Flanders 2021: Is He Waving Farewell?

I may never know why Tony Martin (Germany) was waving his arm while in the first leg of the Mixed Team Time Trial with Max Walschied and Nikias Arndt. But it almost seemed as though he was waving farewell to all of his fans from around the world.  This is Martin’s last race as a professional and thanks to these two guys and his female teammates, Lisa Breannauer, Lisa Klein, and Mieke Kroger, it was a gold medal earning finale.  While he certainly couldn’t do it alone, nor did he, it was a truly fabulous way to end an even more amazing career as a professional cyclist.  I am going to miss watching him race, but I am sure he won’t be totally gone from the cycling world.

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 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/Flanders-2021/3838543-19-292177/Painting/is-he-waving-farewall-uci21-19.html

Flanders 2021: One Last Time!

As Tony Martin (Germany) rolled down the start ramp, I was saddened to learn that he announced today that this would be his last UCI Road World Championship.  Martin has held the Champion title in the Men's Elite Time Trial four times and many more national titles in Germany.  He is one of those guys I have always enjoyed watching race.  When the Worlds came to Richmond, VA I had the good fortune to meet his mother.  She, too, is a wonderful kind person.  She said she would bring him by so I could meet him but it just didn't happen.  

He was going out of racing still passing riders who had started before him.  He was second when he arrived in Bruges, but fell to seventh on the day.  Not a bad way to end a career racing in the Worlds (most never get a 7th for their entire racing career).  

By the way, his mother did buy one of my watercolors of Tony from the road race back in 2015.  I wonder in who's house it hangs.

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 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/Flanders-2021/3837389-6-292177/Painting/one-last-time-uci21-6.html

TDF, Stage 3: Forced to Chase

I don't know if Bruno Armirail (Groupama-FDJ) had gone down with Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma), but he did have the advantage of getting pulled back to the peloton with the boys of Jumbo Visma. Roglic looks to have lost quite a bit of skin but I am sure at this point he was running on pure adrenaline since it was just 10 kilometers left in the stage and he was in danger of losing time in the GC hunt.  Joining the guy who finished second in the Tour last year were Tony Martin and Jonas Vingegaard.  Tony was the first guy to hit the now infamous sign holder in stage on of the Tour.  Not that he, nor any other pro cyclists, isn't use to crashing at race speed.

It surprising me just how much the first crash of this Tour has capture the news cycle and everyone who knows that I am an avid Tour fan.  I just heard a big story on NPR about that crash told as if this was something new or different. Those of us who have been watching for decades know that this is the usual story of the first stages of any Tour.

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/3820767-17-291436/Painting/forced-to-chase-tdf21-17.html

Yorkshire 2019 - Mixed Relay: Less Than a Second

As the German men approached the first time check they were just a half second off the pace of the Brits.  The trio was led by Jasha Sutterlin followed in turn by Nils Polit and Tony Martin.  Martin is a four time World Champion in the Individual Time Trial, but is suffering from the lingering effects of a serious crash in this year's Vuelta d'Espania.  When I got to watch him race in the Worlds here in Richmond, Virginia, he was still recovering from a bad crash tin the Tour de France.  In both cases, he was able to contribute to the German team before having to drop off the pace.

See this painitng come to life in a very quick time lapse video on my YouTube Channel:

If you enjoy these youtube videos, please give them a like and subscribe to the channel.

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/Yorkshire-2019/3392812-5-266225/PaintingLess-Than-a-Second--UCI19-5.html

Tour, Stage 16: Iceman Cometh

It has gotten quite hot in the south of France for stage 16 of the Tour.  Here Tony Martin's (Jumbo-Visma) comes up to pass him a nylon stocking full of ice.  His teammate then drifted down the peloton handing out ice pack from his musette to every member of the Dutch team.  A big part of surviving the stage (and the rest of the Tour) will be staying as cool as possible and fully hydrated.

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.

