Tour '25, Stage 5 ITT: The Last to Start

It is the honor of holding the Maillot Jaune that you are the last to start down the ramp in an individual time trial.  So it was for Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) today.  He held little hope that he would be still in yellow tonight.  He wasn't wrong, but he gave it all he could to hold on to the golden fleece.  He started the day tied with Tadej Pogacar so he would need to go at least one second faster over the Slovenian.  Instead, he was almost a minute-and-a-half slower and dropped to eighteenth to start the day tomorrow.

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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.  

"The Last to Start TdF25-20" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Women's ITT: Starting in Paris

Lotte Kopecky (Belgium) gets here first cycling race underway within sight of the Grand Palais. She hopes to medal in three different events in these games, naturally all cycling related.  Despite falling out on course she did post the best time when she finished by an advantage of eleven seconds.  Her first goal of medaling in the Women's Individual Time Trial didn't pan out having ended the day in sixth place for the Road Cycling World Champion.

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. 

"Starting in Paris PO24-3" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Wollongong 2022, Mixed Team Relay: Starting with an Advantage

Having been given the green light to start their leg of the Mixed Team Relay, the French women started the course with a three second advantage over the time of the Australian women.  That was due to the great ride by their male counterparts in the opening leg of this team event.  Aude Biannic roled to the front first was Coralie Demay and Juliette Labous fell in behind in the opening meters of their part of the 28 kilometer relay.  The trio slipped against the Australian women ultimately finishing the day in seventh when all was said and done.  

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 $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Wollongong-2022-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3906723-15-295031/Painting/starting-with-an-advantage-uci22-15.html

Tour '22, Stage 20: Farewell Tour

This Tour de France has definitely been a changing of the guard.  This is another reason why, Philippe Gilbert (Lotto Soudal) is rolling down a start ramp for the last time in the Tour de France.  He has announced that he will retire at the end of this season.  He turned 40 in the middle of this Tour de France, and that is a pretty common age to step off the bike.  He is a former Belgium champion, and World Champion.  I suggest looking at his wikipedia page to see just how great his career has been.  He didn't exactly burn up the course today finishing in 115th place.  Still that is considerably faster than I have ever been able to ride.  He rode an average of just over 44 kph!

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 $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3895454-128-294403/Painting/farewell-tour-tdf22-129.html

Tour 22, Stage 1: Here We Go!

Here we go!  The 2022 Tour de France is officially underway as Jeremy LeCroq (B&B Hotels-KTM) rolls down the start ramp in Copenhagen, Denmark.  The Tour will spend the next three days in Denmark until returning to LeCroq's home country of France, coincidentally, it ends in his hometown of Paris in 24 days.  Naturally, he posted the best time when he finished his 13+ kilometer time trial.  However, it did stand as the best time for quite a few riders.  He did end the day 82nd overall, or about the dead middle of the pack.

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 $90 USD including shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3891616-1-294403/Painting/here-we-go-tdf22-1.html

Flanders 2021: A Little too Soon

I’m am not quite sure how or why Christina Schwieberger (Austria) went a little too early when it was the women’s team’s time to hit the Mixed Team Time Trial course.  She desperately tried to hold still on the ramp as she waited for her teammates, Kathrin Schwieberger and Sarah Rijkes to get the green light for the start.  Was it her starting too soon, or did the guy holding her upright while she waited just let her go.  Regardless, she did not start off put ended up waiting for the others at the base of the ramp.  Once they started, she re-clipped and off the three went.  Her entire team ended the day in 12th place so perhaps they were penalized for her false start.

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/Flanders-2021/3838530-16-292177/Painting/a-little-too-soon.-uci21-16.html

Yorkshire 2019 - Elite Men's ITT - What Can He Do?

As you may have figured out, I use the TV broadcast to find these images to paint.  I usually just take images that I could physically see if I was on a motorcycle at the race.  That being said, I was intrique by this boom shot as Chad Haga (USA) rolled down the start ramp in Northallerton.  There was a strong possiblity that Haga would be able to lay down a great ride today.  Given the field of competitors, it was unlikely he would pull on a rainbow jersey at the end of the day, but a podium finish wasn't out of the question.  He did manage to finish inside of the top twenty on the day.  Perhaps his Tour de France ride left his too spent to deliver the ride he hoped for.

You can watch this painting come together in this quick time lapse video.

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.

Please be sure to visit my YouTube Channel and subscribe if you like what you see.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Yorkshire%202019/3395468-22-266225/What%20Can%20He%20Do?%20%20UCI19-22.html

Yorkshire 2019 - Jr Women's ITT: Counting Down

Mette Egtoft Jensen (Denmark) was set to start her effort in the Junior Women's Individual Time Trial.  Jensen was starting mid way down the start order based on her UCI ranking (think tennis seeds).  Thing is, you need to race the race.  She did tickle the placings early on, but ultimately those starting later were the ones contending for the medals.

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/Yorkshire-2019/3393280-10-266225/PaintingCounting-Down--UCI19-10.html

Giro, Stage 16: Getting Up to Speed

I did discovered that I have already used this title in this Giro d'Italia, but then I do the work long before I start using the computer to write this blog.  That doesn't mean the title isn't appropriate for a rider just starting out on their time trial run.  Chris Froome (Sky) has been having a bit of a yoyo Giro, but was hoping to use his superior skill against the clock to set matters to rights, again.  He was able to move himself back up the general classification with today's ride, but the overall has almost definitely slipped from his grasp.  He finished fifth on the stage which was enough to move him up to fourth overall.  However he is almost four minutes behind the maglia rosa.

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/3166941-62-249297/PaintingGetting-Up-to-Speed-2--G18-67.html

Bergen 2017, U-23 Individual Time Trial: Down the Ramp

Alexander Cowan (Canada) was one of the early riders in the first group to roll down the ramp at the start of the 42 mile individual time trial.  All of the Under 23 men would be doing a short and then long lap around the streets of Bergen.  The second lap takes in the climb up the Birkelundsbakken that was the undoing of many of even the best men and women in the professioanl peloton.  Cowan was not expected to be a rider to figure in the medals, but you can win if you don't race.

The starters were broken into five groups to prevent riders from being on the short lap and the long lap similtaneously.  The time trial discipline is all about a clear open road and a single rider against the clock.  With mutliple support vehicles and racers trying to vie for space on the road, it would have provide some riders with an unfair advantage had there not been spaces between the starting groups.

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/3034566-11-239826/PaintingDown-the-Ramp-Bergen-11.html

Giro, Final Stage: Rolling

Pierre Rolland (Cannondale-Drapac) rolled down the ramp on his way to a less than stellar individual time trial.  He need not worry, he has raced a brilliant Giro that included a stage victory.  I will admit that I am a fan of the Frenchman and have enjoyed his agressive racing.  I imagine that today's performance was due partly to the aggression he has exhibited in the final week of the race.

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 racing of the 100th Giro d'Italia, I am crowd funding my third cycling art book through Kickstarter.  I could use your support in helping this book get made, please consider backing 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. With Kickstarter, if there is not a 100% funded, no one is charged a dime, and the project recieves 0% funding.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/100th-Giro-dItalia/2974356-143-235247/PaintingRolling-G17-151.html