LBL: Changing Bikes & Sponsors

There are a number of things that confuse me about professional cycling... Why women don't get equal billing & pay being the biggest one.  But another that leaves me scratching my head is the decisions of sponsors.  I get it when a team has been caught doping in the past and the company doesn't want to be associated with the negative press of the riders' (and team's) actions.  But when a team has been as dominate and clean as Team Sky, why would their sponsor pull out of bike racing.  Sky as been extremely successful in the past decade and has had the largest budget of any Pro Tour Team and yet this it the last time we will see the Sky kit in a bike race.   So it just seemed like David De La Cruz (Sky) getting a bike change was the right image to show the closing of this chapter of the Pro Tour.  Don't worry for the riders, the team stays, it will just have a new name going forward - and sorry, I don't know what that name is.

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/Spring%20Classics%20/3325628-445-195767/Changing%20Bikes%20&%20Sponsors%20%20LBL19-3.html

Tour Down Under, Final Stage: Two, Three, One

The strange title of this painting refers to the overall placing of these three on the general classification.  While Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo) won the stage, and added a sixth consecutive win over the top of Willunga Hill, it was Daryl Impey (Mitchelton-Scott) that was third on the stage,  However, Impey won the 2019 Tour Down Under.  And he is the first to ever win the race to years in a row.  Wout Poels (Sky) took second on the day, but finished on the final step of the race podium.  While the four day leader of the race, Paddy Bevin (CCC) may not have taken the race victory, it is still a shame that his crash in stage five ensured that he would be unable to wear the final Ochre Jersey of race leader.

I will be back painting some of the Spring Classics like Paris-Nice, Paris Roubaix and Fleche Wallone, among others.  I hope you will check out the work as it happens.  And that you will follow me here and on twitter @ArtofCycling.

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-Down-Under/3286992-143-194179/PaintingTwo,-Three,-One--TDU19-25.html

Tour Down Under, Final Stage: Is There Enough Road?

Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo) has been dubbed the King of Willunga Hill, having one this climb the last five years running.  As he went under the flame rouge, the final kilometer of the race, he check to see how much of a gap he had opened up on his main rivals.  If he could win the stage by nine seconds over Daryl Impey (Mitchelton-Scott), he would win the 2019 Tour Down Under.  While he could only see Wout Poels (Team Sky) and Michael Woods (EF Education First) behind him, the question remained, did he have enough road left to get the kind of gap he needed on the South African Champion.

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-Down-Under/3286988-142-194179/PaintingIs-There-Enough-Road?--TDU19-24.html

Tour Down Under, Final Stage: Lifting the Pace, Getting a Gap

The final stage takes the peloton over Willunga Hill, before coming back around and finishing on the top of the climb.  With most of the hopefuls even on time 26 seconds behind the erstwhile race leader, Paddy Bevin (CCC).  Bevin dropped out the back of the peloton before the first trip up the hill, clearly suffering from the effects of his crash in yesterday's crash.  It was Kenny Elissonde (Sky) who opened up the first attack on the climb.  He is looking back over his shoulder to find his team leader, Wout Poels.  The small Frenchman ended up having to wait for Poels to catch his wheel, unfortuately that let the rest of the contenders catch up 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-Down-Under/3286986-141-194179/PaintingLifting-the-Pace,-Getting-a-Gap--TDU19-23.html

Tour Down Under, Final Stage: Under Control

On the second lap before heading up the famed Willunga Hill, the peloton had the break away under control.  The escapees may be three minutes ahead at this point, but the best place rider was over six minutes down on the general classification.  Kiel Reijnen (Trek-Segafredo) led the effort to keep the break in check with Astana, Team Sky and EF Education First all contributing to the chase. 

I hope they had a chance to take in the beautiful seas off to their left.

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-Down-Under/3286981-140-194179/PaintingUnder-Control--TDU19-22.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 4: Turning the Screws

The final climb up Corkscrew Road, was looking like it would separate the contenders from the pretenders.  It was Wout Poels (Sky) who opened up the attacks out of the peloton.  His move was quickly covered by Michael Woods (EF Education First), Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo) and George Bennett (Jumbo-Visma).  With this burst, both the remanents of the break and the Ochre Jersey of Paddy Bevin (CCC) were swept away.  It seemed as though the race was going to come down to how well this foursome descended.  It did not.  The vastly reduced peloton was able to catch these guys as everyone went over the summit with just four kilometers left to race.

