Paris Nice '25, Stage 3: The Best Two with the Best Time

The last two riders for Visma-Lease a Bike were arguably their two best guys.  It was Matteo Jorgenson leading Jonas Vingegaard across the line in Nevers to post the best time when they finished their Team Time Trial.  Their effort put them into first and second place respectively.  So, after three days Jorgenson will pull on the Maillot Jaune that he is defending from 2024.  It also shows that the duo should be ready for the challenge of this year's Tour de France.  I'm looking forward to see what they can do in the next two mountain top finishes in the ensuing stages.

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 Best Two with the Best Time PN25-11" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Happily, this painting has sold!

Paris Nice '25, Stage 3: Sprinting with Three

The USA Champion in the time trial discipline, Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates) was working hard in the final kilometers of the Team Time Trial.  He was hoping to move himself and his teammates Jhonatan Narvaez and Joao Almeida up in the general classification.  They had a disappointing finish dropping forty-two seconds to the team that won the stage.  Not exactly the results we have come to expect from this 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.

"Sprinting with Three PN25-10" (Original art by Greig Leach) 

Paris Nice '25, Stage 3: Finishing Alone

New rules and timing methods mean that the time for the team in the Team Time Trial is taken when the first rider crosses the line.  However, each individual rider is given his actual time on the day, not the time of the first of his team.  That may be why Tobias Foss (Ineos-Grenadiers) went off alone leaving his last two teammates, Magnus Sheffield and Thymen Arensman being in the closing meters.  Sheffield had started the day confident that he could regain the Maillot Blanc of best young rider and even hoped to become the next Maillot Jaune.  Instead, the team's performance saw him dropping a place in the young riders' competition and dropping to tenth in the general classification thirty-eight seconds off of the pace of the new race leader.  His team leader, Thymen Arensman is another two seconds behind that.

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.

"Finishing Alone PN25-9" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Nice '25, Stage 3: I'm Done!

The third stage of this Paris Nice was the Team Time Trial, a discipline of teamwork mixed with a dash of truth reckoning.  That was where Kelland O'Brian (Jayco-Alula) found himself.  He has done all he could for his three remaining teammates and looked back to the team car to let them know he was cooked.  He had done well to help put his teammates, Michael Matthews, Ben O'Connor, and Mauro Schmid in a position to post the best time at the finish in Nevers.  While another team did best them at the line later on, his (and their effort) was enough to move all three into the top ten spots on the general classification.

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'm Done! PN25-8" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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, Stage 2: Better Than Expected

As Katusha-Alpecin came through the first time check, they surprised everyone, including themselves, by posting the new best time.  If they were able to maintain the pace it would put most every other team on the back foot.  By the time they reached the line in Brussels they had faded by six seconds to the time of Team Ineos - finishing the day tied for 4th place on the stage.

See this painting come to life in this time lapse video...

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%202019/3356826-8-263530/Better%20Than%20Expected%20%20TDF19-8.html

Tour, Stage 3 TTT: Still There?

That was the question after the short steep climb ahead of the second time check.  Unfortunatley for Bora-Hansgrohe, the Maillot Jaune of Peter Sagan wasn't.  With the GC hopes of Raphael Majka on the line, those left together, including Daniel Oss and Maciej Bodnar couldn't afford to wait for Sagan.  Don't worry, while he lost the yellow jersey, he held fast to the jersey he has won six times before, the Maillot Vert of most consistant sprinter. 

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-2018/3185368-15-251072/PaintingStill-There?--T18-15.html

Tour, Stage 3 TTT: The Wolf Pack

The self proclaimed wolf pack road hard today with hopes of putting Philippe Gilbert into the Maillot Jaune.  As they went through the second time check, the pack had shed a few members.  Julian Alaphilippe slides off the front to slot back in behind Bob Jungels.  Ahead of him were Niki Terpstra, Yves Lampaert, all being lead by Gilbert.  Apparently he was truly hoping for yellow.  Alas, they didn't quite get the ride were hoping for, taking third on the stage.  But it does leave Alaphilippe and Gilbert high up on GC.  It is entertaining to see all of the caravans lining the course holding fans that follow the Tour around France.

