Tour, Stage 6: Sprinting to the Top

I got the focus sorted, and apparently, Tim Wellens (Lotto Soudal) got Natnael Berhane (Cofidis) sorted as well.  As these guys sprinted off of the front of the break on the Ballon d'Alsace, it was Wellens over first followed by Giulio Ciccone (Trek-Segafredo), Berhane and the next closest guy on KOM points, Xandro Meurisse (Wanty Gobert).

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

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202019/3358776-28-263530/Sprinting%20to%20the%20Top%20%20TDF19-28.html

Tour, Stage 1: Pushing On

Now that Greg Van Avermaet had dropped back to the chasing peloton, it was left to these three to push on in vain hope for a stage victory.  Mads Wurtz Schmidt (Katusha-Alpecin), Natnael Berhane (Cofidis) and Xandro Meurisse (Wanty Group) knew that the odds were stacked against them, but there was nothing left but to try.  This stage was seen as one for the sprinters, and with a Yellow Jersey on offer for the stage winner, it was very unlikely that a break away would succeed.  But if one doesn't try, then it definitely won't happen.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202019/3356413-2-263530/Pushing%20On%20TDF19-2.html

Tour, Stage 1: Up and Over

Here we go!  I know what I will be doing for the rest of July...  This is the first painting of the first stage of the first climb of the Tour de France.  The maximum points for the climb up the Mur de Grammont was taken by the reigning Olympic gold medalist, Greg Van Avermaet (CCC) followed closely by Xandro Meurisse (Wanty Group).  Meurisse was first over the only other categorized climb of the day, but this climb was enough to award Van Avermaet the first Polka Dot jersey of this Tour.  Immediately after the second climb of the day, the Belgium rider dropped back to the peloton, his objective for the day achieved.

Watch this painting come to life in my You Tube videos here...

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202019/3356399-1-263530/Up%20and%20Over%20%20TDF19-1.html

Tour of Britain, Final Stage: About to Start

The entire peloton lined up on the road side under the Admiralty Arch on the streets of London.  Well, all but eight of those who had started a week ago in Glasgow, Scotland.  As is the tradition of every stage start, all of the leaders' jerseys are placed front and center, with the rest of the peloton lining up as they like.  Just out of  "camera" is Rohan Dennis (BMC) in the points jersey.  Next to him and in camera is the King of the Mountian, Xandro Meurisse (Wanty Group Gobert), then the Yellow Jersey of Steve Cummings (Dimension Data).  Breaking into the line up is the American, Taylor Phinney (BMC), perhaps he is planning something for the start.  And finally the sprinter leader, Jasper Bovenhuis (An Post Chain Reaction).  Bovenhuis has only to take one more of the intermediate sprints on the day to ensure his overall victory in the competition.  Unlike most stages, there is no neutral start for this circuit race through the streets of London, once the flag drops, the race is on.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2850489-83-189075/PaintingAbout%20to%20Start%20ToB57-Greig-Leach.html#.V9ZCApgrLIU

Tour of Britain, Stage 6: All Who Matter

With all of the early escapees back in the fold, it was time for the GC contenders to make their move.  Each of the hopefuls put a teammate on the front to ramp up the pace as they started up to the summit of Haytor, Dartmoor.  So Loic Vliegen (BMC) road for Rohan Dennis, Marco Mocato (Wanty Group Gobert), for Xandro Meurisse, and finally Jack Bauer (Cannondale-Drapac) for Dylan Van Baarle.  With just five kilometers left to race, all of them uphill, it was now the time to take over the lead of the Tour of Britain.  For Meurisse, it was time to make sure the King of the Mountians Jersey would be his on the final day.  The rest of the Tour are either a time trial or circuit races, with a win today, his lead would be unbeatable.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2849673-71-189075/PaintingAll%20Who%20Matter%20ToB45-Greig-Leach.html#.V9OFspgrLIU

