A Long Wait for the Worlds

It is still a long way off until the world rolls into Richmond, Virginia to vie for the 2015 Rainbow Jersey, but all of us cycling fans can't wait.  As you most likely know, I spent last season painting a number of the big tours of the Pro Tour calendar along with some of the shorter 7 day stage races.  This is a painting fantasizing about what it will be like as the Elite Men contest the World Road Championship snaking their way through the streets of my adopted home town.  So while we are all waiting for the start of the 2014 Pro Tour season, enjoy this little guess what the 2015 Worlds will look like (and yes, I did stick Team USA on the front as they rip down Monument Avenue).

New Art Out of the Studio

This is a new piece of art that I just completed in the studio this afternoon.  Unlike most of the art on this blog, this painting was created using Shiva Paintstiks on rag paper and is rather large at 52"x36".  The image is in celebration of the World Championships coming to my adopted home town of Richmond, VA in the United States in 2015.  It has been years since the professional, world tour peloton have swung through the streets of Richmond, but the cycling community is very strong here in the South.  This work will be available through my artist website, www.greigleach.com when I give it a title and load it up.

In 2020, during the Black Lives Matter Protests, the Lee Monument became a focus point for those who found these statues to Confederate "heroes" either a symbol of all that is racist in America, and to those who hold some of those same racist beliefs, a symbol of the "strength of the South"  During that summer, shortly after the death of George Floyd, I decided that I needed to create a painting dealing with the protests and all that they represented.  

As I was thinking about that, it became clear it would be symbolic to create that new work over this painting.  The resulting piece, "I Can't Breathe" has now been included in the visual history of the Black Lives Matter organization.  The new piece is a much better work of art, made all the more so by having this painting underneath (and hopefully what the monuments celebrate buried underneath as well). 

You can see this artwork (and purchase a print of the original) at my website, www.greigleach.com and all of my other paintings as well.

UCI World Championships Men's Elite Road Race: Sprinting to the Rainbow

After seven hours in the saddle, nerve wracking descents on wet roads, and the cold spray of the wheels of the crowded peloton, Rodriquez jumped first for the final sprint but Costa had the stronger sprint.  It remains to be debated whether Rodriquez mistook the first advertising stripe as the finishing line and sat up too soon, or did he just not have enough to best Costa.  Whatever the reason, Costa will now be wearing the Rainbow Jersey of the World Champion for the coming season, it is the first ever to be worn by a Portuguese cyclist.  After the weather for the day's racing it is fitting to be racing for a rainbow even if it is only on the jersey and not from the breaking sunshine.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase by leaving a comment here with this post.  I will answer to arrange payment and shipping.

UCI World Championships Elite Men's Road Race: What Do You Have Left?

Joaquim Rodriquez put in a hard attack on the final climb of the circuit in Florence escaping from everyone in the break and what was left of the peloton, he was a little surprised to find that Rui Costa had managed to bridge the gap.  Rodriquez looked over his shoulder to discover how much Costa had left after he managed to catch the Spaniard inside of the final kilometer and over seven hours of racing in the rain.  The two were far enough ahead of the remainder of the riders that had started the day that they had time to slow enough to practically use track stands and tricks of sprinting on the boards of the velodrome.  Rodriquez learned all too soon what the Portuguese had left in his tank.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by leaving me a comment here.  We can then arrange payment and shipping.

UCI World Championship Elite Men's Road Race: Two Away

After the larger break started losing their 9 minute plus lead on the peloton under the Italian escort, these two former Warsaw Pack riders got up the road on one of the final circuits through the streets of Florence.  Huzarski of Team Poland leads Barta of the Czech Republic as they climb hard past the umbrellas and rain slickers of the thousands of cycling fans craning their necks to see their heroes pedal by.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase, just leave a comment here and we can arrange payment and shipping.

UCI World Championships Elite Men's Road Race: Under Italian Escort

Florence was the stage for the World Championships all this past week concluding with the Men's Elite Road Race with one of the longest courses that was slogged out in horrible storms and slippery wet roads of central Italy.  The Italian national team came to the front as the peloton hit the steep climb working hard to break apart the group, shed the sprinters and chase down the break up the road.  After all they were all racing on home roads, to bad the weather was more like the opening stages of the Tour of Britain, oddly the entire British team dropped out before the race had covered 170 of the over 240 kilometers of  the water logged course.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that has been created using cake watercolors, brushes and paper from www.richesonart.com  This painting is available by leaving me a comment and we can arrange payment and shipping.

