Tour of California, Stage 6: Sprinting Home

Andrew Talansky (Cannondale) must have been given wings by his Stars and Stripes jersey of USA Time Trial Champion.  Talansky was able to just nip the time of his country man, Taylor Phinney (BMC) briefly taking over the lead on the day.  Unfortunately for the American Champion, the Australian Champion was still out on the road.  By the end of the day, Talansky had to settle for second place on the day, but it did help move him up on the general classification.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting along with my book, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI World Road Racing Championships," is 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.  Remember, it is a one of a kind piece, so once it is sold, it is no longer available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2794064-34-223355/Painting.html#.V0C6pvkrLIU

Tour de France, Stage 17: One Kilometer, One to Catch

As Andrew Talansky (Cannondale Garmin) flew under the red kite of one kilometer left to race, he still had one more man to catch in order to take the stage.  Talansky had put in a blistering descent down the Col d'Allos to come within a minute and a half of the Giant-Alpecin man, Simon Geschke.  With just a kilometer of road left to go, he was praying he could close the final forty seconds and claim a stage for his team.  With the abandonment of his countryman, Tejay van Garderen (BMC),Talansky was hoping to bring some joy to the American fans from the United States.  Most likely, there just isn't enough road left to race for him to catch the fleeing German.

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.  They are a small family run art supply company that really does have excellent art making materials.  This painting, and in fact all of my cycling artwork, 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.  Don't delay however, since it is an original painting, when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2583574-113-210122/Painting.html#.VbASavlVikr

Paris Nice Final Stage: New Best Split Time

Unlike the opening Prologue of Paris Nice today's individual time trial was both uphill and provided split times so we could know how each rider was faring while they were on course.  Andrew Talansky (Cannondale Garmin) hasn't had the most brilliant of races in the 72nd edition of the Race to the Sun, but he was on form for the finale of the race.  When he came through the time check he posted the new best time there.  His ride continued to climb with him garnering new best time as he cross the line at the top of the Col d'Eze.  The question remains will it be enough to take the stage?

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting, along with all of my art of the 72nd Paris Nice, is 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.  If you are enjoying reading about bike races with the accompanying artwork please be sure to check out my recently published, Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France.  The book is available through virtually every online bookseller around the world.  Just google the title to find out where you can get your copy while avoiding international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2525958---195767/Painting.html#.VQXAD47F-xU

Paris Nice Stage 5: Not Good News

For the break, comprised of Egor Silin (Tinkoff Saxo), Pawel Poljanski (Katusha), Romain Sicard (Europcar), Andrew Talansky (Cannondale Garmin) and Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal), the time keeper's chalkboard did not reveal good news at all.  With 14 kilometers left to race to Rasteau, the board shows only a 50 second advantage on the fast charging peloton.  The racers only have one more small climb to go so the teams of the sprinters are most anxious to put these guys safely back in the fold.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  If you interested in purchasing this original artwork, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Enjoying reading about a bike race with these accompanying paintings?  Then check out my recently published Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France.  The book is available through most online booksellers around the world, so google the title to find where you can get it without paying international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2525044---195767/Painting.html#.VQMqZPzF-xU

Paris Nice Stage 5: Making Their Own Luck

Andrew Talansky (Cannondale Garmin) had some bad luck yesterday, so today (despite it being Friday the 13th) he decided to create his own luck.  He joined Romain Sicard (Europcar), Pawel Poljanski (Katusha), Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal) and Egor Silin (Tinkoff Saxo) in a long run at making the break away work.  De Gendt was riding to secure his hold on the Polka Dots of the King of the Mountains.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  If you interested in purchasing this original artwork, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Enjoying reading about a bike race with these accompanying paintings?  Then check out my recently published Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France.  The book is available through most online booksellers around the world, so google the title to find where you can get it without paying international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2525034---195767/Painting.html#.VQMnzvzF-xU

Paris Nice Stage 4: Almost On

Poor Andrew Talansky (Cannondale Garmin) has the worst luck in Paris Nice.  Today was no exception.  Just before getting to the final climb of the day he had a rear tire puncture.  His teammate, Ben King (who is from my adopted home town) sacrificed a rear wheel to his team leader and sent him on a hard chase to get back onto the peloton.  Two other teammates joined in to help Talansky get back on expending all the energy they had to give.  Talansky made the last effort on his own just as the final climb up to Croix de Chabouret began.

