Tour '25, Stage 5 ITT, Perfect Form

The European Time Trial Champion Edoardo Affini (Visma-Lease a Bike) went out early on today's Individual Time Trial.  The racers start in reverse order of where they stand in the general classification so the person in last goes first, and the person in the Maillot Juane of race leader goes last.  Don't be fooled by where he started the day, he is a very strong specialist in the 'race of truth.'  In fact, he was the fastest when he finished his thirty-three kilometer effort.  Unfortunately for him, some of the very, very best were yet to race.  Spoiler alert: He concluded the day taking third in the 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 work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Perfect Form TdF25-25" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 3: Doing Good?

Without a breakaway nor much of a challenge out on the road, it was a rather chill start to today's stage.  Everyone had some time to chat.  Everyone had plenty of time for "nature breaks."  With that, riders kept stopping and then coming back into the peloton.  As the Maillot Jaune of Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) came back up to the tail of the peloton, he tapped Jordi Meeus (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) just to check in.  The two are both Belgium sprinters, so I am sure this isn't the first time they have ever chatted.  There was quite a bit of checking in going on today as the kilometers rolled slowly (comparatively).  I do have to admit, the new Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe may be my new favorite team kit.

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.

"Doing Good? TdF25-13" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Volta ao Algarve 25, Stage 1: WTF?

Having unknowingly gone of course, Jordi Meeus (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) was less than pleased to discover that he had not one the stage.  In the roughly 80% of the peloton who had missed read the turn inside of the final kilometer, it was Meeus who outsprinted all of the other misguided sprinters.  I was wondering why the lone policeman pointed one way as the front of the peloton went the other way.  It became clear as most of the peloton was racing behind the crowds and the barriers, as just a handful of the riders went down the true finishing straight.  Kudos for Meeus for keeping a civil tongue in his moutn (at least as far as I know), but he did seem to question the one race official he saw.  I am assuming it was along the lines of "What the f**k?"  I sure would have.

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.

"WTF? VA25-3" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix ‘24: Filming the Leader

I toyed with the idea of calling this one “following the leader” but felt that filming the leader was more apt.  In just twenty kilometers, Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) had stretched his lead to just under two minutes over the chasers behind.  They were being frustrated by his teammates latching onto their efforts but not putting in any pulls to bring back the Rainbow Jersey.  It is always stunning to see what the camera men and women will do on the back of a speeding motorcycle to give us all engaging images of the sport we all dearly love.  Of course, this camera angle is from underneath the hovering helicopter.

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/Spring-Classics-/4008491-572-195767/Painting/filming-the-leader.-pr24-13.html

Strade Bianche 24: Looking for Help

Maxim Van Gils (Lotto-Dstny) was the only rider in the peloton who was able to jump clear when Pogacar went on the Monte Santa Maria.  However, he wasn’t able to go with the Slovenian Champion.  With thirty kilometers to race he was almost three and a half minutes behind the leader and a half of a minute ahead of the peloton.  He soon started looking back in hopes that another rider or three would bridge up to him.  It was both his and their only hope in reeling the lone escapee back.  But realistically, the race was now for the remaining two steps of the peloton.  The winner of the 2024 edition of Strade Bianche was already three minutes up the road, and his lead is still growing!

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/Spring-Classics-/4002736-557-195767/Painting/looking-for-help-sb24-10.html

Paris Roubaix 23: Power & Luck

To win Paris Roubaix it takes good fortune and some truly powerful legs.  Both were with the former Dutch champion, Matthieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) today.  His two main rivals, Wout Van Aert and John Degenkolb had either had a flat tire or a crash respectively.  The others in the front group just couldn’t hold onto the Dutchman’s wheel as he road across the final five star cobbles of Carrefour.  With just nine kilometers to the finish line in the velodrome and a 29 second advantage it was unlikely that they would catch the leader of Alpecin-Deceuninck.  The chase was further thwarted by the prescience of Van Der Poel’s teammate Jasper Philipsen in the two-man group behind.

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, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3945328-535-195767/Painting/power-luck-pr23-15.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 8: Caught Them, Dropped Them

Wout Poels jumped out of the peloton at the base of the category one climb of the Cote de Peille.  He quickly crossed the forty five second gap to the lead group.  Just as quickly the drops them as well.  The only one of the early break that was able to stay with Dutchman was Oliver Naesen (Ag2r-Citroen), but even he was dropped by Poels after a couple of switch backs on the way to the summit.  Poels would have had a better go of it had at least a couple of riders been able to hold onto his wheel.  That and the fact that the day started with only a twelve second gap between the riders in first and second place meant that the racing was going to be intense behind.

