Tour '25, Stage 9: Stocking Up

The peloton had just come through a very tough patch of crosswinds.  Tom Skujins (Lidl-Trek) was stocking up with food and drinks after getting a musette from a soigneur on the side of the road.  Beside him his teammate Thibau Nys was desperately trying to chase back onto the long tail of the leading peloton.  Skujins had been on the front driving the pace for his sprinter and his team leader.  Therefore, it is no surprise that he pulled the pin, got some food, and prepared to get to Chateauroux as best he could.  Instead, I spotted him later back on the front working for his team again.

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.

"Stocking Up TdF25-55" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 9: Echelons

Everyone loves to see the echelons form in a race, with the notable exception of those that get caught behind the gaps.  Even before the stage raced the gravel roads through the vineyards of the Champagne region of France, the race was on in the crosswinds blowing through the peloton.  After some serious scrambling the groups came back together.  It did mean that some had spent energy long before the race got to the hard roads.  As Phil Liggett and Bob Roll like to point out, the Tour is like a box of matches, and you need not to burn too many matches to early on.

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.

"Echelons TdF24-45" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '22, Stage 2: Echelons

After a little rain caused a spat of crashes, the wind got into the peloton and blew it into pieces all up and down the road.  The flat narrow roads cutting through the ploughed fields left no shelter in the multiple groups on the road.  It got so chaotic that I am not really sure which group this is.  It may be one of the larger groups trying to get back up to the second group on the road that contained both the Maillot Jaune and the Maillot Vert.  Many women were got out by the breaks and found their chances for a high placing in the Tour de France Femmes literally disappearing up the road.  It may well mean that they will now be hunting stage wins instead of a top three in the race.

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-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3895795-152-294403/Painting/echelons-tdff22-11.html

Paris Nice 2022: Blowing the Race Apart

In art, rules are made to be broken.  Several years ago I had set myself a rule of not using helicopter shots to base the watercolors off of, the theory being that I wanted it to seem as though I was painting from the back of a motorcycle.  There was a slight chance of that actually happening once.  Then once I started painting the 2014 Tour de France (and the ensuing book) I added doing only horizontal compositions to add consistency to the book layout.  Well clearly this painting throws those ideas out.  Blown away as much of the peloton was in the crosswinds across the farm fields south of Paris.   The rule of thumb in mulitday stage race is you can't win the race in the opening stages, but you can sure lose it.  So it was for many who missed the splits, some giving up minutes to those in the first to echelons.

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/Paris-Nice/3870703-44-272742/Painting/blowing-the-race-apart-pn22-7.html

Dauphine, Stage 5: Gaps Are Forming

With the peloton at full cry and a section of open road exposed the crosswinds, gaps started to form.  This group found that a gap had formed and were doing all they could to chase back.  The quartet of Laurent Pichon (Arkea-Samsic), Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ), Sebastien Grignard (Lotto Soudal) and Will Barta (EF Education-Nippo) seemed to content to let those on the front do the chasing, while they stayed on the wheels for a relatively free ride back to the peloton.  It did work.  And it only took a couple of kilometers to rejoin.

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/3815078-107-185083/Painting/gaps-are-forming-cd21-23.html

Paris Nice, Stage 1: Holding Their Advantage

After the crosswinds had split the peloton apart, this rather elite group of sixteen guys continued to press their advantage over the chasing peloton.  Leading the effort were two domestiques Kasper Asgreen (Deceuninck-Quick Step) and Connor Swift (Arkea Samsic).  One of the favorites to make the split was Nairo Quintana on his new team Arkea Samsic.  With 38 kilometers left to race they were hoping to grow their 30 second advantage.  Those behind were doing all they could to prevent that from happening.