This is an original small watercolor and ink painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com for only $50 USD.  International shipping is available.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  If you enjoy reading about professional cycling with this accompanying artwork, please check out my recently published Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France.  It is available through virtually every online bookseller, so google the title to find where you can get a copy and avoid international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2524438---195767/Painting.html#.VQHxvfzF-xU

2014 UCI Worlds: Hitting the Start

The United States brought a really strong team to Ponferrada, Spain in hopes of going home with a Rainbow Jersey.  Perhaps with Fabian Cancellara choosing not to ride in the Men's Elite Time Trial there was a chance, but they would have to get past the three time World Champion, Tony Martin.  And Martin would be the last to roll down the start ramp today.  Andrew Talansky rolled down the start ramp roughly mid way through the start order, looking for the form that enable him to win the Criterium du Daphine earlier in the season.  This is an original small watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  The painting is 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.  But while you are there, why not take the time to look at all of the cycling art on offer? 

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/2014%20World%20Championsips/2441844-8-6-202544/Painting/Sports.html#.VCTlFs_D_IU

Tour Stage 11: Making the Time Limit

There are so many stories in the Tour de France, so many that become legendary, fabled, tales of valor, sacrifice, personal triumph and of struggle, pain and suffering.  Today Andrew Talansky (Garmin Sharp) can add is name to the list of those who have showed courage and determination in the Tour.  Talansky dropped off of the peloton on the first categorized climb of the day, eventually stopping at the side of the road apparently about to leave the Tour in unbearable pain.  After a lengthy discussion, he decided to honor the work his team had done for him thus far, by riding the rest of the stage.  He faced almost certain elimination by finishing outside of the time limit.  Riders must finish within a certain percentage of the winner's time based on the difficulty of the stage.  It was calculated that he had to cross the line no more than 34 minutes after Tony Gallopin raised his arms in victory. Talansky was the second victor of the day.  After stretching his gap out to roughly twenty minutes, he found the inner strength to hold that gab, riding even with the peloton, but much further back, with only the following Broom Wagon, the Voiture Balai, and his team car for company.  Virtually all of the crowds that had cheered the victory of Gallopin , waited to cheer this personal victory with almost the same zeal.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  This painting will be included in my soon to be self published book, "Book de Tour".  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy, or to discover how you can become part of bringing the tome of the Tour to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  To purchase this painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2403866---199992/Painting.html#.U8d8o8_D_IU

Tour Stage 11: Losing Another Favorite?

Andrew Talansky (Garmin Sharp) kept dropping further and further off of the pace, opening up a large gap, nearly four minutes behind the peloton.  The American who had won the Criterium Dauphine on the very last day, out climbing Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) and Chris Froome (Team Sky) shocking everyone, including myself, was in obvious pain.  He eventually pulled off the road and climbed off of his bike.  His mechanic, director and team doctor all talked to him.  He spent four minutes leaning against the guard rail talking over the pain.  His director, Robbie McEwen, a recently retired pro tour cyclist, left the decision to Talansky, saying, "I can be in your body, only you know how much pain you are in."  When I painted this, I was sure the third pre-race favorite was about to climb into the team car.  But to nearly everyone's surprise, he got back on the bike and went on up the road, with only the second team car and the Broom Wagon as company, now over eight minutes behind the peloton.  He faced forty miles of a very lonely road with the very real possibility of being eliminated on time at the finish line despite the courage to keep riding.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  This painting and all of my 2014 Tour de France paintings, will be included in my soon to be self published tome, "Book de Tour".  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy, or to learn how you can be a part of bringing the 101st Tour de France to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  If you would like to purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2403854---199992/Painting.html#.U8dmFs_D_IU

Tour Stage 11: On the Front Off the Back

I am baffled by Garmin Sharp's actions today.  Their team leader, Andrew Talansky has dropped off the back of the peloton, riding somewhere amongst the following caravan, obviously suffering a bad day.  He as been seen regularly touching the small of his back and his left hip, the hip he went down hard on a couple of days earlier.  Not only have they not sent any one back to help pace Talansky, they then went to the front of the peloton and drove hard creating a bigger gap between the peloton and their own man.  I would have expected them to at least get on the front and try to slow down the over all pace, but instead it looked like they may have been setting up a launch for Tom Jelte Slagter.  All in all, it was curiouser and curiouser.   This is an original small watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  This painting will be included in my soon to be self published book of cycling and art, "Book de Tour".  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy, or to become involved in bringing the 101st Tour de France to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  If you would like to purchase this painting, follow the direct link at the end of this post.  While you are there, why not take the time to browse around all of the artwork on offer?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2403852---199992/Painting.html#.U8dh8c_D_IU