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-2018/3185360-14-251072/PaintingThe-Wolf-Pack--T18-14.html

Tour, Stage 3 TTT: All in a Row

Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) may well have been hoping for a better ride from his World Team Time Trial Champions.  Dumoulin had hoped to put more time into Chris Froome and the other contenders who started the day over forty seconds behind the World Time Trial Champion.  Never the less, his team's time kept him ahead of even the stage winners BMC's team leader.  You can see by their need exact positions on their TT bikes, that this team is very accomplished in the this very specific discipline.

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-2018/3185249-13-251072/PaintingAll-in-a-Row--T18-13.html

Bergen, Elite Women's TTT: Pushing All of the Way

Clearly Team Sunweb had measured their effort around the 42 kilometer hilly course in Bergen today.  The team was behind at each of the check points except for the only one that truly matters, the final one.  They had sacrificed two riders towards the end of the course, but sprinted hard as they neared the final meters of their day.  As they rode under the banner lead by the American Coryn Rivera, their's was the new best time.  And it stayed the best time as the remaining teams out on course finished their day.  Chapeau!

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3033322-3-239826/PaintingPushing-All-of-the-Way--Bergen-3.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Women's TTT: All Here?

The course for the Team Time Trial included a very steep short climb that will be catching out riders for the entire week of racing in Bergen.  Only the Junior Women's course will skip this climb, all other races (and racers) will have to face this on race day.  As FDJ Novelle Aquitane crested the climb, the rider at the front looks over her shoulder to make sure she has a minimum of three others with her at the summit.  In this TTT, the time is taken when the fourth rider crosses the line.  The team is comprised of six riders giving two riders the option of dropping off of the group.  There are many different strategic methods on how to approach expending riders, apparently, FDJ was hoping to keep everyone together.

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3033319-2-239826/PaintingAll-Here?--Bergen-2.html

Bergen 2017, Women's TTT: Up and Over

It was the women that got the UCI Road World Championships underway in Bergen, Norway today.  And it was Team Virtu Cyclin that were the first to roll down the start ramp and out onto the roads of Norway.  It was quite a sight to see these women ride over the very tall suspension bridge that led them into Bergen proper.  Naturally, the team was setting the best times at each check point, the advantage of going first.  And posted an acceptable time at the end of the day, leaving them in the middle of the back on the day.

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3033316-1-239826/PaintingUp-and-Over-Bergen-1.html

Doha 2016, Men's TTT: In Pursuit

The reigning world champion team, BMC Pro Cycling, had the advantage of knowing the time splits of their main rival (actually they knew the splits of every team on the day), as they came back into the city of Doha.  It wasn't until the final kilometers that they dropped any of their teammates, but try as they might, they couldn't gain the half second or so on the times of Etixx-Quickstep.  So it was that BMC's two year reign came to an end in Doha, with the title passing back over to the Belgium team of Etixx-Quickstep, by the smallest of margins.  Even with Rohan Dennis riding with the likes of Taylor Phinney, they were not able to match nor better the time of the Tony Martin lead squad.

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/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2863299-10-227958/PaintingIn%20Pursuit%20Doha10-Greig-Leach.html#.V_qpOPArLIU

Doha 2016, Men's TTT: Turning for Home

One of my new found favorite teams is Veranda's Willems Cycling Team.  And they raced well against the big UCI Pro Tour teams today.  In fact, as they finished their trip around the twisting, flat course, they claimed the top step of the podium.  Sadly it was only a very brief time on that special spot, never the less, they were there.  It is a little unusual to see the following team cars are actually four door pickup trucks, but I guess Nissan is trying to interest those in the desert with a vehicle that can easily handle the terrain.  I must admit I prefer seeing bikes in the back of the trucks then what they frequently have mounted there in other Middle Eastern countries.

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/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2863286-9-227958/PaintingTurning%20for%20Home%20Doha9-Greig-Leach.html#.V_qmnPArLIU

Doha 2016, Men's TTT: Fast & Precise

Etixx-Quickstep was most eager to reclaim the title of World's Fastest Team back off of the shoulders of BMC.  With the thrice decorated World Time Trial Champion, Tony Martin (Germany) back on form, the team flew through the course like the fine particles of sand that seemed to color the sky.  The team was just staying a fraction of a second faster than the BMC boys behind.  It only remained to see if they could hold off the black and red train behind.

