Paris Olympics 2024, Men's Road Race: Who Do We Have Now?

Valentin Madouas (France) looks over his shoulder to see who is in this chase group with him.  He finds a dangerous Remco Evenepoel (Belgium) along with Stefan Kung (Suisse), Marco Haller (Austria), and Fred Wright (Great Britain).  The group has built a bit of an advantage over what is left of the main peloton with another 34 kilometers to race through the streets of Paris.  They are still chasing on man, Ben Healy (Ireland) who is still holding them off by about thirty seconds.  

Since there won't be another painting of Madouas today, I should tell you that he was able to take the Silver Medal for France, making that the third Silver in this event in the history of these Games.  They have yet to win a Gold Medal.

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. 

"Who Do We Have Now? PO240-55" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 4: Still Taking Second

Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ) started the day in second in the King of the Mountains competition, but since the leader had another jersey he is wearing the Maillot a Pois on loan.  He went out in the early break in hopes of taking the lead in the KOM outright, but Steven Williams (Israel Premier Tech) had other ideas.  It was Williams just outsprinting the surprised Madouas to the top of Sestrieres.  The two then lead the race onto French soil 100 meters later.  Bienvenue le 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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Still Taking Second TdF24-17" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 1: Clearly Ahead

Over the previous three climbs of the day, Jonas Abrahamsen (UnoX-Mobility) had been fighting it out with others to claim the maximum points in his quest to claim the first King of the Mountains jersey.  One of those giving him a hard time was Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ).  Clearly, he went over the Cote de Barbotto first despite Madouas attempt to claim the maximum points.  He is now the virtual leader in the competition.  As long has he continues to claim more points than the Frenchman he will wear the Polka Dots at the start of stage 2.  Spoiler, he did.

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.

"Clearly Ahead TdF24-3" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France 23, Stage 20: Almost There

This trio that contained the American, Kevin Vermaerke (DSM-firmenich), Rigoberto Uran (EF Education-EasyPost) and the French Champion, Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ) had been chasing all of the way down the previous climb.  As they came into the feed zone, they were almost back up to the leaders on the road.  They hoped to catch the large group in hopes of being able to fight for the stage victory.  Many riders and teams knew this was their last chance to win a Tour stage so if they have the legs there is no holding back 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 $95 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2023/3966830-132-297438/Painting/almost-there-tdf23-132.html

 

Tour de France 23, Stage 13: Quick Change

Very early into the stage the French Champion, Valentin Madouas (Grouipama-FDJ) had a problem with his bike.  Since the peloton was flying up the road trying to prevent anyone getting into a break away, it seem prudent to simply swap out his bike.  Bastille Day is the single most important day for a Frenchman to win a stage of the Tour, and how much more special would it be for the national champion to raise his arms in victory in the tricolore jersey.  Given the one Haute Catagorie climb to the finish line, it was going to take some special legs to claim such an honor for anyone.  And sadly I just haven't seen that kind of prowess on the mountains that today is going to require.  Plus it could well be a day that the leaders of the Tour fight it out to gain time one on the other.

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/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2023/3965427-76-297438/Painting/quick-change-tdf23-76.html

Tour de France 23, Stage 5: Looking for Help

Working in the moment means I didn't realize this is the third title from this stage that starts with the word, "looking."  Oh well, so it goes.

At the base of the Col de Marie Blanque the duo of Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) and his shadow, Sepp Kuss (Jumbo-Visma) were rejoined by an elite group of chasers.  Most importantly for Pogacar, his teammate in the Maillot Jaune, Adam Yates, was now here to help limit his losses to the fleeing Jonas Vingegaard.  Also riding for their own interests, that just so happened to coincide with those of the man in the Maillot Blance where the French Champion, Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ) and his team leader David Gaudu, along with Yates' twin brother Simon Yates (Jayco-Alula), Carlos Rodriquez (Ineos-Grenadiers) and Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek).  Three of these guys have teammates up the road, so Kuss, Rodriguez, and Skjelmose all won't be aiding in the chase.

It should be noted that the last time Adam Yates held the Maillot Jaune for four days he lost it on the stage that included the Col de Marie Blanque.  Unfortunatley for the co-leader of UAE Team Emirates, history did repeat itself today.  Not the best day for his team.  Both of the Yates brothers and Pogacar dropped four places on the general classification, but at least Pogacar held onto his lead in the Maillot Blanc by 16 seconds.

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/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2023/3963885-28-297438/Painting/looking-for-help-tdf23-28.html

 

Tour '22, Stage 18: It's All You Now

 On the final climb of the day, and the Tour for that matter, Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ) had done everything he could to pull his team captain up the climb and the general classification.  As he swung off the front he almost came to a complete stop such was his effort on behalf of David Gaudu.  He was helped by some of the Basque fans who gave him a push until he could get going again.  That is technically illegal, but since he didn't gain a real advantage the referee in the car behind him won't care.  He can be pleased to know that is effort wasn't in vain.  Gaudu finished fifth on the day and moved up to fourth on the GC.

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-2022/3895207-120-294403/Painting/its-all-you-now-tdf22-121.html

Ronde Van Vlaanderen Men '22: Letting Them Back In?