Tour of Britain Final Stage: Victory in London

There were two victors in London today, one finished wearing the Golden Jersey of race leader, Bradley Wiggins and the other wears the British National Championship Jersey, Mark Cavendish.  Cav was able to claim his third stage win in the 2013 Tour of Britain due largely to the strength of his lead out train and his final pilot fish, Alejandro Petacchi.  For the second day in a row, Petacchi gabbed the peloton and actually had to coast through the final turn so that Cavendish could catch back onto the wheel of his last lead out man.  Elia Viviani managed to pull a respectable third with two different local teams mixing it in with the pro tour teams.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available through my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 2013 Tour of Britain.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2215047---189075/Painting.html#.UkDBYc_D_IU

Tour of Britain Final Stage: Cavendish's Train

Mark Cavendish has had some trouble getting his lead out train organized this season but having raced well in the Giro and the Tour de France, they are a well oiled machine in time for the end of the Tour of Britain.  After the tight hair pin turn, the team went to the front to lead the Manx Missile up along the side of the Thames and in to the final turns of the Tour under the shadow of Big Ben and the Tower of London.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 2013 Tour of Britain.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2215043---189075/Painting.html#.UkC-Zc_D_IU

Tour of Britain Final Stage: Making Room

While the top three positions on the general classification were all done and dusted, there was everything to race for in the intermediate sprints with the points and time bonuses on offer for the three sprints.  Peter Williams and Angel Madrazo were fighting out the sprint jersey, that Williams was wearing on loan from Madrazo since he had won the King of the Mountains classification.  Williams broke the rules of sprinting taking his hand off of the handlebars as he warned Madrazo of his location on the road.  This sprint won Williams the Sprint Jersey and Jack Bauer's first place in this sprint was enough to move him from 6th to 5th place overall.  After this sprint all of the combatants sat up having achieved their objectives for the day.  The other two in the break kept going only to be caught a lap or two later.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available at my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 2013 Tour of Britain's race through London.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2215039---189075/Painting.html#.UkC72M_D_IU

Tour of Britain Final Stage: Showing the Jersey

Sir Bradley Wiggins came into the Tour of Britain with the intention of winning the race and preparing himself for the World Championships in Florence in less than a week's time.  With all of the home town fans lining the circuit course on the banks of the Thames in downtown London, he made sure to get out in front of the peloton and let everyone see the IG Golden Jersey of race leader.  He needed only to stay with the peloton and stay upright to claim the overall victory at the end of the day.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that has been created using cake watercolors, brushes and paper all from www.richesonart.com  In addition, you can buy this (and any of the other works on this blog) at my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 2013 Tour of Britain.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2215035-23-18-189075/Painting/Sports.html#.UkC4tM_D_IU

Tour of Britain Stage 7: Cav Takes His Second

Omega Pharma Quickstep put in some truly hard fast work for their sprinter, Mark Cavendish.  The final lead out man (and excellent sprinter in his own right) Alejandro Pettachi, was so fast that they gapped the rest of the peloton and every sprinter was left trying to chase back on when Cav opened up his sprint.  Amazingly enough, Elia Viviani, was able to chase back up to Cav, but ran out of room before he could catch the Manx Missile.  Today was Cavendish's second victory in the Tour and tenth over all for the Tour of Britain for the British National Champion road racer.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available at my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 2013 Tour of Britain and Cavendish's win.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2214829---189075/Painting.html#.Uj_Lw8_D_IU

Tour of Britain Stage 7: One Last Ditch

The break away faced the fate of a break on a sprinter's day so with the peloton just 15 seconds behind, Kristian House dug deep in one last effort to stay away for the stage win.  Moments later he saw the wheels of Omega Pharma Quickstep and sat up to join the back of the group, his compatriots tried for another couple of seconds but met the same fate all the same.  It is incredibly difficult to stay away from the sprinter's lead out trains when they have the red kite within sight.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available at my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 2013 Tour of Britain.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2214827---189075/Painting.html#.Uj_IWs_D_IU

