Tour Down Under '23, Stage 1: The Throw to the Line

It was quite a close sprint to the line into Tanunda that compeleted the first road stage of the Tour Down Under.  It was Phil Bauhaus (Bahrain-Victorious) that got the best of Caleb Ewan (UniSA-Australia) and Michael Matthews (Jayco-AlUla).  Matthews needed to win the stage to claim the Ochre Jersey of race leader, but he has move much closer to the lead of Alberto Bettiol (EF Education-EasyPost).  While I was painting this I noticed that Ewan's bike throw had him off the seat almost sitting on his rear wheel.  While aggressive, the move was almost enough to gain him the first open road stage win of the 2023 Tour Down Under.

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/3928014-156-194179/Painting/the-throw-to-the-line-tdu23-10.html

Tour Down Under '23, Stage 1: Holding onto the Tail of the Peloton

With the finish line just ten kilometers away, the speed was truly up.  Having just come down Menglers Hill at nearly 90 kph, the peloton was truly stretched out.  It seems that the UniSA-Australia rider was asking his fellow stuggling Movistar rider just how hard is this pace?  I am sorry I wasn't able to catch their bib numbers and therefore their names.  But then, perhaps they would prefer to remain anonymous in their mutual suffering.

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/3928012-155-194179/Painting/holding-onto-the-tail-of-peloton-tdu23-9.html

Tour Down Under '23, Prologue: Fair Warning

With the roads getting wetter and wetter, riders like Caleb Ewan (UniSA-Australia) had to slow way down to make it around the corners upright.  The final chicane proved to be the undoing of at least five riders.  Ewan made it through safely, but it moved him way down the over all.  But then the individual time trial is not his forte.  He is here to win bunch sprints so his placement in the overall classification means virtually nothing.

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/3927867-148-194179/Painting/fair-warning-tdu23-2.html

Tour Down Under, Final Stage: Down the Shore

I heard this New Jersey expression the other day.  Going down the shore is what I would call going to the beach.  It seemed like the perfect title for this group turning the corner to run along the coast on their way to Snapper Point.  With an almost sure bet that today would be about the climbers, it didn't stop these seven from going on the offensive from the very start of the stage.  The only one with a chance of winning on the day was Danny Van Poppel (Jumbo-Visma).  He is wearing the blue sprinter's points jersey on load from the race leader but if he takes the sprint points on offer he would still need to score points atop Willunga Hill.  Joining the Dutchman are Jasha Sutterlin (Movistar), Nick White (UniSA-Australia), Gediminas Bagdonas (Ag2r La Mondiale) among others.

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/3286976-139-194179/PaintingDown-the-Shore--TDU19-21.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 5: No Place to Hide

Matthieu Ladagnous (Groupama-FDJ) used the intermediate sprint to launch his attack on the peloton.  Just after a sprint, the peloton will frequently sit up and regroup, so it is a good time to surprise the rest a go on the offensive.  Ladagnous was joined in the venture by Ayden Toovey (UniSA-Australia), his second time out in front of the peloton today.  The long straight roads along the South Australian coast didn't give these two much chance of hiding from the closing peloton.  With 40 kilometers to race, and just a 40 second lead (down from almost 4 minutes) it didn't look like they would be the first to arrive in Strathalbyn.

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/3286743-136-194179/PaintingNo-Place-to-Hide--TDU19-18.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 2: From the Back

Jason Lea (UniSA-Australia) did well to get himself back into the early break of the day.  With the only King of the Mountains points coming at just 26 kilometers into the stage, he needed to be off the front if he wanted to hold his new won polka dot jersey.  He took the maximum points at the top of Checker Hill, and then left it for his break away companions to fight out the sprint points.  Artyom Zakharov (Astana) took the first sprint, so Jaime Castrillo (Movistar) tried to attack from the back to get the jump on the Kazahk in Springton.  Alas, Zakharov was too quick for the Spaniard in the second intermediate sprint 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/3285016-122-194179/PaintingFrom-the-Back--TDU19-4.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 1: Starting Out the Year

I always look forward to mid January and the start of the Tour Down Under.  It is a treat to see new kit, new teams, and who has moved to which teams.  The big switch for the season is the demise of BMC, which has been replaced by CCC.  The new team had been a contential level squad but took the chance to move up to the Pro Tour level for 2019. This trio of Jason Lea (UniSA-Australia), Patrick Bevin (CCC) and Michael Storer (Sunweb) lead the peloton over the first climb and through the first to intermediate sprints.  Lea will be pulling on the first King of the Mountains jersey of the season, but the other two will be swamped in the end by the sprinters' teams.

As I sit in the mid-Atlantic of the USA covered in ice and snow, it was fun to listen to the talk of just how hot it was today in Adelaide, South Australia.

