Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 1: Sprinting for One Second

With the early two-man breakaway still up the road, there was only a one second bonus available at the intermediate sprint in Montlucon.  It was a bit of a surprise to see Visma-Lease a Bike jump clear of the peloton.  Less so to see Nils Politt (UAE Team Emirates) joining the effort.  It was a strong lead-out for Matteo Jorgenson by his teammate, Per Strand Hagenes, but it turned out to be unfruitful.  At the last moment, Politt was able to get around the two Visma guys to take the bonus second.  I think he was riding defensively, not wanting to give anything away to Jorgenson who finished second in the 2024 Criterium du Dauphine.  He was making sure his team leader, Tadej Pogacar, would be as close to the first yellow jersey as possible.

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.

"Sprinting for One Second CdD25-1" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Nice '25, Stage 6: Every Opportunity

Not only did Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) come to Paris Nice on form, he also brought his race brain along, too.  Seeing an opportunity to add bonus seconds at the intermediate sprint in Lancon-Provence, he jumped free of the leading group to add a ten second time bonus.  Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) went for a bonus as well in hopes of retaking the Maillot Blanc that he lost yesterday.  While he did add four bonus seconds, his rival in the competition for best young rider, Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) got the last remaining bonus of two seconds, thus holding onto his white jersey for now.

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.

"Every Opportunity PN25-26" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Happily, this painting has sold!

Tour de France Femmes 23, Stage 5: Seconds Matter

With two riders up the road there was just one more time bonus of two seconds still available as this trio broke free of the peloton of favorites.  Ashleigh Moolman-Passio (AG Insurance-Soudal-Quick Step) sprinted for the seconds despite Liane Lippert (Movistar) trying to grab the bonus in defense of her teammate Annemeik Van Vleutin.  Also vying for the bonus is Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime).  Moolman-Pasio got there first (well third actually) moving her into second place just two seconds ahead of three others and just over a minute ahead of Vollering.  She is still trailing the Maillot Jaune by forty-nine seconds.

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/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2023/3968190-171-297438/Painting/seconds-matter-tdff23-27.html

 

Tour de France Femmes 23, Stage 4: Bonus Seconds

Both Audrey Cordon-Ragot (Human Powered Health) and Yara Kastelijn (Fenix-Deceuninck) were looking a first and second out on the road.  So it made sense that they would sprint against each other for the bonus seconds on offer.  At this point they still had four minutes on the peloton that contained the yellow jersey, and most of the favorites for this year's Tour de France Femmes.  Cordon-Ragot got the maximum of six seconds and Kastelijn grabbed the four second bonus.  They left just two seconds for those left in the break away behind.  With the peloton closing the gap, it could be that these bonus seconds will be the difference between wearing yellow tomorrow or just being highly placed in the general classification.

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/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2023/3967867-162-297438/Painting/bonus-seconds-tdff23-18.html

Tour, Stage 9: My Bad

As Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) and Tadej Pogacar (UAE-Team Emirates) went over the top of the Col de Marie Blanque and grabbed the bonus seconds that were still on offer.  Marc Hirschi (Sunweb) had gone over about a half minute earlier.  As they sprinted for the top, Pogacar seem to run into Roglic's rear wheel.  Feeling the bump and the ensuing near crash of Pogacar, Roglic reached back to apologize for crossing in front of his countryman.  Although as I watched it happen, it was Pogacar who looked hard to his right looking to make sure that Mikel Landa (Bahrain-McLaren) wasn't going to grab the final bonus.  As you probably know, you tend to swerve the opposite direction that you look, so that is how he almost crashed.  It was good of Roglic to apologize, it is always better to do so when you don't need to than not apologize when you need to.

With the bonus, Roglic was now the Maillot Jaune Virtuale unless Adam Yates beats him by two seconds in Laruns.  That is an unlikely since Yates is currently a minute behind this trio.

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-2020/3693494-59-282744/Painting/my-bad-tdf20-54.html

Paris Nice, Stage 2: Setting Up Schachmann

You know you are in good shape when you have the three time World Champion, Peter Sagan (Bora- Hansgrohe) leading out your sprint for bonus seconds.  Max Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) wasn't leaving anything for granted as he sprinted for a bonus of three seconds in the small town of Puiselet.  Schachmann has taken over the Maillot Jaune on stage one and wasn't about to risk losing it (even if you can barely see it under his rain jacket.