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, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3939879-109-272742/Painting/caught-them-dropped-them-pn23-27.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 4: Hoping They’ll Catch Up

Pascal Eenkhoorn (Lotto Dstny) bedecked in his Dutch National Champion’s jersey, looked back over his shoulder on the way back down the Cote de Vernet.  He had opened up quite a gap on his former break away companions.  However, I am guessing he didn’t really want to ride the final 38 kilometers alone.  He could see Lilian Calmejane (Intermache-Circus-Wanty) coming across with a few others just behind the Frenchman.

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, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3938779-94-272742/Painting/hoping-theyll-catch-up.-pn23-12.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 3: Getting It Done with Four

While they were expected to do very well in today’s team time trial, it was still a treat to watch Jumbo-Visma out on course.  They seemed to even have a plan on when they would jettison each rider after they had given their all.  As this foursome came to the line, it was clear they would win the stage, the only question was by how much.  The answer, not by as much as they had hoped, nor by enough to put one of the team into the Maillot Jaune (even though technically they are already in yellow jerseys).  With Tobias Foss (the reigning TT World Champion) on the front for one last pull, the foursome would soon be three.  Jan Tratnik took up the pace with Nathan Van Hooydonck the man designated to take Jonas Vingegaard across the line.  By so doing the three are now close to the lead, but not in it to start the stage four.  Vingegaard now has between a three and fourteen second buffer over the rest of the field of contenders.

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, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3938709-92-272742/Painting/getting-it-done-with-four.-pn23-10.html

Tour, Stage 18: Just Get Me to Paris

Every single man who starts the Tour wants to get all of the way to Paris, and will suffer to get there.  Today both Jack Bauer (BikeExchange_Jayco) and Nils Eekhoff (DSM) went down separately but simultaneously in an encounter with team cars, press motorcycles, and traffic furniture.  Bauer could be heard asking the motorcycle driver if this was his first Tour.  Clearly he wasn't happy having gone head over heals into the back of a team car while he was trying to rejoin the peloton.  Eekhoff seemed to be a bit worse off.  After he got going again he dropped back to the doctors car to get patch up.  He was able to finish the stage, so his chances of staying in the Tour all of the way to Paris have gone up drastically.

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-2022/3895178-111-294403/Painting/just-get-me-to-paris-tdf22-112.html

Liege Bastogne Liege Femmes '22: With Time in Hand

Annemiek Van Vleutin (Movistar) built on her lead all of the way into the finishing straight in downtown Liege.  She had forty three seconds advantage over the lagging chase, so there was plenty of time to celebrate her effort.  Long before spreading her arms wide she first shook her head in disbelief and then pumped her fist in celebration.  Clearly she was relieved to finally get her first victory of the 2022 season, though hardly her first race win in her long and illustrious career.  The rainbow stripes on her sleeves show just how strong of a rider she is.  If you don't know, it is the honor of any former World Champion to always have the rainbow stripes on their sleeves and collar of their jersey in their respective discipline.  Chapeau, Annemiek!

This really does mark the last of the spring classics, and the last race I will paint until the Dauphine and the Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes.  Thank you for reading and for your support of my cycling art.

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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3881406-53-207546/Painting/with-time-in-hand-lbl22-13.html

Liege Bastogne Liege Femmes '22: In Full Flight

 

Never one to give up (not many cyclists do) Annemiek Van Vleutin (Movistar) went off the front of  the small peloton yet again.  This time she timed her attack at a moment that left everyone looking at each other to do the chasing.  This time she made sure she didn't have anyone on her wheel to slow her down.  Given her time trial prowess, once she was gone even a five woman chase wasn't enough to pull the determined Dutch woman back.  By the time she had just ten kilometers to race, she had built up an eighteen second lead on those behind.  It certainly looked like no one was going to ruin her chances of winning 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 $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3881392-52-207546/Painting/in-full-flight-lbl22-12.html

TDF, Stage 2: I Asked First

With a small break away up the road theMaillot a Pois seemed to ask permission of the peloton if he can go up the road to join the other five.  It seemed that Ide Schelling (Bora-Hansgrohe) was set free to go defend his lead in the King of the Mountains competition.  But just a few kilometers later, the peloton was pack on his wheel.  He looked back with quite a bit of gesturing and not a small bit of anger and frustration.  Up the road was the guy in second in the race for Polka Dots, and needed to be there if he want to hold onto this leader's jersey.

