Tour '24, Stage 15: Neutral Service

When a rider doesn't have access to his team car, he can get help from neutral service.  Louis Meintjes (Intermache-Wanty) had the misfortune to have a flat tire while helping to get the early breakaway started.  His team car had not yet got through the peloton, so it was the Shimano neutral service mechanic who gave him a rear wheel and installed it too.  Despite it being a good fast change, it meant that the South African's time in the break was over.  He dropped back to the peloton.  He then looked for his team car and got a wheel that fit his specks.  For some reason, he later had another bike change which spelled the end of his day.  He finished the day 28th a just over twenty-two minutes behind the stage winner.  Had he not had these misfortunes he might have had a chance at the stage win.  He is a good climber.

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.

"Neutral Service TdF24-85" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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)

Tour, Stage 4: I've Got This

Tony Gallopin (Ag2r La Mondiale) may have gone down in on of the silly crashes with about 50 kilometers left to race.  When he stopped with a rear flat, he wisely pulled his own back wheel out to help his mechanic make the wheel change that much faster.  As the mechanic got to work, Gallopin took the opportunity to massage his sore right hip, upper quad and buttock.  It is truly all about saving energy, seconds and self management.  After his mechanic got him up and rolling, the team car seemed to forget that they had forgotten to let him back into the car.  You can see the car start to pull out with the door still open and then realize all of the passengers weren't there.  Or it could have been that old joke of moving the car everytime the victim tries to get in, but I doubt it.

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-2018/3185661-18-251072/PaintingI've-Got-This--T18-18.html

Giro, Stage 12: Ill Timed

With less than 10 kilometers to the line in Reggio Emilia, it was truly bad timing for Maximiliano Richeze (Quickstep) to have a flat tire.  His mechanic was quickly out of the car with the required wheel and equally fast to make the change.  With Richeze ready to roll, his mechanic gave him a strong push to get rolling again.  Richeze's legs were needed to lead the Maglia Ciclamino of Fernando Gaviria (Quickstep) to victory.

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/2968385-84-235247/PaintingIll-Timed-G17-85.html

Tour, Stage 2: Quick Change

Each team has two team cars trailing the peloton (or the break if they have a man up there) ready to aid their riders in whatever way necessary.  Geraint Thomas (Sky) had been driving the pace at the front of the peloton until he had a front wheel puncture (flat tire).  As he dropped back through the peloton, he radio his car letting them know what he needed.  Once the pair joined up on the road, the mechanic was able to jump out of the car with the correct wheel, quickly sending Thomas on his way back through the convoy of team cars.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2817832-9-224974/PaintingQuick%20Change%20TdF9-Greig-Leach.html#.V3lSfLgrLIU

Giro Stage 12: A Wheel and a Chat

Maxim Belkov (Katusha) was one of many riders who had a flat tire on the day.  While he had his on the descent off of Castelnuovo, at least his was a slow leak that allowed him to keep control of his bike on the twisty wet descent.  While his mechanic changed the rear wheel (notice the Belkov his holding the bike off of the ground to aid his mechanic), his director sportif took the opportunity to discuss any strategies for the remainder of the race.  I am sure that the fan in the blue hoodie couldn't believe his luck in being able to film a ProTour team racer so close.  It is nice that he avoided the intrusive selfie that plaque last season's racing.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from the American family run art supply company, Jack Richeson & Company, www.richesonart.com.  This painting is available for purchase through my artist website for the low price of $50 USD, plus shipping (including international shipping).  To buy this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2557662---184157/Painting.html#.VV43iflViko