Tour '26, Stage 4: Letting Yellow Go

After UAE Team Emirates chased down yesterday's breakaway and Tadej Pogacar claimed the stage and the Maillot Jaune, it was a little odd to see them let the breakaway get so far up the road today.  I know there were a lot of people complaining that they were being too greedy online, but I can't image they cared much about that.  However, the top ten on the general classification sat in the UAE led peloton all day as the gap grew out to fourteen minutes by the time they reached Foix.  The top ten all dropped down three places, but I guess they aren't worried too much about those now on the top steps of the podium over the long haul.  As they neared the 4K to go banner, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) sat on the wheel of his teammates with Brandon McNulty in front of him and Isaac Del Toro behind.  Both Del Toro and Pogacar gave away their White and Yellow jersey respectfully.  On Del Toro's shoulder is Toms Skujins (Lidl-Trek).  It was his two teammates who took first and second on the stage.  The rest of his team was right behind him.  So far this Tour nothing is going as expected.  And that is a good thing!

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.

Purchase this painting here: "Letting Yellow Go TdF26-30" (Original art by Greig Leach)

 Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

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Tour '25, Stage 9: Stocking Up

The peloton had just come through a very tough patch of crosswinds.  Tom Skujins (Lidl-Trek) was stocking up with food and drinks after getting a musette from a soigneur on the side of the road.  Beside him his teammate Thibau Nys was desperately trying to chase back onto the long tail of the leading peloton.  Skujins had been on the front driving the pace for his sprinter and his team leader.  Therefore, it is no surprise that he pulled the pin, got some food, and prepared to get to Chateauroux as best he could.  Instead, I spotted him later back on the front working for his team again.

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.

"Stocking Up TdF25-55" (Original art by Greig Leach)

UCI Worlds, Zurich 2024, Elite Men's Road Race: Anyone Coming?

One of my favorites in the peloton, Toms Skujins (Latvia) had gotten away from the group of favorites along with Ben Healy (Ireland).  They had already caught and dropped Tadej Pogacar's erstwhile companion Pavel Sivakov but still had to close another 38 seconds up to Pogacar.  Skujins was looking over the support motorcycles of both Shimano neutral support and race marshals to make sure no one was closing on them from behind.  In the Worlds, the riders don't have race radio, so figuring out what is happening on the road gets a bit tough to lay down a race strategy mid-race.

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.

"Anyone Coming? Z24-12" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Strade Bianche 24: One After Another

Rather than a concerted effort of a group of competitors, it was one, than another solo rider who went off the front in hopes of chasing down Pogacar and whomever else may be up the road.  That may be due to the excellent team riding by Pogacar’s teammates marking every move that tried to get away.  Despite their efforts, Toms Skujins (Lidl-Trek) managed to get away.  He is in search of the Lotto Dstny man, Maxim Van Gils, who just eleven seconds ahead of home at this point.  He does have a minute on the group behind.  However, neither are wishing four minutes of the lone leader.

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/Spring-Classics-/4002737-558-195767/Painting/one-after-another-sb24-11.html

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Men’s Race: Who Do We Have Now?

With a teammate up the road, both Wout Van Aert and Christophe Laporte (Visma-Lease a Bike) soft pedaled to discourage others from chasing Matteo Jorgenson.  The problem was, that allowed those chasing behind to join in to the mid race break away.  Toms Skujins (Lidl-Trek) seems to be scolding Laporte for letting Ivan Garcia Cortina (Movistar), Dylan Teuns (Israel-Premier Tech) and Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates) back into the race.  Just behind this group, another was just seconds behind.  After looking like the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad was going to come down to a six man race, everything suddenly changed with just eleven kilometers left to race.  It was looking like it may come down to a field sprint after all.

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/Spring-Classics-/4001378-551-195767/Painting/who-do-we-have-now-ohn24-8.html

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Men’s Race: Still Working Together

The late break of the day was a dream come true for Visma-Lease a Bike.  They had managed to get three of there guys into the break.  While Christophe Laporte was one the front driving the pace of the group of escapees, Matteo Jorgenson and Wout Van Aert were able to conserve their energy at the back.  It was a nightmare for the other three in the group.  Tom Pidcock (Ineos-Grenadiers), Toms Skujins (Lidl-Trek) and Arnuad De Lie (Lotto-Dstny) were going to be forced to chase each of the moves one of the Visma guys made or conversely, should any one of them try an attack one of the Visma guys can chase while the others continue to save themselves for the finale.  All the while, these six were continuing to build a gap on the peloton that was now over a minute behind.