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/3487773-2-272742/Painting/holding-their-advantage-pn20-2.html

Tour, Stage 10: Those Who Lost Time

On a day that should have been a simple formula, of break goes - sprinters' teams chase, catch is made - sprinter takes the stage, today was anything but.  While a non-sprinter won the stage, the rest of the podium was manned by the fast men of the sport.  However, behind the winning group, were three distinct groups full of general classification riders losing between a minute thirty seconds and over two minutes.  Again, today was not a day to win the Tour, but many lost their chance of winning.  Or in other words, today, they lost the Tour.  Coming in a minute and a half down this group contained some of those that started the Tour thinking they could win like, Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo, Rigoberto Uran (EF Education First), Jakob Fulgsang (Astana) and Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ). These king of time losses shouldn't have happened on a flat stage before the rest day, but they did.

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%202019/3360521-54-263530/Those%20Who%20Lost%20Time%20%20TDF19-54.html

Tour, Stage 10: In the Front Group

In Tours past, much has been said about Team Movistar's ability to battle the crosswinds.  And it was oft targets at Nairo Quintana.  Today, the team had two riders in the lead group, both Alejandro Valverde and Quintana.  Sadly, the rest of the team wasn't so attentive.  Wout Poels (Ineos) had been one of the animaters of the split happening but now has dropped to the back of the group to rest from his efforts.  Tony Gallopin (Ag2r La Mondiale) has a turn of his Tour fortunes and was one who held on as the splits opened up.  With just four kilometes left to Albi, it was going to be time gains for the front groups and losses for everyone else.  They may not have won the Tour today, but many lost their chances for victory in Paris.

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%202019/3360188-52-263530/In%20the%20Front%20Group%20%20TDF19-52.html

Vuelta, Stage 11: A Bit of a Gap

Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain Merida) was the only one able to open up a gap on the remnants of the peloton.  While the road leveled out near the summit the winds were creating a strong crosswind as evidenced by the Spanish flag flapping behind the former winner of the Vuelta (and the other two Grand Tours).  Others were hoping to put Froome on the ropes in the crosswinds and to break the strangle hold of Team Sky.  This attack did give Nibali second place over all but left him over a minute behind the Red Jersey of Froome.

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/Vuelta-2017/3023722-9-239162/PaintingA-Bit-of-a-Gap-V-10.html

Giro, Stage 3: Making Their Own Luck

The Belgium team, Quickstep, knew that there would be strong cross winds when the peloton hit the flats by the sea as they neared Calgiari.  Six members of the team hit the front, used half of the road, and drove the pace as fast as they could possibly go.  By limiting the amount of road, they limited the ability of those behind to shelter from the wind.  Initially, the Maglia Rosa of Andre Greipel (Lotto Soudal) was able to make the front group when the splits appeared, but his lucked failed him at the most crucial of times.  Only three other riders that were not members of Team Quickstep were able to stay in the front group.  Both Fernando Gaviria and Bob Jungels had a lot to gain on the day.  Gaviria was racing for the stage (although a win may give him the Maglia Rosa as well) and Jungels was gaining time on his GC rivals.

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/2963209-22-235247/PaintingMaking-Their-Own-Luck-G17-22.html

Paris Nice Stage 1 Letting the Gap Go

The relentless pace of the teams of Quickstep and Lotto Soudal along with the strong crosswinds were having their toll on those trying to stay with the leaders  It just took a small rise and the gap opened in front of Grega Bole (Bahrain-Merida) and Olivier Le Gac (FDJ)  Le Gac had been working for others of his teammates that were still in the group so he can be pardoned for losing contact  Bole was just on the wrong wheel at the wrong time - although I doubt he had much left to give either

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%20/2929394-338-195767/PaintingLetting%20the%20Gap%20Go%20PN17-3.html#.WLzo6_krLIU