Be sure to check out my daily videos on You Tube.  If you enjoy what you see on the channel, please subscribe.  I need to get over a hundred subscribers so I can name the channel, "Art of Cycling"

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202019/3364381-88-263530/Iceman%20Cometh%20%20TDF19-88.html

Tour, Stage 7: Fair Warning

Whether on a club ride or in a pro peloton, it is the responsiblity of the lead riders to point out road dangers along the route.  Tony Martin (Jumbo-Visma) does his part, and later those behind, pointing out a traffic island that could be bad for those who don't know it is there.  It was right in the best line around the corner in this small town.  To bad TeJay didn't get such a good alert a while back down the road.

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.

Be sure to check out my daily videos on You Tube

Or watch as I paint this painting in this time lapse clip.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202019/3359067-36-263530/Fair%20Warning%20%20TDF19-36.html

Tour, Stage 2: Better Than Defending

Team Jumbo-Visma had planned to go out and defended the Maillot Jaune of their sprinter.  However, yesterday their designated sprinter crashed and wasn't able to contend the finale.  No matter, one of his lead out men, Mike Teunissen step into his place and took the stage yesterday.  So today they are defending the Maillot Jaune.  Yet, they did more than defend it, they extended his lead over all of the other contenders in the 2019 Tour!  The team crossed the line 20 seconds quicker than the erstwhile stage leaders, Team Ineos, leaving Teunissen with a 24 second lead over his four teammates, Wout Van Aert, Steven Kruijswijk, Tony Martin and George Bennett.  He has 34 seconds on the next guy on the general classification who isn't a teammate.  Chapeau!

The Dutch were hoping to hold both the Maillot Jaune in the Tour and the World Cup in the finale of the Women's World Cup today.  I will gladly let them have the Maillot Jaune as I cheer the victory of the USA Women's soccer team!

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%202019/3356887-10-263530/Better%20Than%20Defending%20%20TDF19-10.html

Giro, Final Stage: Attacking the Bell Lap

On the final lap through the streets of Rome, a small group got away led by Tony Martin (Katusha-Alpecin).  He went clear of the rest as they crested the only climb of the day.  Just to his left are the Spanish Steps leading back down to the piazza.  His route will include a couple of tight hair pin turns before encircling the piazza on their way back to the Coloseum.  Just off of the piazza is a small church that houses on of Caravaggio's best paintings, the Crucifixion of St. Peter.  Oddly it is located in a dimly lit side altar, although a few euros will bring it to brilliant light for a few minutes.  I digress.  With a rider like Tony Martin, it will be a big effort for the sprinters' lead out trains to re-establish control at the front of the 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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/101st-Giro-dItalia/3170397-96-249297/PaintingAttacking-the-Bell-Lap--G18-100.html

Giro, Stage 2: LIfting the Pace

With just seven and a half kilometers to the finish of the first road stage, it was time to try and line out the peloton.  Maunele Boaro (Bahrain Merida) and his teammate Domenico Pozzovivo vied for control at the front with Tony Martin (Katusha-Alpecin).  Martin had stretched the group out as they came out of the first two tight ninety degree turns.  He was using his famed time trial skills to keep his team's GC man save on the run in to the finish.  Boaro was trying to set up Pozzovivo for the stage win.  I will admitt that I enjoy that there are two Arab based teams racing through the streets of Israel to the cheers of crowds all along the course.

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/101st-Giro-dItalia/3158047-9-249297/PaintingLifting-the-Pace--G18-9.html

E3 Harelbeke: Pushing the Pace

Now there was a rather powerful group of riders about a minute up the road containing riders like Philippe Gilbert (Quickstep), Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) and some other contenders.  Left behind, and chasing hard, was Tony Martin in his new Katusha-Alpecin colors.  Close the the UCI Time Trial Champion was the Rainbow Jersey of the Road Champion, Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrphe).  Keeping an eye on the pair of rather accomplished riders was Matteo Trentin  (Quickstep).  The peloton is speeding across one of the few flat sections of cobbles, the Mairaborreestaat, leaving just 50 kilometers to race and only three more sections of pave to traverse.