Tour of Britain Stage 7: One More Bottle

Each team has a couple of team cars that follow the race, one out front with their man in the break and another in the caravan behind the peloton.  If one of their riders drops off, they are left to be assisted by a neutral service vehicle.  This is Laborie who rides for the French team, Sojasun, one of the four men in the break of the day.  With no real mountain points on offer today, it is the first road stage that did not feature Angel Madrazo.  Instead Laborie was accompanied by House, Willians and Euser in a group bid to surprise the sprinter's teams and sneak out a stage win.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that was created using cake watercolors, brushes and paper from www.richesonart.com  In addition, this work is available at my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 2013 Tour of Britain.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2214823---189075/Painting.html#.Uj_E9c_D_IU

Tour of Britain Stage 6: Leaving Them All Behind

With attack after attack coming in the final two kilometers on the climb up to the finish it was anyone's guess to who would have the legs to make it first across the line.  Such marquee climbers as Dan Martin and Nairo Quintana ran out of gas when Team Sky send Lopez off for stage glory, but it was the local boy, Simon Yates that had the legs to go the distance on stage 6 in the county of Devon.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available at my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 2013 Tour of Britain.  Why you are their (or here) you can see all of my work from this season of racing including the Giro d'Italia, Criterium du Dauphine, the Tour de France, and the US Pro Challenge?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2214643---189075/Painting.html#.Uj-QyM_D_IU

Tour of Britain Stage 6: Jumping Out

With the break caught and the peloton making the final ascent of the day it was time to try one's legs and go on the attack in sure of a stage victory.  It was first Stefano Pirazzi, hoping to pay back the team's hard work and then the attacking Irishman, Dan Martin launching a very aggressive dig.  Notice the two guys on the motorcycle, the one standing on the back is one of the intrepid TV camera men that bring the story of the race in such fine vivid detail.  And they do it all hanging on to their driver at speeds as high as 100 kph and on the climbs so slow that they can barely keep the bike upright.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 2013 Tour of Britain.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2214629---189075/Painting.html#.Uj-OF8_D_IU

Tour of Britain Stage 6: Bardiani Leads the Chase

Team Bardiani has been having some great success with their attacks and the strength of their climbers in the Tour of Britain, so it was the team that came to the front to help chase down the break.  Team Sky kept a close eye on things but had no need to bring anyone in the break to heel, so if anyone not in the break wanted the stage they needed to do the work.  Apparently, Bardiani wanted it more than anyone else, or at least was the most willing to do the work.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available through my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 2013 Tour of Britain.  While you are there, why not look around at all of the art that is available, maybe even something that doesn't center on cycling?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2214607---189075/Painting.html#.Uj-K7s_D_IU

Tour of Britain Stage 6: Three Climbers

Angel Madrazo worked hard today to keep hold of the Skoda King of the Mountains jersey taking first place over all but the last climb to pretty much ensure that he will be wearing it at the end of the final stage in London.  Modrazo, Liam Holohan and Martin Velits dropped their break compatriots on the penultimate climb of the day hoping to reach the foot of the final climb ahead of the charging peloton.  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 2013 Tour of Britain.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2214601---189075/Painting.html#.Uj-IFs_D_IU

Tour of Britain Stage 6: Two Minutes to the Good

The Tour of Britain has had a break up the road in every road stage of the race and Angel Madrazo has been there every time including today.  One of the hold overs from the days before race radios is the time keepers chalkboard.  A motorcycle goes between each of the groups on the road informing them of the time gaps between the peloton the break and any chasing groups in between.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that was created using cake watercolors, brushes and paper from www.richesonart.com a great family run art supply business.  In addition, this work is available through my artist website, just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 2013 Tour of Britain.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2214451-15-12-189075/Painting/Sports.html#.Uj9Tjc_D_IU

Tour of Britain Stage 5: Full On

Even with a double climb of Caerphilly Mountain, it was a rather large group that came to the line together in the center of town.  However the climbs at shucked all of the marquee sprinters leaving the climbers and GC men to fight it out to the line.  Ultimately it was another rider from the UK, Sam Bennett of AN Post-Chainreaction that had the power to get past all of the others charging to the line.  The Moviestar rider on the right is none other than the Colombian climber, Nairo Quintana.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available through my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 2013 Tour of Britain.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2213457---189075/Painting.html#.UjyNnMvD_IU

Tour of Britain Stage 5: What Is the Gap?

