Liege Bastogne Liege '22: All Day

It seems every time the camera cut to the front of the peloton there was Luis Leon Sanchez (Bahrain Victorious) was out there setting the pace.  He was dropped on the previous climb, but was soon back through the peloton and on the front for his team yet again.  Sanchez is yet another veteran in this peloton starting the day at 38 years old.  With this much time out in the wind it seems clear that his team has someone else in mind for victory when they return to Liege.

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-/3881092-503-195767/Painting/all-day-lbl22-3.html

Dauphine, Stage 4: Fighting All of the Way

Nairo Quintana (Arkea-Samsic) fought for every second has he completed the 9.4 kilometer time trial course. Quintana is not known for being a master of the race against the clock, but he did well enough to keep within striking distance in the coming mountains.  He gave up a minute to some of the other main contenders but that could be fixed in on could day in his preferred terrain.

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/3814864-102-185083/Painting/fighting-all-of-the-way-cd21-18.html

LBL Men: Attacking the Front

True to their promise for this season, Ineos-Grenadiers was racing a very agressive Liege-Bastogne-Liege.  After driving the pace over the final climb with several of their team members launching small attacks, it was Richard Carapaz who made his move stick.  The Ecuadorian was able to build almost thirty seconds on the peloton in the final twenty kilometers, but those behind weren't about to let a sole rider go to the line alone.

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/Spring-Classics-2021/3808163-39-290150/Painting/attacking-the-front-lbl21-4.html

Tour, Stage 10: Bridging Back

I'm sorry, I couldn't resist the title of this painting, I think I actually laughed out loud when I thougt of it.  As the peloton went over the bridge onto the Ile de Re, Miquel Angel Lopez (Astana) was off the back on the rise up to the high point of both the bridge and the stage.  He was being pulled pack by three teammates but, alas, I could only identify Luis Leon Sanchez because of his Spanish National Champion's jersey.  They must have been very close to rejoining because the race director's car is just behind them, and they are passing the Mavic neutral service vehicle that is usually just behind the last member of the peloton.

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-2020/3696547-65-282744/Painting/bridging-back-tdf20-60.html

Paris Nice, Stage 1: Holding Their Advantage

After the crosswinds had split the peloton apart, this rather elite group of sixteen guys continued to press their advantage over the chasing peloton.  Leading the effort were two domestiques Kasper Asgreen (Deceuninck-Quick Step) and Connor Swift (Arkea Samsic).  One of the favorites to make the split was Nairo Quintana on his new team Arkea Samsic.  With 38 kilometers left to race they were hoping to grow their 30 second advantage.  Those behind were doing all they could to prevent that from happening.

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/Paris-Nice/3487773-2-272742/Painting/holding-their-advantage-pn20-2.html

Tour, Stage 18: Finding His Legs

We all knew it was coming.  Nairo Quintana (Movistar) had wisely placed himself in the early break so he could attack on the final climb of the day.  At one point, his team was chasing back from behind, for the life of me I can't figure that one out.  Admittedly, Quintana has cracked on all of the climbs in the Pyrennes, but it seemed that wasn't going to be the case on the Col du Galibier.  He went so quickly, no one with him could even react, let alone chase back onto his wheel.  It pleases me that my 100th watercolor of this Tour should be of Quintana setting matters to rights.

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"

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202019/3365285-100-263530/Finding%20His%20Legs%20%20TDF19-100.html

This painting has sold!

Tour, Stage 15: You Do You

"You do you." is not one of my favored expressions.  It oft carries a bit of a nasty edge to it, implying the the "you" you do is somehow sub-par.  Tony Gallopin (Ag2r La Mondiale) was less than pleased with Nairo Quintana (Movistar) not helping chase those off the front of the early break.  In Quintana's defense, he did have three teammates trying to join up with this group.  Of course, that was not something Gallopin wanted to see happen, nor did he want the Movistar team to have the advantage of numbers.  Gallopin did not have any luck getting the Colombian to pull through.  And yes, the chaser caught on (and then went on from there).

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"

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202019/3363352-84-263530/You%20Do%20You%20%20TDF19-84.html

Tour, Stage 14: Driving on the Front

There is going to be quite a bit of discussion about why Movistar put the whole team on the front of the peloton across the valley.  Where they bluffing that Nairo Quintana was in good form?  Or had he let them know that it wasn't his day, so someone on the team should try to take stage honors?  And then it could just be that they wanted to make the race has hard as possible for Team Ineos and the Maillot Jaune of Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step).  Whatever the reason, with 48 kilometers to go, Andrey Amador, Marc Soler, Mikel Land (who did finish fifth on the stage) and Alejandro Valverde all drove the pace before the climb of the Tourmalet.