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%20/2939886-383-195767/PaintingPushing%20the%20Pace%20E317-4.html

Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne: On the Hunt

The constant turns, short climbs and sections of pave had split the peloton into numerous groups,  With a break away of roughly eight guys up the road, it was the second group of twenty that held most of the favorites.  At this point, they were being lead by Tony Martin (Katusha) sporting his new team colors, coincidentally, it was his former teammate, Dries Devenyns (Quickstep) who had just swung of the front to let Martin pull the peloton along.  Unfortunately, Martin crashed shortly after I painted this, skinning his face on the asphalt, and dropping back into the following peloton.  His crashed was caused by the forming echelon and the crowd of riders trying to find shelter from the wind.

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%20/2926072-329-195767/PaintingOn%20the%20Hunt%20KBK17-2.html#.WLONPvkrLIU

Doha 2016, Elite Men's ITT: Very Efficient

Tony Martin (Germany) is in a very efficient aero tuck as he pushes his massive 58 tooth chain ring over and over.  Martin set the new best time at every check point along the course on his way to the one that matter most.  It was a treat to watch the master of the discipline churn his legs on his way to his fourth Rainbow Jersey.  It has taken him three years to reclaim what he had lost first to Bradley Wiggins and then to the man behind him on the road, Vasil Kiryienka (Belarus).  This time he was able to hold off the efforts of Kiryienka, but then unlike Richmond, he came to the Worlds healthy and fit.

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/2864464-37-227958/PaintingVery%20Efficient%20Doha37-Greig-Leach.html#.V_5wsOArLIU

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

Tour of Britain, Stage 7a: Speed and Caution

With the rain soaked roads (and the continued showers) the riders had to exercise caution, but the name of the game in the individual time trial is speed.  One does not often compliment the other.  The American, Taylor Phinney (BMC) had already wiped out in a corner.  It was a shame too, he was on a new best time pace before he crashed.  Another who was setting the best time splits on the streets of Bristol was the German National Time Trial Champion, Tony Martin (Etixx-Quickstep).  Martin is a three time World Champion in this discipline as well.  Martin caught his minute man, Frederik Frison (Lotto Soudal) a few hundred feet before the corner where the American crashed.  Hopefully these two will get around the corner safely.  Martin went on to take the time trial on the day.  His first TT victory this year.  Hopefully, he will be able to carry that winning way to Doha, Qatar for the 2016 UCI Road World 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/Tour%20of%20Britain/2849791-75-189075/PaintingSpeed%20and%20Caution%20ToB49-Greig-Leach.html#.V9RrWZgrLIU

Tour, Stage 16: Off on Their Own

It seems that every stage has had an early break away, but never one of this calibre.  It may have been that Tony Martin and Julian Alaphilippe (Etixx-Quickstep) were hoping that others would join in the effort, but once you get off the front, you kind of have to go for it.  Martin is a four time World Time Trial Champion and is the current German National Champion.  The skill set that has earned him those titles would definitely come in handy on trying to stay off the front of the peloton for the 180 kilometers left to race.  Alaphilippe has a great wheel to follow, and since Martin is his teammate, he will be allowed to do a much smaller share of the work.  Add in that both of these riders are over an hour behind the Maillot Jaune, it will only be those who want to win the stage into Bern who will try to chase the French and German duo down.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

Be sure to check out my second cycling art book, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships, available online or through your local book seller.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2824918-112-224974/PaintingOff%20on%20Their%20Own%20TdF113-Greig-Leach.html#.V40Ry7grLIU

Tour, Stage 13: Fans Along the Road

Today's Tour started with a moment of silence in honor of those who were killed over night in the city of Nice, by the third terrorist attack in France in the past 18 months.  The attack kind of put the events at the end of yesterday's stage in perspective.  It was debated to cancel the stage in respect of those who were suffering and had died, but in the end it was felt that continuing to live a full life was the best response (if a little subdued).