Tour, Stage 12: The Wind Returns

The infamous wind, the Mistral, decided it should make its mark on the Tour today.  While the winds were strong enough to form echelons in the valley, on the summit of Mont Ventoux they were blowing at up to 70 miles per hour.  Last night I saw some video of riders on the top of the mountain (early morning in France) showing cyclists being blown off of their bikes, unable to even stop because of the strength of the gale force winds.  The organizers of the Tour wisely decided to move the finish line back into the treeline of the Monster of Provence shortening the stage by six kilometers.  What happen because of that decision will be discussed more later.  Back in the valley, Etixx-Quickstep used the winds to push the pace and but the rivals of Dan Martin on the back foot. (Martin started the day in the top 10).  Team Sky had to work even harder to hold their usual position on the right side of the road and on the front.  At this point there were two breaks up the road, one with 13 riders and the other group of five stuck in no man's land.

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.

Be sure to check out my second cycling art book, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships, available online or through your local book seller.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2823718-78-224974/PaintingThe%20Wind%20Returns%20TdF78-Greig-Leach.html#.V4gEuLgrLIU

Tour, Stage 11: Using the Wind

With the final change of direction and just ten kilometers left to race, Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) and his teammate Maciej Bodnar hit he front and went hard.  Being ever attentive, Chris Froome (Sky) saw this as a great wheel to catch, and a great opportunity to increase his lead on his rivals.  Only one of Froome's teammates was able to get across to the fleeing threesome, Geraint Thomas.  The four, representing just two teams had the perfect combination to press their advantage all of the way to the line.  Froome knew he could count on his teammate to work for him, just as Sagan could count on his.  Plus, Froome knew he had no chance of beating the leader of the sprint points competition in an all out sprint for the line, nor did he really need to.  For Sagan, this was about sprint points in the Maillot Vert competition, for Froome it was about extending his lead in the Maillot Jaune.  Bodnar was a very strong ally for all involve, he was just crowned the Time Trial Champion of Poland.  So it was on those behind to try and chase down this flying foursome.

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, just follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2823142-76-224974/PaintingUsing%20the%20Wind%20TdF76-Greig-Leach.html#.V4afQbgrLIU

Gent-Welvegem: Blown Off the Road

The conditions were hardly ideal to be out on a bike racing 239 kilometers on flat open roads in Belgium.  At one point, many members of the peloton argued that the race should be neutralized in consideration of the safety of the riders.  The winds were so strong that an errand cross wind gust blew Geraint Thomas (Team Sky) off of the road and into a ditch.  Fortunately for the talented Brit, he was able to roll with the fall in the grassy verge and jump back onto his bike.  He quickly rejoined the small break he had been in, apparently unscathed by his roll in the hay.

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 for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2534740---195767/Painting.html#.VRmFJfnF-xU

Paris-Nice Stage 3: Lotto Has a Dig

Lars Bak and his Lotto-Belisol teammates decides that a little dig into the cross winds might liven up the peloton.  The peloton had almost put themselves to sleep keeping the three man break away out in front by just around two minutes.  With a break away out in front the sprinter's teams leave them out front to keep other attacks from going up the road, so the peloton sat up until Lars decided to light it up.  Astana, IAM Cycling and FDJ were not caught unaware and quickly jumped onto the big man's wheel.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by visiting my artist website at www.greigleach.com or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2326225---195767/Painting.html#.Ux_Jps_D_IU

Tour Stage Thirteen: Something Is Afoot

Stage 13 is about to become a wild, wooly and unpredictable and it starts with a discussion between Lotto and Omega Pharma Quickstep.  As you can tell by the French flag behind them, that the flat wheat fields were letting the winds blow across the peloton, a weather condition that the Belgium and Dutch teams were very familiar with (and knew how to exploit to there advantage).  So Omega takes the suggestion and raises the pace, something they are good at having led out the fastest sprinter in the peloton, in a hope to drop any or all of the other sprinters.  The did succeed in getting rid of Marcel Kittel, but more importantly they split the peloton.  The rest of the posts will tell more of the story.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase at my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 100th Tour de France and a very interesting stage.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2182489---186227/Painting.html#.Ue26Fs_D_IU