Tour '22, Stage 2: A Jersey at the Top

Today was the first road stage of the Tour, and the first day where King of the Mountain points were available out on course.  Magnus Cort (EF Education-EasyPost) and Sven Erik Bystrom (Intermache-Wanty Gobert-Materiaux) had dropped their two break away companions on the first climb.  Cort had taken the first sprint at the top of Cote d'Ashnaes Indelukke.  If he out sprints Bystrom at the top of this climb of the Cote d'Hove Straede, he will take the lead in the KOM competition.  Spoiler, he make it to the top first (and on the final climb of the day as well), making him the first wearer of the Maillot a Pois.  And the first Dane to wear a leader's jersey as the Tour races through Denmark.  Bystrom did come away with the most combative award for his efforts.

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-2022/3891717-6-294403/Painting/a-jersey-at-the-top-tdf22-6.html

Dauphine, Stage 6: Climbing Well

This was the front of the early break being led up the Col du Porte by Anthony Perez (Cofidis).  Matthew Holmes (Lotto Soudal) was climbing well and looking to keep his polka dot jersey of the best climber of this Criterium du Dauphine.  On his shoulder was one of the guys who went on the offensive yesterday (to no avail), Sven Erik Bystrom (Uae Team Emirates).  Seemingly about to drop off the pace is Julien Bernard (Trek-Segafredo).  As it turned out, as soon as I finished painting this an restarted the video, he jumped the other three and went up the road.  It was the start of multiple attacks and counter moves as the peloton continued to close in.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above.  Since ti is an original work of art, it is a first come first seved reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburth watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium-du-Dauphine/3815281-112-185083/Painting/climbing-well-cd21-28.html

Dauphine, Stage 5: Exploiting the Situation

With all of the early break aways safely tucked back into the peloton, there was an easing of the pace.  It was Sven Erik Bystrom (UAE Team Emirates) who decided to exploit that situation.  He jumped clear of the leading peloton and went off on his own.  Byrstom has a good reputation in the time trial but a solo 28 kilometers might be a tall order.  He would have to climb both the Cold de Barbe Bleue and the Cote du Montrebut and make two blistering descents if he had any hope of taking the stage win in Saint Vallier.  It has already been done twice this Dauphine, I doubt it will succeed with so many riders within a minute on the general classification.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above.  Since ti is an original work of art, it is a first come first seved reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburth watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium-du-Dauphine/3815075-106-185083/Painting/exploiting-the-situation-cd21-22.html

Paris Nice Stage 2 Cold But Pleased

It was less than ideal riding conditions that found this five man break out ahead of the peloton  Given that two men in this group are mere seconds behind the Yellow Jersey - Philippe Gilbert (Quickstep) and Tony Gallopin (Lotto Soudal) or is it Lotto All In - I am quite surprised they were able to get away  The other three in the group Maarten Wynants (LottoNL Jumbo) Sven Erik Bystrom (Katusha) and Evaldas Siskeuicius (Delko Marseille Provence KTM) must have been thanking their lucky legs to have been able to team up with two such strong and motivated riders  Bystrom must have been hearten to see his country's flag cheering him in the cold wet ride to Amilly

I apologize for the lack of punctuation but the gremlins are still denying me periods commas semi-colons and question marks  Perhaps I will devise a work around before the race reaches the Mediterranean Sea

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%20/2930004-341-195767/PaintingCold%20But%20Pleased%20%20PN17-6.html#.WL4evfkrLIU