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"

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202019/3362778-77-263530/Driving%20on%20the%20Front%20%20TDF19-77.html

Tour, Stage 10: A Little Testy

Maxime Monfort (Lotto Soudal) was a bit annoyed with Gorka Izaguirre (Astana).  Monfort and others have been doing long pulls at the front of the peloton to keep the break away in check.  When Izaquirre got on the front he may have been there for about eight seconds before flicking his elbow and sliding over.  Monfort's complaint was that if the Astana rider was going to get in the mix, then he should do a real pull.  If he wasn't going to work, then he should go back into the folds of the peloton.  I suspect Izaguirre's response was a less polite Spanish version of "Buzz off!"

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.  There wil be a video of this painting within the next 24 hours on the You Tube channel.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202019/3360123-50-263530/A%20Little%20Testy%20%20TDF19-50.html

Tour, Stage 5: Well, I Tried

This one garnered the coveted "Bridget's Favorite" prize for today's stage.  Like Lilian Calmejane did in Stage 4, Rui Costa (UAE Team Emirates) had a late stage attack hoping to catch the peloton napping.  With the teams of the two remaining sprinters so keen for a stage win, it was just as unlikely that the gamble would work any better than the day before.  Costa had pulled it off in the past, but it wasn't to be today.

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%202019/3358264-25-263530/Well,%20I%20Tried%20%20TDF19-25.html

Tour Down Under, Final Stage: Under Control

On the second lap before heading up the famed Willunga Hill, the peloton had the break away under control.  The escapees may be three minutes ahead at this point, but the best place rider was over six minutes down on the general classification.  Kiel Reijnen (Trek-Segafredo) led the effort to keep the break in check with Astana, Team Sky and EF Education First all contributing to the chase. 

I hope they had a chance to take in the beautiful seas off to their left.

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/3286981-140-194179/PaintingUnder-Control--TDU19-22.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 5: Get Me Back on My Bike!

"Get me back on my bike!"  It is what I image Paddy Bevin (CCC) was telling his teammate, Victor De La Parte as the Spaniard nearly carried the race leader towards a new bike brought from the team car.  Michael Sajnok was standing at the ready to pace their guy back into the peloton.  It was going to be a tall order, with just nine and a half kilometers to the finish, the peloton couldn't really afford to wait for the Ochre Jersey.  They did for about a kilometer, but then the sprinter's teams had to get on with their job of trying to get their guy to the line first.

Shockingly, Bevin was able to rejoin the peloton with another two kilometers to race.  His team's sprinter, Franisco Ventoso, was the one to lead Bevin back to the business end of the race, sacrificing his chances in the sprint finale.  It make take a village to raise a child, but it takes a team to hold a race lead.  And hold the lead they did!

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/3286774-137-194179/PaintingGet-Me-Back-on-My-Bike!--TDU19-19.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 3: Digging Deep

With just two kilometers to race and less than 500 meters to climb, the attacks were bound to come.  It was Michael Woods (EF Education First) who went first hatching the final phase of the team's plan for the stage.  Woods was covered by the ever present Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana) with the rest of the peloton desparate to hold onto the Canadian's wheel.  With a bit of climbing and a quick one kilometer descent, it was going to be hard to get around whomever went over the top first.

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/3285583-128-194179/PaintingDigging-Deep--TDU19-10.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 2: Sneaking Away

Once the early break away had been caught, there was a general lull in the action (and the pace) in the peloton.  Matthieu Ladagnous (Groupama-FDJ) decided it might be a good time to go for a long late break away.  The Frenchman was quickly joined by Manuele Boaro (Astana), but it seemed the rest of the peloton wasn't remotely interested in going with the duo.  Shortly after I painted this one, Boaro spoke into his radio and then dropped back to the peloton.  I'm sure Ladagnous would have prefer a bit of company, and help, but once he had started the effort, he kept at it.  With another 47 kilometers to race, it was a long shot worthy of the now commentator, Jens Voigt.  Voigt was happy to see the Frenchman go for it, but he was equally sure it wouldn't succeed.  It didn't.

