Giro d'Italia Stage 18: A Look Before He Goes

Oops, these first three post are out of order, this is the first image for Stage 18.  Johan Davi Arredondo (Trek Factory Racing) set himself the objective of securing his lead in the King of the Mountains competition and follow that up with getting into the break of the day on the first climb.  So with less than two kilometers to go before the summit of San Pelligrino (my favorite soda), he checked over his shoulder and jumped away from Emanuelle Selle (Androni-Giacattoli) and Philip Deignan (Team Sky) to claim the 32 points at the top.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your pieces of the 97th Giro d'Italia.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%27Italia%202014/2372242-109-108-198213/Painting/Sports.html#.U4fSCs_D_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 17: Their Big Break

Sorry, I couldn't resist the pun.  The break away formed around 50 kilometers into the stage today with 26 riders representing all but three of the teams in the race.  Even  Movistar, the team that holds the Maglia Rosa, placed one of their men into the group.  Marco Frapporti (Androni-Giacattoli), the last to get across from the peloton, led this group with Daniel Oss (BMC) on his wheel.   Behind you can make out the Finnish flag on the chest of the Finnish National Champion, Jussi Veikkenan (FDJ).  He has finished doing his pull on the front of the group and now rolls to the back to get shelter from the wind, until it is his turn to stick his nose in the wind again.  By now the break had built up a lead of 13 minutes and the peloton just didn't seemed to want to chase, after all, the highest place rider was over a half hour down on the Maglia Rosa.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting, you can just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2371808---198213/Painting.html#.U4a-Fs_D_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 13: The Final Lunge to the Line

Today showed why guys get into the break away each day, every once and a while the break stays away to the line.  Today it was three out of the six in the break that made it to the finish line eleven seconds ahead of the fast charging sprinter lead peloton.  Marco Canola (Bardiani CSF) claimed the victory and rained (or hailed) on the sprinter's parade.  He just held off the closing Jackson Rodriquez (Androni Giacottoli) and Angelo Tulik (Europcar) and paid honor to the team's Wild Card status.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  Or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2369356---198213/Painting.html#.U4F7eM_D_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 13: A Little Cat & Mouse

Once these three, Marco Canola (Bardiani CSF), Angelo Tulik (Europcar) and Jackson Rodriquez (Androni Giacattoli), slipped away from the other three in the break, the move was started when Canola tried to jump away from everyone.  Once these three had the gap, they began to think they might have enough time in hand to actually win the stage.  With that realization, they started trying to figure out how they were going to beat the other two and yet, not get caught by the peloton.   This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%27Italia%202014/2369354-78-72-198213/Painting/Sports.html#.U4F6Uc_D_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 13: Zipping Through Town

The Giro d'Italia is a travel guide to the beautiful roads and towns of Italy. We get the chance to see the country as though we are cycling the byways, highways, winding our way through vineyards and alpine passes, all without leaving our couches.  Today's break comprised of Jeffery Johan Romero (Team Colombia), Maxim Belkov (Katusha), Gert Dockx (Lotto-Belisol), Angelo Tulik (Europcar), Jackson Rodriquez (Androni-Giacattoli) and Marco Canola (Bardiani CSF), the six went out early with Belkov being the last to bridge to the group.  But with this being the last chance for the sprinters before the final stage of the Giro, it seemed to be a doomed effort.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard measuring 4" by 6" that is available for purchase through my artist webside at www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting you can follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2368997---198213/Painting.html#.U3_7Ns_D_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 13: What's the Gap?

As des rigeur for a stage of the Giro d'Italia, the day had a six man break get out in front of the peloton.  One of the services provided to the riders is information on the time gabs between each of the groups on the road.  This is achieved in a rather simplistic manner.  The motorcycle will start a stop watch on the front group then stop and wait for the peloton to arrive.  Once he stops the watch, he speeds back up to the break away, with his passenger writing the information on a chalkboard which he then holds aloft for the cyclist to see.  At this point, the break had 2 minutes and 15 seconds on those behind.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard measuring 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting (and all of my cycling art) is available for purchase at my artist website, www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2368845---198213/Painting.html#.U3_hRs_D_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 11: Having to Chase

With such a large break up the road and only 40 kilometers left to race it may for an aggressive chase from the peloton for those teams who had missed out.  Ironically, in a pre-race interview, it was Johnny Hoogerland (Androni Giacatolli) who said the stage would have a big break and that it would get away at 50 K into the race.  The only part he got wrong was when the break would get away.  It got away at 80 K, and he didn't manage to be in it.  So he and his team were left to try and chase the 14 up the road down.  Sadly, they couldn't do it and spent far more energy than they got in return.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard (4"x6") that is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  If you want this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2367689---198213/Painting.html#.U319o8_D_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 10: Not Happy

The rules in the break away are that everyone do their fair share, but as the stage drew to an end and the peloton was closing in, Andrea Fedi (Neri Sottoli) was less than happy with the work being done by his companion, Marco Badiera (Androni-Giacaottoli).  Fedi was trying to get him to pull through but Badiera was sitting on.  Fedi wanted to keep pushing ahead in hopes that the peloton would get it wrong, perhaps Badiera knew it would be in vain.  In the end they shook hands as the peloton swooped down on them (another of the chivalrous traditions of professional cycling).  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2366653---198213/Painting.html#.U3uhG8_D_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 10: Racing on a Pancake