The front duo of Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Finix) and Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) came into the final kilometer with plenty of time to contest for first and second with no one else in the frame.  However, the two slowed each trying to force the other to the front.  As they were trying to beat the other those behind, including Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ) and Dylan Van Baarle (Ineos-Grenadiers) were going flat out to catch the two leaders.  It seems like they may have blown it since those behind were at full speed while they were barely moving with just 250 meters to race.  Van Der Poel was looking back at least, so he got the jump on Pogacar as Madouas was upon them.

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 $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3876963-483-195767/Painting/letting-them-back-in-rvv22-6.html 

Ronde Van Vlaanderen Men '22: Bridging Up

The race has been split and rejoined so many times that I have gotten a bit confused as to which group was on the front as the race unfolded.  This rather spectacular threesome of Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates), Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ) and Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Finix) were just about to catch the two leaders Dylan Van Baarle (Ineos-Grenadiers) and Fred Wright (Bahrain-Victorious).  If the five get together at the top of the Steenbeekdries it is unlikely the rest of the peloton will see them 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 painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes 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/Spring-Classics-/3876949-481-195767/Painting/bridging-up-rvv22-4.html

Paris Nice 2022: One Goal Achieved

Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ) may not have taken the stage after spending the day in the early break away, but he did take over the lead in the King of the Mountains competition.  Not wanting to leave it to chance he joined Johan Jacobs (Movistar) and Yevgeniy Fedorov (Astana Qazaqstan) amongst others in the early break again today.  Madouas has taken every summit again today thus increasing his lead to near unsurmountable numbers.  At least I am sure that is his hope.  Just ahead they are being shown just how much of a gap they have over the peloton.  I doubt it is enough time to keep those behind at bay.

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 $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3871646-63-272742/Painting/one-goal-achieved-pn22-26.html

Paris Nice 2022: Polka Dots Are the Goal

Not only was the panels covered in polka dots at ths summit of the Cote de Toulard the immediate goal for Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ) and Harm Vanhoucke (Lotto Soudal), the similarly bedeck jersey was the goal of the day for Madouas.  Vanhoucke was doing what he could to try and reduce the points that Madouas garnered at each summit in hopes of keeping his teammate in the King of the Mountains jersey.  However, Madouas had gotten the best of the Belgium rider in red on every climb thus far, including this one.  That fact has insured that the Frenchman will be pulling on the Maillot a Pois at the end of today's stage.  

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 $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3871506-58-272742/Painting/polka-dots-are-the-goal-pn22-21.html

TDF, Stage 18: Oh, Well

"Oh, well," may not have been what this head gesture meant for Matej Mohoric (Bahrain-Victorious), but I am sure it was what he felt.  He and Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step) had worked hard off the front, but nevertheless, Valentin Madous (Groupama-FDJ) and his teammate David Gaudu pulled Ruben Guerreiro (EF Education-Nippo) and the rest of the chasers up to their wheels as they climbed the Col du Tourmalet.  With 30 kilometers to race, they were all hoping to vie for stage honors on the last mountain stage of the 2021 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 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/3824239-117-291436/Painting/oh-well-tdf21-116.html

Dauphine, Stage 5: Gaps Are Forming

With the peloton at full cry and a section of open road exposed the crosswinds, gaps started to form.  This group found that a gap had formed and were doing all they could to chase back.  The quartet of Laurent Pichon (Arkea-Samsic), Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ), Sebastien Grignard (Lotto Soudal) and Will Barta (EF Education-Nippo) seemed to content to let those on the front do the chasing, while they stayed on the wheels for a relatively free ride back to the peloton.  It did work.  And it only took a couple of kilometers to rejoin.

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/Criterium-du-Dauphine/3815078-107-185083/Painting/gaps-are-forming-cd21-23.html

Tour, Stage 13: Scooting Off the Front

 The peloton let the large early break go, the best placed rider was over an hour down on the general classification. So it was looking like it was going to be a stage with two separate races playing out at the same time.  With seventeen guys in the break it was too large to be manageable.  With that understood, it was Hugh Carthy (EF Pro Cycling) that scooted off the front with Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ) in tow.  Impressive as it is that Carthy was able to ride away at the best of times, it is even more so today.  The EF rider has been riding with a broken wrist for the last couple of stages, so being able to ride others off his wheel on a climb is super human (or super nuts).

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-2020/3699071-80-282744/Painting/scooting-off-the-front-tdf20-74.html

Bergen 2017, U23 Men's Road Race: Tough to Catch

With the Italian Edoardo Affini pulled back into the peloton it was Lennard Kamna (Germany) who was the next to put in an attack.  He waited until the final ascent of the Salmon Hill climb to get off of the front.  Kamna had just finished the Veulta a Espana riding for Team Sunweb, so he may have the stronger legs than those chasing behind.  Trying to bridge up to the fleeing German are Valentin Madouas (France), Mauricio Moreira (Uruguay) and Daniel Martinez (Colombia).  Moreira is the only rider in this peloton riding for Uruguay, so he has done very well to be at the business end of the race with just 12 kilometers to the line.

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3037150-36-239826/PaintingTough-to-Carch--Bergen-36.html