Fleche Wallonne 23, Men’s Race: What Was Expected

Just because everyone expected Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates), it doesn’t mean they were going to be able to do anything about it.  With roughly 500 meters left to climb, Pogacar went on the offense after all of the work his team had done all day.  At first it looked like Guilin Ciccone (Trek-Segafredo) was going to catch the fleeing Slovenian, but he soon faded finishing fifth on the day.  Last year’s victor, Michael Woods (Israel-Premier Tech) looked like he might be poised to repeat, but he too, was unable to match the power of Pogacar in the closing meters of the day.  He managed a fourth this time out.  It was Ciccone’s teammate, Matthias Skejlmose, who took second today, and a surprised rush by Mikel Landa (Bahrain-Victorious) who claimed third.

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/Spring-Classics-/3946981-547-195767/Painting/what-was-expected-fw23-11.html

Fleche Wallone 23, Women’s Race: “How Am I Doing?”

As soon as the group containing the World Champion and her teammate (amongst others), Amanda Spratt (Trek-Segafredo) went on the offensive.  She built up a 45 second gap as three more behind tried to bridge up to her.  As she looked back over the little rolling hills, she could see the chasers, and a bit further behind them, the peloton.  With 29 kilometers left to race, it was going to take some real effort to stay away.  The further challenge was the two climbs yet to come, the Cote d’Ereffe and the Mur de Huy.  (Spoiler, they caught her at the bottom of the Mur de Huy with just about a kilometer left to 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 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/Spring-Classics-/3946382-538-195767/Painting/how-am-i-doing-fwf23-2.html

Paris Roubaix Femmes 23: Down in Front!

As this chase group of 16 got close to the early break away on Pave Sector 9, the Pont Thibaut, last year’s winner, Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo) lost control of her bike on the muddy cobbles.  As she went down the rest of the group either went down with her or were caught behind the twisted pile of bikes and bodies.  Somehow, only Romy Kasper (AG Insurance-Soudal-Quick Step) manage to stay upright.  She was able to push on as Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) and her teammate in the WWT points jersey fell over the former Italian champion.  As I said in an early post, Paris Roubaix can have a way of changing riders’ fortunes in a blink of an eye.

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/Spring-Classics-/3944955-524-195767/Painting/down-in-front-prf23-4.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 5: Worthy of Celebration

With arms spread wide and fingers showing he was number one on the stage, Olav Kooij (Jumbo-Visma) celebrates a sprint victory into Saint Paul Trois Chateaux.  After the team’s disappointment of losing time against the new race leader, it was nice of their sprinter to give them something to celebrate.  Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo) was forced to start his sprint a bit too early, but held on to take second place on the stage.  That placing was enough to earn him the Maillot Vert outright.  While the color green changed, it still means that he is the most consistent sprinter in this year’s race.  Tim Merlier (Soudal-Quick Step) in his Belgium National Champion jersey closed quickly but ran out of road to finish third.  You can see Arne Marit (Intermache-Circus-Wanty) coming in eighth with his teammate just behind him.

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/3939025-101-272742/Painting/worthy-of-celebration.-pn23-19.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 2: Wicked Fast

I’ve got to thank Bob Roll for the title of this painting.  He was so impressed with the sprint of Mads Petersen (Trek-Segafredo) that he referred to the Dane as being ‘wicked fast.’  It is normally a Boston area colloquialism, so it was a bit odd coming from the former racer from Colorado.  Pedersen’s stage win and its bonus seconds puts the former world champion into the Maillot Jaune of race leader.  Just out of the frame is Olav Kooij (Jumbo-Visma) finished second, with Magnus Cort (EF Education-EasyPost) finishing out the podium and Daniel McLay (Arkea-Samsic) claiming fourth in Fountainbleu.  Tomorrow it will be a team time trial, so it is highly possible that Trek-Segafredo will keep their guy in yellow.  