The heroic climber of the Tour de France, Nairo Quintana, showed his colors today on the Caerphilly Mountain climb, jumping away from the Team Sky led peloton on the first of two ascents of the mountain.  Only Bongiorno of Team Bardiani was able to match his acceleration, although many others tried in vain.  As with all attacks, the aggressor takes a quick look behind to see just who came along and just how successful the effort has been.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available at my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 2013 Tour of Britain.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2213439---189075/Painting.html#.UjyK48vD_IU

Tour of Britain Stage 5: Swinging Off

The title of the post and painting comes from the technique of collaborative drafting.  Each rider in this break is sharing the effort of staying away from the peloton.  So each rider will go to the front and pull a turn in the wind, after a short turn they will then swing of the front and slot back in behind the others.  Once on the end of the line, he can recover just a bit before it is his turn to be back out front.  Here, Jacob Rathe, has just swung off putting, Angel Madrazo on the front as they fly past the council flats of Caerphilly and the final climb of the day.  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 2013 Tour of Britain.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2213433---189075/Painting.html#.UjyIWsvD_IU

Tour of Britain Stage 5: Let's Go Faster

Angel Madrazo put himself into his fourth breakaway of four road stages in the Tour of Britain as he continues to secure the King of the Mountain jersey.  One of the effects of drafting is that the shelter riders uses about 30% less energy than the guy with his nose in the wind, so on a pedaling descent the first in line cannot go as fast as those behind.  Madrazo is anxious to keep the break's speed up so gives a helping push to Stefano Pirazzi all in an effort to stay out in front of the peloton.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that was created using cake watercolors, brushes and paper from www.richesonart.com   I highly recommend them, they are a family run business creating and marketing a wide variety of excellent artist's supplies.  Also, this piece is available from my artist website, just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 2013 Tour of Britain.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2213425-11-6-189075/Painting/Sports.html#.UjyGPMvD_IU

Tour of Britain Stage 4: One at Home

Mark Cavendish managed to stay with the peloton on the final climb just 16 kilometers from the end of the stage and that put him in a position to win his first stage at this year's Tour of Britain and his ninth ToB win in his career.  He had the added pleasure of taking a stage in the Tour wearing the Champion jersey of Great Britain, always a nice touch to win in the home colors.  He had just enough to hold off the charging Elia Viviani, winner of the first stage of the race who is carry the flag for Team Cannondale while Peter Sagan is racing in Canada.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 2013 Tour of Britain.  While you are there why not look at all of my paintings from the Giro d'Italia, Criterium du Dauphine, Tour de France, and the US Pro Challenge?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2212691---189075/Painting.html#.Ujs-e8_D_IU

Tour of Britain Stage 4: Looking at the Climb to Come

The eleven man break had plenty of time to look at the climb they had yet to make even with 160 kilometers already in their legs.  Fortunately Mount Snowdonia, the highest point in the United Kingdom, wasn't on the parcours for the day, but only a long drag of 6% over the pass nearby.  The riders finally got a bit of sun as they road through the treeless hill of Wales.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available through my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 2013 Tour of Britain.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2212683---189075/Painting.html#.Ujs6Oc_D_IU

Tour of Britain Stage 4: Little Help

The leader in the King of the Mountains Jersey managed to make it into the eleven man breakaway in today's stage, and the group was able to stay away until the final climb of the day, almost making it to the line ahead of the peloton.  Angel Madrazo of Team Moviestar is calling for his team car on one of the many rolling uncategorized climbs leading up to the final ascent of the day.  After getting over the first to climbs of the stage first, he was starting to drag a little bit as the kilometers piled up.   This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by going to my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get you piece of the 2013 Tour of Britain.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2212677---189075/Painting.html#.Ujs3Vs_D_IU

Tour of Britain Stage 4: Sky Knows What to Do

After yesterday's blistering time trial by Bradley Wiggins, Team Sky is in the all too familiar position at the front of the peloton setting the tempo and chasing down break aways.  Most of the team spent the lion's share of the Tour de France out front in the wind, and now have come home to lead the 2012 Tour de France winner around his native tour.  Tuck in behind Team Sky are the teams of two of the sprinters, but since each have one of their own in the break up the road, they are waiting to see if Sky can bring them back.  A team will not chase down their own man if they don't have to.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that was created using cake watercolors, brushes and paper from the fabulous art supply company, www.richesonart.com  In addition, this work is available for purchase through my artist website,  just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 2013 Tour of Britain.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2212669---189075/Painting.html#.Ujs06M_D_IU

