Tour '25, Stage 13: Slightly Better

Technically, Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike) was doing considerably better than his teammate Simon Yates.  While, yes, they came to the line together with Kuss crossing a few seconds before Yates, actually Yates had started a minute-and-a-half ahead of Kuss.  As you may know, each rider goes out of the start gate in timed intervals with the idea of preventing them coming together out on course.  In fact as the top ten start, their gap is a two-minute interval.  Kuss finished his ride in eighth but dropped to twenty-first as the rest of the peloton came over the Peyragudes.  Side note, with this painting of Sepp Kuss, I have now painted all of Visma-Lease a Bike's team in the 2025 Tour de France.

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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Slightly Better TdF25-84" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 10: He Was Free to Fly

After the team had fought to a draw on the previous climb, the word went out to Adam Yates (Visma-Lease a Bike) that he was now free to fly.  He has spent the day sitting on the back of the breakaway, not contributing nor sticking his nose in the wind.  He was there to be one of two teammates up the road for Vingegaard to bridge up to should he be able to drop Pogacar.  Since that wasn't happening, Yates attacked his breakaway companions at the base of the final climb.  He was the most rested of the group and put that to use on the way up the Puy de Sancy.  He claimed the stage victory (the first for the team) by nine seconds over Thymen Arensman (Ineos-Grenadiers).  He cherished the opportunity.  It is his first Tour stage win in six years!  When we get back to racing after the rest day, I am sure he will be all the more willing to work for his team leader, Vingegaard.

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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"He Was Free to Fly TdF25-64" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 10: Unchallenged

With the lone attack of Ben O'Connor pulled back into the leading breakaway, it was Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious) who jumped clear in search of the King of the Mountain points just a few meters up the road.  He was unchallenged by the group behind containing Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek), Michael Woods (Israel-Premier Tech), Simon Yates (Visma-Lease a Bike), and Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost).  From this group he was the lone Frenchman hoping to make his mark on this Bastille Day.  In addition, with these points he becomes the virtual Maillot a Pois.  And with this climb, he is ensured that the French will have one of their own on the podium on their day of independence.  

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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Unchallenged TdF25-59" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 6: Five Chasing Two Chasing One

Given all of the effort it took to get into what will almost certainly be the winning move of the day, it isn't that surprising that these five got dropped first by the lone attack of Ben Healy and then the counter move by both Quinn Simmons and Michael Storer.  This quintet of Will Barta (Movistar), Eddy Dunbar (Jayco-Alula), Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Simon Yates (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Harold (XDS-Astana) had built up three-and-a-half minutes on the peloton containing the Maillot Jaune.  Van Der Poel had started the day a minute-and-a-half behind Tadej Pogacar, after yesterday's individual time trial.  At this point he still had the virtual yellow jersey by two minutes.  We know why he had worked so hard to get himself into this move.  

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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Five Chasing Two Chasing One TdF25-37" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 6: The Ones that Finally Got Away

Over a hundred kilometers into the stage the seven-man breakaway was finally established.  The group containing Eddie Dunbar (Jayco-Alula), Will Barta (Movistar), Simon Yates (Visma-Lease a Bike), Harold Tejada (XDS-Astana), and Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) amongst two others have now built up a minute and twenty seconds.  It is a little different to find two Irishmen and two Americans of the front of a stage of the Tour de France, most of the other guys hail from countries more commonly seen on the move in the Grande Boucle.  Will this be the move that goes all of the way to the line?

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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"The Ones that Finally Got Away TdF25-34" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 19: The Ones He Left Behind

With his teammate up the road looking to win the stage Wilco Kelderman (Visma-Lease a Bike) was doing his best to disrupt the chase of Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) and Simon Yates (Jayco-Alula).  Kelderman wouldn't pull through, but he chased anyone who tried to launch an attack.  Should the others manage to bridge up to Matteo Jorgenson, then Kelderman would be the freshest and able to still get a win for the team.  Both men had been in the break to function as support for their leader, Jonas Vingegaard, when he went on the attack.  Since that didn't happen, they were free to ride for the stage, still providing a collaborative duty for the 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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"The Ones He Left Behind TdF24-122" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 19: Making His Move!