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/3938346-87-272742/Painting/wicked-fast.-pn23-5.html

Tour Down Under '23, Final Stage: No Time to Stop

The lead group had no time to stop and have a bite, the peloton wasn't giving them any leeway off the front.  Francis Bidard (Cofidis) grabbed a bottle from his soigneur who seems to have been trying to match his rider calorie for calorie.  Behind him Emils Liepins (Trek-Segafredo) held his bottle in his teeth while he looked to see what else was in his musette.  On his other shoulder Paul Lapiera (Ag2r-Citroen) worked on getting his food sorted.  To keep all of the riders fed in the this stage the soigneurs were able to position themselves just past the top of Mount Lofty since the peloton would ride by six times before the end of the 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 painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3929023-173-194179/Painting/no-time-to-stop-tdu23-27.html

Tour Down Under '23, Stage 4: On to Main Street

 As the lead peloton swung on to the main road of Willunga, the could see the finish line up the rise.  This is the first time I can remember the Tour Down Under not riding out of town and up Willunga Hill.  I am sure all of the sprinters were quite happy to finish before hitting that climb.  Alexis Renard (Cofidis) lead a rider from Israel-Premier Tech, Emils Liepins (Trek-Segafredo) and the front half of all of those still left in the Tour.  I am sorry I wasn't able to figure out who the Israel-Premier Tech rider was, the image was rather pixelated.  He soon swung off to let his sprinter, Corbin Strong do what he could on the day.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3928411-170-194179/Painting/on-to-main-street-tdu23-24.html

Tour Femmes '22, Stage 7: Third on the Road

 Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo) was kind of stuck in no-man's-land, or should that be no-woman's-land.  I believe she had tried to go with the early attack on the Petite Ballon (the on air broadcast started after that climb) but wasn't possible.  She must have decided to continue with the effort but never got up to the two leaders on the road, nor was she caught by the six women chasing behind.  She never did get more than a minute and a half on those ladies either.  I'm not sure why she didn't drop back to them on the valley before the final climb up the Grand Ballon.  She seemed to be wasting a fair amount of energy.  And she did pay for it when she was finally caught on the ascent of the final climb of the day.  Once caught she could hold onto the group finishing the day almost seven minutes behind the stage winner, she did finish with one member of that six woman group, a minute and a half behind some of the others, and a half a minute ahead of the rest.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3896655-183-294403/Painting/third-on-the-road-tdff22-42.html

Tour Femmes, Stage 6: Winning in Yellow

This painting is sold.

Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma) hasn't spent much time off the front of this Tour de France Femmes.  Even if she hasn't won a stage (she has) she has finished everyone in the top ten if not the top five.  Today she honored the Maillot Jaune today by winning in yellow.  She was able to out sprint Marta Bastianelli (UAE Team ADQ), Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx), Elisa Balsamo (Trek-Segafredo) in her Rainbow Jersey, and the ever unzipped Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon/SRAM).  The now official Maillot Vert, Lorena Wiebes had crashed on the final descent and finish the day over seven minutes behind Vos.  Naturally, she didn't score any green jersey points, so it goes back to Vos.  That means she will be back to wearing in on loan from the race 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 $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3896241-179-294403/Painting/winning-in-yellow-tdff22-38.html

Tour Femmes '22, Stage 5: Winning a Power Sprint

The gradual rise up to the line in Saint Die des Vosges it was clear it was going to take a strong power sprinter to win on the day.  Just before the sprint was a sweeping right turn, for some reason Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo) went left through the gap to let all of the race vehicles divert from the finishing straight.  As I am writing this, I don't know if that mistake cost her time (and positions) in the general classification, or if the three kilometer rule was followed and she was given the same time as the lead group.  So she was out of the sprint so it was her teammate (and World Champion) Elisa Balsamo mixing it up with Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma) and Lorenas Wiebes (DSM) for stage honors.  The victory went to the pure sprinter, Wiebes, with Balsamo claiming second.  The third step of the podium went to Marianne Vos in her Maillot Jaune.  The erstwhile Maillot Blance, Maike Van Der Duin (Le Col-Wahoo) was in the mix in fifth place.  This may be my favorite painting of the Tour de France Femmes thus far.  And definitely my favor sprint finish painting of either 2022 Tour de France.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3896130-174-294403/Painting/winning-a-power-sprint-tdff22-33.html

