Tour de France Femmes '24, Final Stage: Fighting to Keep Yellow

It wasn't until I saved this painting to my computer that I discovered that I had already used this title.  That was a different woman in the yellow jersey that time.  But how else could I describe the burst of speed that Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon/SRAM) put in when she went under the flame rouge, just as Demi Vollering had done almost a minute earlier.  I don't doubt that her director sportif had told her she would need to do the same if she was going to keep the gap under a minute to the pair that were sure to win the stage.  On the Maillot Jaune's wheel is the Frenchwoman Evita Muzic (FDJ-Suez) who is hoping to move up the general classification although it is unlikely she will be able to get onto the final podium.

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.

"Fighting to Keep Yellow TdFF24-44" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Down Under, Final Stage: Is There Enough Road?

Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo) has been dubbed the King of Willunga Hill, having one this climb the last five years running.  As he went under the flame rouge, the final kilometer of the race, he check to see how much of a gap he had opened up on his main rivals.  If he could win the stage by nine seconds over Daryl Impey (Mitchelton-Scott), he would win the 2019 Tour Down Under.  While he could only see Wout Poels (Team Sky) and Michael Woods (EF Education First) behind him, the question remained, did he have enough road left to get the kind of gap he needed on the South African Champion.

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/3286988-142-194179/PaintingIs-There-Enough-Road?--TDU19-24.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 2: Lining It Out

As I said, neither break away was going to deny the sprinters a chance of taking a stage in the first stage race of the season.  The teams of the sprinters pulled everyone back and then set about the task of getting themselves organized.  With just a kilometer to go, it was Bora-Hansgrohe on the front, with Team Sky and the rest of the peloton lined out behind them.  I am sorry that I don't know who the pink shoed Bora-Hansgrohe rider is, but you know he is working for the former World Champion (and current Slovakian Champion), Peter Sagan.

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/3285097-124-194179/PaintingLining-It-Out--TDU19-6.html

Giro, Stage 14: Keeping It Close

I'm not quite sure what the pink pig costumes were about, but they did get this herd on screen.  As the peloton went under the flame rouge in ones and twos the tifosi went nuts.  This duo, fifth and sixth on the road, were Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) and Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ).  They had started the day second and third on GC, but after the day, Pinot slipped to fourth.  With Chris Froome's (Sky) ride, he now has the Brit just behind him.  Fortunately for the Frenchman, there is still two and a half minutes between 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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/101st-Giro-dItalia/3165259-59-249297/PaintingKeeping-It-Close--G18-59.html

Giro, Stage 1: Prying Open a Gap

Every team has a designated lead out train designed to deliver their sprinter to the line and the victory.  Bora Hansgrohe has a lot of experience delivering their marquee sprinter, Peter Sagan, to the line quite successfully.  It seems that today, that Lukas Postlberger normally charged with riding for others just went a little too fast as he went under the one kilometer to go banner.  Postlberger looked over his shoulder to see he had a gap on the peloton and thought, "What the hell, I might as well go for it."  I wonder what the other lead out trains were thinking letting Postlberger go.

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/2962541-6-235247/PaintingPrying-Open-a-Gap-G17-6.html

Fleche Wallone: It Is Possible

Bob Jungel (Quickstep) was able to rid himself of his companion, Alessandro De Marchi (BMC) as he scaled the wall that is the Mur de Huy for the final time.  Jungel went under the flame rouge maring the final kilometer of the race with about twenty seconds on the closing peloton.  The minute per ten kilometer rule implied that he had enough to win.  Should he be able to hold off those behind, he would be the first from Luxembourg to win Fleche Wallone.  However, the steepest section of the climb was yet to come.  But a win is still possible.

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 will be crowd funding my third cycling art book through Kickstarter.  Please feel free to become a follower of this blog to be informed of the project and your chance to participate in helping to make it happen.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/2952638-403-195767/PaintingIt-Is-Possible-FW17-7.html

Tour of Britain, Stage 3: Still Alone

Riding alone through Tatton Park, Ian Stannard (Sky) had a minute and forty five seconds on the duo behind, and seven and a half minutes on the peloton.  Clearly as he approached the flame rouge signifying one kilometer to the finish, the stage was his.  Again this image was far more appealing to me than his exhausted half salute of victory at the line.  I don't fault him.  He had just raced 179 kilometers of the front of the race, with the last 30 on his own.  I doubt he had enough energy to get off the bike except for the joy of the victory lifting his spirits and his legs.  Chapeau, Ian!

