Tour '26, Stage 20: Super Domestique

Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates) could not have asked for a better member of the peloton to help him on the final climb of the final mountain stage of the 113th Tour de France!  Tadej Pogacar was sacrificing his chance to claim the first ever back-to-back wins atop Alpe d'Huez to make sure that his teammate stayed in third place on the general classification and kept his Maillot Blanc of the best young rider of the Tour.  This is not normal activities for the Maillot Jaune, but then I think Pogacar has established that he is not a mere mortal cyclist.  I should note that Pogacar's lead is so large that he can afford this generous act despite the guy in second place has gone up the road.  In fact, Evenepoel finished second on the stage, but only forty seconds ahead of this jerseyed duo.  As long as they both finished the stage tomorrow, they will finish in first and third in Paris wearing their yellow and white jerseys in 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 work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "Super Domestique TdF26-151" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Paris Nice '25, Stage 4: Attacking on the Final Climb

With everyone warmed back up, the sun back out, and most of the breakaway caught, it was time for the general classification guys to fight it out on the final climb.  The first to attack on La Loge des Gardes was the current Maillot Blanc (although you can't see it for the rain gear), Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe).  He was quickly covered by the guy in second place in the young rider's competion, Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek).  Of course, both Matteo Jorgenson (hidden) and Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) weren't about to let the move go, either.

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.

"Attacking on the Final Climb PN25-15" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France 23, Stage 20: One Stage, Two Victors

Led out by his teammate, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) opened up the sprint for the stage win.  Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) did get the inside line and opened up a gap on the Maillot Blanc with about 500 meters to to.  Then Pogacar found that burst of speed that has served him so well for so long.  And off he went to win the stage.  Vingegaard shook his head at the speed of his adversary and let him go.  Felix Gall (Ag2r-Citroen) got around the Maillot Jaune in the final meters to claim second on the stage.  While Pogacar gained six seconds on Vingegaard, but since he needed almost eight minutes it was more a morale boost than it was a time bonus.  So while Pogacar won the stage, it is Vingegaard who will win the Tour at the end of the day tomorrow.  All he has to do is finish the day somewhere near the rest of the peloton in Paris and he will win the Tour.  Pogacar will win the Maillot Blanc of best young rider. And today it was decided that Giulio Ciccone will win the Maillot a Pois.

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-2023/3966858-138-297438/Painting/one-stage-two-victors-tdf23-138.html

Tour de France 23, Stage 17: Not What Was Expected

I fully expected it to be a real show down on the final climb up the Col de la Loze with the Yellow Jersey in the balance.  I doubt I was alone in that expectation.  All day Jumbo-Visma had been riding on the front of the peloton to my surprise.  I thought they should make UAE Team Emirates work in hopes of tiring them out.  Apparently it didn't matter.  As the group containing both the Maillot Blance and the Maillot Jaune got to where we all expected the attacks to start we were treated to the sight of Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) just losing the tail of the group.  It was so much of a surprise to me I thought he might be bluffing in order to get Jonas Vingegaard to go deep in an effort to distance him.  But when it was obvious when he couldn't hold the wheel of his teammate Marc Soler then I knew he was actually in trouble.  Soler had already been dropped from the lead group so he was not the fastest guy on the climb either.  Later, we heard on the team radio Tadej telling his teammates to go ahead and fight for the stage win and to solidify there places on the general classification.  "I am dead, I'm done," is what he told 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 $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-2023/3966375-115-297438/Painting/not-what-was-expected-tdf23-115.html

 

Tour de France 23, Stage 16 ITT: Needing Ten Seconds

Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) had started two minutes ahead of the guy, Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) who he trails in the general classification by just ten seconds.  It was going to take everything he had to out ride the guy behind him on the road.  It should be noted that the two have raced to a draw over there previous five Tours de France, so today was most likely going to be close.  I had started the day thinking the stage would go to Pogacar, but he wouldn't gain enough time to take the Maillot Jaune.  It wasn't looking like that would be the case.  As he rode along, he was losing a two seconds per kilometer on the way to the final climb of the day.  When he got there he opted to switch to his road bike for the climb, now he conceded another ten seconds with that choice.  But the thinking was that he would gain more time by being on a lighter climbing bike.  It may have helped, but not enough.

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-2023/3966073-108-297438/Painting/needing-ten-seconds-tdf23-108.html

 

Tour de France 23, Stage 14: Waiting to Go Again!

Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) pulled up a spot on the curb as he waited for the commissares to decide it would be save to restart the race.  They peloton had done the neutralized start, and then about five kilometers of hard racing before the crash.  While I am sure they were concerned for their fellow competitors, it had to be hard to feel themselves stiffening back up.  Plus maintaining the focus they had at the start of the day must have been hard.  Perhaps that is why Pogacar went off by himself, although he does look is normal composed and joyful self.  After a half hour of waiting, more ambulances were ready to accompany the race once more, so it was time to get back into the saddle.  It did help that the organizers let the peloton have another two kilometers of a neutralized start before it was back to full on racing.