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-Down-Under/3286161-133-194179/PaintingTurning-the-Screws--TDU19-15.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 2: Lining It Out

As I said, neither break away was going to deny the sprinters a chance of taking a stage in the first stage race of the season.  The teams of the sprinters pulled everyone back and then set about the task of getting themselves organized.  With just a kilometer to go, it was Bora-Hansgrohe on the front, with Team Sky and the rest of the peloton lined out behind them.  I am sorry that I don't know who the pink shoed Bora-Hansgrohe rider is, but you know he is working for the former World Champion (and current Slovakian Champion), Peter Sagan.

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-Down-Under/3285097-124-194179/PaintingLining-It-Out--TDU19-6.html

Tour, Final Stage: Cheers!

The final stage of the Tour de France is broken into two distinct parts.  First the riders amble along on the way to Paris, chatting, visiting each other, and celebrating the fact that they have finished the incredible effort of racing the Tour de France.  Another tradition is the toast by the winning team, or the team of the winner toasting each other over a fight well fought.  Team Sky has been doing the arm and arm riding across the finish line for a while now, but today they road together toasting the horde of press motorcycles and photographers and each other.  Only one of the team didn't make it to Paris.  Gainni Moscon lost his temper and punched another contestant forcing his ejection from the race.  On Geraint Thomas's right are Michal Kwiatkowski and Chris Froome (who was the one in Yellow for four previous Tours de France) and on his left are Wout Poels and Luke Rowe.  Sadly, Egan Bernal and Jonathan Castroviejo were just out of frame.  Froome's work on behalf of his teammate and friend have forced me to re-evalutate my opinion of him.  He was kind, generous and did all he could once it was clear that Thomas was going to be the best place in the team, and that he would carry the Maillot Jaune to Paris.

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-2018/3196290-114-251072/PaintingCheers!--T18-113.html

This painting is sold!

Tour, Stage 20: Third Today, First Tomorrow

The title says it all.  Geraint Thomas (Sky) rode himself a solid individual time trial, finishing third on the stage between his teammates, Chris Froome and Michal Kwiatkowski.  The Sky party was spoiled (only slightly) when Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) won the stage.  The ride of Thomas ensure that he will finish the 105th Tour de France with the final Maillot Jaune, the third rider for Team Sky to win the Tour and the team's eigth Tour win.  Tomorrow will be a ceremonial ride for the Welschman, but it will be a day of racing for those who want to win a stage on the fabled Champs Elysees in Paris.  In the time trial only the last rider knows how he finished on the stage as he approaches the line.  Thomas afforded himself a fist pump of Tour celebration just after he finished his ride (never could get a good camera angle of that moment).

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-2018/3195957-113-251072/PaintingThird-Today,-First-Tomorrow--T-18-112.html

Tour, Stage 20: What Can He Do?

The short answer to the question in this title, quite a lot.  Chris Froome (Sky) had dropped to fourth place yesterday in the final mountain stage of this Tour de France.  He was about nineteen seconds behind Primoz Roglic (Lotto NL Jumbo) who had won yesterday's stage.  He was another sixteen seconds out of second place held by Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb).  The race leader, Geraint Thomas, was a teammate and friend who currently held more than two minutes on Dumoulin.  Spoiler alert, Froome just missed out on the stage victory, and moved himself firmly back into third place.  Unfortunately for Froome, Dumoulin took the stage, and a whole second from the former four time winner of the Tour de 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-2018/3195916-109-251072/PaintingWhat-Can-He-Do?--T18-108.html

Tour, Stage 19: Off the Final Mountain

The very last chance to gain time on one's rivals was on the final descent of the Tour, the Col d'Aubisque.  Primoz Roglic (Lotto NL Jumbo) used the fearlessness that he developed when he was an alpine ski jumper to fly down the back side of the mountain.  Roglic knew that Chris Froome ahd been dropped on the final kilometer of the climb, so if he could just keep the Brit from catching back on, he could take over third in the general classification.  Behind the Slovenian, Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) was using the same circumstances to improve his position ahead of the time trial tomorrow.  Unfortunately for Dumoulin, the Maillot Jaune of Geraint Thomas (Sky) was right on his wheel.  It certainly look like Thomas was going to give up any time, let alone two minutes to the Dutchman.  Bringing up the visual tail of the group (there are more just out of sight) is the aggressor of the stage, Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale).