Tour Femmes '22, Stage 4: Chemin Blanc

The men's Tour had the cobbles used in Paris Roubaix.  Today the women got to race on the white gravel vineyard roads used in Paris Tours.  Both are difficult, dirty and can really change the complexion of the race for the Maillot Jaune at the end of the race.  As the peloton hit Sector 3, Chemin Blanc des Hautes Forets, it was the European Champion Ellen Van Dijk (Trek-Segafredo) pushing the pace for her teammates.  On her wheel are three of the women from Team SD Worx including Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio and Demi Vollering.  Not sure who the Movistar rider is who is moving up on her right.  It was a bit of a challenge to capture the visual sense of the clouds of dust, but nothing compared to what it must be to ride in it.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3896026-163-294403/Painting/chemin-blanc-tdff22-22.html

Tour Femmes '22, Stage 3: Sliding Out

Demi Vollering (SD Worx) and Liane Lippert (DSM) can be forgiven for going into this corner too hot.  They along with a group that contained Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo) were building a nice gap on the peloton behind.  Hitting the curve too fast, Vollering lost the front wheel and Lippert's reaction cause her to skid across the pavement with Dutch woman.  Borghini managed to avoid their fate and then pressed on with her attack.  It wasn't so much that she was taking advantage of their misfortune as it was that she was continuing what they all had started.  This crash, the climbs, and crashed on a couple of corners in town further split up the already fracture peloton.  Both riders on the ground got back up and back into the race.  Vollering got up very quickly and finished just eight seconds behind the stage winner.  Lippert took a little longer to get sorted, and then wasn't with a strong set of chasers back towards the leaders.  It should be noted that Borghini was fifth on the day just three seconds ahead of the first to go down on this corner.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3895918-158-294403/Painting/sliding-out-tdff22-17.html

Tour Femmes '22, Stage 2: Queen of the Tour

Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma) goes one better than yesterday, winning stage 2 of the Tour de France Femmes!  She had started the day just four seconds out of the Maillot Jaune, but with Lorena Wiebes finishing 29 seconds back, she is the new Queen of the Tour de France Femmes, the new Maillot Jaune.  The birthday girl Silvia Persico (Valco-Travel & Service) took second, putting her in second on the GC as well.  In fact each of the top five finishers today became the top five of the Tour Femmes.  Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon/SRAM) who had opened the sprint took third with Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo) finishing in fourth.  

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3895798-154-294403/Painting/queen-of-the-tour-tdff22-13.html

Tour Femmes '22, Stage 2: Increasing Their Advantage

With just two kilometers left to race this rather power sextet was continuing to increase their lead over the erstwhile Maillot Jaune.  The group was being pulled (and urged) along by the Rainbow Jersey of Elisa Balsamo (Trek-Segafredo) while her teammate Elisa Longo Borghini shelter at the back.  Between the Trek-Segafredo women was a former world champion, Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma), the young woman who started it all Maike Van Der Duin (Le Col-Wahoo).  On the Maillot Blanc's wheel is Katarzyn Niewiadoma (Canyon/SRAM) and the birthday girl herself, Silvia Persico (Valcar-Travel & Service).  With forty one seconds on the chasers, the stage winner and probably the new Maillot Jaune was in this group.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3895796-153-294403/Painting/increasing-their-advantage-tdff22-12.html

 

Tour Femmes '22, Stage 2: Opening Up a Gap

After bridging up to the lone escapeof Maike Van Der Duin (Le Col-Wahoo) the world champion Elisa Balsamo (Trek-Segafredo) turns round to see who had come with her.  The answer was Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma) and others.  More on that later.  The group quickly built up and advantage on the peloton that contained the Maillot Jaune, the Maillot Vert, and the Maillot a Pois.  The Maillot Blanc was looking over at the Rainbow Jersey.  I suspect that Van Der Duin was a bit awed to be joined by both Balsamo and Vos.  The rider back there from BikeExchange-Jayco never did make it across the divide.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3895793-151-294403/Painting/opening-a-up-a-gap-tdff22-10.html

