Tour '22' Stage 8: Left to Do It Alone

One by one Fred Wright's (Bahrain-Victorious) break away companions either sat up or gave out in their collective effort to hold off the charge of the peloton.  Wright kept going and still had 34 seconds with just eight kilometers to race.  Alas, the combination of a five kilometer climb to finish the stage and a possible GC battle on the way up, it is a sure bet that Wright will not be off the front at the end of the day.  Nevertheless, he will wear the red bib number of the most combative rider on the stage tomorrow.

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-2022/3892803-44-294403/Painting/left-to-do-it-alone-tdf22-44.html

Tour, Stage 6: Free to Ride

Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal) had spent most of the stage riding in service of the Maillot a Pois on the shoulders of his teammate Tim Wellens.  Apparently, Wellens had given De Gendt the nod to go out on his own.  De Gendt was either free to go for the stage, or he was trying to get the rest of the break to tire themselves chasing  so that Wellens could mop up the rest of the King of the Mountains points.  Behind the strong man from Belgium was the ever present Mavic moto reday to lend a wheel. I am sure the team car was staying behind with Wellens.

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%202019/3358793-30-263530/Free%20to%20Ride%20%20TDF19-30.html

This painting has sold!

Fleche Wallonne: Making His Escape

Using the oldest move in the racing handbook, Tomasz Marczynski (Lotto Soudal) went on the attack just as the race came back together.  Marczynski employed his time trialing abilities to quickly build up an eleven second advantage with just another 13 kilometers to the final summit of the Mur de Huy.  It is unlikely that this move will work, but it takes the pressure off of his team leader, Tim Wellens, who is safely tucked into the peloton 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.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/3322909-440-195767/Making%20His%20Escape%20%20FW19-4.html

Tour, Stage 13: Pressing on Alone

With the peloton breathing down the neck of the break away, Michael Schar (BMC) decided to press on alone.  He has the pedigree to time trial away from the peloton, but 24 kilometers is a long way to hold off an re-invigorated peloton.  I realized as I was posting this image, that the motorcycle passing Schar was the same one that was photographing the break in the previous painting.  With just about 30 seconds between Schar and the peloton the referees were clearing out all of the vehicles between them so as not to give the chasers an unfair advantage in closing to the leader.

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-2018/3190725-71-251072/PaintingPressing-on-Alone--T18-70.html

Giro, Stage 10: Inbetween

First it was Davide Villella (Astana) who attack the peloton in hopes of catching the lone leader (I am sure he wanted to win the stage as well).  He was joined by Matej Mohoric (Bahrain-Merida).  The two were about half way across the gap.  That is what is on the reverse of the board being held aloft on the back of the motorcycle.  They are 48 seconds behind the lone leader, Marco Frapporti (Androni Giocattoli) and 51 seconds ahead 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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/101st-Giro-dItalia/3163061-45-249297/PaintingInbetween--G18-45.html

Liege Bastogne Liege: Sprinting for Euros

Unlike multi-day stage races, there is now King of the Mountains jersey to be won in a single day race like Liege Bastogne Liege.  However, there is prize money for being the first to crest each of the eleven catagorized climbs that make up this "Old Lady" of cycling.  Jumping away from his eight break away companions was Casper Pedersen (Aqua Blue Sport).  Anthony Perez (Cofidis) just watched him ride away perhaps in disbelief of the effort the Dane was putting in.  Pedersen went on with his attack on the descent gaining about a half a minute on the rest of the break.  With the Cote de Bellevaux lying so far from the finish of the day, it seemed a tall order to hold of a peloton that was already beginning to reel the break back in.

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.

This painting is sold!

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3151235-422-195767/PaintingSprinting-for-Euros-LBL18-2.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 4: Giving Chase

With the break building up just shy of ten minutes on the peloton, it fell to Jack Bauer (Mitchelton-Scott) to drive up the pace and give chase.  He was experiencing the down side of having the Ochre Jersey on the shoulders of a teammate.  Behind him was most of Ag2r La Mondiale.  Each teammate will make sure his compatriots are top up with water and food.  With the continued heat of South Australia, the organization started the stage an hour early in hopes of avoiding the worst of the heat.  With temps over 105 degrees, I hate to think what the heat of the day might be.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. To purchase this artwork, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

My website is down for matainence, so I will post links later.  In the mean time, if you really want this painting, just email me at greigsart@gmail.com.