Etixx-Quickstep was one of the teams that had the camelbak waterpacks under their jerseys.  The devices let them take frequent sips of water without having to reach for a waterbottle.  Plus they had the added advantages of keeping a cold bag on their backs against the heat, and the lump of the camelbak should help create and even more aerodynamic profile.  Them the name of the water delivery systems seems particularly suited to the environment of these championships.

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/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2863272-8-227958/PaintingFast%20&%20Precise%20Doha8-Greig-Leach.html#.V_qkCfArLIU

Doha 2016, Men's TTT: New Best Time Check

The Elite Men's Team Time Trial seems to be building to a cresendo.  As each team reached the first time check, it felt like they set a new best time.  So it was with Katusha.  Natually, there were some exceptions to the building (or actually diminishing times), but Katusha was one who held onto their advantage as they race back on to the Pearl on the coastline of Doha.  It also felt like the men, having started a bit later in the day, seemed to be suffering less in the desert heat.  Although I imagine that those who were dropped by their teammates out on course who disagree with me.

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/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2863256-7-227958/PaintingNew%20Best%20Time%20Check%20Doha7-Greig-Leach.html#.V_qgTPArLIU

Doha 2016, Men's TTT: Hugging the Barrier

Orica-BikeExchange came to Doha with a strong team for the Team Time Trial, some of those who took to the road for the Australian team were Luke Durbridge (Australia), Svein Tuft (Canada), Daryl Impey (South Africa) amongst others.  The boys in there blue and bright green kit were able to claim the final step of the podium, after having lead the race when they crossed the line.  Their third place represented a step higher (and on to the podium) from their performance in Richmond, Virginia last year.

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/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2863230-6-227958/PaintingHugging%20the%20Barrier%20Doha6-Greig-Leach.html#.V_qdgPArLIU

Doha 2016:, Women's TTT: On Board

The tiny "on board" cameras are becoming a wonderful new addition to bike racing coverage.  Hannah Barnes (Germany) had a camera mounted under her seat facing those behind her as Canyon SRAM Racing speed through the desert on their way to a Silver Medal for the day's efforts.  At this point, Barnes had taken her turn at the front of the line as her teammate drifts to the back to recover from her time on the front of the line.  Each rider will take it in turn sharing the work load, until she can do no more.  However, time is taken when the fourth rider crosses the line, so only two can be dropped out on course.

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/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2863218-3-227958/PaintingOn%20Board%20Doha3-Greig-Leach.html#.V_qSH_ArLIU

Doha 2016, Elite Women's TTT: In Formation

A team time trial can be a beautiful thing to watch, when it is all going right.  Cervelo Bigla Pro had it together today on the roads around Doha.  The sextet of women road a powerful and precise race on their way to a bronze medal in the opening race of the 2016 UCI Road World Championships.  The German team is rather international, being comprised of riders from Switzerland, Germany, Finland, South Africa and Canada.

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/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2863208-2-227958/PaintingIn%20Formation%20Doha2-Greig-Leach.html#.V_qPS_ArLIU

Tour de France Stage 9: Come On, We Need You

As Team Sky pushed hard to the line trying to make up a one second deficit to BMC Pro Cycling, they realized that Nicolas Roche was slipping off of the back of the other four.  As I have noted, the time will be taken by the fifth rider, so it was worth it for Chris Froome to go back to Roche, and encourage him to push through the pain for another half of a kilometer.  While the fading Roche may have cost the team the stage victory, Sky did finish just one second behind the reigning Champion BMC.  The gab was tight enough that it had very little effect on who would next wear the Maillot Jaune.  Tinkoff Saxo finished 38 seconds back, so Sagan wouldn't be taking over, nor would the loss of one second to van Garderen force Froome to surrender the prized Yellow Jersey.

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.  In addition this painting 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, this is an original work of art, so when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2579686---210122/Painting.html#.VaLc-vlViko