Paris Olympics 2024, Men's Mountain Biking: Cascading Alone

Victor Koretzky (France) suddenly found himself alone off the front of the race.  He had been with Tom Pidcock (Great Britain) but the Brit had a flat tire and was gone just like that.  As he bumped over the rocks that make the Cascade section he started building his lead on those chasing from behind.  Would he be able to hold them off to repeat the race of his countrywoman Pauline Ferrand Prevot?

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.

"Cascading Alone PO24-21" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Down Under, Stage 5: Riding Away

Casper Pedersen (Soudal-Quick Step) had been the first to leave the peloton, so it seemed fitting for him to decide that he would be the last to be caught.  As he neared the outskirts of the town of Willunga, he simple road away from his erstwhile break away companions.  Known as a sprinter, he may well have been giving himself as big of a head start up the climb as possible.  With 32 kilometers to race, 12 of which would be going up the Willunga Hill, it is truly unlikely that he will stay off the front alone.  The climbers have been letting the sprinters show their stuff for the last four days, they are about to hold back when the terrain falls into their comfort zone.

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/3996133-197-194179/Painting/riding-away.-tdu24-20.html

 

Strade Bianche: With Just a Moto for Company

I don't know if the goal was to escape the leaders or just to make the race hard on a steep gravel section but Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) rode off the front of the peloton with 49 kilometers to go.  As he looked back with 47 kilometers left to race all he go see was one of the commissare's motorcycles.  That is the last he ever saw of any two wheeled vehicles for the day.  Well, actually this moto has three wheels.  It has been a long time since I have seen a successful 49 kilometer solo break, but then there aren't many like Pogacar.  And he became the first former Tour de France winner (two times) to ever win Strade Bianche.  Chapeau!

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/Spring-Classics-/3870317-461-195767/Painting/with-just-a-moto-for-company-sb22-9.html

TDF, Stage 19: An Impressive Effort

After multiple attacks, it was Matej Mohoric (Bahrain-Victorious) who had the timing and the legs to get away from the reduced break away.  The team is having a great tour, and so his Mohoric.  He already has one stage win in this Tour and there is every reason to believe he will get another one today.  He has forty seconds on the disorganized chase behind, an another minute and a half back to the rest of the early break away.  With the peloton over sixteen minutes back, it is his stage to win.

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 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/3824347-127-291436/Painting/an-impressive-effort-tdf21-126.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Women's Road Race: Going First

I was describing the women's race to my wife and said, "They are racing smart.  But then they are women, how else would they race?"  The first lap was raced at a relatively slow pace as the women sized up what it would take to survive the day and finish strong.  As the second lap got to the lumpy part of the course it was Sara Penton (Sweden) who was the first to attack the peloton.  She may have been expecting others to join her, but it would take a huge effort to stay away for all seven laps.

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3037311-39-239826/PaintingGoing-First--Bergen-39.html

Giro, Stage 3: Not Yet

"Not Yet," might have been what Jan Tratink (CCC Sprandi Polkowice) was thinking as he sprang away from his former break away companions.  He went on the offensive just as the peloton reached out to grab the threesome.  Most likely the effort would be in vain, but there is a phrase, "vain glory".  I think it applies here.  He must have been hearten when he looked back and saw this stretch of empty road.  Alas, it was in vain.

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/2963199-20-235247/PaintingNot-Yet-G17-20.html

Fleche Wallone: Down by the River

Alessandro De Marchi (BMC) was able to use the tight turn at the top of the Cote de Cherave to open up a gap on those that had grapped his wheel on the climb.  The Italian dropped into an aerodynamic tuck and went off in search of the town of Huy.  The river bank made for a scenic ride towards the penultimate scaling of the Mur de Huy - not that he had anytime to take in the scenery.

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-/2952594-401-195767/PaintingDown-by-the-River-FW17-5.html

Paris Nice, Final Stage: Tete de la Course

Marc Soler (Movistar) decided to play the roll of spoiler on the final kilometers into Nice.  Ironically, after refusing to assist Contador in the chase earlier, he called unsuccessfully to get his two remaining escapees to aid in his efforts.  Being denied, he attacked near the summit of the Col d'Eze, taking the KOM points (which mattered little to everyone), and the bonus seconds at the final intermediate sprint.  The sprint bonus seconds hurt Contador's bid for Yellow, leaving him only two seconds gained in d'Eze.  Behind, the group containing the Yellow Jersey was slowly clawing back precious seconds on the three escapes.  Now they were racing for a stage victory and its bonus seconds.  Should Contador take the stage, the 10 bonus seconds, he would most likely be able to claim the final Maillot Jaune.  Right now, that was in the legs of Soler, but Contador had another rival with him, David de la Cruz (Quickstep).

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/Spring%20Classics%20/2932999-378-195767/PaintingTete%20de%20la%20Course%20PN17-42.html

Giro Stage 15: Hunting Alone

Ryder Hesjedal (Cannondale Garmin) apparently got frustrated with the slow pace of the chasing group that was two minutes behind the Gruppo Maglia Rosa.  He sprang out of the group of chasers and went off alone in hopes of catching those up the road.  At this point on the long straightaway he can just see them making the sweeping right turn.  Hesjedal is not having the best of Giro's, certainly not coming close to his overall victory in 2012.  Sadly, this is as close as the Canadian got to the Maglia Rosa both the wearer or perhaps the chance of wearing it.

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.  They are a small family run art supply company that have incredible quality art supplies.  You can find them on the web at www.richesonart.com.  This painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  All of my small cycling watercolors are $50 USD plus shipping (including international shipping), including this one.  While you are at the website, why not take the time to look at all of the artwork on offer?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2559470---184157/Painting.html#.VWKEk_lViko

Giro Stage 11: Motoring

The final four lap circuit included a section of the Autodromo Ferrari in Imola.  With a wide open raceway at his disposal, Stefan Kung (BMC) took off from the peloton in search of the breakaway that was just over a minute up the road.  Plus, his attack took the responsibility of the chase off of the rest of the teams shoulders.  When ever a team has a teammate up the road, they are no longer expected to help in the chase of any breakaways.

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.  In addition, this painting is available for purchase for only $50 USD through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But to hurry, this is a one of a kind painting and when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2557422---184157/Painting.html#.VV1OI_lViko