Tour '25, Stage 8: Cruising

The long flat stage designed to be one for the sprinters had the peloton at more of a cruising pace.  For those at the back, it was almost a day off.  With the first mountain stage looming Mauro Schmid (Jayco-Alula) - the Swiss Champion - and Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Pro Cycling) could be forgiven to try can get as much rest as one can at 30 miles per hour.  While there was no one off the front of the peloton the sprinters' teams were keeping the pace locked in to prevent anyone from trying to escape before the intermediate sprint in Vitre.

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. 

"Cruising TdF24-47" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Liege Bastogne Liege '22: Trying to Get Across

It is hard for me to believe that I am this deep into the season and this is the first time I have painted a member of the Bora-Hansgrohe squad.  Alexandr Vlasov sprung free of the chasing greatly reduce peloton in hopes of getting up to the lone leader.  The Russian rider managed to get within thirty seconds of Evenepoel, but that was a close as he got.  Behind the chase group finally got organized and pulled him back into the fold.  His effort meant he didn't have the legs to compete for the final two steps of the podium.  After all, no one was going to see Evenepoel until the press scrum on the other side of the finishing line in Liege.  Side note, whenever riders' names are shown on screen their national flags are displayed by their name and team initials.  However, in the case of Vlasov, the race orgainzers are refusing to display the flag of Russia, so a white rectangle is all that appears.  Clearly we know who they feel about Russia's invasion of Ukraine (as do I).

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-/3881105-506-195767/Painting/trying-to-get-across-lbl22-6.html

Flanders 2021: Fastest at the Second Check

Stefan Bissegger (Switzerland) was laying down a brilliant ride.  When he got to the second time check he logged the best time thus far.  Yes, there were some big names on the road behind him but he looked to be on a podium worthy time trial.  Unfortunately, he wasn't going to replace the lore of his countryman, Fabian Cancellara.  It was a combination of fading a bit towards the finish and some of the other behind him that left him with a seventh place on the day.

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 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/Flanders-2021/3837375-2-292177/Painting/fastest-at-the-second-check.html

Dauphine, Stage 5: Exploiting the Situation

With all of the early break aways safely tucked back into the peloton, there was an easing of the pace.  It was Sven Erik Bystrom (UAE Team Emirates) who decided to exploit that situation.  He jumped clear of the leading peloton and went off on his own.  Byrstom has a good reputation in the time trial but a solo 28 kilometers might be a tall order.  He would have to climb both the Cold de Barbe Bleue and the Cote du Montrebut and make two blistering descents if he had any hope of taking the stage win in Saint Vallier.  It has already been done twice this Dauphine, I doubt it will succeed with so many riders within a minute on the general classification.

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/3815075-106-185083/Painting/exploiting-the-situation-cd21-22.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

Tour, Stage 14: The Leader on the Road

Behind the break away  all of the contenders of the Tour were busy eyeing each other.  That left the stage as a possiblity for the break away even if the finale was up the Tourmalet.  Romain Siccard (Total Direct Energie) was the next to try and escape his break away companions and vie for stage honors.  With the heat climbing back up the scale in the valley, it was important to keep hydrated.  Along with soigneurs and his team car, Siccard good avail himself of the support moto filled with cold water bottles.  I did find it a little weird that the driver was using his left hand to pass the bottle to a rider on his right.  It may be a motorcycle thing that I am just not aware of.

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%202019/3363081-78-263530/The%20Leader%20on%20the%20Road%20%20TDF19-78.html

Tour, Stage 13: A Lone American

Chad Haga (Sunweb) is not the only American still in this Tour de France, but he is sure riding a lonely stretch of road on this section of the 27 kilometer individual time trial course.  Haga was the fifth rider to start today, but quickly started posting best times at each of the time checks out on course.  He also posted the best time at the finish, for now.  Ultimatedly he fell to seventeenth on the day, not quite the showning he had in this year's Giro d'Italia.

Watch this painting come to life as I talk about the Tour, bike racing and creating art.

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%202019/3362421-68-263530/A%20Lone%20American%20%20TDF19-68.html

Tour, Stage 12: The Next to Try

Once Calmejane had been pulled back into the fold in the valley, it was Simon Clarke (EF Education First) who went on the Hourquette d'Ancizan.  He, too, hit the climb alone.  Well, alone except for the fans screaming in his ears while wrapped in the Dutch flag.

