Tour '24, Stage 10: Coming Back to the Peloton

Romain Bardet (DSM-Firmenich-PostNL) was another to fall victim to the rash of flat tires on the stage today.  He got a new bike rather than wait around for a wheel change since they were now inside of the final 25 kilometers of the stage.  Not to stressed, he worked his way back through the caravan of team cars, support vehicles and gendarme motorcycles.  Once anyone catches the red Skoda of the race commissare they know that they have reached the tail of the peloton.

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. 

"Coming Back to the Peloton" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 6: Arguing His Case

Just as the crosswinds got into the peloton, Mark Cavendish (Astana-Qazaqstan) had the miss fortune to have a mechanical.  As those on the front hammered the pace to split the peloton, his chase back was made that much harder.  He did follow his team car as he paced back towards the tail of the race.  That is not allowed as he wasn't making any progress through the caravan of pace vehicles.  He did get told to get off the tail of the team car and start moving, which he did.  Once he did eventually get close to the tail, he had a discussion with the race commissaire, apparently defending his actions in the preceding kilometers.  While I don't know if he was sanctioned for sure, he did give the man a thumbs up as he rode past.  But he is now the Lantern Rouge having dropped another thirty seconds in the General Classification despite finishing the day in the peloton.

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.

"Arguing His Case TdF24-30" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 2: First for Him & the Team

Not only did Kevin Vauquelin (Arkea-B&B Hotels) win his first stage in the Tour de France today.  It was also the first time his team has ever won a stage.  That now makes two out of two stage wins for the French.  Unlike, Bardet yesterday, Vauquelin will not be pulling on the Maillot Jaune.  He did manage to make the early break and then ride away from all of his erstwhile companions on the two climbs of the Cote de San Luca.  He did move up 68 places on the General Classification into 71st place, but as he said, he had a terrible first stage of the Tour.  Clearly, stage two was far superior for him and the team!

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.

"First for Him & the Team TdF24-10" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes 23, Stage 1: Ready to Go!

I am thrilled to see the Tour de France Femmes begin its second edition today.  Marion Rousse has popped up out of the roof of the commissare vehicle with the yellow flag in hand.  As soon as she waves the flag the race is off!  She will speed away hopefully faster than those who want to be in the early break will.  I am looking forward to the coming eight days of racing and the stories and art that will follow.

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-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2023/3967164-139-297438/Painting/ready-to-go.html 

 

Paris Nice 2022: Tete de La Course

Just two and a half kilometers ago it looked like Gregor Muhlberger's (Movistar) day was over.  But here he is off the front with just the race director's and Shimano's Neutral Support cars for company.  He only has about 34 seconds on the elite group of GC contenders behind him so it seems unlikely that he will stay away.  However, if the GC guys are on the limit and simply ride together to the finish he has a little bit of hope.  I can't see that happening though.  Roglic may have a substantial lead on the rest of the field but the rest of the podium is very close together on time.

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/3871886-72-272742/Painting/tete-de-la-course-pn22-35.html

Dauphine, Stage 3: Pilot Fish

 It is the Irish time trial specialist, Ryan Mullen, that is serving as the pilot fish for his teammate Jasper Stuyven (Trek-Segafredo).  Stuyven was the team's hope for the anticipated sprint finale.  But with an apparent mechanical, it was Mullen who was tasked with bringing the Belgium sprinter back through the caravan of cars and onto the tail of the peloton.  With 27 kilometers still to race, he would have plenty of time to recover from this effort and to be ready for the next.  With the team director's car just ahead, they knew they were almost back.

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/Criterium-du-Dauphine/3814721-96-185083/Painting/pilot-fish-cd21-12.html

Dauphine, Stage 1: Just Getting Back

 The American Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates) seemed to have a mechanical off camera.  The first time we saw him from the helicopter shot, he was chasing back to the peloton through the caravan of team cars.  With just 17 kilometers (and two categorized climbs) to go, he just had to get around the race director's car to re-attach to the tail of the peloton.  Apparently the chase back cost him too much energy, as the road went up again, he dropped off the tail of the group after all of the effort to catch back on.  Bike racing is hard and can be cruel when passing out the luck for the day.

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/Criterium-du-Dauphine/3814164-86-185083/Painting/just-getting-back-cd21-2.html

Tour, Stage 13: Climbing Alone Now

 Maximilian Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) had dropped the only guy who could come close to holding his wheel on the climb up Col de Neronne.  At the top of the climb there were bonus seconds on offer, but that was not what the German climber was after.  He has slipped to far down the general classification to be aided by eight seconds, he was after the win atop the next climb for stage honors.  It is comforting to see virtually everyone taking their mask wearing seriously as they stand on the side of the road.  I've seen very few without a mask, and just a few more that don't seem to get that you have to cover your mouth AND your nose.