Tour of Britain Stage 3: Flying Around

Gerald Ciolek who started the day in the Golden Jersey of race leader also had the advantage of being the last rider out on the course in today's individual time trial.  The advantage being that he knew all of the times of every rider in the race therefor knowing what time he had to finish by to keep the leader's jersey.  Knowing what time you need to make and being able to do it are two entirely different things as Ciolek was unable to rival the time of the Olympic time trial Champion, Bradley Wiggins.  So not only did Wiggo win the stage, but his time was enough to put him into the golden leader's jersey, which is the rightful place for Sir Bradley Wiggins to be in his home tour.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 2013 Tour of Britain.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2212665-6-0-189075/Painting/Sports.html#.UjsypM_D_IU

Tour of Britain Stage Three: Slippery When Wet

The UK is so into cycling now that they even have a Team GB and this is Simon Yates flying the colors of the home team as he negotiates the slippery corners of the wet roads of Scotland.  Yates had a great ride but like the rest of the peloton came in a full minute behind Sir Bradley Wiggins in today's Individual Time Trial.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to purchase your piece of the 2013 Tour of Britain and while you are there, check out my paintings of the 2013 cycling season.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2211421---189075/Painting.html#.UjiNSMvD_IU

Tour of Britain Stage Three: Making the Catch

Stage three of the Tour of Britain featured the race of truth, the individual time trial.  The race earns its name because it is an individual test against the clock with out the help of teammates, drafting, or competing strategies.  One of the strongest men in this discipline and a knighted native son is Bradley Wiggins who took the opportunity to reclaim the glory and form of 2012 along with claiming the stage and ultimately the Yellow Jersey of race leader of the Tour of Britain.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase through my artist website, just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 2013 Tour of Britain.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2211411---189075/Painting.html#.UjiLKcvD_IU

Tour of Britain Stage Two: Caught at the Line

Lovkist, riding for IAM Cycling, found the nasty final drag up to the line in the final kilometer of stage two just too much after his solo break with 15 kilometers to go.  With his legs giving out at about 500 meters he looked over his shoulder to see the Brit, Sam Bennet (AN Post - ChainReaction) storming up on his left, just behind is Gerald Ciolek trying to catch the pair.  Bennet and Ciolek left the fading Lovkist to fight it out for the stage, with Ciolek getting the better of the duo.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post where you can purchase this painting directly form the artist (me).  Why you are at the website, why not take a look around at all of the works from this season's racing.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2211403---189075/Painting.html#.UjiH18vD_IU

Tour of Britain Stage Two: I Know They're Back There

Day two of the Tour of Britain did not see any better weather, but it is the Scottish Highlands what else could one expect.  Dan Martin and Nairo Quintana along with another Moviestar team mate, jumped away from the rest of the peloton on the final categorized climb of the day in hopes of repeating their exploits of the Tour de France.  I imagine that the Irishman had an advantage when it came to the cold wet conditions of the stage, but all three riders had the disadvantage of having the climb come to far out from the end of the stage.  Martin seems to be able to intuit that the peloton is not far away and is just trying to get a visual confirmation of what he feels to be true.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that you can own by going to my artist website where you can purchase this piece.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 2013 Tour of Britain.  While you are there check out works from four other major races from the 2013 racing season.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2211397-2-0-189075/Painting/Sports.html#.UjiE9cvD_IU

Tour of Britain Stage One: Punching the Air

Here we go with the Tour of Britain and as you would expect it was a wet stage to kick off the Tour in the Scottish highlands.  But it was a rider from the sunny clime of Italy, Elia Viviani, that took the opening sprint in the cold and wet.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard created using cake watercolors, brushes and paints from www.richesonart.com and are available for purchase.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 2013 Tour of Britain.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2211387-1-0-189075/Painting/Sports.html#.UjiCJMvD_IU

Rocking & Rolling

Once the Tour de France ended it was time to put down my watercolors and pick my Paintstiks back up.  Most of the work that I make (up until starting to do the postcard sized watercolors of the pro tour) is created using Shiva Paintstiks (another fabulous product from www.richesonart.com ) that I have been using for over thirty years now.  This is a rather large scale work measuring 41"x52" that is painted on heavy 100% rag paper and is available for purchase at my artist website, www.greigleach.com.  Or you can just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get a great painting of the 100th Tour de France. 