Tour Down Under, Stage 3: Worth a Try

Tiago Machado (Katusha-Alpecin) put in a strong attack on the final lap around Victor Harbor.  The race had been shortened by 26 kilometers (2 circuit laps) due to the excessive heat - temperatures were in the 115 degree range.  Machado was doing his best to keep cool, pouring water over his body in a vain effort to chill himself down.  The late break away was an equally vain effort.  Often when a rider goes on the attack, he is hoping that others will jump onto his wheel.  When no one comes along, the lone attacker is faced with the hard decision of pressing on, or just sitting up.  Machado decided to press on despite the odds of success.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. To purchase this artwork, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3099378-106-194179/PaintingWorth-a-Try-TDU18-13.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 1: Can I Do It?

Looking over his shoulder with just 12 K left to race, William Clarke (EF Education First-Drapac) must have been pleased to see an empty road.  Clarke had been off the front since kilometer three, making it a 130 kilometer effort at this point with nearly 30 kilometers on his own.  Clarke is a very capable time trialist, but this was going to take a Herculean effort.  Sprinters don't take lightly to having the plans spoiled by a break away.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com  To purchase this artwork, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3098233-97-194179/PaintingCan-I-Do-It?-TDU18-4.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 1: New Colors, New Season

There are many reasons to love the Tour Down Under, many indeed.  One is a chance to see the new kits (and new team names) for the start of the World Tour season.  One of the newly named teams, and one that almost went belly up, is EF Education First - Drapac, once known as Cannondale - Drapac.  I must say I am happy to see some bright pink back in the peloton.  Showning of the colors is William Clarke, one of a two man early break that included neophyte, Nicholas Dlamini (Dimension Data).  Dlamini claimed the only mountain points on the opening stage, so his break away efforts paid big dividends.  The duo built up a 4 minute advantage, but the peloton was seeing the ride into Lyndoch as a day for the sprinters.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com  To purchase this artwork, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3098214-94-194179/PaintingNew-Colors,-New-Season-TDU18-1.html

Giro, Stage 12: Ill Timed

With less than 10 kilometers to the line in Reggio Emilia, it was truly bad timing for Maximiliano Richeze (Quickstep) to have a flat tire.  His mechanic was quickly out of the car with the required wheel and equally fast to make the change.  With Richeze ready to roll, his mechanic gave him a strong push to get rolling again.  Richeze's legs were needed to lead the Maglia Ciclamino of Fernando Gaviria (Quickstep) to victory.

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.

With the start of the Giro d'Italia, I am crowd funding my third cycling art book through Kickstarter.  I could use your support in making this book get made, please consider supporting the project here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/art-of-cycling-100th-giro-ditalia.  This will be just one of the hundred plus paintings that will be included.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/100th-Giro-dItalia/2968385-84-235247/PaintingIll-Timed-G17-85.html

Just Four Days Until the 100th Giro!

With the start of the 100th Giro d'Italia, I will be creating my third book.  It will be created from my daily paintings of each and every stage of the race, painted live as the race unfolds on my computer screen.  After I finish painting the race, I will then post the paintings along with my text explaining the importance of the particular image and how it revels the saga of the Giro.  This blog will be the rough draft of the roughly 240 page hardcover book.

I am hoping to fund this book through Kickstarter and am counting on your help to make it happen.  There are some fabulous rewards for those of you who chose to back the project, and rewards start for those who can only afford to kick in a dollar.  Every one who backs the project will have their name in print on the backers' page in the front of the book.  Here is the link to the preview page (the link will take you to the actual page once it is live.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/1556435470?token=e6b32489

E3 Harelbeke: Neutral Service

The cobbles or the avoiding of the cobbles by riding in the ditches on the sides of the road make for a high risk of punctures.  If you combine that with the narrowness of the Belgium roads, a rider can wait a very long time for his team car to help him get going again.  The race organization provides neutral service vehicles that are able to be closer to each group on the road.  The course will split the race apart, spreading the race for tens of kilometers across the back roads of Belgium.  Here, Owain Dull (Sky) has had a wheel change from the Shimano sponsored mechanic and his getting a push to get back underway.  The Sky sprinter has none other than his teammate, Ian Stannard, waiting to help pace him back into the peloton.

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/Spring%20Classics%20/2939883-381-195767/PaintingNeutral%20Service%20E317-2.html

Paris Nice, Stage 4 Cautiously

Richie Porte (BMC) isn't having the Paris Nice that he wanted.  As is the tradition in any stage race, he is wearing number 1 as the defending champ from last year's edition of the race, but he is far from number one this year.  Porte lost big chunks of time in the first two stages of the race and has seemed to have just packed it in since then.  Even today, on an uphill individual time trial, he seemed not to have the heart to take on the stage (or the wet course).  But I guess the thinking is, " Why risk injury in a losing cause... after all it is a long season."

