Tour '24, Stage 9: On to the Next Sector

The lead group hits Sector 9 of the gravel roads with another 67 kilometers to race.  They only have a little over a minute advantage on the group containing the marquees of this Tour.  Derek Gee (Israel-Premier Tech) leads Alexey Lutsenko (Astana-Qazaqstan), Jasper Stuyven (Lidl-Trek) with the other six that were in the lead group into the choking dust of the gravel roads.  I do truly appreciate the camera motos getting these shots so we can see what is happening, but they are the ones kicking up huge clouds of dust into the faces of each of the groups of riders.

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.

"On to the Next Sector TdF24-48" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '22, Stage 4: Smoke Screen

This painting is sold.

Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon/SRAM) used the final dusty section of gravel to split up the peloton.  With just eighteen kilometer left to go, it was a move that Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma) had to take very seriously. Niewiadoma started the day in third over all just sixteen seconds off of the lead between here and the finale there is a possiblity of a total of thirteen bonus seconds between the bonus sprint and the finish line.  Liane Lippert (DSM) can barely be seen through the dust trying to stay with the two ahead of her.  The rest of the peloton can't be seen for all of the dust being kicked up by the race vechicles and the riders themselves.  I am thrilled that the motorcycles can be in front of the action to bring us all these scenes, but it does mean that they are kicking dust and grit into the riders' faces.  The top three places remain the same at the end of the day with the same time gaps.  With the exception of the Spanish Champion, Mavi Garcia (UAE Team ADQ) all of the GC contenders made it across the gravel with their positions and bodies intact.

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-2022/3896048-166-294403/Painting/smoke-screen-tdff22-25.html

Strade Bianche, Clouds of Dust

With Simon Clarke (EF Pro Cycling) put back into the peloton, it was Michael Gogl (NTT Pro Cycling) was the next to ride away from the group.  One of the distinctive features of Strade Bianche is the white gravel roads that kick up dense clouds of dust as the motos, race vehicles and the bikes themselves race over the rough surfaces.  Gogl seemed to be trying to go for a solo run, but with 53 K to race, it was more likely he just wanted to get out of most everyone else's dust clouds.  I am sure it made breathing a bit easier.

At the start line, and at the end of the race, the competitors would quickly don a cloth mask to help stop the spread of the Covid-19 virus.  Gogl may have been wishing he had kept his with him.  Although I find it impossible to ride with one on, and I am sure I am not putting out anywhere near the wattage he is.

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/2020-Bike-Racing-Revised-Season/3609580-6-280747/Painting/clouds-of-dust-sb20-6.html