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/3820467-8-291436/Painting/i-asked-first-tdf21-8.html

TDF, STage 1: Leaving the Others

Ide Shelling (Bora-Hansgrohe) felt that his erstwhile break away companions weren't doing enough to stay away from the closing peloton.  So off he went on his own.  I doubt he believe he could hold off the chasers, but with a Maillot Jaune dangling for whomever won the stage, it was worth the effort.  Plus he already has one point in the best climber competition, and there are two more climbs (one being at the finish line of the stage.)

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/3820232-3-291436/Painting/leaving-the-others-tdf21-3.html

This painting is sold

Dauphine, Stage 4: On His Way

Steven Kruijswijk (Lotto Soudal) is just getting started on course.  As he had a teammate just ahead of him he was able to monitor just how he was doing.  While he ended up with a decent ride, it wasn't enough for the top ten on either the stage on the general classification.  Jumbo-Visma puts a lot of faith in him, but I donn't remember seeing him getting great results in the past.  He is always there or there abouts, but never quite claiming the top step of the podium.  He made it a bit harder to achieve that today.

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/3814860-101-185083/Painting/on-his-way-cd21-17.html

Dauphine, Stage 1: The Stage and Two Jerseys

Brent Van Horn (Lotto Soudal) had gone in the early break looking to claim the first King of the Mountains Jersey of this year's Criterium du Dauphine.  Instead, he came away with considerably more.  It is a rare thing for the break away to stay off the front all of the way to win the stage, but that is what Van Horn managed to do (those with him were absorbed by the peloton within the final 15 kilometers of the stage.)  Van Horn not only took is first victory in a pro tour race, but because he did so he is now the first to wear the yellow jersey of race leader.  Ironically, his success on the stage means he will not be wearing the polka dot jersey of the king of the mountains, because the yellow jersey of race leader takes precedence.  Not a bad day out on the bike.

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/3814172-88-185083/Painting/the-stage-and-two-jerseys-cd21-4.html

Dauphine, Stage 1: You're Doing Great

Just like many of the Tour de France hopefuls, I like to use the Criterium du Dauphine to test my form as I prepare for the Tour.  Many of the marquee riders will come to this race to see how their preparations are going ahead of the most popular of the three grand tours.  Today it was a four man break that soon became this trio of riders.  Brent Van Moer (Lotto Soudal) drops back from is companions, Cyril Gautier (B&B Hotels) and Patrick Gamper (Bora-Hansgrohe), for a few words of encouragement from his sports director.  Since I paint these works in real time, I had little idea just how prophetic this title might be (but more on that later).

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/3814155-85-185083/Painting/youre-doing-great-cd21-1.html

LBL Women: Needing Some Help

The Dutch woman on the Australian team, Janneke Ensing (BikeExchange) lifted her arm to signal her need for her team car.  While I am sure she had gotten on the radio to her sports director, the gesture lets the race referee following the peloton know that her car needs to come up to the back of the race.  Normally, this would be a sign that she was having a problem with her bike or perhaps a flat tire.  This time she just wanted to get some gels, bars, and bidons for herself and her teammates.

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-2021/3808267-42-290150/Painting/needing-some-help-lbl21-7.html

Tour, Stage 20: Flying into Town

 Tom Dumoulin (Jumbo-Visma) road a storming ride around the only time trial course for this Tour de France.  As he crossed the line in La Planche des Belles Filles he posted the fastest time thus far.  He was later only topped by the winner of the stage and the guy who will win the Tour de France in Paris.  It is tradition to not attack the Maillot Juane, but to honor the jersey on the final day of the stage.  All of the other jerseys and the final sprint are all full on racing once the peloton puts its wheels onto the cobbles of the Champs Elysees.  It was wonderful to se Dumoulin showing his true form on the last day of flat out racing in this Tour.  At the end of the day the Team of Jumbo-Visma held the three of the top five placings on a truly hard individual time trial.  Thus laying to rest any doubt who was the strongest team in the race.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow th edirect 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/Tour-de-France-2020/3704449-135-282744/Painting/flying-into-town-tdf20-127.html

Strade Bianche, Celebrating Alone

Just like Annemiek Van Vleuten (Mitchelton-Scott) before him, her countryman Wout Van Aert (Jumbo Visma) came alone to the finish line in the old square in Siena.  And like Van Vleuten, Van Aert had only the cameras to salute to as he celebrated his victory in the "sixth monument"

I will be back next week painting another of the classic Italian races, Milan-Sanremo.  I do believe I will have access to the women's race 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/2020-Bike-Racing-Revised-Season/3609840-11-280747/Painting/celebrating-alone-sb20-11.html