Tour '24, Stage 12: Remain Calm

Despite having a flat rear tire with a mere thirty-five kilometers left in the stage, Nicolas Prodhomme (Decathlon-Ag2r-La Mondiale) remain very calm as he held the bike for his mechanic.  While the mechanic was busy with the power drill putting the axel back in, Prodhomme watch the flotilla of tour vehicles and team cars rush pass.  He was able to rejoin the peloton and finish the stage at the same time as the stage winner.  It may be hard, but clearly even when things go wrong, it is best to remain calm and do what needs to be done.  I'm talking to you, Greig.

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.

"Remain Calm TdF24-68" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Gent-Wevelgem 2021: Keeping Upright

 Florian Vermeersch (Lotto Soudal) struggled to keep himself from crashing as he rounded a corner in the Plugstreet.  He was one of at least a half dozen guys to have fallen (sorry I didn't intend that pun) prey to punctures on the gravel sections and rough roads of this stretch of the race.  Vermeersch was able to stay upright and to get a quick wheel change.  However, I don't recall seeing him for the rest of the race.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow th edirect 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/Spring-Classics-2021/3802939-20-290150/Painting/keeping-upright-gw21-2.html

Tour, Stage 21: So Frustrating

It had to be an incredibly frustrating Tour for Michael Matthews (Sunweb).  He has just missed out on a couple of sprint stages, and made it through the Alps just for the chance to sprint it out on the Champs Elysees.  Today luck was not on his side.  He flatted and had to get a bike change with just two laps left until the final sprint of the Tour.  While the change was quick, it couldn't possibly be quick enough for him to be able to feature in the finale.  I was impressed with how he kept his cool.  I  guess it is appropiate that the signage on the barrier made it appear as though he has a halo.  He was able to catch back on, but he had spent to much energy to feature in the finale.

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%202019/3366729-125-263530/So%20Frustrating%20%20TDF19-125.html

Tour, Stage 1: Bad Timing

Nairo Quintana (Movistar) had the bad luck to have a possible double flat roughly three and a half kilometers from the finish.  Had it happen just a half a kilometer up the road, he would have been given the same time as the lead group.  As it was, he lost a minute and a half on those that finished in the front, although a number of is main rivals only gained a few seconds on him.  It was a rather chaotic finale to the first stage of the Tour, with Foome, Porte, Rolland, and Yates all losing time to Nibali and Dumoulin.  There is never an easy day in the Tour, or on e that goes completely to script.  While the neutral service guys tried to get Quintana back underway, it was his team car that pulled up and got him on his spare bike.  With the use of disc brakes, wheel changes are becoming far more complex, even more so with different designs trying to be serviced by the Mavic mechanics.

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-2018/3184448-4-251072/PaintingBad-Timing--T18-4.html

Tour Down Under Stage 4: Bad Luck

With two riders still up the road, Will Clarke (Cannondale Drapac) was one of the three riders to jump free of the peloton in hopes of bridging across to the leaders  The other two were Lars Bak (Lotto Soudal) and Michael Valgren (Astana)  Just as the trio were opening up a thirty second gap on the peloton Clarke had the misfortune of getting a rear flat tire   The neutral service vehicles gave him a quick change but the time lost was too much to continue to stay off of the front  He could take some solace in knowing that Bak nor Valgren made it up to the leaders so his ill fortune did not take him out of a chance to win the stage into Campbelltown

For the record - my computer has decided that I don't really need periods on commas anymore

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/Tour%20Down%20Under/2907642-117-194179/PaintingBad%20Luck%20TDU17-19.html#.WII65vkrLIU

Tour, Final Stage: Is There No Justice?

Bryan Coquard (Direct Energie) was the second of the marquee sprinters to suffer a flat tire.  However unlike Marcel Kittel (Etixx-Quickstep), Coquard had the misfortune to have his mechanical on the bell lap.  As he pulled off looking for his team car, he knew that his dream of taking out the final stage of the 2016 Tour de France, was further away than the l'Arc du Triomphe.  It was going to be impossible to catch back on even if he already had gotten back underway.  It seem cruelly unjust to have the French sprinter and best hope for a French win on the Champs Elysees to be unable to sprint for victory.

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%202016/2828515-161-224974/PaintingIs%20There%20No%20Justice?%20TdF162-Greig-Leach.html#.V5VjrrgrLIU

Tour, Final Stage: Not Happy!