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/Spring%20Classics%20/2931048-349-195767/PaintingCautiously%20PN17-14.html#.WMBU9fkrLIU

Paris Nice Stage 2 Riding Away

With the peloton closing to within 45 seconds Philippe Gilbert (Quickstep) simply road everyone off of his wheel  Admittedly he did jump from the back of his now former breakaway companions  Maartens Wynants (LottoNL Jumbo) tried valiantly to hold the fleeing Belgium's wheel but Gilbert was just too strong  Later it was Wynants who somehow found the legs to help pull Gilbert back into the fold meter by meter  Sorry I should have given you a spoiler alert

I apologize for the lack of punctuation but the gremlins are still denying me periods commas semi-colons and question marks  Perhaps I will devise a work around before the race reaches the Mediterranean Sea

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/Spring%20Classics%20/2930029-343-195767/PaintingRiding%20Away%20PN17-8.html#.WL4obPkrLIU

Tour Down Under Stage 4: Three Out of Four

Caleb Ewan (Orica-Scott) came to this Tour to race!  He held off the charging Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Danny Van Poppel (Sky) to claim his third stage - out of four possible ones.  Sagan has finished second twice now and this is Van Poppel's first time on the podium in the 2017 Tour Down Under.  Ewan seems to be embracing the sprinter's red jersey and his team as he celebrates crossing the line in Campbelltown.

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%20Down%20Under/2907651-119-194179/PaintingThree%20Out%20of%20Four%20TDU17-21.html#.WII_6PkrLIU

Tour Down Under Stage 4: The Last One Away

Jack Bauer (Quickstep) knows more than most the possible heart break of a break away effort  He was one of two riders in the 2014 Tour de France who had ridden a 200 kilometer plus break only to be caught 20 meters from the line in the city of Nimes  It left him in tears but not without the heart to try and try again  With just 15 kilometers left to go he dropped his final break companion and raced down Cuddle Creek gorge in hopes of not repeating history  Alas he was not to erase the taste of 2014 but was going to be swallow whole by the sprinters with just 3 kilometers left to race  At least he couldn't see the finish line when he was caught this time

For the record - my computer has decided that I don't really need periods on commas anymore

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%20Down%20Under/2907645-118-194179/PaintingThe%20Last%20One%20Away%20TDU17-20.html#.WII9T_krLIU

Tour Down Under Stage 4: Bad Luck

With two riders still up the road, Will Clarke (Cannondale Drapac) was one of the three riders to jump free of the peloton in hopes of bridging across to the leaders  The other two were Lars Bak (Lotto Soudal) and Michael Valgren (Astana)  Just as the trio were opening up a thirty second gap on the peloton Clarke had the misfortune of getting a rear flat tire   The neutral service vehicles gave him a quick change but the time lost was too much to continue to stay off of the front  He could take some solace in knowing that Bak nor Valgren made it up to the leaders so his ill fortune did not take him out of a chance to win the stage into Campbelltown

For the record - my computer has decided that I don't really need periods on commas anymore

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%20Down%20Under/2907642-117-194179/PaintingBad%20Luck%20TDU17-19.html#.WII65vkrLIU

Tour Down Under Stage 4: Is He Gone

Almost to script Cameron Meyer (UniSA-Australia) launched an attack against his other two break away companions  Jack Bauer (Quickstep) was able to counter and eventually pull back up to the wheel of the Australian rider however Ondrej Cink (Bahrain Merida) wasn't able to hold the wheels of his erstwhile companions.  As Bauer caught up with Meyer the pair had a quick chat and decided to press on in hopes that the peloton would be happy to have Cink back and would let them ride for the stage victory.

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%20Down%20Under/2907539-116-194179/PaintingIs%20He%20Gone?%20TDU17-18.html#.WIG7__krLIU

Tour of Britain, Stage 7b: A Huge Effort

After others had tried to escape from the peloton on the climb, but the hill had proved too much, it was Rohan Dennis (BMC) who got away at the summit.  If anyone could ride away from the whole of the peloton, it was the former World Hour Record holder.  Dennis had taken second this morning in the time trial, just three seconds slower than the winner, Tony Martin (Etixx-Quickstep).  No one else had the legs to ride as fast as this Australian in the morning, and it seems none could do it this afternoon either.  Dennis won the stage by six seconds over the field and was rewarded with a ten second time bonus and the points jersey in the bargain.  He now sits just twenty six seconds off the lead of Steve Cummings (Dimension Data) and just twelve seconds ahead of the former points jersey wearer, Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin).  It is unlikely that tomorrow's 99 kilometer circuit race on the streets of London will do much to alter the podium standings, but one never knows until it is done.  One thing is certain, Xandro Meurisse (Wanty Group Gobert) will keep the King of the Mountains Jersey (well almost he still has to finish the stage tomorrow).

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/2849937-82-189075/PaintingA%20Hugh%20Effort%20ToB56-Greig-Leach.html#.V9S0D5grLIU