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-2018/3195568-106-251072/PaintingOff-the-Final-Mountain--T18-105.html

Tour, Stage 19: Up in the Clouds

I haven't commented on it yet, but this is the first Tour I have ever watched where it hasn't rained.  I hope I am not jinking the peloton for the last two days of the Tour.  In fact only at the top of the Col d'Aubisque have I even seen clouds.  Of course, given the height of the final climb of the Tour, the riders were in these clouds.  By this point over the summit, the stage hopefuls and the general classification guys have all joined up on the front of the race. Bob Jungels (Quick Step) and Gorka Izaguirre (Bahrain Merida) are both hanging on to the back of the group in the respective national jerseys.  The group is being lead by the Sky duo of Egan Bernal and Chris Froome.  Froome has now become a super domestique (super-duper to say the least) for the Maillot Jaune of his teammate Geraint Thomas.  Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) still hopes to upset the apple cart although it looks less and less likely with every pedal stroke, and the ever agressive Dan Martin (UAE Team Emirates) is still hoping for another stage victory.

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-2018/3195561-105-251072/PaintingUp-in-the-Clouds--T18-104.html

Tour, Stage 18: Still Here

And he is still in the race!  Lawson Craddock (EF Education First), the American who crashed badly on the first day of the Tour is still hanging on the back of the peloton.  He broke his scapula and got a bunch of stitches over his left eye.  He decided he would donate a $100 for every day he could stay in the Tour, and challenged others to donate as well.  He has raised over $120,000 for a Houston, Texas velodrome that was destroyed on the hurricane last year.  Ahead of the American ride Rory Sutherland (UAE Team Emirates), Wout Poels (Sky) the loyal hard working teammate of Chris Froome, and the Maillot a Pois of Julian Alaphilippe (Quick Step).  With just 12 K left to ride today, Alaphilippe dropped back to save his legs for the last day of climbing tomorrow.  It is doubtful that anyone can take the jersey from him, he is sure to go in the break again on stage 19.

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-2018/3194784-98-251072/PaintingStill-Here--T18-97.html

Tour, Stage 17: Is There Time to Be Had?

With Chris Froome (Sky) cracking on the final meters of the climb, it was Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) who went on the attack.  His move was quickly covered by the Maillot Jaune of Geraint Thomas (Sky) and then joined by the Lotto NL Jumbo duo of Steven Kruijswijk and Primoz Roglic.  All were hoping to move up with the collapse of Froome.  All that is except Thomas.  He was just making sure he kept his race lead, and apparently now the leadership of Team Sky.  Over the shoulders of this group is nothing but mist and clouds as they top the Col du Portet.

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-2018/3193972-94-251072/PaintingIs-They-Time-to-Be-Had?--T18-93.html

Tour, Stage 17: Status Quo?

Yes, Nairo Quintana (Movistar) and Dan Martin (UAE Team Emirates) are up the road, but the top positions on the general classification seemed to be holding each other's wheels.  There isn't much change happening despite the pre-stage billing for fireworks on this final climb.  Right now, Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale) is on the back of the select group being led by Egan Bernal (Sky), with the maillot jaune of Geraint Thomas (Sky) on his wheel.  Next in line is Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) and then it is Mikel Nieve (Movistar) and, oddly, Chris Froome (Sky) is hanging around the back.  Somewhere, but not in this painting, are two riders from Lotto NL Jumbo.  Just after I finished this painting, Bardet lost the wheel of Froome and slipped back down the mountain, and the GC.  I should point out the Orca on the back of Sky's jerseys.  They are supporting Ocean Rescue and drawing attention to the plastic pollution of our oceans. 