Marcel Kittel (Etixx-Quickstep) was not remotely pleased.  He had a flat, which is to be expected on cobbled city streets.  His mechanic gave him a super quick bike exchange (faster then changing the rear wheel), so all was good.  That is until, Kittel jumped onto the new ride and discovered that the rear tire was flat.  He was justifiably pissed off.  I have never seen that one happen before.  Kittel pulled off his own wheel partially to aid his mechanic and partially so he could throw it to vent his frustration.  He threw it towards the curb, but it took an odd bounce into the passing caravan.  However after hitting another team car it came rolling back to his mechanic's feet.  After a new wheel, he then had gearing problems with the chain.  That one he took care of himself.  There was plenty of time to get back into the peloton, but at what cost of energy?  Etixx-Quickstep already had the withdrawal of Tony Martin in the middle of the final stage, so it was clearly not going their way.

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%202016/2828512-159-224974/PaintingNot%20Happy!%20TdF160-Greig-Leach.html#.V5VbGbgrLIU

Tour Down Under: Swapping Wheels

As a team rider, one has to be ready to aid your protected rider at all times.  Here Mathew Hayman (Orica-GreenEdge) stops to give his man, Simon Gerrans, his back wheel in order to keep Gerrans in contention for the overall.  With the wheel, Gerrans saved the time it would have taken for his team car to get up to him with the replacement for his punctured rear tire.  Hayman then waited for the his mechanic and rode in with the follow caravan leaving Gerrans able to finish with the same time as the winner of the stage.

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/2673664-65-194179/Painting.html#.Vp6FGfkrLIU

Richmond 2015 UCI Worlds: A Rough Way to Start

Daniel Hoelgaard (Norway) had a difficult start of this U23 Road Race.  While lined up waiting for the start of the race, he discovered that his front tire was flat.  He quickly headed back to his team mechanic for a quick wheel chain.  As his man was kneeling to replace the wheel, the neutral service mechanic came running up with a front wheel as well.  Hoelgaard was able to get back up to the start area before the race began, so I guess it was a case of "No harm, no foul".  But I feel like it may have been an omen of what was to come for his team.  Norway riders had more flats and a mechanical in the course of the race, and never seemed to be a factor on the day.

This is an original small watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  These paintings are created live while watching the races through a feed provided by the Richmond 2015 Worlds organization.  For two more days, you will be able to watch me create the works live at the Fanfest area at 5th and Marshall Streets near the finish line.  You can also purchase either the originals or one of two different sizes of prints while you are there, or later at www.richmond.com.

Tour de France, Stage 20: Bad Timing

No matter how much a rider trains, no matter how fit they may be or emotionally strong.  Even in the old days, no matter how much they doped.  Lady luck still can be a very large factor in the out come of a rider's Tour de France.  Two different men while wearing the Maillot Jaune have had to leave this Tour due to bad luck and injury, many others have been unable to finish for the same reason.  Of the 198 riders who began way back in Utrecht, only 160 are still in the race at the end of the penultimate stage of the 102nd Tour de France.  Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) used a brilliant ride yesterday to move him self up into the top five on the General Classification.  Only to have a very badly timed flat tire, right at the base of the ascent up the Alp d'Huez.  Despite how quickly he got a new wheel it still meant he would be having to ride up the monster of the Alps faster than any other of the contenders just to rejoin the main body of the race.  Unlucky.

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 wonderful small family run art supply company based in the northern mid-west of the United States.  This painting 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.  As it is a one of a kind original work of art, you may not want to delay your purchase, because when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2585876-138-210122/Painting.html#.VbR_gPlViko

Paris Nice Stage 5: Crevaison

Matti Beschel (Tinkoff Saxo) seems to be having all of the punctures in Paris Nice, at least all of the ones that are caught on camera.  He takes the opportunity to stretch out his back while the team mechanic quickly changes the rear wheel before giving him a push to send him along his way.  Unlike his puncture when he was in a late break for the line, thankfully, this one was early in the day with 40 kilometers left to race in the stage.  He will have no problem rejoining the peloton.

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.  This 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%20/2525000---195767/Painting.html#.VQMlsPzF-xU

Ruta del Sol Stage 3: Please Hurry

Sorry, I am having technical difficulties and can't load the image, hopefully later.  In the mean time, you can see the artwork at my website, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.


There is never a good time to have a flat tire, all the more so when you have been out in a good size break away for the lion share of a long stage.  So it was for Aleksejs Saramotins (IAM Cycling) as he patiently waited for the team mechanic to change is front wheel.  Notice that he his helping his man out by holding the bike just high enough to make the wheel swap go as quickly as possible.  Unfortunately, it wasn't fast enough to enable Saramotins to rejoin the break away.


