).  The race organizers will distribut hay bales in hopes of protecting the riders should they fall - sometimes they even use foam padding.

See this painting come to live as a time lapse video here...

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%20de%20France%202019/3357396-12-263530/Getting%20Sorted%20%20TDF19-12.html

Amgen ToC, Stage 3: Get on Our Wheel

First Simon Geschke (CCC) and then Richmonder, Ben King (Dimension Data) jumped clear of the peloton in the closing kilometers of the stage.  The duo caught the flagging Alex Hoehn (USA Cycling).  Both men tried to encourage Hoehn to catch their wheels (and draft) but he was just unable to get up to their speed.  I have been in that exact situation (although not in a race) and know just how much you want to latch on, and how disappointing it is when your legs just won't respond.  Hoehn could consol himself with the knowledge that he will be pulling on the Polka Dot jersey regardless of when he finishes the stage.  King was able to out sprint Geschke for second on the stage, lifting the moral of his team and teammates.  And he moved himself up the general classification rankings 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.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/3332344-71-223355/Get%20on%20Out%20Wheel%20%20ToC19-16.html

Giro, Stage 19: What He Could

Tom Dumoulin's (Sunweb) loyal teammate, Simon Geschke, had given all he had to give.  He swung of the front and seemingly came to a complete stop.  At this point there was still another seven kilometers of climbing to go.  Dumoulin was already lagging those just behind him on the GC by 16 seconds.  If he loses another 16 seconds he will lose his Maglia Rosa, surrendering it back to Nairo Quintana (Movistar) most likely.  Although should Quintana suffer a similar fate, who knows who will be the next to don the coveted jersey.

The Giro does finish with an individual time trial, the very discipline that allowed Dumoulin to take the jersey off of Quintana's shoulders to begin with.

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.

With the racing of the 100th Giro d'Italia, I am crowd funding my third cycling art book through Kickstarter.  I could use your support in helping this book get made, please consider backing the project here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/art-of-cycling-100th-giro-ditalia.  This will be just one of the hundred plus paintings that will be included. With Kickstarter, if there is not a 100% funded, no one is charged a dime, and the project recieves 0% funding.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/100th-Giro-dItalia/2973485-131-235247/PaintingWhat-He-Could-G17-139.html

Giro, Stage 19: Trouble?

Since I paint these pieces in real time, I wasn't sure why Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) was letting a small gap open between himself and his general classification rivals.  I was reminded of a Lance Armstrong ploy in the Tour de France.  He mugged for the camera about how tired he was, and road at the back of the peloton.  The news got to his rivals and they hit the front and road hard, burning teammates as they did.  Later he attacked his diminished rivals and won the stage.  Was Dumoulin doing a similar ploy?  Given his words about he riding of Quintana and Nibali after yesterday's stage, I wouldn't put it past him.  He does have his lieutenant, Simon Geschke, with him, so all may still be well.  Gregor Muhlberger (Bora-Hansgrohe) was happy to have some motivate wheels to follow.

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.

With the racing of the 100th Giro d'Italia, I am crowd funding my third cycling art book through Kickstarter.  I could use your support in helping this book get made, please consider backing the project here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/art-of-cycling-100th-giro-ditalia.  This will be just one of the hundred plus paintings that will be included. With Kickstarter, if there is not a 100% funded, no one is charged a dime, and the project recieves 0% funding.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/100th-Giro-dItalia/2973483-130-235247/PaintingTrouble?-G17-138.html

Giro, Stage 13: Talking It Over

With ten kilometers left to race it was important for Team Sunweb to protect Tom Dumoulin and his Maglia Rosa.  In addition, the rest of the team was working for their sprinter Phil Bauhaus and Simon Geschke was beside Dumoulin in case he should have a problem.  It looks like Bauhaus and Dumoulin were using their race radios to chat, much easier than trying to yell back and forth at high speed on roads lined with screaming cycling fans.

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.

With the racing of the 100th Giro d'Italia, I am crowd funding my third cycling art book through Kickstarter.  I could use your support in helping this book get made, please consider backing the project here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/art-of-cycling-100th-giro-ditalia.  This will be just one of the hundred plus paintings that will be included. With Kickstarter, if there is not a 100% funded, no one is charged a dime, and the project recieves 0% funding. 

The computer gremlins have returned to my website.  Please email me at greigsart@gmail.com to puchase this painting for only $75 USD, shipping extra, and I ship anywhere in the world.

Rio Olympics: Quite the View

The early break in the Men's Road Race was six riders strong, including; S.E. Bystrom (Norway), Michael Kwiatkowski (Poland), Jarlinson Pantano (Colombia), Michael Albasini (Switzerland), Simon Geschke (Germany), and Paulo Kochetkov (Russia).  The group gained over seven minutes before those behind began the chase.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Summer%20Olympics/2833896-4-226051/PaintingQuite%20the%20View%20Rio4-Greig-Leach.html#.V6ZvHLgrLIU

Tour de France, Stage 17: An Incredible Effort

Perhaps now the peloton will recognize that Simon Greschke (Giant Alpecin) can climb.  With a massive solo effort and a furious descent up and down the Col d'Allos, Greschke claimed the first stage win for Giant-Alpecin atop the Pra Loup.  His team had been counting on their sprinter, John Degenkolb to bring home the victories in the sprinter's stages, but instead it was Degenkolb who helped Greschke in the early break that allowed for the stage victory.  It was an incredible effort to get up the final climb, so much so that race organizers had people station to catch riders as the crossed the line in total exhaustion.

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.richesonart.com.  They are a small family run art supply company that really does have excellent art making materials.  This painting, and in fact all of my cycling artwork, 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.  Don't delay however, since it is an original painting, when it is gone, it is gone.

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