Tour Stage 11: Catching a Draft

It look a little odd to see Andrew Talansky (Garmin Sharp) dropping back through the caravan of team cars that follow the peloton during the race.  He got back to his team car but never got water, food nor did he have a conversation with his Director Sportif.  He slid in behind the Garmin Sharp car for a little while, but then got out from behind his car, moving forward to the car ahead of them.  If a rider drafts behind his team car for too long, or even another team's car, he can be penalized with a fine, an addition of time or ultimately pulled out of the race.  Talansky has had a couple of falls and it can often throw a rider to have a rest day.  Some times the body will stiffen up, everything will hurt and the body will simply refuse to keep riding.  This will happen even to someone who hasn't had some hard falls, just the daily toll on the body can lead to a revolt after the rest day.  This is an original small 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 is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  This painting will be included in my soon to be self published book of cycling and art, "Book de Tour".  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy, or to become involved in bringing the 101st Tour de France to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  If you would like to purchase this painting, follow the direct link at the end of this post.  While you are there, why not take the time to browse around all of the artwork on offer?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2403848-78-72-199992/Painting/Sports.html#.U8dcec_D_IU

Tour Stage 8: With a Fan's Help

Andrew Talansky (Garmin Sharp) was having a great stage, hanging tight with the hard pace setting by Tinkoff-Saxo, benefiting from their aggressive pace setting.  But like his countryman, Tejay van Garderen (BMC) the day before, Talansky crashed inside of 15 kilometers to the finish.  Talansky was not surrounded by teammates when he and several others missed a turned on the wet descent of the Col de Grosse Pierre, sliding into a group of fans.  The Garmin Sharp leader got the assistance of the festively dressed tifosi who held onto Talansky bike as he check the wheels and rethreaded his chain.  With his placement in the top ten, he couldn't wait for his team car to give him a new bike, he needed to save every second he could getting back up and on down the road.  It was good to see a fan that was more interested in being of service rather than trying to get a selfie with one of the hopefuls of the Tour.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  This painting will be included in my soon to be self published tome of the Tour, "Book de Tour".  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy or to possibly get involved in bring the 101st Tour de France through the eyes of a cycling artist to print please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  If you would like to purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2401744---199992/Painting.html#.U8JBo8vD_IU

Tour Stage 5: It's About Gaining Seconds

With riders sliding all over the course, Andrew Talansky (Garmin Sharp) included, the end of the stage became all about trying to gain time on one's rivals.  Talansky may have lost time against the Astana trio, he gained seconds on most of the other GC men.  You can just see Geraint Thomas and Richie Porte (Team Sky) rounding the corner ahead of the Garmin leader.  I am very impressed with Team Sky's response to Froome's abandonment of the Tour, whether it had been a contingency set in place before the start of the race, or a mid race gut reaction, the team immediately rallied around Porte as their new team leader and "protected man".  At the end of the day only Nibali's teammate was able to maintain the two second deficit to the Yellow jersey with Talansky, Kwiatkowski, Bardet and van Garderen suffering the least amount of time damage in the stage.  It was Alberto Contador who lost the most on the surprising Italian National Champion, Nibali.  This is an original small watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  This painting will be included in my soon to be self published "Book de Tour".  To learn more about the book project, pre-order your copy or discover how to become involved in bringing this art of this Tour de France to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour  There are some great incentive rewards for those who choose to become a backer of the "Book de Tour" through the Kickstarter site.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2399426---199992/Painting.html#.U73c9MvD_IU

Tour Stage 5: On to the Cobbles

After months of discussion and kilometers of racing the peloton hit the wet muddy cobblestones hard.  The sections of pave lived up to their billing and the stage was in for some deviations from the script all of the pundits had provided.  Normally these roads are raced in one day Classics and the men that line up on race day are specialists in riding the challenging road surfaces, but in the Tour de France there are a wide variety of specialties vying for victory and Yellow.  The peloton broke into quite a few pieces as crashes, slippery roundabouts, strong winds and fatigue took there tolls on the hard men of the Tour.  With a break away up the road the vastly reduced peloton hit the second section of pave under the leadership of Lars Bak (Lotto-Belisol) and Sep Vanmarcke (Belkin Pro Cycling), they were accompanied by Sebastien Langeveld, Andrew Talansky (Garmin Sharp) and surprisingly the little Italian in Yellow, Vincenzo Niblai, and his Astana teammates, Lieuwe Westra and Jakob Fuglsang.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  It will be included in my soon to be self published visual telling of the 101st Tour de France in "Book de Tour".  To learn more about the book project, to pre-order your copy or to get involved in bringing the race to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  To purchase this particular painting you can follow the direct link at the end of this post. 