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2201957-1-0-186227/Painting/Sports.html#.Uh_-Us_D_IU

US Pro Challenge Final Stage: He's Just that Good

Peter Sagan now has more race wins than anyone else on the Pro Tour for this season, grabbing his fourth stage win in the seven stage US Pro Challenge, and one of those seven stages was a time trial.  I am looking forward to the coming years of the young speedster from Slovakia.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by bidding in a short three day auction on ebay.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of Sagan's legacy and the US Pro Challenge.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251326751056

US Pro Challenge Final Stage: Passing the Bottle

With the temperature at race time at just under 100 degrees, and I will assume much hotter at street level with the heat rising off of the sunbaked pavement, it is most important that the racers stay hydrated.  Tyler Wren has slipped to the back of the break away to get a cold one from his team car.  He will have to save having a traditional cold one until after the eight trip around downtown Denver.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by bidding in a short three day auction on ebay.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the US Pro Challenge.

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US Pro Challenge Final Stage: A Long Straight LIne

The teams of the sprinter's peg the break at roughly a minute and then left them out there knowing that they could pull the break in whenever they wanted to.  The reason to leave the break out in front is to keep other teams from attacking the peloton, with men up the road an attack will not put the peloton on the defensive nor will it gain a stage win unless the attacker also gets by the break up the road.  BMC is on the front to keep their man in Yellow safe and upright.  All TeJay Van Garderen has to do today is finish close to the bunch and he will run out the over all winner of the third US Pro Challenge, and race the he first finished third in, second time out he finished second, so it is only proper that he follow suit on his third try and finish first.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by bidding in a short three day auction on ebay.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the US Pro Challenge.

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US Pro Challenge Final Stage: Zipping Through the Park

The final stage of the US Pro Challenge was an 8 lap circuit through downtown Denver that included a run through City Park, designed by the same man who designed Central Park in New York City.  The break formed from the moment the neutral flag was pulled in to start the race.  Seven guys from six teams formed a solid effort that the sprinter's teams weren't going to have anything to do with it succeeding.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that was created using cake watercolors, brushes and paper from www.richesonart.com excellent products from an excellent company.  This work is available in a short three day auction on ebay.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the final day of the US Pro Challenge.

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US Pro Challenge Stage 6: A Familiar Salute

Familiar salute, more because of who is making it.  Peter Sagan got his third stage win in the US Pro Challenge and his 17th win of the 2013 season.  Obviously his plan of arriving two weeks ahead of the start in Aspen to train and acclimate to the altitude work out well.  As did his team's hard work bringing back the 14 man break away, he certainly knows how to honor their work.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by bidding in a short three day auction on ebay.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the third running of the US Pro Challenge.

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US Pro Challenge Stage 6: Not Giving Up

A fitting title for this painting and for the actions of Megias who rides for Norvo Nordisk.  The team is compose solely of riders who have Type 1 Diabetes who want to show that the disease should not prevent anyone from living a rich, full and active life.  So true to his own physical story, he refused to sit up as the charging peloton got within sight in the outskirts of Fort Collins.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by bidding in a short three day auction on ebay.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the third running of the US Pro Challenge.

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US Pro Challenge Stage 6: Off the Front, Down to the Plains

Sensing that the break had too many passengers, first Geschke of Argos-Shimano and then Edmondson, Rogers and Megias jumped away from the others in the hopes of out racing the charging peloton to the finishing line in Fort Collins.  Mick Rogers is at the back of the group wearing the Orange Jersey of most courageous rider that he won on the last road stage into Beaver's Creek on Thursday.  This jersey is not done by points or time but is award each day by determination of the race referees much like the red racing numbers of the Tour de France.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available in a short three day auction on ebay.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the third running of the US Pro Challenge.

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US Pro Challenge Stage 6: Driving the Break On

Today had a rather large group get away today numbering 14 riders which may be why Cannondale was working so hard to bring this group back, a large group can usually match the pace of the peloton.  This is Dekker on the front for Saxo Tinkoff, they also have the aggressive Mick Rogers in the break as well, he has Andrew Talansky right behind him.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available in a short three day auction on ebay.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the third running of the US Pro Challenge.