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%202019/3361687-63-263530/The%20Next%20to%20Fly%20%20TDF19-63.html

"The Look"

I have been working on this piece for a number of weeks now, and today I managed to finish it.  With the goal of getting the artwork done this week, I have not been able to paint the Criterium du Dauphine.  Although you may be able to tell in these photos that I am listening to/watching the race while I work.  Along with these photographs, I am including a video to give you more of an idea on how this piece looks in person.

Note that you can here stage three of the race playing while I am filming this.  

This piece is sold, but you can see other stained glass and painted sculptural pieces on my website at www.greigleach.com.  I do create works on commission as well.  Shipping is available worldwide.  You can email me through the website to get the wheels turning 

LBL: Changing Bikes & Sponsors

There are a number of things that confuse me about professional cycling... Why women don't get equal billing & pay being the biggest one.  But another that leaves me scratching my head is the decisions of sponsors.  I get it when a team has been caught doping in the past and the company doesn't want to be associated with the negative press of the riders' (and team's) actions.  But when a team has been as dominate and clean as Team Sky, why would their sponsor pull out of bike racing.  Sky as been extremely successful in the past decade and has had the largest budget of any Pro Tour Team and yet this it the last time we will see the Sky kit in a bike race.   So it just seemed like David De La Cruz (Sky) getting a bike change was the right image to show the closing of this chapter of the Pro Tour.  Don't worry for the riders, the team stays, it will just have a new name going forward - and sorry, I don't know what that name is.

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%20/3325628-445-195767/Changing%20Bikes%20&%20Sponsors%20%20LBL19-3.html

Paris Nice, Stage 6: For the Cameras

Obviously, Simon Yates (Orica Scott) was delighted with his stage victory in Fayence.  He was giving jubilant shouts and enthusiastic gestures to the crowd all caught by the hordes of press photographers seemingly sitting in formation.  I was struck by how similar the press core's positioning reminded me of the gun battle formations used by British soldiers in the American Revolutionary War.  I know, I have silly things rolling around in my head that sometime sneaks onto my computer screen.  Never the less, well done Simon!

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%20/2932293-365-195767/PaintingFor%20the%20Cameras%20%20PN17-29.html

Tour Down Under Stage 2: All Alone

It was Richie Porte (BMC) who left everyone else behind on the short steep blast up to Paracombe.  Porte has yet to win the Tour Down Under despite multiple attempts.  In the past he has played it a bit to cagey on the climbs, never just going for the win and the bonus seconds.  Today he had the legs to be the attacking rider who left everyone else behind.  Gorka Izaguirre (Movistar) came to the line almost 15 seconds later follow closely by Esteban Chaves (Orica-Scott).  So that makes up the top three on GC.  Porte also leads the King of the Mountains and the Sprint Classification as well.  However, I am quite sure it is the Ochre Jersey of race leader that he will want to be wearing when the race is over in Adelaide this coming Sunday.

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/2905781-108-194179/PaintingAll%20Alone%20TDU17-10.html#.WH8NbvkrLIU

Tour Down Under Stage 1: A Cheeky Move

Getting away from the peloton takes both legs and brains.  Jan Bakelants (Ag2r La Mondiale) has plenty of both.  The Belgium rider on the French team made is move just after the effort of the final intermediate sprint.  Those who had sprinted for the victory sit up and wait for the peloton to rejoin them, so there is a general slowing down and a lack of attention.  It only takes a few moments to get a gap and a little luck that others don't cover the move.  Bakelants has made a move like this stick in his career, a move that put him in the Maillot Jaune for a couple of days in the Tour de France.  Adam Hansen (Lotto Soudal) tried to bridge across, but Bakelants proved just too strong.

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/2905255-102-194179/PaintingA%20Cheeky%20Move%20TDU17-4.html#.WH25ZPkrLIU

Il Lombardia: In Search of the Others

Rodolfo Torres (Androni Giocattoli) slipped away from the rest of the peloton hoping to get up to the quartet of leaders.  As he raced through the streets of Bergamo, try as he might, those ahead gained more time, and those behind closed in every closer.

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/Other%20Cycling%20Art/2860459-30-206768/PaintingIn%20Search%20of%20the%20Others%20IL6-Greig-Leach.html#.V_G-ivArLIU

Tour of Britain, Stage 6: Not Much Left

It was Wout Poels (Sky) who was able to get away from the duo of Rohan Dennis (BMC) - second on the day, and Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin) - third on the day.  The Dutchman on the English team barely had the energy left to the salute the crowd as he crossed the summit and only mountain top finish of the 13th Tour of Britain. Perhaps the number 13 (his bib number) is a very lucky one for Poels.  With the Yellow Jersey dropped about four kilometers from the top, it would be someone else on the podium in a little while.  Dennis had started the day in fourth, but it was the star of stage two, Steve Cummings (Dimension Data) who takes over the Yellow Jersey of race leader with Dumoulin moving into second overall and Dennis in third.