With no attacks coming from his team leader, Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) was free to go for the stage win.  He had his teammate Wilco Kelderman setting the tempo in the four-man group off the front on the final climb of the day.  Rather than the usual of waiting for Kelderman to bury himself and swing off, Jorgenson made his attack from the second position in the line.  He got the surprise on the remaining to members of the break Simon Yates (Jayco-Alula) and the virtual Maillot a Pois Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost).  He also made his attack in front of a group of Danish cycling fans.  I am sure they were hoping to see their man Vingegaard to the same thing when he got to this point on the climb three minutes from now.

Sadly, the Yellow Jersey got a bit greedy and took the stage win away from Jorgenson.  The American finished twenty-one seconds behind the flying Slovenian.  I don't think the Maillot Jaune made any friends today.  It was a move that didn't need to happen.  Even Lance Armstrong would let the guy who had worked all day have the stage, and would still make up time on his rivals.

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. 

"Making His Move TdF24-121" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 17: Chasing Just One Guy

Simon Yates (Jayco-Alula) had tried several times to get into the early breakaway, but the heads of state weren't having it.  After the sprint point, first a small group got up the road and then a much larger one went after them.  Apparently, the top riders in the general classification were happy with who went up the road, so they kind of sat up.  This Yates managed to get into the big group.  From there he was able to jump across to the four-man earlier break, and then drop them almost as quickly.  Alas, he couldn't hold the wheel of Richard Carapaz as he went by.  As the duo neared the top of the Col du Noyer he trailed the Ecuadorian by ten seconds with just twelve more kilometers to race.  

Spoiler:  He never caught Carapaz, but then, no one caught him either.  He did move up one spot in the GC but still sits just over 28 minutes off of the Maillot Jaune.

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.

"Chasing Just One Guy TdF24-106" (Original art by Greig Leach)

He 

Tour '24, Stage 17: Passing the Devil

With the lone figure of Simon Yates (Jayco-Alula) going up the road, Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) is cheered on by Didi Stentf, aka the Devil, in his efforts to bridge up to the Brit.  Steven Williams (Israel-Premier Tech) does his best to hold onto the wheel of the Ecuadorian climber.  Carapaz has had the Maillot Juane for one stage this Tour, but is still looking for his first Tour de France stage win in his career.

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.

"Passing the Devil TdF24-105" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 15: I Can Help You, Mate

Just as I prepared to paint this, I heard someone say, "I can help you, mate."  I assumed it was Simon Yates (Jayco-Alula) offering to help himself and Tobias Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility) pace back up to the front split of the early breakaway.  Given Yates reputation, and the use of the word "mate" it seemed logical that it was Yates speaking, but minutes later it was clear that wasn't the case.  Johannessen rode away from the Brit and went off on his own in search of the leaders on the road.  Yates dropped back to the peloton, perhaps he just wanted to find his twin brother Adam.  Now that they are no longer on the same team, they may like to catch up whenever the opportunity presents itself.

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.

"I Can Help You, Mate TdF24-86" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Down Under, Stage 5: Time to Climb

The sprinters have had four days to show off their skill sets, now it is time for the climbers to shine.  With the last member of the early break away caught at the base of Willunga Hill, it was time for the climbers and general classification riders to stake their claims for the final Ochre Jersey come tomorrow.  The first to truly go on the offensive was no surprise.  At the steepest part of the climb it was Simon Yates (Jayco-Alula) who dug deep to get away from the peloton.  He was joined in the effort first by Jhonatan Narvaez (Ineos-Grenadiers), followed by Bart Lemmon (Visma-Lease a Bike) rides side by side with Oscar Onley (DSM-Firmenich-PostNL).  I (and many other cycling fans) was thrilled to see Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal-Quick Step) matching the acceleration pedal stroke for pedal stroke.

