Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 3: Three Chasing One

When the solo rider attacked the break, the rest spent too much time trying to make the others do the chasing.  Finally, this trio of Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), Louis Barre (Intermache-Wanty), and Harold Tejada (XDS-Astana) realized the stage win, and with it the yellow jersey, was putting seconds into their aspirations. These guys had to make up fourteen seconds in a mere kilometer and a half.  I doubt there is any chance of that happening.  Instead, just two of them will be contenting themselves with a step on the podium.  They never managed to get any closer, but it was Tejada taking second and Barre taking third.  Despite, or more likely because of, all of his efforts it was Lipowitz who missed out.  The three now hold the same positions in the general classification that they finished in Charantonnay.

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. 

"Three Chasing One CdD25-15" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Down Under, Stage 2: We’ve Got a Gap

Once the first attempt at a an escape was reeled back in, it was the American Champion, Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) went on the offensive.  He was joined by Bastien Tronchon in the new kit of Decathlon-Ag2r-Mondiale.  I must admit that I already miss the brown shorts.  Much to Simmons’ frustration, Tronchon seemed unwilling to help in the escape, perhaps fearing the closing speed of the guy in the Stars and Stripes.  With four kilometers to go, the peloton was a mere 50 meters behind them, so without cooperation their efforts would likely be in vain.

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/Tour-Down-Under/3995732-186-194179/Painting/weve-got-a-gap.-tdu24-9.html

Paris Nice 2022: Slipping Away

With little hope of outsprinting some of those in the front group Stefan Bissegger (EF Education-EasyPost) went off the front of the peloton with roughly 15 kilometers to race.  The Swiss rider was joined by his countryman, Stefan Kung (Groupama-FDJ) and Philippe Gilbert (Lotto Soudal).  You can't see, but trust me he is there, Christophe Laporte (Jumbo Visma) bridge across to defend his Yellow Jersey and the position on the GC of his teammates.  He need not have worried, too many in the peloton fancied their chances in a sprint finale, so these escapes were put back into the peloton in quick order.  It is impressive that Gilbert had the legs to go again having been off the front of the peloton for 100 kilometers and then in the front group for another 45.

 

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/3870707-45-272742/Painting/slipping-away-pn22-8.html

TDF, Stage 3: A Yellow Lead Out

Oft times those that are designated as a race leader on a team will find a chance to pay back their teammates in any way they can.  I am sure that was part of what Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix) was up to when he hit the front of the peloton with just two kilometers left to race.  He was trying to act as lead out man for his team's sprinter, Tim Merlier.  Clearly he was a little too fast out of the final corner finding only two Ineos-Grenadiers riders behind when he looked for his teammates.  Was he going to go ahead and try for another stage win?

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/2021-Tour-de-France/3820770-18-291436/Painting/a-yellow-lead-out-tdf21-18.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 1: Getting Together

Wth just 2 kilometers left in the first stage of the 2019 Pro Tour race, it was a struggle for the teams to get their sprint trains together.  The wide straight roads, the head wind, and the desire to open the season with a win made everyone try to take their chance to hold the front.  At this point it was Mitchelton-Scott (the home country pro team) holding the front as the others lined it out behind them.

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-Down-Under/3284018-120-194179/PaintingGetting-Together--TDU19-2.html

Giro, Stage 4: Slipping Off the Front

Having followed the move off the front of a rider for Wilier Triestina-Selle Italia, it was Valerio Conti (UAE Team Emirates) who had the legs to press on with the effort.  With just over eight kilometers to race, the Italian had built up a 25 second advantage, but those behind had teammates for support in the chase.  As I was going back over the paintings from the early part of the stage, I discovered the Conti had been leading the move by UAE Team Emirates over a hundred kilometers earlier.  Clearly, he has come to the Giro in great form.

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/101st-Giro-dItalia/3159785-20-249297/PaintingSlipping-Off-the-Front--G18-20.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 6: No Organization

As the peloton got into the final two kilometers it seemed that all of the sprint teams lost control of the group at once.  All of this Tour and surely all season long at this point it will be two or three teams all lined out with their sprinters tacked onto the end of the train.  Today they was barely a pair of teammates together at the crest of the hill one and a half kilometers from the line.  Cameron Meyer (Mitchelton-Scott) kept pushing on figuring his teammates who regain his wheel.  He needed to deliver Caleb Ewan and his lead out man (and race leader) Daryl Impey onto the finishing straight.  Every other leadout man was jumping around trying to get their men back together.  At this point it was anyone's race, both for the stage and for the entire Tour.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. To purchase this artwork, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3099887-117-194179/PaintingNo-Organization-TDU18-30.html

Doha 2016, Elite Men's Road Race, Giving It a Go!

The Dutch team may have missed the split, but it didn't mean they had thrown in the towel.  It was now clear that the winner was going to come from the front group, and it would have to be a strong sprinter if the group stayed together.  The two Dutchmen that had made the group did a punch counter punch move.  First Niki Terpstra (Netherlands) went on the attack, an attack that was quickly shut down by the Belgium team.  Almost as soon as Terpstra was contained, Tom Leezer launched a brilliant counter.  Leezer quickly opened up about five seconds on the clearly exhaust group.  With just two and a half kilometer left to race, it was looking like this was the winning move.  Sadly for Leezer, the Belgium Team and Michal Kolar (Slovakia) wanted to give their sprinters the chance for the win.  With just about 500 meter left to go, Leezer found himself back into the fast charging lead group.  With the accelerations, a few dropped off the tail, including all but one (Ryan Roth - Canada) of the original break away.

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/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2866447-65-227958/PaintingGiving%20It%20a%20Go!%20Doha65-Greig-Leach.html#.WAUV1-ArLIU

Giro Stage 7: Setting Something Up

As the peloton neared both the break away and the end of the longest stage of the Giro, it appeared that BMC was interested in setting up a spring board for their man, Philippe Gilbert.  The stage seemed tailor made for the former World Champion, with two steep climbs within the final 15 kilometers of the 256 kilometer stage.  Trek Factory Racing and Movistar were keeping a close eye on the Swiss team, making sure they would be able to follow any moves from the in black and red.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  In addition, this painting and all of my cycling art 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.  And yes, international shipping is available.  Do act quickly to get your own piece of the 98th Giro d'Italia.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2554766---184157/Painting.html#.VVboGyFViko