I was amused by the bright yellow sign behind Poels.  It read 'deviation,'  which I realized is the way the British would label what I call a 'detour.'  But a deviant has a much different connotation, thus so does a deviation, to me.

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/2849690-73-189075/PaintingNot%20Much%20Left%20ToB47-Greig-Leach.html#.V9OM-5grLIU

Tour of Britain, Stage 2: Enjoying the Scenery

Today's stage took the riders through some beautiful roads in the Lake District of northern England.  While I was certainly enjoying the scenery, I am not sure that most of the peloton had time to take in the views.  However, Sir Bradley Wiggins (Team Wiggins) spent most of the day hanging out at the back of the line, so he may well have been enjoying the scenery of his supposed last road race of his career.

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/2848028-36-189075/PaintingEnjoying%20the%20Scenery%20ToB10-Greig-Leach.html#.V84Hv5grLIU

Tour, Stage 18: Turning for Home

The final twists and turns had caught out a few of the riders on their way to the line.  Fortunately for Fabio Aru (Astana) he wasn't one of those that smacked into the barriers.  Aru road a blistering pace that earned him third on the day and solidified his seventh overall.  Aru has been showing why the Astana has been putting this much confidence in the young Italian.  He has proven to be a fitting replacement for team leader since Vincenzo Nibali didn't feel that he could pull off the double of the winning the Giro d'Italia (he did) and the Tour de France (he won't).  Up until Nairo Quintana took the Tour by storm 4 years ago, I don't think I even knew what the Colombian flag looked like.  Now I have seen it all along the roadside of this Tour, every stage, every day.  The Colombian fans are not being treated to a great Tour by Quintana, but Jarlinson Pantano (IAM Cycling) has sure stepped into the breach.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2826681-131-224974/PaintingTurning%20for%20Home%20TdF132-Greig-Leach.html#.V5FBD7grLIU

Tour, Stage 10: The Tail of the Break

None of the 14 other guys in the break contested the intermediate sprint in Aigues Vive.  They thought it best to leave it to Peter Sagan (Tinkoff).  I expected the teammate of the current Maillot Vert, Edvald Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data) to try and limited Sagan getting the maximum points, but it seems like it was time for Sagan to take back the jersey.  Which he did.  Holding on to the tail of the group as they ride through the fields of France, were Daryl Impey (Orica-BikeExchange) and the former French National Champion, Sylvain Chavanel (Direct Energie).  The moto riding next to the riders carries the guy who is using a sensor to hunt for anyone using mechanical doping.  If a rider has an engine hidden inside of the bike frame it will give off a heat signature.  It seems crazy that anyone, including a bike manufacturer, would attempt to cheat in such a way, but then everyone is looking for a competitive edge.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2822848-67-224974/PaintingThe%20Tail%20of%20the%20Break%20TdF67-Greig-Leach.html#.V4V6hbgrLIU

Tour, Stage 9: Celebrating in the Rain

Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin) had been dangling off the back of the peloton most of the day, but somehow found the strength to hold on up the penultimate climb of the day.  As the break rode across the valley floor on the way to the mountain top summit at Andorre Arcalis, the Dutchman went long for the win on the day before the first rest day of the Tour.  Dumoulin was able to keep his focus as the skies opened, dumping ice buckets on his head as plowed a lone furrow up the last mountain of the day.  I had thought about calling this, "Singing in the Rain," but then thought better of it.  Besides, I doubt he had enough air in his lungs to sing, but he sure could celebrate in the rain (and hail)!  Chapeau!

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2822218-65-224974/PaintingCelebrating%20in%20the%20Rain%20TdF65-Greig-Leach.html#.V4MDqLgrLIU

Tour, Stage 9: Starting the Climb Alone

As the race continued on the roads of Andorra, it was the Dutch rider, Tom Dumoulin sporting the new colors of Giant-Alpecin), who arrived at the base of the final climb on his own.  I want to point out that the area around the base of the inflatable de-marking the beginning of the ascent up to Andorre Arcalis, is cordoned off to prevent a repeat of the end of stage 7.  It has been reported that a spectator's belt buckle caught on the plug of the generator that was keeping the arch inflated.  I'm not sure a little yellow caution tape was going to keep everyone away when the race nears a summit.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2822194-62-224974/PaintingStarting%20the%20Climb%20Alone%20TdF62-Greig-Leach.html#.V4L1m7grLIU