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/Spring-Classics-/4001329-549-195767/Painting/still-working-together.-ohn23-6.html

TDF, Stage 16: Assistance Required

Toms Skijns (Trek-Segafredo) raises his arm to let the race director know that his team car will be coming up alongside this group to help him out.  The guy on the back, Fred Wright (Bahrain-Victorious) had been doing the same gesture of Skijns, but was now tacked onto the back as he waited for assistance.  Just ahead of Wright is Franck Bonnamour (B&B Hotels) who is having a great Tour, although neither he, nor his team, have yet to win a stage.  This group is now the lead group on the road.  Since none of them are within twenty-five minutes of the top of the leader board, the peloton was competely disinterested in chasing them down.  The guy on the front is David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) the best placed of the bunch.  He will be moving back up the board, but a top ten is is best hope for the day.  What is surprising is that the sprinters Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain-Victorious) and Michael Matthews (BikeExchange) are in this lead group on a rather lumpy day.  It will be a good chance to close the gap on the Maillot Vert in the sprinters' competition.

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 it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg 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/2021-Tour-de-France/3823766-102-291436/Painting/assistance-required-tdf21-101.html

TDF, Stage 7: He Got What He Wanted

Today was looking to be a very odd stage.  A huge break of about 24 riders got off the front, the odd thing was that the Maillot Jaune and a number of the contenders were up the road.  The peloton seemed unable or unwilling to chase it down.  Less unexpected was that Mark Cavendish (Deceuninck-Quick Step) would be in the front seeking more points at the intermediate sprint ahead of the climbs of the day.  At this point he seemed to surrender the break along with Reuben Guerreiro (EF Education-Nippo), Toms Skujins (Trek-Segafredo) and Dorina Godon (Ag2r-Citroen).  As I went back to watching the attaction, it turned out that they had not meant to drop away.  The quartet worked together to chase back onto the tail of the leading group.

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/2021-Tour-de-France/3821554-37-291436/Painting/he-got-what-he-wanted-tdf21-36.html 

Tour, Stage 2: Sprinting for Points

Today is the earliest mountain stage in a Tour de France in decades, fortunately for the sprinters the intermediate sprint came with just sixteen kilometers covered.  It was Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) in his borrowed Maillot Vert sprinting it out with Matteo Trentin (CCC).  Trentin got the better of Sagan, and apparently did so on a rear tire that was going flat.  Right after the sprint he needed a wheel change, and that was the end of his break away efforts.  Watching the two sprinters go at it were the rest of the break being lead by Kasper Asgreen (Deceunick-Quick Step) and Toms Skujins (Trek-Segafredo).  The pair were both the national champions of their respective countries, Denmark and Latvia.  The rest of the break was more interested in the mountains ahead (for their KOM points) and in the chance of pulling one over on the peloton.

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-2020/3687288-12-282744/Painting/sprinting-for-points-tdf20-6.html

Yorkshire 2019 - Elite Men's Road Race: Three More

Up the road, the original break was joined by three more (although it was now only five guys up front), so this trio set off to join in on the chance for a medal at the line in Harrogate.  Toms Skujins (Latvia) was eager for both Gorka Izagirre (Spain) and Carlos Betacur (Colombia) to help him chance down the front of the race.  For Izaguiree, it was important for him to get the country's colors out front.  So many of his countrymen have already abandoned the race, including the defending World 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.

Please be sure to visit my YouTube Channel and subscribe if you like what you see.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Yorkshire%202019/3400876-50-266225/Three%20More%20%20UCI19-50.html

Tour, Stage 5: Off on His Own

Perhaps sensing the eminant catch by the peloton, Toms Skujins (Trek-Segafredo) left his break away companions on the lower slopes of the Cote de Trois-Epis.  Skujins had only 36 kilometers to the finish, with just one more catagorized climb to go, so he has a slim chance of taking this attack to the end.  At this point, his only companion is the neutral service vehicle.  If he gets enough of a gap, his team car will take over the duty of caring for the Latvian national champion.

Watch this time lapse video of this painting coming to life 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%202019/3358260-23-263530/Off%20on%20His%20Own%20%20TDF19-23.html

Tour, Stage 13: Where's Peter?

As they rode under the three kilometers to go banner, Marcus Burghardt (Bora-Hansgrohe) look back over his shoulder for his sprinter, Peter Sagan.  All he could see was the Trek-Segafredo train being lead by the former King of the Mountians, Toms Skujins.  Behind were the Maillot Jaune, riders from EF Education First, but Sagan was no where to be seen.

