Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 5: From the Front

Jake Stewart (Israel-Premier Tech) led out the sprint from the front.  None of the big-name sprinters were able to close in on the young Brit.  Remember, he was the sprinter that almost caught the escaped GC riders in the wild first stage of this Dauphine.  Behind him, it was Axel Laurance (Ineos-Grenadiers) taking a second, Soren Waerenskjold (Uno X-Mobility) took third and Laurence Pithie (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) managed to take fourth.  So, today was, in fact, a day for the sprinters, and some new names were able to show their prowess.

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.

"From the Front CdD25-28" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Nice '25, Stage 1: The First to Celebrate

With a perfectly timed surge to the line, Tim Merlier (Soudal-Quick Step) took the opening stage of Paris Nice - and the first Yellow Jersey - by several bike lengths.  His sprint showed why he wears the European Champion's jersey.  Of course, he will be wearing a different jersey at the start of Stage 2.  Naturally, he will also be the first owner of the Green Jersey of the best sprinter, but that will be worn by the guy who came second on the stage, Arnaud Demare (Arkea-B&B Hotels).

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.

"The First to Celebrate PN25-3" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Volta ao Algarve '25, Stage 4: A Tough Finale

The final sprint (but not the final stage) saw Milan Fretin (Cofidis) take a clear win in a clean uphill sprint.  He was able to get the better of the Green Jersey of the points leader, Jordi Meeus (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe).  Filippo Ganna (Ineos-Grenadiers) claimed the last step of the stage podium edging out Arnaud De Lie (Lotto) and Biniam Girmay (Intermache-Girmay) at the line in Faro, Portugal.  Tomorrow, the race wraps up with an individual time trial.  It will be interesting to see how much the general classification is shaken up over the twenty kilometer course that ends atop the Malhao Category Two climb.

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.

"A Tough Finale VA25-13" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '22, Stage 15: Coming Up with the Goods

No embarassment for Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) today!  To explain, back in stage 5, Phlipsen came across the line celebrating his winning the bunch sprint not knowing that Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) had already won the stage two minutes earlier.  Today he had to concentrate on the bike throw to hold off the man who beat him that day, so there was no victory salute at the line.  Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo) found the legs to get third.  It was Peter Sagan (TotalEnergies) who just hasn't refound his spark yet taking fourth on the day.  Still he beat quite a few riders, roughly 150, in today's stage.  Now everyone can get a bit of rest during the last rest day of the Tour before the Pyrennes haunt the dreams of even the best climbers.

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-2022/3894276-95-294403/Painting/coming-up-with-the-goods-tdf22-96.html

Omloop 2021 - Showing the Team Colors

 It was Davide Ballerini (Deceuninck-Quick Step) who took the victory at the line in Ninove.  As he crossed the line he saluted his team in his victory celebration.  The team has taken the name of "The Wolf Pack" for themselves and they truly hunt for victories together.  It was his teammate Julian Alaphilippe who had tried for a solo victory, and then he was the one to pull the race back together to set it all up for Ballerini.  Behind the celebrating Italian, it is Sep Vanmarcke (Israel Start Up Nation) who took third and Henrich Haussler (Bahrain-Victorious) who claimed fourth.  I apologize to Jake Steward (Groupama-FDJ) who took second, but did so off camera from this angle.

That is it for today's racing, but I plan to be back tomorrow for Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne that will feature many of the same competitors and types of roads.

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/Spring-Classics-2021/3796487-6-290150/Painting/showing-the-team-colors-ohn21-6.html

Tour, Stage 11: Bunch Sprint!

This Tour doesn't seem to ever have a dull moment, nor a controversary one.  While this sprint look scary, it look equally clean and fair to me.  It was Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal) taking out his second stage in this Tour, with what looked like Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) in a very, very close second with the Maillot Vert of Sam Bennett (Deceuninck-Quick Step).  As you can see Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) was sitting up, annoyed and finishing fourth.

Instead, the referees decided that Sagan's head butt of Van Aerts was enough of a danger to get him relegated to the back of the peloton.  This may make it impossible for Sagan to win his eighth Maillot Vert - the second jersey they have taken off a popular rider in this Tour.  Sagan's punishment means it was Van Aerts on the third step of the stage's podium in Portiers. 

It may be that they are being much stricter after the horrible crash in the Tour of Poland.  If you don't know about that crash, don't look up the video.  If you are a caring human, you don't want to see it.  The good news there is that everyone is on the mend, albeit a long course to recovery.  Ironically, the aggressor in that sprint crash is on Van Aerts team.

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-2020/3697282-71-282744/Painting/bunch-sprint-tdf20-65.html

Tour of Britain Stage 7: Cav Takes His Second

Omega Pharma Quickstep put in some truly hard fast work for their sprinter, Mark Cavendish.  The final lead out man (and excellent sprinter in his own right) Alejandro Pettachi, was so fast that they gapped the rest of the peloton and every sprinter was left trying to chase back on when Cav opened up his sprint.  Amazingly enough, Elia Viviani, was able to chase back up to Cav, but ran out of room before he could catch the Manx Missile.  Today was Cavendish's second victory in the Tour and tenth over all for the Tour of Britain for the British National Champion road racer.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available at my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 2013 Tour of Britain and Cavendish's win.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2214829---189075/Painting.html#.Uj_Lw8_D_IU

US Pro Challenge Stage 3: Two Out of Three Ain't Bad

Peter Sagan came to Colorado two weeks ahead of the race in order to acclimate to the altitude, apparently he also came to win stages at the US Pro Challenge.  He just held off Mezgec of Argos-Shimano to claim his second stage win out of three stages raced.  Not bad for the young Slovakian.  You can see Anderson of Team Optum looking over, I'm guessing pleased to be within a bike length of the sprinting legend.  And the legend is only 23 years old.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours in a short three day auction on ebay.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the US Pro Challenge.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251324272134