Tour of Britain, Stage 6: Greipel Is on the Front

First the leader in the Sprint Competition is seen leading the break away up the second climb of the day, then the renowned sprinter, Andre Greipel (Lotto Soudal) is seen leading the peloton on the Category 1 and penultimate climb of the day.  Stranger still, on the wheel of the German National Champion is the leader of the King of the Mountains competition, Xandro Meurisse (Wanty Group Gobert).  I will assume that Greipel is continuing to aide his team as best he can in support of their General Classification man, Tony Gallopin.  Tucked on to the front is a rider from Team Wiggins, I am sorry to say I did not get his name.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2849665-69-189075/PaintingGreipel%20Is%20on%20the%20Front%20ToB43-Greig-Leach.html#.V9N-yZgrLIU

Tour of Britain, Stage 5: Just Making Sure

The leader in the King of the Mountains competition, Xandro Meurisse (Wanty Group Gobert) had been picking up the final remaining point on the two previous climbs of the day's stage and doing so without having to sprint against his nearest competitor, Nicolas Roche (Sky).  Today it seems, Roche had decided not to spend the energy trying to grab any of the minor placings on the tops of the climbs.  Meurisse approached the summit of Selsley Common on the front of the peloton.  He took a quick look back over his shoulder just to make sure no one was trying to sprint past him for the remaining KOM point of the day.  Behind him, Lotto Soudal and LottoNL Jumbo were more interested in keeping the tempo turning over than they were in the KOM competition.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2849124-58-189075/PaintingJust%20Making%20Sure%20ToB32-Greig-Leach.html#.V9HoEpgrLIU

Tour of Britain, Stage 4: Using Team Tactics

The two climbers competing for the King of the Mountains Jersey have been Nicolas Roche (Sky) and Xandro Meurisse (Wanty Group Gobert).  The pair had traded best of the rest on the first two climbs of the day, leaving Meurisse in the lead by one point.  As they approached the final climb of the day, the first four placings had already been claimed by the breakaway.  With 2 points of the next guy over the summit, and one of the next one, Wanty Group Gobert sent Marco Marcato up the road to get the two points.  Now with just one point left, the best Roche could to was pull back even.  However, Meurisse was able to get the final KOM point of the stage.  I am sure this competition will go all the way to London.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2848885-50-189075/PaintingUsing%20Team%20Tactics%20ToB24-Greig-Leach.html#.V9DXNJgrLIU

Tour of Britain, Stage 3: With Some Help

As the peloton approached the summit of the Cat and Fiddle climb, Wout Poels (Sky) jumped out of the peloton with his teammate Nicolas Roche on his wheel.  The duo had hoped to surprise the King of the Mountians Jersey of Xandro Meurisse (Wanty Group Gobert) was attentive and quickly covered the Irish Champion's wheel.  Try as the Sky duo might, it was still Meurisse who went over the rise in fifth place, moving him into the outright lead in the King of the Mountains competition.

Lining the summit of the climb were hundreds of cycling fans, many of whom had ridden up to the top on their bikes.  I am sure having ridden the climb, they had a much better appreciation for what the pros were able to achieve and the speeds at which they did it.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2848539-45-189075/PaintingAfter%20More%20Points%20ToB19-Greig-Leach.html#.V8-z1pgrLIU

Tour of Britain, Stage 3: After More Points

Both Nicolas Roche (Sky) and Xandro Meurisse (Wanty Group Gobert) started the day equal on points in the King of the Mountain competition, but it was Meurisse who wore the black jersey of the KOM leader (due to count back).  Roche was able to beat Meurisse to the summit of the Brickhouse climb moving him one point ahead on the road.  The four break away riders had already claimed the first four positions at the summit.  But that left Roche adding two points and Meurisse with one additional point.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2848530-43-189075/PaintingAfter%20More%20Points%20ToB17-Greig-Leach.html#.V8-u9JgrLIU