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/3284012-119-194179/PaintingStarting-Out-the-Year--TDU19-1.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 5: Looking for the Top

As the break started up the penultimate climb of Willunga Hill (and of the day and the Tour Down Under), it was the leader of the King of the Mountains, Nicholas Dlamini (Dimension Data) that was battling it out for points with Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal) and Scott Bowden (UniSA-Australia).  The effort was being watched intently by the race commisare sticking his out through the roof of the following car. 

When I titled this piece I didn't know just how prophetic I was being.  As they approached the banner that had marked the KOM points line in every previous stage, De Gendt motioned for Dlamini to go ahead and claim the points.  After apparently giving Dlamini enough points to secure the jersey, De Gendt pressed on crossing the line at the top of the mountain (that would be the finishing line next time up) first.  It turned out that was where the KOM points were awarded placing Dlamini second over the summit.  It may not effect the final destination of the jersey, but it shouldn't have happened.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. To purchase this artwork, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3099763-111-194179/PaintingLooking-for-the-Top-TDU18-24.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 5: A Ride at the Beach

After the heat of the last two days, the riders must have felt like today's stage was a ride in the park.  Today it did feature a short ride at the beach along Snapper Point.  It was a big group that got away at the start of the stage, including some now familiar break away names.  Riding on the back is the most aggressive rider from stage 4, Zakkari Dempster (UniSA-Australia), with his teammate, Scott Boweden - his third break away of the Tour.  The new guys to join the group off the front were Fumijuki Beppu (Trek-Segafredo), Mads Wuirtz Schmidt (Katusha-Alpecin) and Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal).  The seventh member of the break, although you can't really see him, is the leader of the King of the Mountains Competition, Nicholas Dlamini (Dimension Data).

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. To purchase this artwork, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3099760-109-194179/PaintingA-Ride-at-the-Beach-TDU18-22.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 4: Catching the Last Guy

With his teammate (and former breakaway companion) having done all he could, Zakkari Dempster (UniSA-Australia) pressed on in a solo effort to hold off the peloton.  Alas, with 19 kilometers left in the day, it was the peloton spread across the road that he saw looking back.  The break rarely succeeds, but it is always a risk worth taking.  He will be on the podium to take the "most aggressive rider" award.  Now the question is, will he be able to hold onto the tail of the fast moving peloton.  Spoiler: He could not.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. To purchase this artwork, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

My website is down for matainence, so I will post links later.  In the mean time, if you really want this painting, just email me at greigsart@gmail.com.

Tour Down Under, Stage 4: Looking Round

This duo of Zakkari Dempster and Alexander Porter, both riding for UniSA-Australia, had built up a lead of nearly ten minutes.  With 50 kilometers left to race they had seen their lead cut in half, but there was still some room for hope.  The usual rule of thumb is that the peloton can pull back a minute every ten kilometers assuming there isn't a climb before the line.  Unfortunately for these two, Norton Summit stood between them and the finish in Campbelltown.  On the other hand, when the break is two teammates, there is true cooperation in hopes that one will claim the stage.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. To purchase this artwork, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

My website is down for matainence, so I will post links later.  In the mean time, if you really want this painting, just email me at greigsart@gmail.com.

Tour Down Under, Stage 3: At It Again

The duo of Scott Bowden (UniSA-Australia) and Nicholas Dlamini (Dimension Data) went off the front of the peloton at the first kilometer for the third day running.  Dlamini was searching for more King of the Mountain points to further secure his Subaru KOM polka dot jersey.  Bowden was proving that the non Pro Tour team has every right to be in the Tour Down Under, and that they can light up the race.  Once Dlamini had claimed maximum points he quickly dropped back into the fold.  With the excessive heat even the South African saw no reason to work any harder than necessary.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. To purchase this artwork, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3099367-104-194179/PaintingAt-It-Again-TDU18-11.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 2: A Long Day Again

Stage 2 of the Tour Down Under was marked by yet another break away.  Earlier (before TV coverage started) Nicholas Dlamini (Dimension Data) was with these three, but once he had grabbed the King of the Mountain points he dropped back the the peloton.  Sporting the red numbers of "most combative rider," William Clarke (EF Education First-Drapac) was on the attack again.  He was joined by his countryman, Scott Bowden (UniSA-Australia) and another first year pro, Jamie Castrillo (Movistar).  I was rather surprised at the change in Movistar's kit for 2018, please, but surprised.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com  To purchase this artwork, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3098404-99-194179/PaintingA-Long-Day-Again-TDU18-6.html

Tour Down Under Stage 4: Is He Gone

Almost to script Cameron Meyer (UniSA-Australia) launched an attack against his other two break away companions  Jack Bauer (Quickstep) was able to counter and eventually pull back up to the wheel of the Australian rider however Ondrej Cink (Bahrain Merida) wasn't able to hold the wheels of his erstwhile companions.  As Bauer caught up with Meyer the pair had a quick chat and decided to press on in hopes that the peloton would be happy to have Cink back and would let them ride for the stage victory.