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US Pro Challenge Stage 6: Sweeping Through the Canyons

Team Cannondale was most eager to bring the race back together and with the help of BMC, the team with the Yellow Jersey, set off to catch the fourteen riders up the road before Fort Collins.  Cannondale was riding on behalf of their fast man, Peter Sagan, who already has 16 wins this season.  BMC is just looking after TeJay Van Garderen and his leader's jersey.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that has been created using cake watercolors, brushes and paper from www.richesonart.com, a wonderful art supply company with excellent products.  This work is available through a short three day auction on ebay.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the third US Pro Challenge.

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US Pro Challenge Stage 5: Leading the American

TeJay was on a ride that was going to do more than defend the Jersey.  He was experiencing the Yellow Jersey giving him wings to fly up the mountain.  With about 3 kilometers to go, he gained the escort of a rather large American flag being carried along in the Coloradans honor.  Van Garderen crossed the line three seconds faster than his countryman, Talansky, to take the stage victory and all but insure his final victory in Denver.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours if you bid in a short three day auction on ebay.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the third US Pro Challenge.

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US Pro Challenge Stage 5: Out of the Gate

TeJay rode out of the gate at the base of the Vail mountain climb hoping to redeem his last ride up this course in the US Pro Challenge resplendent in his recently acquired Yellow Jersey.  He started knowing that Andrew Talansky had set a new course record of 25:05, 40 seconds faster than the record held by Levi Leipheimer.  He was comforted knowing that the man closes to him on GC was his own teammate, Mathias Frank and that he had 40 seconds over Tom Danielson.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by bidding in a brief three day auction on ebay.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the third US Pro Challenge.

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US Pro Challenge Stage 5: Leaving Everything on the Road

Andrew Talansky road as hard as possible in the TT around Vail, Colorado, leaving every last ounce of energy spent out on the course.  He basically fell off of his bike with the team helpers trying to catch him before he left himself on the road as well.  In a post race interview, he said that his oxygen debt was so severe that he was nearly blacking out in the last 100 meters of the race.  All of his effort was enough to put him into the stage lead by over a minute, at least until the last man on the course came in.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by bidding in a short three day auction on ebay.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the third running of the US Pro Challenge.

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US Pro Challenge Stage 5: Speed or Capacity

David Zabriske was storming up the climb to Vail and over took a fan riding along pulling a trailer.  I am quite sure he went by like the trailer was sitting still, even though he had just been overtaken by his minute man.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that was created using cake watercolors, brushes, and paper from www.richesonart.com a fine company that produces great art supplies.  This work is available through a quick three day auction on ebay, just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the third US Pro Challenge.

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US Pro Challenge Stage 4: Closing the Deal

True to his word, TeJay did not challenge Aceverdo for the victory and after Aceverdo's victory salute the two reached out to shake hands to celebrate their mutual success.  TeJay gained enough time on all of the chasers to pull on the Yellow Jersey of race leader and put another 40 seconds into his biggest rival, Tom Danielson.  Behind these two, Mathias Frank was finally able to jump away from Danielson to strengthen his second place in the GC, he couldn't attack Danielson for fear of helping the Garmin Sharp rider bridge back up to his team leader, Van Garderen.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by bidding in a short three day auction on ebay.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the third US Pro Challenge.

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US Pro Challenge Stage 4: Making Deals

TeJay Van Garderen and Janier Aceverdo dropped Danielson and Frank on the wet technical descent of Bachelor's Gulch and made a deal to work together to gain time on the chasers.  TeJay needed Janier's help to gain as much time on his rivals and most likely agreed to let the Jamis rider take the stage and the time gained would put TeJay in yellow.  All of this was decided on the short climb up to Beaver's Creek in the pouring rain.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available in a short three day auction on ebay.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the third US Pro Challenge.

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US Pro Challenge Stage 4: For the Stage and the Jersey

Once the break had been caught and the Yellow Jersey had popped getting his GC man forward, it was time to race hard and climb fast.  Tom Danielson leads a very select group of TeJay Van Garderen, Janier Aceverdo and Mathias Frank up the high climb of Bachelor's Gulch.  The best placed in the overall is Frank, only eleven seconds down, so while he is the virtual yellow on the road he is there to help his team leader, Van Garderen.  By this time the riders were in a down pour of the cold rains of the high mountains as they climbed by the quaking Aspen trees of Colorado.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by bidding in a short three day auction on ebay.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the third US Pro Challenge.

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