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-2018/3190731-72-251072/PaintingWhere's-Peter?-T18-71.html

Tour, Stage 6: I Got What I Wanted

As they went over the top of the Mur de Bretagne for the first time, Jack Bauer (Mitchelton-Scott) and Toms Skujins (Trek-Segafredo) opened up a gap on the peloton.  With just 34 kilometers to the finish, Bauer was eager to push on their advantage.  Skujins shook his head no.  He had gone after the 2 points in the King of the Mountains competition and that was his sole objective in the move.  While Dion Smith had pulled on the virtual Maillot a Pois early in the day, it is now almost certain that it will stay on Skujins' shoulders tonight.  There will be more points at the summit of the climb that finishes the stage, but that will be more of a GC battle, and none of the hopefuls have any KOM points thus far.

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-2018/3186856-29-251072/PaintingI-Got-What-I-Wanted--T18-29.html

Tour, Stage 4: Want to Keep Going?

As the break away started up the next climb, they caught and passed Chavanel.  But it was his teammate, Lilian Calmejane (Direct Energie) and Toms Skujins (Trek-Segafredo) who fought it out for the points on the next climb.  Unfortunately for Chavanel, Calmejane wasn't able to take the maximum points so it leaves Skujins with a chance to equal Chavanel's total on the final climb.  Spoiler alert, he was able to claim that climb and the Maillot a Pois on the day.  The discussions continued all of the way to the line, each rider complaining that the other wasn't doing enough to futher their cause.

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-2018/3186287-22-251072/PaintingWant-to-Keep-Going?--T18-22.html

Tour of California, Stage 5: With Aplomb

Roughly a year ago, Toms Skujins (Cannondale), then riding for Hincapie Racing, went for a long solo break in a stage of the Amgen Tour of California and claimed victory on the day.  This year he did have two men with him when he was within site of the finish line, but the result was still the same.  Once he knew he had the better of Adam De Vos (Rally Cycling), he spread his arms and legs wide absorbing the cool winds off of the lake and the warm applause of the crowd.  With Skujins victory the Argyle boys have to stages to their credit and a day in Yellow, not a bad outing for the home team.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my cycling artwork is available, along with my two cycling books (one on the 2014 Tour de France and the other on the 2015 UCI Road World World Championships) on my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.  But don't delay, since it is an original work of art, once it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2793515-26-223355/Painting.html#.Vz6c8_mDGko

Tour of California, Stage 5: Launching

As they well knew, the sprint for the finish came down to a fight between Adam De Vos (Rally Cycling), Toms Skujins (Cannondale) and Xabier Zandio (Team Sky).  It was De Vos who opened up the sprint, a steep uphill affair, the was initially covered by Zandio with Skujins looking at the duo and checking to see if he had the legs to go with the attack.  There was one rider, Jasper Stuyens (Trek-Segafredo) trying desperately to bridge up to the three, but he was quickly running out of real estate.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my cycling artwork is available, along with my two cycling books (one on the 2014 Tour de France and the other on the 2015 UCI Road World World Championships) on my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.  But don't delay, since it is an original work of art, once it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2793512-25-223355/Painting.html#.Vz6YzPmDGko

Tour of California, Stage 5: Now Its Three

The duo of Toms Skujins (Cannondale) and Adam De Vos (Rally Cycling) had been caught by their former break away companions, only to jump off the front again.  The only one capable of bridging across was the oldest man in the race, Xabier Zandio (Team Sky).  The trio had over three minutes on the peloton and nearly a minute on their twice former break away compatriots.  With roughly ten kilometers left to race this trio was fairly certain it would be they contesting for victory.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my cycling artwork is available, along with my two cycling books (one on the 2014 Tour de France and the other on the 2015 UCI Road World World Championships) on my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.  But don't delay, since it is an original work of art, once it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2793509-24-223355/Painting.html#.Vz6Vy_mDGko

Tour of California, Stage 5: A Little Dig

The problem with a big break away is that there tends to be too many passengers and not enough drivers.  Toms Skujins (Cannondale) jumped out of the group on the climb up to the Kirkwood Summit the only one to respond was the Canadian, Adam De Vos (Rally Cycling).  The duo seemed to have a brief conversation on their way to the summit.  Apparently a deal was made because Skujins backed off the pace just before the summit letting De Vos claim the maximum points at the top of the climb.  Unexpectedly, the pair continued to press their advantage on the descent, building up a quick 40 seconds on their erstwhile companions.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my cycling artwork is available, along with my two cycling books (one on the 2014 Tour de France and the other on the 2015 UCI Road World World Championships) on my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.  But don't delay, since it is an original work of art, once it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2793503-22-223355/Painting.html#.Vz6PrfmDGko