Now, on to racing.  Today the fans were far more respectful of the riders and their right to the road.  It was a treat to see Tony Martin (Etixx-Quickstep) out on the course in his Time Trial Champion of Germany Jersey.  In addition to the bans of the German flag on his back, he wore the rainbow stripes of former World Champion on his sleeves, and honor he won three years in a row.  Continuing the international flavor of the Tour, Martin's fellow country man, dressed in a similar shirt, waved the German flag as his countryman sped by.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

Be sure to check out my second cycling art book, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships, available online or through your local book seller.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2824207-90-224974/PaintingFans%20Along%20the%20Road%20TdF89-Greig-Leach.html#.V4lHQLgrLIU

Tour, Stage 3: Full On Now!

With everyone back into the peloton (or out the back) it was time for the sprinters' teams to hit the gas full on.  Who better to set a high pace than three time World Time Trial Champion, Tony Martin (Etixx-Quickstep) for his sprinter, Marcel Kittel?  Following on the wheels of the boys in blue and black was Edvald Boasson Hagen (Team Dimension Data) joined by his teammates Mark Renshaw and Mark Cavendish.  Cavendish is currently wearing the Maillot Vert on load, but it looks like he fully intends to make it his own.  I am sure Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) won't mind passing over the Green Jersey, since he still has both the Maillot Jaune of race leader and the Rainbow Jersey of the Road World Champion.  Behind Cavendish is Micheal Matthews sporting the new colors (and newly named) Orica-BikeExchange.  He has traded in his bright green helmet for the yellow helmet of best place team overall.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2818186-19-224974/PaintingFull%20On%20Now!%20TdF19-Greig-Leach.html#.V3q4abgrLIU

Dauphine, Final Stage: Here We Go Now

If any of the contenders wanted to take the Yellow Jersey away from Chris Froome (Sky) they were going to have to attack on the penultimate climb up the Col du Noyer.  Etixx-Quickstep had been laying the ground work across the valley before turning onto the mountain road, but it was Alberto Contador (Tinkoff) who was the first to strike out in hopes of reclaiming his leader's jersey that he put on after the Prologue.  The first to try to go with the Spaniard was Pierre Rolland (Cannondale), but he just doesn't have Contador's explosive climbing abilities.  Etixx-Quickstep didn't panic, they just kept on keeping on.  Froome didn't react immediately either, but then that is the metronome style of Team Sky.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

Be sure to check out my second cycling art book, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships, available online or through your local book seller.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2807371-80-185083/Painting.html#.V12V6fkrLIU

Dauphine, Final Stage: All Strung Out

You don't need a speedometer to tell when the peloton is going full speed, you just have to look at its shape.  When it is in a long thin line, it means the guys on the front are hammering!  Etixx-Quickstep went into the final stage with a plan.  The team had Dan Martin sitting fourth overall, and Julian Alaphilippe was sixth while wearing the White Jersey of best young rider.  With both riders less than a minute down on the Maillot Juane of Chris Froome (Sky), they were doing their best to weaken Team Sky and the others that sat before them on the General Classification.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

Be sure to check out my second cycling art book, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships, available online or through your local book seller.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2807368-79-185083/Painting.html#.V12R7vkrLIU

Dauphine, Stage 6: A Veteran's Advice

The first to attack on the Col de la Madeleine was the young rider from Astana, Fabio Aru.  You may remember that he went late on Stage 3 and managed to hold off the whole of the peloton.  However, today he just seemed to have nothing in his legs.  He had the loyal super domestique, Luis Leon Sanchez, who stayed with him through both the waxing and waning on the stage thus far.  As the peloton closed on the duo, Sanchez took the time to explain why Aru may not have eaten enough.  It almost look as Aru dutifully dug into his jersey pocket for a energy bar.  Behind the duo, Tony Martin (Etixx-Quickstep) was closing fast in the super aero-tuck with all of the major players tight on his wheel.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2807206-73-185083/Painting.html#.V1zoN_krLIU