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/3488560-7-272742/Painting/setting-up-schachmann-pn20-7.html

Amgen ToC, Stage 2: Bonus Seconds

Part of race strategy is picking up bonus seconds at the intermediate sprints along the road.  Normally, those sprints are on flat stretches of road, but the second sprint today was on the climb up Luther Pass with just 30 kilometers left in the stage.  The break was still off the front and it was Dennis Rohan (Bahrain Merida) racing for a new team, vieing for a three second bonus against reigning ToC champion, David de la Cruz (Ineso).  Apparently, Rohan had a slip of gears and just missed getting the maximum seconds, taking second to de la Cruz.  These seconds can be very important, almost every Tour of California has been decided by less than a minute.

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%20of%20California/3331451-63-223355/Bonus%20Seconds%20%20ToC19-8.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 3: Sprinting for Seconds

I do enjoy a pun,  I am a dad after all.  I am also about to be a grandfather, so that makes puns doubly fun.  So...  Nathan Haas (Katusha-Alpecin) and Jay McCarthy (Bora-Hansgrohe) sprinted for bonus seconds and for second place at the intermediate sprint point.  Haas was able to hold of McCarthy for a 2 second bonus, McCarthy got a 1 second bonus.  Seems like quite a bit of energy for very little gain.  However, the Tour Down Under has been decided by just one second in the past.  And this duo finished 2017 on equal time with count back putting one on the podium and the other in the less than satisfying fourth place.

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/3099370-105-194179/PaintingSprinting-for-Seconds-TDU18-12.html

Tour Down Under Stage 1: Bonus Seconds

With the lone break back in the fold, there was more at stake when the peloton reached the second sprint in Cockatoo Valley.  Not only would the first three riders collect points in the sprint competition, but the winner of the sprint would get a three second bonus, with two and one seconds going to the other placings.  Historically, the Tour Down Under is one by just a handful of seconds after the six stages have been raced, therefore riders need to fight for every second out on the road.  Jose Goncalves (Katusha) opened up the sprint but was nipped at the line by Jay McCarthy (Bora-Hansgrohe).  The Tour Down Under is the first chance to see the new kits, and teams of the coming season, Bora-Hangrohe is one of the new teams taking to the roads of South Australia.

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/2905254-101-194179/PaintingBonus%20Seconds%20TDU17-3.html#.WH22VvkrLIU

Paris Nice Stage 1: Bonus Seconds

Paris Nice is one of the races that offer bonus seconds out on the course and at the finish line.  This means that for this stage, two designated places along the route the first three riders to cross the assigned piece of road would get a 3, 2 and 1 second bonus respectively.  At the finish line, it is a 10, 6 and 4 second bonus for the top three placings.  These bonus seconds can change who will lead or even when the overall race, so it was Michal Kwiatkowski (Etixx-Quickstep) that went out to try and get the remain 1 second bonus at the second intermediate sprint point.  But it was Geraint Thomas (Team Sky) who put in a hard sprint to nip him at the line, showing that he wanted to start laying the ground work to take the overall by the time the race reaches Nice.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is 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 for only $50 USD.  International shipping is available.

If you are enjoying reading about cycling with this accompanying artwork be sure to check out my recently publish book on the Tour de France, Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France.  The book is available through most every online book sellers around the world, just google the title to learn where you can get your copy and avoid international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2522864---195767/Painting.html#.VP6FwfzF-xU

Tour Down Under: Who Do We Have? Stage 4

Unlike the Tour du France, the Tour Down Under offers bonus time for both the intermediate sprints and to the top three finishers at the end of each stage.  With just 15 seconds separating Cadel Evans and Simon Gerrans, Orica-Greenedge was setting up to carry their man across the intermediate sprint first.  Unfortunately for them Elia Viviani (Cannondale) and Nathan Haas (Garmin Sharp) had something to say about it, leaving Gerrans third place and just 3 seconds bonus.  This painting is the lead-out men making sure they have their sprinters in tow as they wind up the pace.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by visiting my artist website, www.greigleach.com or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the Tour Down Under.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2297969---194179/Painting.html#.UuM6us8o7IU