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/3996143-199-194179/Painting/time-to-climb.-tdu24-22.html

Tour de France 23, Stage 17: Insurance

Obviously, Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek) started the day with the Maillot a Pois and the lead in the King of the Mountains competition.  With only five points to the good, he got himself into the break with his nearest competitor, Neilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost).  Alas, Powless just didn't have the legs to keep the fight going, but that didn't mean Ciccone wasn't going to look back and make sure no one was going to try and steal the maximum points on offer atop the Col des Saisies.  He was being helped beautifully by his Danish Champion teammate, Mattias Skjelmose.  On their wheels, with other goals for the day were Ben O'Connor (Ag2r-Citroen) and the pair of Jayco-Alula of Simon Yates and Lawson Craddock.

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-2023/3966317-110-297438/Painting/insurance-tdf23-110.html

Tour de France 23, Stage 13: Maintaining the Status Quo

With just a mere kilometer and a half to race, it looked like the much anticipated GC show down on the Grand Colombier might not happen.  Both Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) and Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) each still had one teammate that could set the pace on the front of the group, It was Simon Yates (UAE Team Emirates) who had attacked, but was quickly covered by Sepp Kuss (Jumbo-Visma).  They were each followed in turn by their respective team leaders.  On their wheels were the other top riders in the Tour, Carlos Rodriquez and Thomas Pidcock of Ineos Grenadiers, with Jai Hendley (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Simon Yates (Jayco-Alula) all keeping a close eye on the leaders and their own aspirations for the podium in 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 $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-2023/3965508-80-297438/Painting/reading-the-race-tdf23-80.html

 

Tour de France 23, Stage 1: Embracing Yellow

The Yates twins did managed to hold off the peloton to fight out the win in Bilbao between themselves.  Adam Yates (UAE-Team Emirates) was able to come around his brother Simon (Jayco-Alula) to claim the first Maillot Jaune of the 2023 Tour de France.  Simon had done a lot of the work to keep the two away so just didn't quite have the legs to stay with Adam in the final meters of the stage.  Adam gained four seconds on his brother at the end of the stage, and had a 12 second gap back to the rest of the contenders.  Since he will be pulling on the Maillot Jaune, Simon will start stage two in the Maillot Vert as the second place rider in that competition.  Neilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost) will wear the Maillot a Pois, and it should come as no surprise that Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates will wear the Maillot Blanc of best young rider due to his third place finish on the stage.

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-2023/3962900-5-297438/Painting/embracing-yellow-tdf23-5.html 

Tour de France 23, Stage 1: Riding Alike

I tried hard to come up with a title that embraced the uniqueness of this moment.  I doubt that a pair of twins have ever sprinted for a stage victory that would also award the Maillot Jaune in the Tour in its over hundred year history.  That is exactly what is going on, Simon Yates (Jayco-Alula) had gotten away on the final descent with his twin brother, Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) in tow.  The two opened up a ten second gap on the marquee riders of the Tour rather quickly.  They worked together descending the Cote de Pike continuing to build on their advantage.  With a climb up to the finish line in Bilbao, it was a good chance the two climbers would be able to vie for stage honors between themselves.  

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-2023/3962895-4-297438/Painting/riding-alike-tdf23-4.html

 

Paris Nice 23, Stage 8: Racing for Second

Each of this quartet had tried their best to out ride Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) on the Col d’Eze. Instead they found themselves racing each other for second place in the final stage of Paris Nice.  As long as this group stays together David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) will be taking the second step of the podium at the award ceremony on the waterside of Nice.  Just ahead of Gaudu now, is the man almost a minute behind him, Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma).  Joining those two lower steps of the podium are Simon Yates (Jayco-Alula) and the American Matteo Jorgenson (Movistar).  Jorgenson is racing in the Maillot Blanc of best young rider, but he sits in second in that competition, but is merely holding it for the man that will win three of the four jersey of Paris Nice, Tadej Pogacar.  It should be noted that the Maillot Vert is his due to the abandonment of Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo)).