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%20Down%20Under/2907539-116-194179/PaintingIs%20He%20Gone?%20TDU17-18.html#.WIG7__krLIU

Tour Down Under Stage 4: A 10% Chance

The race commentators, Paul Sherwen, Phil Ligget and Robbie McEwan all gave these three break away riders about a ten percent chance of succeeding in staying off the front of the peloton.  Part of the problem is that Ondrej Cink (Bahrain-Merida) is only 57 seconds off of the race lead, so the BMC led peloton wasn't about to let him or Cameron Meyer (UniSA-Australia) nor Jack Bauer (Quickstep) get too much of a gap.  Perhaps if Cink wasn't with them the percentage chance of success might go up

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%20Down%20Under/2907524-115-194179/PaintingA%2010%20%20Chance%20TDU17-17.html#.WIG5xPkrLIU

Tour Down Under: Nothing Ventured

Nothing ventured, nothing gained, as the old saying goes.  Sadly for the trio of escapees (David Tanner - IAM Cycling has already returned to the peloton), it was going to be nothing gained for Alexis Gougeard (AG2R) and Patrick Shaw (UniSA-Australia).  They must have been curious why the Tinkoff lead peloton had bothered to chase them in, but competitors must compete.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting created using watercolors from www.richesonart.com and is 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.  In addition, be sure to check out my new book, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships" available now at www.artofcycling.bike.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2679692-83-194179/Painting.html#.VqKMQvkrLIU

Tour Down Under: Checking In

Alexis Gougeard (AG2R) checks in with the neutral service vehicle to find out just how quickly the chasing peloton is closing in.  At one point he. along with David Tanner (IAM Cycling) and Patrick Shaw (UniSA-Australia) had built up just over four minutes on the disinterested peloton.  At least the trio hoped they were disinterested, it isn't like any of them were anywhere near the leaders on the General Classification.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting created using watercolors from www.richesonart.com and is 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.  In addition, be sure to check out my new book, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships" available now at www.artofcycling.bike.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2679666-82-194179/Painting.html#.VqKJ7_krLIU

Tour Down Under: Lunch on the Fly

Naturally, the early break away (although this one didn't get away until after the first intermediate sprint) was the first to reach the feed zone.  The race organization will designate an area slightly over half way through the stage were the soigneurs can pass musettes of food and drink to their team riders.  The racers will consume over 2,000 calories while racing the relatively short 140ish kilometer stages of the Tour Down Under.  One of the dreaded mis-calculations is the bonk, when I rider doesn't take in enough food and figuratively runs out of gas at the end of the stage, just when he needs it the most.  Here, Patrick Shaw (UniSA-Australia) has just grabbed his lunch, while David Tanner (IAM Cycling) and Alexis Gougeard (AG2R) already have theirs.  Yes, you have seen Gougeard's name already, he was out in the first breakaway in the first stage of this year's Tour Down Under.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting created using watercolors from www.richesonart.com and is 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.  In addition, be sure to check out my new book, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships" available now at www.artofcycling.bike.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2679655-81-194179/Painting.html#.VqKIM_krLIU

Tour Down Under: Sprinting for Seconds

With Laurens De Vreese (Astana) up the road, there were only a couple of bonus seconds up for grabs at the intermediate sprint out on course.  Last year the race was decided by only two seconds, so any chance to grab a few seconds are well worth the effort.  The winner of stage 1, Caleb Ewan (UniSA-Australia) claimed the best of the rest slot, 2 seconds and some valuable points in the sprinters jersey competition (the red jersey he is currently wearing).  Race leader, Jay McCarthy (Tinkoff) bedecked in Ochre nabbed third and a single second.  While being attentive Diego Ulissi (Lampre-Merida) could only manage a fourth place at the line, so he was unable to add any bonus seconds to his second place overall.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting created using watercolors from www.richesonart.com and is 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.  In addition, be sure to check out my new book, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships" available now at www.artofcycling.bike.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2678303-75-194179/Painting.html#.VqHCf_krLIU

Tour Down Under: Down to Two

With the peloton just 45 seconds behind the break away, Martijn Keizer (LottoNL-Jumbo) sat up having seen the hand writing on the wall.  However, Alexis Gougeard (AG2R) had already claimed both intermediate sprints gaining 6 bonus seconds, whereas Sean Lake had already claimed the first leader's jersey of the Santos Tour Down Under, the King of the Mountains jersey for getting over the first climb of the season first.  By virtue of being off of the front, the pair were getting some great TV time from the TV Moto on their back wheel.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting created using watercolors from www.richesonart.com and is 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.  In addition, be sure to check out my new book, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships" available now at www.artofcycling.bike.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2673264-64-194179/Painting.html#.Vp3YUPkrLIU