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2399268---199992/Painting.html#.U72x88vD_IU

Dauphine Final Stage: Fighting All the Way - and the final painting of the race

With Alberto Contador still climbing behind them, none of those ahead could know what their final position would be on the podium.  Without knowing, there were no fist pumps, no hands in the air, just men driving themselves as hard as they possibly could to get across the finishing line as quickly as they could.  It wasn't until just over a minute later that Andrew Talansky (Garmin Sharp) knew that his efforts on the day had secured him the over all victory in the 66th Criterium du Dauphine, his first major stage race win at the tender young age of 25.  Jurgen Van Den Broeck's (Lotto-Belisol) efforts were enough to move him onto the final podium with only Contador between these two.  I must say that at the start of the day I never expected the ending to turn out as it did.  I was surprised yesterday when Contador took the Jersey off of Froome's back, but I was sure the only possible change would be that Froome would take it back.  In the end it was the dark horse of the young American that surprised most of us to claim the Malliot Jeune.  Chapeau!  This is an original watercolor and ink small (4"x6") painting that could be yours through a visit to my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post, and yes, I do ship internationally.

This is the last race I plan to paint ahead of the 101st Tour de France, so thanks for reading, (and a big thank you to those of you who have bought one of these little cycling treasures) and I will see you again in three weeks.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Dauphine%202014/2389670---199476/Painting.html#.U6cEUM_D_IU

Dauphine Final Stage: Climbing for Yellow

On the final climb of the Dauphine, Andrew Talansky (Garmin Sharp) had reason to hope that he could climb up in the GC as he climbed the Courchevel Le Prez.  At this point he should have been told that Chris Froome (Team Sky) was losing ground to most everyone, and he was currently in the Virtual Yellow Jersey.  However, he and everyone else, knows just how fast Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) can climb.  Team Sky had already sent Mikel Nieve up the road in hopes of salvaging a stage win out of a rather dismal and disappointing day, but Talansky was only interested in gaining time on the Malliot Jeune and the stage victory wasn't on his radar.  He had the help of his countryman, TeJay Van Garderen (BMC) who was trying to save face, and Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Lotto-Belisol) who was looking to gain time (and in a longer shot take the Yellow Jersey for himself).  This is an original watercolor and ink small painting that is available to own through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But while you are there, why not take the time to browse through all of the artwork on offer?   

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Dauphine%202014/2389662---199476/Painting.html#.U6cBkc_D_IU

Dauphine Final Stage: Somebody Pull Through

Romain Bardet (AG2R) kept flicking his elbow (the sign for the rider behind to pull through) and neither Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Lotto-Belisol) or Andrew Talansky (Garmin Sharp) weren't having anything to do with putting their noses in the wind.  Bardet looked over his shoulder in disbelief, begging the others to do some work.  The two behind him at as much if not more to gain than he did so he had every right to expect them to do some of the effort.  Bardet had Wilco Kelderman (Belkin Pro Cycling) behind him, so was in search of the White Jersey, but then Talansky and Broeck were ahead of those above them on GC, at this point the American riding for Garmin Sharp was in the virtual Yellow Jersey.  This is an original watercolor and ink small painting that is available to own through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  By the way, I do ship any where in the world, good luck.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Dauphine%202014/2389656---199476/Painting.html#.U6cAXs_D_IU

Dauphine Stage 2: Catch Them & Go

As if to prove what I was saying in the previous post, Andrew Talansky (Garmin Sharp) wasn't able to answer the speed of the climbers attacks, but just kept climbing.  He eventually road across the gap bringing Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) up to Chris Froome (Team Sky), Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Lotto-Belisol), Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) and Wilco Kelderman (Belkin Pro Cycling).  Once he got to the leading group, he realized he had enough to put in an attack, so he caught then and then went on up the road.  He was caught, but he went again.  But with his new Yellow Jersey on the line, Froome wasn't willing to let him go.  This is an original small (4"x6") watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to buy this piece of original art of the 66th Criterium du Dauphine.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Dauphine%202014/2387176---199476/.html#.U6Is4s_D_IU

Volta Catalunya Stage 3: The First to Attack

Once Kevin Reza (Europcar), the last of the early break was picked up, it was time for the counterattacks to start.  The first out of the group was another Europcar rider, Pierre Rolland.  His move was quickly covered by Andrew Talansky (Garmin Sharp) and although you can see him behind Andrew, Jakob Fuglsang (Astana).  This attack was watched carefully by the faithful lieutenant of Roaquim Rodriquez, Daniel Moreno (Katusha).  Katusha had worked way to hard for the Spaniard to let anyone steal the stage he had marked as his.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available from my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this painting follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2335659---195767/Painting.html#.UzOTm8_D_IU

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.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251325965107