Tour '22, Stage 19, I Know They Are Coming

Sorry that this is out of focus, but then this deep into the Tour I am nearly as exhausted as the racers.  So I just didn't feel like re-shooting the artwork.  The actual painting isn't blurring, just the photograph and since I am not going to offer this as a print, I thought I would just let it go.  The peloton wasn't going to let these three go either.  But Fred Wright (Bahrain-Victorious), Alexis Gougeard (B&B Hotels-KTM), and Jasper Stuyven (Trek-Segafredo) weren't going to make it easy for those behind.  They only had 14 seconds with 9 kilometers left to go.  They did manage to stay off the front until the last kilometer of the stage.  It actually looked like Wright might be able to win the stage with just 500 meters to race.  But the sprinters were set to have their day.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3895290-125-294403/Painting/i-know-they-are-coming-tdf22-126.html

 

Tour '22, Stage 19: The Exuberence of Youth

The five mam break away was a long shot, but going it alone with 46 kilometers was really extremely long odds.  But the title says it all.  Quinn Simmons (Trek-Segafredo) is the youngest rider in the Tour having just turned 21 years old.  His youthfulness may explain his trying to go on alone.  He had been with Matej Mohoric, but the veteran sat up and went back to the peloton just forty five seconds behind the now lone American.  I am sure Simmons was going for the red bib number of most combative rider in the stage.  Given how many times he has been off the front of the peloton, he may be hoping to get that title for the whole Tour once they all reach Paris.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3895285-123-294403/Painting/the-exuberence-of-youth-tdf22-124.html

Tour '22, Stage 19: Keep It Going

It was most likely a fools errand but these five went out in a break away on a day earmarked for the sprinters.  It looked like Nil Politt (Bora-Hansgrohe) was trying to get the rest to keep working together in hopes that they could get a bigger gap on the motivated peloton behind.  I do wonder what Taco Van Hoorn (Intermache-Wanty Gobert) had to say in response.  Leading the group was the ever present break away artist, Quinn Simmons (Trek-Segafredo) along with Mikkel Honore (Quick Step-Alpha Vinyl) and Matej Mohoric (Bahrain-Victorious).  Both Politt and Mohoric are the only members of the  group  who have won a stage of the Tour, a total of three between them.  All of those wins have come from them going in a break away that made it to the end.  It is unlikely either will repeat the feat today.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3895278-122-294403/Painting/keep-it-going.html 

Tour '22, Stage 18: Will They Challenge?

With the Maillot a Pois off the back of the breakaway Giulio Ciccone (Trek-Segafredo) felt that he was the heir apparent for the King of the Mountains title.  As the strongest of the break away reached the top of the Col d'Aubisque he looked back to see if anyone was going to try and out sprint him for the twenty points at the top of the climb.  As he went off, it seemed clear that neither Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) nor Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) weren't interested in the points.  I know Pinot was still trying to get a stage win for himself, his team, and his country.  I honestly have no idea why Van Aert was even off the front.  He had already grabbed the maximum sprint points and he did have his team leader (and the race leader) down the mountain.  Perhaps he just kept pushing waiting for when Jonas Vingegaard came up to him on one of the final two climbs of the day (and the Tour).

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3895189-113-294403/Painting/will-they-challenge-tdf22-114.html

Tour '22, Stage 15: Coming Up with the Goods

No embarassment for Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) today!  To explain, back in stage 5, Phlipsen came across the line celebrating his winning the bunch sprint not knowing that Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) had already won the stage two minutes earlier.  Today he had to concentrate on the bike throw to hold off the man who beat him that day, so there was no victory salute at the line.  Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo) found the legs to get third.  It was Peter Sagan (TotalEnergies) who just hasn't refound his spark yet taking fourth on the day.  Still he beat quite a few riders, roughly 150, in today's stage.  Now everyone can get a bit of rest during the last rest day of the Tour before the Pyrennes haunt the dreams of even the best climbers.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3894276-95-294403/Painting/coming-up-with-the-goods-tdf22-96.html