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-de-France-2020/3699201-85-282744/Painting/climbing-alone-now-tdf20-79.html

Tour, Stage 12: Third Time Is the Charm!

 Marc Hirschi (Sunweb) has become the new darling of the Tour.  After joining a late break in stage 2 he took second in Nice and pulled on the Maillot Blanc (for a day).  And again on stage 9 he went on a break from the very start of the stage.  He was caught by the marquee riders of this Tour with just three kilometers to race.  He still managed to take third in a five man sprint that gave Roglic the Maillot Jaune and Pogacar the stage.  Today, is third attempt, was the one that worked finishing solo with almost a minute to spare.  He only had the assistant race referee for company as he crossed the line.  Chapeau!

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-de-France-2020/3698189-79-282744/Painting/third-time-is-the-charm-tdf20-73.html

Tour, Stage 19: Fighting to Stay in Yellow

The entire country of France, and most of the cycling world, has been waiting to see if Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step) could hold onto the Maillot Jaune in the Alps.  Today the one two punch from Team Ineos put him in difficulty on the final kilometers on the HC Catagory climb of the Col de l'Iseran.  Yesterday, he got dropped a little closer to the top of the HC climb, but was able to rejoin on the descent.  I am sure he was pushing himself to the limit to repeat the feat today.  The final climb of the day shouldn't be too severe for his abilities, so for now he just needed to limit his loses.  No one knew what was going to happen in the valley below.

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%202019/3365886-109-263530/Fighting%20to%20Stay%20in%20Yellow%20%20TDF19-109.html

Tour, Stage 9: Plowing a Lone Furrow

When I saw the three from the previous post, I didn't realize this was who they were chasing.  Lukas Postlberger (Bora-Hansgrohe) was the first to attack the fifteen man break, and the first to get 30 seconds on those chasing.  I am sure Postlberger was hoping to add to the team's stage wins, and the team was equally happy to share the love.  Alas, it wasn't to be, the final climb proved to much for the former Austraian 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.

Be sure to check out my daily videos on You Tube

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202019/3359991-47-263530/Plowing%20a%20Lone%20Furrow%20%20TDF19-47.html

LBL: Getting the Pay Off

The title of the preceeding painting, "Risking It All" dictated the title of Jakob Fulgsang's (Astana) victory.  He nearly lost his race, while taking big risks on the descent of the Cote de la Roche aux Faucons back into Liege.  His victory is a clear proof that you have to risk failure inorder to succeed.  And succeed he did with a solo ride across the finish line with only the race director's car behind him.

With this the final race of the spring racing season, I will take a break.  I am going to have to forego painting my favorite of the Grand Tours, the Giro d'Italia.  I just can't make the time committment right now.  I do plan to paint the Tour of California instead.  With luck, I will be able to paint both the women's and the men's races.

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/Spring%20Classics%20/3325655-449-195767/Getting%20the%20Pay%20Off%20%20LBL19-7.html

Vuelta, Stage 18: Opening a Gap

It is interesting to hear the commentators talking about what racers should or shouldn't do as the race is unfolding.  Or how such and such rider will have no chance against another if they come to the line together.  Today, they got it wrong as Sander Armee (Lotto Soudal) was able to ride everyone off of his wheel, when they thought that either Julain Alaphilippe (Quickstep) or Alexey Lutsenko (Astana) would have the better of the Belgian on the final ascent.  Armee has not yet been offered a contract for the 2018 season, I suspect that today's Grand Tour stage win will change that fact rather quickly.  And he can now claim to have won a race or a stage in a Grand Tour.  Today was his first ever!

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/Vuelta-2017/3030464-43-239162/PaintingOpening-a-Gap-V-44.html

Tour Down Under Stage 3: Hoping to Stay Away

Vegard Laengen (UAE-Abu Dhabi) must have felt the combined sensations of his break away companions loosing steam and the approaching peloton about to swallow them up  He used a small rise on the finishing circuit to jump clear of his erstwhile companions in a potentially vain attempt to take a solo victory ahead of the sprinters.  It certainly falls into the 'nothing ventured nothing gained' category, but it was a long shot to be sure (12 kilometers long to be exact).  Behind the Norwegian you can see the race director standing up (and popping out of the sun roof) keeping a close eye on all of the motos around the rider.  He is just making sure that the motorcycles don't provide a slipstream to help Laengen (or the peloton) gain an unfair advantage.

