Tour '24, Stage 20: Mutual Respect

Sometimes it isn't the victory salute that is often staged for the gaggle of press photographers at the line, but the interaction after the effort.  Having dropped Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) in the final 500 meters of the stage, the first person Tadej Vingegaard (UAE Team Emirates) wanted to see was Vingegaard.  This is the fifth year the two have battled it out in the Tour de France.  The first two went to Pogacar, the next two to Vingegaard.  Now the pendulum has swung back to Pogacar.  He will win the Tour tomorrow barring any serious catastrophy.  While I said some cross things about Pogacar yesterday, today he has rekindled my respect, mainly for the respect he showed his main rivals today.  And the incredibly fast attack he launched in the closing meters of the final road stage of the Tour.  Please, don't let us find out anything was untoward with his 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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.  

"Mutual Respect TdF24-133" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Men’s Race: An Emphatic Win!

Jan Tratnik (Visma-Lease a Bike) had out foxed the seasoned Nils Politt (UAE Team Emirates) in the final kilometers of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.  Not only had he made the German do most of the work in the final five kilometers, he made sure he was on the front as the went under the flame rouge.  Politt is not the best of sprinters (his strengths lie elsewhere), so he had little hope of being able to drop the smaller Tratnik once he started his sprint.  As the Visma man went away, Politt dropped his head in defeat then looked back to make sure the chasers weren’t going to steal his podium spot.  Meanwhile, Tratnik celebrated his well ridden victory (and that of his team) as the crush of the cycling press photographed away.  Moments later, Tratnik’s teammate Wout Van Aert out sprinted the rest of the field to claim third in this year’s Omloop.

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/Spring-Classics-/4001385-553-195767/Painting/an-emphatic-win-ohn24-10.html

Women's Omloop: Is this a Winning Pair?

The title looks to another "sport" for its title.  But then, is poker really a sport?  I am not sure when this duo of Demi Vollering (SD Worx) and Annemiek Van Vleutin (Movistar) caught and dropped the leaders, but once away it was unlikely they would be seen again.  I always admire those covering the racing from the back of the motorcycles.  Here you can see the TV cameraman standing on the back of the bike to get a good shot of the pair that most likely includes the winner of the Women's Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.  Just ahead on another motorcycle is one of the many still photographers getting his/her shot of this winning pair.

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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3869004-27-207546/Painting/is-this-a-winning-pair-ohn22-11.html

Tour, Stage 13: Pressing on Alone

With the peloton breathing down the neck of the break away, Michael Schar (BMC) decided to press on alone.  He has the pedigree to time trial away from the peloton, but 24 kilometers is a long way to hold off an re-invigorated peloton.  I realized as I was posting this image, that the motorcycle passing Schar was the same one that was photographing the break in the previous painting.  With just about 30 seconds between Schar and the peloton the referees were clearing out all of the vehicles between them so as not to give the chasers an unfair advantage in closing to the leader.

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/Tour-de-France-2018/3190725-71-251072/PaintingPressing-on-Alone--T18-70.html

Giro, Stage 15: Pressing His Advantage

Again, I enjoy a good pun, or a title that leaves more than one interpretation about what is going on in the image.  Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) had the balls to attack when he did not need to on the final climb of stage 15.  The climb up to Sappada wasn't catagorized, but it was enough of an ascent to let the maglia rosa leave all of his competitors in the figurative dust.  Yates came to the line alone with time to pose for the dozens of press photographers huddled just across the finishing line.  Most often, we only see this moment from the cameras' point of view, so I appreciate the TV Moto staying with the shot long enough to afford us this glimpse into what a stage winner sees as he crosses the line.

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.

Apparently, my website has decided not to let me load images today.  If you are interested in this painting, please email me at greigsart@gmail.com.  All payments can be routed through PayPal for your security, and mine.

Giro, Stage 8: Smiling for the Cameras

It was Gorka Izaguirre (Movistar) who raised his arms for the cameras at the line.  As I was painting this I was reminded of the Bahrain-Merida who raised his arms at the start of the bell lap earlier in the race.  What was missing then was the phalanx of cameras just across the line that are now staring back at Izaguirre clicking away.  Movistar have bigger plans than just a stage win, but there are 22 teams in the race and only 21 stages available for victories.  Thus far Bora-Hansgrohe, Lotto Soudal, Quickstep and Orica-Scott have wins, so Movistar was pleased to add their name to the list.

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/2966299-56-235247/PaintingSmiling-for-the-Cameras-G17-57.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, Stage 19: Celebrating the News

The winner of every stage faces a scrum of soigneurs, race personnel, press, interviewers and TV camera.  The scrum goes ballistic when the winner is a Frenchman taking a stage for his country with only three stages left to race.  Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale) knew he had delivered the stage for France, but he along with his team personnel and the French press were waiting to see just how far up the General Classification he had managed to get.  Bardet pumped his fist as they all learned that with his bonus seconds for the win, he is now in second place! Although he is over four minutes behind the Maillot Jaune of Chris Froome (Sky).  And yes he is pumping his fist in the air, not punching the personnel who is holding his arms wide.  He is keeping a very close eye on Bardet, who he will shortly take to the doping control tent.  Every stage winner is tested to make sure his win was clean.  With one stage where the race will be full on, it is doubtful that Bardet will be able to take over the lead.  But, Froome did crash, it will remain to be seen if there are any linger affects on his form in the final day in the French Alps.  The last day it is considered bad form to attack the jerseys.  It is a day for a promenade, until the sprinters take over racing for a stage victory on the Champs Elysees in the shadow of the l'Arc du Triomphe.