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 just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.


http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Other%202015%20Cycling%20Art/2514774---206768/Painting.html#.VOl9ENg5DIU

Giro d'Italia Stage 11: Roadside Repair

One of the more valuable people on the team is the race mechanic.  This is the guy who jumps out of the car to change wheels, swap bikes or leans out of the window to do repairs of all sorts at 40 kph.  Unfortunately for one of the two remaining Irishmen in the Giro, Philip Deigian (Team Sky), he flatted right as the break started up the final climb of the day.  However, he was able to get back with the rest of the break away, only to be caught by the peloton near the top of the ascent.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard (4"x6") that is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting follow the direct link at the end of this post.  While you are there, why not take the time to browse all of the cycling art on offer?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2367685---198213/Painting.html#.U3167s_D_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 7: Swapping a Wheel

Many may not understand just how much of a team sport cycling is.  The team will designate "protected riders" who are either sprinters or the team's hope for the General Classification (ie. over all winner or placing on the podium).  The rest of the team will make sure that the protected rider always has a team mate to ride in the wind, has a team mate beside him to provide help in the case of a crash or a mechanical.  This is what happened in the Garmin Sharp Sprinter's case, Tyler Farrar.  With just under 20 kilometers left to race and the peloton pedaling at a full on pace, Farrar had a flat tire.  Both he and his team mate pulled to the side of the road, and the Garmin Domestique handed over his wheel so that Tyler could get back into the peloton as quickly as possible.  The other man could then wait for the team car to stop and change his wheel.  In addition another team mate dropped back from the peloton to help his sprinter get back on and back up to the business end of the charging peloton.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  All of these cycling watercolors are only $50 USD and payments can be made securely through the shopping cart feature with Paypal or credit card.  Thank you for taking the time to look at my art.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2364871---198213/Painting.html#.U3cneM_D_IU

Tour Final Stage: A Wheel and a Stretch

While his mechanic change the rear wheel with the upmost of speed and the French Champion took the opportunity to stretch out his back before jumping back on for the chase back.  He made quick work of it on the descent down the other side of the boulevard only to flat again.  Some days are just that way, although he did make it back on again to finish the Tour in the peloton.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist website where you can purchase this painting.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the final day of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2184489---186227/Painting.html#.UfKAU8_D_IU

Tour Stage Thirteen: The Wrong Time to Flat

For many 13 is an unlucky number, certainly it was an unlucky stage for Alejandro Valverde.  He had made the move and was in the front group of the splintered peloton when at the end of the feed zone he had a flat.  His team stopped with him, and a teammate gave him his wheel since the team car was behind the second group on the road.  By the time they had made the switch (by then the neutral service vehicle had provided the teammate another wheel) he had lost 34 seconds on the front group.  Jumping back on the bikes they began to chase down his former riding companions.  It never happened in the stiff crosswinds of central France, so he was caught by the second group on the road, where he stayed to the finishing line.  He ended the day losing nine minutes on Chris Froome, who also lost time today.  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 the exciting 13th Stage.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2182503---186227/Painting.html#.Ue277M_D_IU

Tour 2012: Cadel in Trouble

2012 found the riders dealing with something I have never seen before, while there have been protests, run in with fans, and accidents with following vehicles (2011), I have never known of an attack on the race.  Team BMC and Cadel Evans were behind the peloton when they suddenly had numerous flat tires, the team quickly assessed who had good tires and they started swapping wheels to get the team leader and his dedicated supporters up and running.  In all 15 riders and four of the caravan motorcycles had flats all from tacks that had been thrown on the course by someone or some people who were along the race course.  If it was their intention to help other riders, they were unaware of the code of the professional peloton.  Once the contenders were informed of the incident, they sat up and waited for Cadel and his team to catch back up.  Hopefully, there will be no repeat of this nonsense in 2013.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and is available through my artist web site.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%20Watercolors/1991885-32-30-171269/Painting/Sports.html#.UcuXQ8vD_IU

Dauphine Stage Seven: Good to Go

Francais du Jour's team mechanic jumped out to make a quick change for his rider.  The quickest way to change a flat is to switch out the wheel.  The rider will have radioed the team car to let the mechanic know which wheel is flat and then stops on the side of the road and starts pulling the wheel with the flat off of the bike.  When the mechanic arrives with the replacement, he will finish pulling the wheel and then put on the new wheel while his rider holds the bike.  After his rider is good to go he will pick up the flat and then give his man a push to get rolling again.  This all should happen in about 15 seconds.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and like all of the works in this series it has been created using cake watercolors, brushes and paper from www.richesonart.com   They have a wonderful wide variety of quality art supplies based in the United States.  Also, this work is available through my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2162025---185083/Painting.html#.UbvA48_D_IU