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/2906684-113-194179/PaintingHoping%20to%20Stay%20Away%20TDU17-15.html#.WIDvl_krLIU

Tour, Stage 6: Leaning In

True to form, Stage 6 of the Tour de France open with a break away getting clear with just three kilometers covered.  The first Japanese rider to finish a Tour de France, Yukiya Arashiro who rides for the Italian team, Lampre-Merida, led his companion, Jan Barta (Bora-Argon 18) into a sharp right turn under the watchful eyes of the TV Moto, the race director and some dignitaries riding along in the second red car.  Bora-Argon 18 has managed to but a rider into every break thus far with the exception of Stage 4.  It is on the wild card teams to give the race a good show, to validate their presence in the Tour.

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%202016/2820787-35-224974/PaintingLeaning%20In%20TdF35-Greig-Leach.html#.V361H7grLIU

Tour de France, Final Stage:The Beginning of the End

The leader of the race, Chris Froome (Team Sky) pedals up alongside the Race Director's car to shake hands with Christian Prudhomme.  At the start of each day's racing, there is a short neutral section of riding before Prudhomme will pull in the depart flag and let the racing begin.  Froome could be heard apparently apologizing to Prudhomme.  A little bit later we could make out that Froome was checking to see if the laps on the Champs Elysees would be neutralized or not.  The final decision was to take the time of riders as they crossed the finish line on the first lap, due to the rains that had made the cobble stones dangerously slick.  One only had to watch La Course early in the morning to see just what could happen to the peloton and potentially to the Maillot Jaune.

This is an original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson and Company, www.richesonart.com.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Be aware, since this is an original work of art, once it has sold, it is gone.  I would recommend not delaying.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2586298-144-210122/Painting.html#.VbW4zPlViko

Tour de France Stage 3: Holding the Peloton

I have been following the Tour de France for over twenty years, long before the Armstrong years, and I have never seen the race director stopping the race.  There were two rather spectacular and large wrecks that happened within minutes of each other, forcing three riders to leave the race on the spot, and injuring many others, including the Maillot Jaune, Fabian Cancellara (Trek Factory Racing).  This was hardly the first time there have been big wrecks in the Tour, but it was decided by Christian Prudhomme that with all of the medics and doctors seeing to riders so far behind the front of the race, it wasn't safe to let the race continue.  I believe the logic was that should there be a life threatening injury, it would take far too long to get medical attention to the fallen competitor.  Needless to say his stopping gesture was returned by some rather angry rude gesture from the men in spandex.

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, a family run art supply company with incredible products for all sorts of artistic endeavors.  Their website is www.richesonart.com.  In addition, 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.  But don't delay, since it is an original there is only one of these paintings available and you wouldn't want to miss your opportunity to have a piece of art from the 102nd Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2577152---210122/Painting.html#.VZtvO_lViko

Giro d'Italia Stage 9: A Defiant Victory

I don't know what more I can say about Orica GreenEdge.  Their Giro d'Italia has been nothing short of amazing thus far winning the opening Team Time Trial in Belfast and then holding the Maglia Rosa through eight days of racing first with Svein Tufts and then starting with Stage 2, Michael Matthews.  After Matthews lost over twenty minutes and surrendered the jersey to Cadel Evans (BMC) today started out even rougher for the former Maglia Rosa.  He hit the deck early on in the stage, yet managed to get back on the bike, although he was missing a fair amount of skin and a nearly obscene about of the Orica kit.  But rather than despairing, the team managed to get one of their own into the 14 man break away.  From there it was all Peter Weening (Orica GreenEdge) chasing down Davide Malacarne (Europcar) and besting him at the line after an extended game of cat and mouse.  So it is that Orica GreenEdge now has three victories out of nine stages, certainly the most successful of Giros and it is only just the second rest day.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase from my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2365613---198213/Painting.html#.U3lyqc_D_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 4: What's the Plan?

Luca Paolini (Katusha), either self-nominated or by the peloton, was the rider that went up to the race director to try and find out just what the plan was for the finish of the stage.  At one point it seemed that the organizers might neutralize the entire stage, later that all of the final circuits of the race would be what was neutralized, all do to a very technical eight laps in town with very slippery conditions.  Apparently, the roads are not designed to move water off of the surface and there was a build up of oil on the surface.  Sadly, the fears of the riders was to be proven founded on the final lap through the town of Bari.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be purchased by visiting my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2363343---198213/Painting.html#.U3Jzmc_D_IU