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-2023/3965603-85-297438/Painting/waiting-to-go-again-tdf23-85.html

 

Tour de France 23, Stage 10: Attacking Early

The return to racing after the race day can be a weird one, and that certainly describes this one.  With a climb right at the start of the stage, the summit of the Cat 3 Col de la Moreno was just seven kilometers into the stage.  The attacks came fast and furious right from the get go.  Once over the top it seemed that Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) went on the attack.  He was immediately covered (or joined) by the Maillot Jaune, Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma).  The top two in the general classification in the early break is just about unheard of.  Their presences in the break made for a mad scramble to be in their move.  This went on well into the 167 kilometer stage, with many wondering just what was going on.  This Tour is not following any previous script partly due to the thrill that these two find racing their bikes.

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-2023/3964965-55-297438/Painting/attacking-early-tdf23-55.html

Tour de France 23, Stage 6: Getting Some Back

It was a bold move that did more to restore some of Tadej Pogacar's (UAE Team Emirates) than effect the overall lead of the Tour.  But it did move him back up the four places he had lost the day before.  Knowing full well that he had entertained the crowd at the top of the Cauterets Cambasque (as well as millions and millions of cycling fans around the world), he bows to their applause both heard and sensed.  He put 24 seconds into his rival in the closing two and a half kilometrs, and another four bonus seconds more than Jonas Vingegaard than who finished second on the stage.  Vingegaard is now in yellow just a mere 25 seconds ahead of the white jersey wearing Pogacar..  They both have over a minute over Jai Hindley who had started the day in Yellow.  He now sits third, with the previous Yellow Jersey almost another two minutes back 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 $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-2023/3964152-36-297438/Painting/getting-some-back-tdf23-36.html

Tour de France 23, Stage 6: Still Stuck Together

Once Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) had given every last ounce of strength he had, we all expected hi teammate Jonas Vingegaard to attack Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) again.  But instead the pair remained stuck together with every meter they climbed towards the top of Carterets Cambasque.  Just three more kilometers to go, would either be able to put any time into 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-2023/3964121-34-297438/Painting/still-stuck-together-tdf23-34.html

Tour de France 23, Stage 6: Doing It Again!

Just like yesterday, Sepp Kuss (Jumbo-Visma) drove the pace on the front of the group dropping one contender after the other, including the new Maillot Jaune on the shoulders of Jai Hindley (Bora-Hansgrohe).  Once the American had done what he could and swung off the front, it was time for the awaited attack from Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma).  That is the exact scenario from yesterday, but today, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) was up for the challenge.  At least he was when the Danish rider went on the Col du Tourmalet.

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-2023/3964079-32-297438/Painting/doing-it-again-tdf23-32.html  

Tour '22, Stage 18: Locked Together

Despite multiple attempts on the Col d'Aubisque Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) & Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) were locked together.  As they rode up the new climb of the Col de Spandelles, the two were alone together as they chased down the final few members of the original break away.  They were glued together with Vingegaard following Pogacar making sure the latter didn't gain anytime on him.  Vingegaard has two minutes and eighteen seconds on the man with the bib number one pinned to the Maillot Blanc, so he just needs to keep the twice former winner of the Tour within his sight.

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-2022/3895194-115-294403/Painting/locked-together-tdf22-116.html

Tour '22, Stage 5: Sensing His Moment

With many having troubles with the cobbles, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) knew he had a chance to gain time on the lion share of his rivals.  On Sector 5 he went to the front a raise the pace.  On his wheel was Alberto Bettiol (EF Education-EasyPost) helping in the chase, for some unknown reason.  After the stage, it was argued that his efforts in this chase cost his teammate, Neilson Powless the Maillot Jaune. But I am not sure that is accurate because Van Aert finished just over a minute behind the stage winners and he didn't join this group until the very end of the stage.  It is Max Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) on the Italian's wheel making sure his team leader will finish the stage close the the Maillot a Blanc of Pogacar.

Watch this painting come together in real time as I talk about my reasons for painting it, what it measn for this Tour de France, and techniques of watercolor painting.

Consider subscribing to my channel so you don't miss any of the Tour Tutorials.  Plus be sure to give this video a thumbs up and leave me a comment about what you think of the artwork and/or the video.

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-2022/3892407-25-294403/Painting/sensing-his-moment-tdf22-25.html

Paris Nice 2022: Fluid/Fluent

It was a good day for the break away yesterday.  And a good day for swapping leader's jerseys around.  Matteo Jorgenson (Movistar) the American on a Spanish team thanks to his being off the front of the peloton is now in the Maillot Blanc.  The white jersey is award to the rider under 23 years old that is the highest placed in the general classification.  The title comes from the fluidity of the movements of the peloton as it snakes through the valleys on the way to Aubagne.  The fluent part of the title refers to how Jorgenson has had to become fluent in Spanish just to be able to understand the advise he is getting just now from his teammate Imanol Ervitti.  Just ahead of the Movistar duo was the former champion of Estonia, Ren Taramae (Intermache-Wanty Gobert-Materiaux).

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/3871648-64-272742/Painting/fluidfluent-pn22-27.html

TDF, Stage 5 ITT: Can He Do It Again?

Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) was hoping he had the legs to trade in his Maillot Blanc for a Maillot Jaune today.  He did managed to make that swap at the end of the 2020 Tour de France, and on the last "competitive" stage of the Tour.  That is the reason his bib number is 1.  Today he had enough to win the stage, his first of this Tour, but he couldn't quite out ride Mathieu Van Der Poel coming up just 8 seconds short of pulling on the next leader's jersey.  Too bad there aren't bonus seconds in time trials.  As I write this I don't know if he actually had a false start, or if he faced any time penalty for what appeared to be a little bit of an early start out of the gate in Change.

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/3821266-31-291436/Painting/can-he-do-it-again-tdf21-30.html

Tour, Stage 15: More to Celebrate

I am not sure if Tadej Pogacar (UAE-Team Emirates) was more excited with this win on the one on stage nine.  But this one closed him within 40 seconds of the lead of the man who finished just behind him, Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma).  The officials seemed to judge the finish a bit unfairly, it seemed to me that Pogacar had a second or two gap on Roglic but they were awarded the same time at the finish.  I think those seconds could be the deciding factor in this year's Tour.  Could we once again have a Tour decided by just eight seconds like it was in the favor of the American, Greg Lemond?

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-2020/3700491-105-282744/Painting/more-to-celebrate-tdf20-99.html

Tour, Stage 5: Little Help

Bedecked in the Maillot Blanc of the best young rider, Tadej Pogacar (UAE-Team Emirates) had a quick wheel change on the side of the road.  To get him back up to speed, his mechanic gives him a running push after getting his bike ready to go.  Pogacar had not much worry about catching back up to the peloton, today, the whole race seemed to take the day off.  Although it should be said that their day off pace is a good five miles an hour faster than my best hard day.

Today was the first day I can remember that no one went off the front in hopes of breaking away from the group.  Don't worry, the racing got very serious once they reached about thirty kilometers to 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.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2020/3690132-30-282744/Painting/little-help-tdf20-25.html

Tour, Stage 18: The First to Launch

Perhaps taking a page from his countryman's book, it was Egan Bernal (Ineos) who jumped free from the peloton on the upper reaches of the Galibier.  Bernal is the best placed young rider so he is wearing the Maillot Blanc instead of the new deep red of Team Ineos.  Behind the young Colombian, the World Champion, Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) tries to join the attack.  You can see Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) looking over to his teammate and other riders to see if they were going to help with the chase.  Bernal started the day in seventh place, but with this move he appears to be leaving his team leader in the dust on his way to claiming Geraint Thomas' place on the general classification.
Today seems to be adding more wrinkles to the Tour that it is ironing out.

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"

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Amgen ToC, Stage 6: Stage and Jersey

While most everyone tried, it was Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) who won atop Mount Baldy.  Behind him, Segio Higuita (EF Education First) pounds his handlebars in frustration.  The young Colombian had missed judge the final turn and couldn't recover his speed fast enough to out sprint the UAE rider.  While Higuita might have been able to win the stage, he would not have taken over the Yellow Jersey of race leader (he had started the day behind Pogacar's time).  However, Pogacar will be adding Yellow to his White Jersey of best young rider.  Clearly as race leader, he will be the best placed rider regardless of his age.

With only one day left to race, it remains to be seen who will win the 2019 Tour of California, but it is looking good for the young Slovenian.

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%20of%20California/3333669-86-223355/Stage%20and%20Jersey%20%20ToC19-31.html

Giro, Stage 8: Sprinting Up the Mountain

It was truly a marvel to see the speed with which Richard Carapz (Movistar) sprinted out of the pack and up the Montevergine di Mercogliano!  He had taken over the Maglia Blanco of best young rider on the climb up Mount Etna in stage 6.  Today, he added a stage victory (the first victory in a grand tour in his young career).  While others had trouble with both the climb and the rain, neither seemed to phase the Ecuadorian on the Spanish team.  He is now the first Ecuadorian to ride in a grand tour, to wear a leader's jersey and to win a stage in a grand tour.  I am sure we haven't seen the last of this young man.

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/3162094-35-249297/PaintingSprinting-Up-the-Mountain--G18-35.html

Vuelta, Final Stage: Saying Fairwell

Admittedly, it was the Tour of Spain, but it was quite an honor for the peloton to allow Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo) to ride off the front on the first time across the finishing line in Madrid.  Contador is wearing the White Jersey of the combination competition, on loan from Chris Froome.  At the start of the day, Froome was the owner of all put the King of the Mountains jersey.

While this title is apt, it is also what I had titled my most popular post and painting thus far in this project of painting bike racing live.  In the other "Saying Fairwell" Contador is reaching out to pat his teammate fair well as he is about to get off of the bike after breaking his leg in the 2014 Tour de France.  That painting is part of my book, "Book de Tour: Art of the 101st Tour de France" available on my website and on Amazon.  It just seemed right to pay homage to the career of the Spanish champion in such a way.

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/Vuelta-2017/3031953-54-239162/PaintingSaying-Fairwell--V-57.html