The fans on the side of the road do seem to be getting out of the way.  No one wants to take another big man of the Tour out of the race.  It is funny to see the one fan with the "Sagan" sign.  This isn't exactly the kind of terrain where the world champion shines.

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-2018/3193965-93-251072/PaintingStatus-Quo?--T18-92.html

Tour, Stage 14: Three, Two and One

For those in the General Classification, it was a draw today.  A few off of the podium positions lost a couple of seconds, but first, second and third crossed the line on the air strip in Mende together.  Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) led Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas (Sky) over the line in reverse order of their GC standings.  Time bonuses were not on offer, these three were roughly 30th on the stage, over eighteen minutes behind the stage winner, Omar Fraile (Astana).  Froome looked a little week on the climb.  The Sky duo was expected to gain on Dumoulin on the sharp climb, but it was the Dutchman who put the British duo under pressure.  With the first of the Pyrennes coming after the rest day (and my birthday) it will be back to full on racing on Tuesday.  And Sunweb trying to figure out how they are going to shake up the GC.

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-2018/3191777-78-251072/PaintingThree,-Two-and-One--T18-77.html

Tour, Stage 12: On Top of the World

While it was Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale) who went first, it was Geraint Thomas (Sky) who took the stage win.  Thomas takes his second stage win and increases his lead over his teammate and team captain Chris Froome.  Froome was fourth on the day with Bardet holding on for third.  For the second day in a row Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) took second on a mountain top finish.  The Dutchman got two more real seconds on Froome and another six bonus seconds.  However, Team Sky still has a very powerful one two to throw at any other GC hopefuls as we head down towards the Pyrennes.  Tomorrow will be a day for the sprinters, at least those that are still left in the Tour.

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-2018/3190716-69-251072/PaintingOn-Top-of-the-World--T18-68.html

Tour, Stage 12: Lining Up for a Sprint

The finale of the 12th stage atop Alpe d'Huez was a bit uncommon.  Normally, it is a sole rider that comes to the summit with a big gap on all of his competitors.  Today that should have been Steven Kruijswijk (Lotto NL Jumbo) but he was caught by the big boys on GC with about 3 kilometers left to race.  At one point the foursome of Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb), Geraint Thomas & Chris Froome (Sky) and Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale) were riding four abreast, waiting to see who would go first.  It was Bardet.  While these four were shadow boxing, Mikel Landa (Movistar), rejoined and two more riders were fast closing in.  It was looking like it was going to be a bunch sprint on a mountain top finish.

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-2018/3190140-68-251072/PaintingLining-Up-for-a-Sprint--T18-67.html

Tour, Stage 12: What Sky Does

Team Sky is a very effective team.  They have the budget and the riders to simply grind everyone else into dust.  At the base of the Alpe d'Huez they still had four guys on the front.  Michal Kwiatkowski was just about done doing what he could do, but that left Egan Bernal to take up the pace making.  Still sitting in the wings were Geraint Thomas, in the Maillot Jaune, and Chris Froome the defending Tour champion.  On their wheel was Primoz Roglic (Lotto NL Jumbo) happy that he has a man up the road, thus taking the pressure off of him to attack the Sky train.  It does leave the other teams and riders trying to figure out just what they can do to take the stage and/or the Tour.

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-2018/3190084-66-251072/PaintingWhat-Sky-Does--T18-65.html

Tour, Stage 11: Sprinting for Yellow

At the end of the day, it was Geraint Thomas (Sky) who had the legs to ride everyone off of his wheel.  Perhaps Chris Froome (Sky) let his teammate go, but Thomas was able to get around his former teammate, Mikel Nieve (Mitchelton-Scott) and ride on to take the stage and the Maillot Jaune.  Behind, Froome and Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) came to the line together.  Dumoulin got a little cheeky and jumped Froome with a 10 meter sprint for second place.  While it was more a bit of a subversive dig, it did give him two bonus seconds over Froome.  So it was only Dumoulin who was able to put any time into the defending 2017 Tour winner. The Alp d'Huez stage tomorrow should prove to be very enlightening on how this race will end up in Paris.

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-2018/3189595-62-251072/PaintingSprinting-for-Yellow--T18-61.html