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/3285018-123-194179/PaintingSneaking-Away--TDU19-5.html

Tour, Stage 20: New Best

It amuses me when I go back over the paintings, prepping them for posting to this blog.  Sometimes I find interesting mistakes, misspellings or omissions.  Today in my haste to create this painting while taping it for my You Tube channel, I seemed to have omitted the final word in the title.  I had intended to entitle this, "New Best Time," but clearly I did not succeed in that effort.  As Marc Soler (Movistar) approached the line, it was assumed he wasn't going to take over the lead in the stage up to his finish, but he did.  Unfortunately for Soler, it didn't last long.  His time was better about five minutes later and again just two minutes later.  Ultimately, Soler ended the day in 9th place on the stage, nothing to be ashamed of when the top three from the World Championships finished ahead of the Spaniard. 

As I said, this is the painting of today's six watercolors that I filmed as I created it.  As you watch this painting come to life, you can learn about the Tour, the discipline of time trialing and why I create the piece the way I do.  I hope you will subscribe to the channel, so you will know when I post the next video about cycling, artmaking and what inspires me.

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/Tour-de-France-2018/3195912-108-251072/PaintingNew-Best--T18-107.html

Tour, Stage 19: Now or Never

When Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale) left the front group, it didn't look like anyone was going to counter his move.  Just a few moments later, Mikel Landa (Movistar) recognized the strength of Bardet's move.  Landa jumped up to the main in brown and blue.  The pair pressed their advantage on the uncatagorized climb before the final mountain of the Tour.  Unfortunately for this duo, the peloton (or at least the yellow jersey group) was closing from behind.

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/Tour-de-France-2018/3195528-103-251072/PaintingNow-or-Never--T18-102.html

Tour, Stage 17: Coming Out on Top

And it is a treat to see the Nairo Quintana (Movistar) that I was so excited about in the Tour years ago.  It was said that this is the first stage of the Tour that Quintana has won since 2013, hard to believe.  Quintana started this effort at the base of the climb and simply rode away from everyone.  The only one who seemed able to even come close to matching his speed was Dan Martin (UAE Team Emirates) who claimed second on the day.  The gesture seems odd, but he had just finished raising his hands in a prayful gesture before spreading his arms in celebration.  As you can tell, the climb was the tallest around.  Quintana not only climbed the mountain, but he climbed into fifth place overall. 

With just one mountain stage left to race, it is unlikely he will be able to improve anymore.  But all things are possible.

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/Tour-de-France-2018/3193983-95-251072/PaintingComing-Out-on-Top--T18-94.html

Tour, Stage 14: Coming Home Alone

While Jasper Stuyven (Trek-Segafredo) had led the race all of the way to the final climb, it was Omar Fraile (Astana) who went alone to the finish.  Fraile took the first Tour stage of Astana.  He came to the line a full eigthteen minutes ahead of the GC contenders.  It help his ranking, but did nothing to alter the top thirty spots on the leader board.

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/Tour-de-France-2018/3191768-77-251072/PaintingComing-Home-Alone--T18-76.html

Tour, Stage 11: Two More Are Coming

Mikel Nieve (Mitchelton-Scott) looked over at his break away companions.  I'm not sure if he was letting them know that Nicolas Edet and Daniel Narvarro (Cofidis) were coming up to them, or if he was about to attack Damiano Caruso (BMC) and Warren Barguil (Fortuneo Samsic).  They were on the way up La Rosiere, the final climb of the day.  Unlike yesterday, there would be no riding down the other side of the mountain.  Today the stage would end on top of the Catagory 1 climb.

And yes, Nieve, went on the offensive, riding everyone off of his wheel.

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/Tour-de-France-2018/3189409-60-251072/PaintingTwo-More-Are-Coming--T18-59.html

Tour, Stage 11: Feeling Good?

Movistar had a plan today.  Once Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) had over a minute on the Team Sky led peloton, his teammate, Marc Soler, dropped back from the early break.  The duo did all they could to ride across the gap.  Soler kept looking back over his shoulder to make sure his team co-captain was going well.  Soler was willing to ride until if he dropped if he could help get Valverde in yellow.  Movistar still had Nairo Quintana glued to the wheel of Chris Froome (Sky) should Valverde's attack come to naught.

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/Tour-de-France-2018/3189407-59-251072/PaintingFeeling-Good?--T18-58.html