Tour '26, Stage 5: Filming the Counter Move

Just after the peloton sprinted to the summit of the only climb of the day, Fred Wright (Pinarello-Q36.5) went of the attack.  He was quickly joined by the Dane Michael Valgren (EF Education-EasyPost).  Seeing the danger of the move, Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal-Quick Step) went with the two as a spoiler.  It is common for a teammate to join and attack and sit on as a discouragement for the effort.  Paret-Peintre was spoiling for his sprinter Tim Merlier.  Soudal-Quick Step wanted the whole peloton to come together into Pau for a mass sprint in hopes that Merlier would get the best of the other sprinters in this Tour.

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.

Purchase this painting here: "Filming the Counter Move TdF26-35" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Ronde van Vlaanderen '25: Counter Move

With the early breakaway still up the road, these four decided it was time for a counter move.  I believe it was Stefan Kung (Groupama-FDJ) who set things off.  He was joined by Vito Braet (Intermache-Wanty), Davide Ballerini (XDS-Astana) and the ever watchful Tiesj Benoot (Visma-Lease a Bike).  Benoot knew that if this group could join the leaders, it would put his team at an advantage when it came to the closing kilometers of the race.  With 101 kilometers yet to race, they were a little over a minute behind the lead group and they had about three quarters of a minute on the rather large peloton 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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Counter Move RVV25-1" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Nice 23, Stage 4: A Strong Counter Move

After the two favorites for over all victory had traded attacks, David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) went on the counter move.  He quickly opened up a 15 second gap on those still in the peloton.  As he went pass the three kilometers to go banner, it was beginning to look like he might hava a chance to pull of the upset.  No matter what happens he is clearly building on the hard work of his team in yesterday’s team time trial.

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/3938795-96-272742/Painting/a-strong-counter-move.-pn23-14.html

Tour Down Under '23, Final Stage: Chasing the Counter Move

Once he was caught, Maximilian Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) found he had to chase the counter move launched by Ewen Costiou (Arkea-Samsic).  Mikias Arndt (Bahrain-Victorious) was able to get onto the wheel of his fellow countryman as they worked to catch the attack Frenchman.  You can see the shadows of their erstwhile break away companions trying to catch back up to the fleeing trio.

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. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3929043-175-194179/Painting/chasing-the-counter-move-tdu23-29.html

Tour, Stage 14: Delivering the Counter Punch

Team Sunweb raced the perfect finale in Lyon today.  They sent the winner of stage 11 off the front, Marc Hirschi, to draw out the lead out men of the two remaining sprinters.  Then, as soon as Hirschi had beed caught, Soren Kraugh Andersen launched the counter move.  Andersen was able to hold off the chase for three kilometers, he actually increased his lead in the last 500 meters!  His victory by 15 seconds made for a less than perfect painted images, so this will have to do has his stage victory moment.  I feel like the team's return to the white jersey (it used to be red) has brought back their ability to win Tour stages again.

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-2020/3699695-94-282744/Painting/delivering-a-counter-punch-tdf20-88.html

Liege Bastogne Liege: Move & Counter

With the final member of the early break caught, it was time for the attacks to come from the peloton.  The Cote de la Roche aux Faucons provided the perfect launch pad.  First to attack was Philippe Gilbert (Quick-Step) who was countered by Sergio Henao (Sky).  Quick-Step has been able to use its strength in numbers to great affect this season, so it was that Bob Jungels (Quick-Step) that was able to counter the counter attack by Henao.  Striving to hold onto the Luxembourg Champion's wheel was one of two Canadians in the race, Michael Woods (EF Education First-Drapac).  With just twenty kilometers left to race, it was the time to try a split the peloton apart, and that is exactly what was taking place on the penultimate climb of the day.

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/Spring-Classics-/3151254-427-195767/PaintingMove-&-Counter-LBL18-7.html

Paris Roubaix: Go, Go, Go!

Only one cyclist from the United States took to the start in Compiegne.  Taylor Phinney in his new colors of EF Education First-Drapac decided to be sure we all knew he was there.  After Gilbert and Teunissen had been pulled back, it was Phinney to go on the offensive.  He was joined by a rider from Ag2r La Mondiale (sorry I wasn't able to get his name) who seemed to be yelling for Phinney to go hard.  I guess it should be, "Allez, allez, allez!" instead.

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/Spring-Classics-/3141704-410-195767/PaintingGo,-Go,-Go!--PR18-6.html

Tour Down Under Stage 3: Countering the Move

Everyone expected those that want to win the Tour Down Under to make their move on the short steep ascent up to Paracombe.  The two main front runners, Richie Porte (Sky) and Cadel Evans (BMC) didn't disappoint.  While Evans got to the bottom of the climb first, it was Porte who put in the first acceleration.  A move that was quickly covered by the veteran Cadel.  It was looking like it would be a fight to the top and the Ochre Jersey between the Aussie and the Tasmanian.

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.  If you enjoy reading about important bike races this way, be sure to check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France."  The book is available world wide, just google the title to find an online store where you won't have to pay international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2500062---194179/Painting.html#.VMCabU05DIU

Dauphine Stage 3: Counter Attack

Once the peloton was all back together, Jens Voigt (Trek Factory Racing) - you know, the man of 'Shut Up Legs' fame - saw his chance to attack the peloton in the narrow twisting streets of this picturesque river town.  Voigt's attack came with 20 kilometers to go and another seven riders eventually bridged across to the elder statesman of pro cycling. Trek Factory Racing was hoping to get a stage victory with Jensie having had their designated sprinter crash out of the race early in the stage.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available through a quick three day auction on ebay.  To bid on this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

This painting is sold!