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, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3939923-112-272742/Painting/racing-for-second-pn23-30.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 3: Off the Front and Out the Back

Today’s stage was a team time trial, the first in almost sixty years contested in the Paris Nice race.  Jayco-Alula went out hot and seemed to keep building speed as they went around the 32 kilometer course.  The discipline has each teammates spending time on the front pushing through the wind as those behind get a bit of a break until it is their turn to put their nose into the wind.  This is the first time each rider will be given their actual finish time, and the team’s time will be taken by the first rider to cross the line.  Usually, the clock stops on the fourth or fifth rider to cross the line, and that is the time given to each member of the team.  Lucas Hamilton had just finished his turned on the front, but it was all he had to give.  As he swung away, he simply drifted on past his teammates; Chris Harper, Matteo Sobrero, Simon Yates, Luke Durbridge, and Kellan O’Brien.  Their sprinter, Michael Matthews had already been dropped by the group setting new best times all along the course.  

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, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3938693-88-272742/Painting/off-the-front-out-the-back.-pn23-6.html

Tour Down Under '23, Final Stage: The Stage but Not the Jersey

While Simon Yates (Jayco-Alula) was strong enough to win the stage atop Mount Lofty, he didn't have the legs to get rid of Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates) who stays in the Ochre Jersey as the winner of the Tour Down Under.  I felt it was too fun not to play with the title that I used when Rohan Dennis (Jumbo-Visma) won stage two and pulled on the leader's jersey (The Stage and the Jersey).  And then although I didn't use the reverse of this in stage three when Jay Vine came in third on the stage, but had enough time to claim his first Ochre Jersey of the race leader, it seemed this was the time to switch up the title a bit.  Just peeping into the background are the legs of Ben O'Connor (Ag2r-Citroen) who finished third on the day moving himself up to sixth overall.  The rest of the jersey went to Magnus Sheffield (Ineos-Grenadiers) as best young rider, Mikkel Honore (EF Education-EasyPost) as best climber, and Michael Matthews (Jayco-Alula) as best sprinter.  Chapeau to all!

I will be back in about a month for Omloop fet Niewsblad, and then it will be a smattering of Spring Classics.

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.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3929067-177-194179/Painting/the-stage-but-not-the-jersey-tdu22-31.html

Tour Down Under '23, Final Stage: Now or Never

With only two up hill kilometers left in the Tour Down Under, Simon Yates (Jayco-Alula) knew that if he was going to take back 15 seconds on the Ochre Jersey of Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates) he was going to have to go hard, and go now.  He quickly got a gap on the peloton and was just as quickly joined by the Australian Ben O'Connor (Ag2r-Citroen),  The question was, is there enough road to drop both Vine and the man he was tied for second place with, Pello Bilbao (Bahrain-Victorious).  The answer was no to the first part, and yes to the second.  Bilbao came in seventh on the stage, but remained in the top three of the 2023 Tour Down Under.

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.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3929056-176-194179/Painting/now-or-never-tdu23-30.html

Tour Down Under '23, Stage 3: Mutual Respect

After crossing the line while coasting to a stop, Simon Yates (Jayco-Alula) reaches out to congratulate Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates) on becoming the next to wear the Ochre Jersey of the leader of the Tour Down Under.  The stage winner, Pello Bilbao (Bahrain-Victorious) looks on clearly sharing the respect that Yates was expressing to Vine.  Bilbao is now in second just 15 seconds behind and Yates is in third only one second behind the Bahrain-Victorious team leader.  Sitting fourth is still the young American Magnus Sheffield (Ineos-Grenadiers) which leaves him in the White Jersey of best young rider.

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.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3928211-166-194179/Painting/mutual-respect-tdu23-20.html