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2848547-48-189075/PaintingStill%20Alone%20ToB22-Greig-Leach.html#.V8-7NpgrLIU

Tour, Stage 7: Gaining More Time

On a day when everyone thought that the main contenders of the Tour would gain time, or perhaps even take the Maillot Jaune of Greg Van Avermaet (BMC), it was Van Avermaet who had the last word.  As I said early, I don't know why the peloton allowed the Yellow Jersey to get into the early break, and then they let it start the climb up the Col d'Aspin with over five minutes!  Movistar and Team Sky seemed to be playing chicken with each other, one team hoping the other would put in the effort to bring the Belgium rider back into the fold.  With just a kilometer left to race, Van Avermaet has already added another couple of minutes to his lead over Julian Alaphilippe (Etixx-Quickstep) and the rest of the GC men.  Little did I know when I painted this, I had little idea that the final kilometer banner would have an impact on the story of the seventh stage of the 2016 Tour de France.

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 follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2821021-47-224974/PaintingGaining%20More%20Time%20TdF47-Greig-Leach.html#.V4AN7rgrLIU

Tour of California, Stage 3: Less Than One Kilometer

Peter Stetina (Trek-Segafredo) was the next to go on the offensive.  He waited a little longer than the youthful Nielson Powless (Axeon Hagens Berman).  As he went under the flame rouge that de-marks the final kilometer of the stage, he had a good ten seconds on those who had set their hopes on victory atop the brutal climb.  Alas, like Powless before him, Stetina couldn't hold on to his advantage and had to settle for second on the stage, and for being second overall in the General Classification.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting measuring 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting (and all of my cycling art and cycling books) are available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting (and yes international shipping is available), just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2792279-14-223355/Painting.html#.VzvL1PmDGko

Tour Down Under: All Together at 1 K

Despite all of his efforts from the very start of the stage, Sean Lake (UniSA-Australia) was caught with less than 6 kilometers left to race.  The young Australian had been out front of the peloton for over 120 kilometers just to be swallowed up a few minutes from the finish of the day.  All was not in vain, he will be pulling on the King of the Mountains Jersey on the podium tonight.

All day Team Sky was hidden from view, until the peloton closed in on the final kilometer of the stage.  It was then that Peter Kennaugh (Team Sky) hit the front driving the pace for his sprinter.  Fortunately everyone got safely across the railroad crossing and were able to sprint it out for the stage win and the leader's ochre jersey.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting created using watercolors from www.richesonart.com and 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.  In addition, be sure to check out my new book, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships" available now at www.artofcycling.bike.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2673670-66-194179/Painting.html#.Vp6HfPkrLIU

Tour de France, Stage 17: One Kilometer, One to Catch

As Andrew Talansky (Cannondale Garmin) flew under the red kite of one kilometer left to race, he still had one more man to catch in order to take the stage.  Talansky had put in a blistering descent down the Col d'Allos to come within a minute and a half of the Giant-Alpecin man, Simon Geschke.  With just a kilometer of road left to go, he was praying he could close the final forty seconds and claim a stage for his team.  With the abandonment of his countryman, Tejay van Garderen (BMC),Talansky was hoping to bring some joy to the American fans from the United States.  Most likely, there just isn't enough road left to race for him to catch the fleeing German.

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.  They are a small family run art supply company that really does have excellent art making materials.  This painting, and in fact all of my cycling artwork, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Don't delay however, since it is an original painting, when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2583574-113-210122/Painting.html#.VbASavlVikr

Paris Nice Stage 6: One Kilometer to Yellow

It may well have been raining on the Cote d'Azur, but nothing was going to dampen the spirits of this Frenchman.  Tony Gallopin (Lotto Soudal) had escaped on the final climb of Paris Nice road stages and had continued to press his advantage all the way down to the sea.  Behind him a group of four chasers could never gain on him and the third group on the road of Geraint Thomas, Richie Porte (both Team Sky) and Michal Kwiatkowski (Etixx-Quickstep) dropped further and further back.  The trio lost over a minute to the rider from France and the new Maillot Jaune.  With the time bonuses factor in, Gallopin has a 36 second lead going into the final stage of Paris Nice, a short steep uphill Individual Time Trial that will decide the final victor of the race.  The last time aFrenchman won the Race to the Sun was way back in 1997.  There truly is a renaissance in French cycling.  It should be noted that Gallopin was the only French rider to wear the Maillot Jaune in the last Tour de France.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting 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 are enjoying reading about this race with the accompanying artwork, please check out my recently published Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France.  The book is available through most every online bookseller around the world, so just google the title to find where you can get your copy while avoiding international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2525790---195767/Painting.html#.VQSkuY7F-xU