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%202016/2827784-144-224974/PaintingCelebrating%20the%20News%20TdF145-Greig-Leach.html#.V5LSDbgrLIU

Tour de France Stage 6: If You Want to Start, You Have to Finish

With less than a kilometer to go Tony Martin (Etixx-Quickstep) caught the rear wheel of Bryan Coquard (Europcar) falling into a rider for Giant-Alpecin which knocked over Vincenzo Nibali (Astana).  The chain reaction fall took out a number of others both GC riders and their teammates.  Judging by how gingerly Martin held his left arm as he was put back on the bike by his mechanic.  I am guessing that he suffered a broken collar bone in his hard fall to the asphalt.  As his teammates waited to pace him across the finish line, the vulture like photographers gathered around the clearly suffering Maillot Jaune.  There is a very simple rule in the Tour de France, if you do not finish a stage, you may not start the next stage.  You Tour is over.  With this in mind, the team mechanic held both Martin and his bike while the German struggle to get on without using his left arm.  The one advantage is another Tour de France rule.  If there is a crash within the final three kilometers all of those that went down, or were caught behind the wreck, will be given the same time as those that they were riding with at the time of the crash.  So for now, assuming he can ride his bike 750 meters to the finishing line, Tony Martin's Yellow Jersey is safe until tomorrow.

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.  They are a family run art supply company located in the northern midwest United States.  You can find them on the web at www.richesonart.com.  You can find this painting and many others at my artist website at www.greigleach.com and you can purchase this painting for only $60 USD while you are there.  To buy this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  International shipping is available.  Remember, this is an original work of art, so when it is gone, it is gone.  Don't delay, you don't want to miss your chance to have a unique treasure from the 102nd Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2578566---210122/Painting.html#.VZ71PflViko

Giro Stage 9: Getting the Shot

Paolo Tiralongo (Astana) earned his first stage win in the 98th Giro d'Italia.  He wanted to make sure there were plenty of enthusiastic poses for the photographers to chose from.  I am use to seeing the resulting photos from the press photographers that are lucky enough to have the credentials to line the chosen site at the end of each stage.  This was a treat to get the view as the victorious cyclist sees the press core as he claims a stage.  The course was wise enough to put a shallow bend after the line which allow the photographers to get their money shots while not constricting the road way for the decelerating cyclist.

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, www.richesonart.com.  This painting is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  International shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2555494---184157/Painting.html#.VVkMDiFViko

Tour Stage 17: Going It Alone

Vasil Kiryienka (Team Sky) was free to ride for himself today.  With his team leader, Chris Froome, out of the Tour on Stage 5 and Richie Porte suffering a respiratory illness and almost a half hour out of contention, Kiryienka was able to use his strength in the mountains to his own gain.  He used the penultimate climb of the stage to ride away from the rest of the break away.  Setting out on his own, attempting to ride the final 30 kilometers alone.  As alone as one can be in the Tour, with fans lining the road, helicopters over head, and the press catching your every twitch on camera.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  This painting and all of my art of the 101st Tour de France will be included in my soon to be self published, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre-order your copy, or to discover how you can become a part of bringing this exceptional Tour de France to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some excellent Backer rewards for those who choose to pledge their support to the book.  Rewards start at just $5 USD and $25 will included a printed postcard, an artist signed copy of "Book de Tour" and a small pin back button cyclist drawing.  Any pledge amount will get your name printed on the special thanks page of the book.  If you would like to purchase this painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But don't you want a book with all of the artwork in it?  Sure you do!

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2407318---199992/Painting.html#.U9BtNs_D_IU

Dauphine Stage 1: Turning for Home

Under the watchful eyes of the Gendarme and the thousands of cycling fans along the streets of Lyon, Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) makes a sharp right turn after crossing the river and heads into the final kilometer of this race of truth.  Nibali has faced some harsh criticism, most notably from his Director Sportif, Alexander Vinokurov (the retired racer that Astana was original built around) for failing to deliver the results his salary merits.  Nibali is the winner of the 2013 Giro d'Italia, but hasn't had a single race or stage victory so far in 2014.  Today didn't change the stage win stats, but he did put himself in the top ten going into a mountain top finishing stage 2.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard measuring 4"x6" that is available at my artist website, www.greigleach.com.  To buy this piece of art from the 66th Criterium du Dauphine just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And I do ship internationally, cheaply.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Dauphine%202014/2386052---199476/Painting.html#.U6BpRc_D_IU