Paris Nice Stage 5: Still Away with One K

Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal) resplendent in Polka Dots, has ridden everyone of his break away companions off of his wheel.  The final victim to the strength of the King of the Mountains was Egor Silin (Katusha) who managed to hang in there until the final kilometer of the stage.  De Gendt is counting on the small rise to the line to give him just the advantage he needs to hold off the sprinters.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  If you interested in purchasing this original artwork, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Enjoying reading about a bike race with these accompanying paintings?  Then check out my recently published Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France.  The book is available through most online booksellers around the world, so google the title to find where you can get it without paying international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2525048---195767/Painting.html#.VQMvCPzF-xU

Tour Stage 14: Stuck on the Italian's Wheel

Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) jumped from the shrunken peloton of the GC contenders on the final climb, his attack was so vicious on the steepest section that only one man, Jean-Christophe Peraud (AG2R) was able to hold the Italian's wheel.  Nibali tried repetitively to dropped the Frenchman, to no avail, Peraud was stuck on his wheel.  The pair tried in vain to catch Rafal Majka (Tinkoff Saxo) who still had a minute on them at the one kilometer to go banner.  They were gaining time on the rest of the men in the remnants of the peloton.  While Tejay van Garderen (BMC) he was not able to catch up to the pair, but he too would be leaving the Alps in a much higher position that before the mountains loomed on the horizon.  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 2014 Tour de France watercolors will be included in my soon to be 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 the 101st Tour de France to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some really excellent incentives to get you involved starting for as little as $5 USD, all include domestic (USA) shipping and international shipping is available.  Any Backer regardless of the amount - yes, that includes a $1 USD pledge - will have their name included in print 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 wouldn't you want to have the book as well?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2405422-113-108-199992/Painting/Sports.html#.U8w1qM_D_IU

Tour Stage 1: Jumping from the Kite

Ever the opportunist and always the strong man, Fabian Cancellara (Trek Factory Racing) used the small steep climb just before the final kilometer banner to get a jump on the sprinter's teams.  Cancellara is well known for his pure power, often riding the entire off of his wheel, the way he has won many of the Spring Classics including Paris-Roubaix.  He just about had them today, but he was caught with less than 500 meters to go.  I am sure he put fear into the hearts of the lead out men and their sprinters.  Although not as much fear that was soon to hit the front of the race as the fast boys jockeyed for position.  This is an original small watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  This painting will be part of my soon to be self published "Book de Tour" along with all of my writings and paintings of the 101st Tour de France.  To learn more about the book project please visit my Kickstarter page at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  If you want to purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Don't delay, everybody loves Spartacus!

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2396626---199992/Painting.html#.U7hztM_D_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 5: Less than One K

The weather was rather odd (and mean spirited) in today's stage, with rain falling heavily as the riders made their descent from Viggiano, but the sun was shining brightly as they came back up the hill twenty minutes later.  I am sure there are some who would have loved that to have been reversed.  As the peloton slipped under the flame rouge signifying one kilometer left to race, Rafal Majka (Tinkoff-Saxo) jumped out from the Katusha led peloton hoping to catch the GC men napping.  The announcers got all excited thinking it was the Irishman, Nicholas Roche, but instead it was his Polish teammate going for the stage win.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase at my artist website, www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But while you are there, why not browse around at all of the art on offer?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2363919---198213/Painting.html#.U3P2Ys_D_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 3: One Long Line

The peloton first spread wide across the boulevards as they enter Dublin under the escort of multiple trains of the teams with sprinters hoping to be able to get the better of Marcel Kittel and his team Giant Shimano.  As they made the turns that always plaque the final runs in to the center of the finishing towns, the organization broke down and the peloton stretched into a single line with the tail just hoping to remained attached.  As the went under the Flame Rouge, marking the final kilometer of the stage, it appears that Cannondale has thinks well in hand for their man, Elia Viviani, the third bright green jersey in this painting.  It is worth noting that Marcel Kittel (Giant Shimano) in his red of the Sprinter's Jersey, is way down the line and apparently without any team mates to bring him to the line and the victory.  This is an original watercolor and ink painting that can 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/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2362601---198213/Painting.html#.U3A6fc_D_IU

Liege-Bastogne-Liege: Under the Flame Rouge

The Flame Rouge or the Red Kite, marks the final kilometer of the day's racing.  Liege-Bastogne-Liege featured about a kilometer of climbing before the kite and kept going up after the leaders passed under its welcoming sight.  Domenico Pozzovio (AG2R) and Giampaolo Caruso (Katusha), both climbers, got away on the final climb of the day and were doing well holding off the attacking peloton, although these two were within sight of the angry swarm of riders who each nursed hopes of claiming the victory at the line.  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 to get your piece of art of the 100th edition of this final of the Spring Classics.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2354507---195767/Painting.html#.U13cmcvD_IU