After the rest day, the organization decided to give a day to the sprinters and created a stage that was incredible flat.  There is just a tiny ripple at the end of the stage before the peloton will descend into Salsomaggiore.  Adding to the flatness is the relative shortness of the stage, totally only 173 kilometers.  So the big obstacle that the break is dealing with is simply a highway overpass.  The peloton let this two man break go early on with both, Andrea Fedi (Neri Sottoli) and Marco Bandeira (Androni Giacottoli), while having been in several breaks thus far, are over an hour down in the General Classification.  This works well for BMC, because it is the sprinters teams that will have to ride on the front of the peloton.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  Also, this painting and in fact all of my cycling art is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting you can follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But while you are there, why not take the time to browse around at all of the art on offer?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%27Italia%202014/2366633-55-54-198213/Painting/Sports.html#.U3ua7s_D_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 6: Still Away at 15 K

The early break that had gotten away about 10 kilometers into the stage was still out in front (even if by only 40 seconds) as they went under the 15 kilometers to go banner.  The means they had been away from the peloton for 222 kilometers (roughly 133 miles) but there was a sharp sting in the tail up to Montecassio.  So it is hats off the efforts of Eduardo Zardini (Bardiani CSF), Torres (Team Colombia), Marco Bardiera (Androni Giocattoli) and Andrea Fedi (Neri Sottoli).  It is the second time Fedi has managed to get himself into a break away.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase at my artist website, www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting you can follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But why not browse around and look at all of the artwork on offer?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2364483---198213/Painting.html#.U3Wg2c_D_IU

Giro Final Day: Easy Smiles

Another of the traditions of the Grand Tours is the final stage, most always flat, they are a chance to celebrate the various victories, chat with friends and former teammates, and generally cruise along having a good time.  While the riders are taking it easy for pro-peloton standards, they are well out of my range of ability.  Today Team Bardini loaded up with pizzas and passed them out to every team car, they were celebrating winning the Blue Jersey of best climber.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and like every single other piece in this series, it was created using cake watercolors, brushes and paper from www.richesonart.com.  And every piece is available for purchase on my artist web site.  Just follow the direct link at the bottom of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2154525---184157/Painting.html#.UaeXXM_D_IU

Giro Day Twenty Two: Drinks for Everyone

It is the final mountain stage of the 2013 Giro d'Italia and snow is playing a role again today.  The snow is falling on the mountain tops forcing RCS Sports, the race organizers, to change the route again today.  For the riders safety, two climbs were removed, more for the danger of descending in snow and icy conditions, but they left the final climb to the finish where it continues to snow heavily upon the waiting tifosis heads.  Somehow it doesn't seem to be dampening the party along the route.  Along with the neutral service cars, there are several motorcycles that carry spare wheels and water bottles for all of the riders, regardless of team.  This is an early stage winner, Adam Hansen having a drink with his fellow break away riders, Yaroslav Popovich, Ermeti and Brutt.  They all hope to spoil the plans of the contenders on the final climb of the Giro.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and like all of the other works in this series, it has been created using cake watercolors, brushes and paper from www.richesonart.com.  I highly recommend all of their art making products.  This painting can be yours by visiting my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2154127-124-120-184157/Painting/Sports.html#.UaaWKM_D_IU

Giro Day Nineteen: Nice and Flat

Today was no exception to the pattern of early break aways getting five or six minutes on the peleton but the anticipation of another mass sprint made this effort as doomed as most.  The stage was dominantly flat today as the cyclist spun through vineyards, factories and cities.  This break was comprised of Belkov of Katusha, Rubiano of Androni, Dockx of Lotto and Durbridge the Australian National Champion and rider for Orica-Greenedge.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and it can be yours by visiting my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2153371---184157/Painting.html#.UaVUEs_D_IU

Giro Day Nineteen: On Ancient Roads

The scenery in Italy is stunning with ruins, castles, gardens, vineyards and sweeping vistas (and villas).  And the earliest paved roads were built by the Romans, I was struck by the beauty of the break away passing under this ruined gate way before they crossed the river into the town of Valeggio Sul Mincio.  Fortunately for the riders the road has been modernized since the days of the Roman Empire.  I had the chance to try to cycle on the Appian Way outside of Rome, there was no way my little skinny tired road bike was going over those stones!  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and like all of the work in this series was created with cake watercolors, brushes and paper all from www.richesonart.com   The works are also available for purchase at my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2153367---184157/Painting.html#.UaVTV8_D_IU

Giro Day Eighteen: They Won't Sit Up

Today was the day of attacks, counter attacks, break aways, and break aways form the break aways.  When the peleton was upon the first break of the day the bulk of the break sat up, resigning to their fate of being put back into the fold, however, these three pressed on.  Wilco Kelderman, Danny Pate, and Emanuele Sella were intend on winning the stage despite the rather long odds.  Their chances got better when the sprinters were dropped on the final climb of the day.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and it can be yours by visiting my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get a piece of art from the 2013 Giro d'Italia.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2153317---184157/Painting.html#.UaVPJM_D_IU

Giro Day Eighteen: Friends Along the Way

This is one of the many reasons that I love the Giro d'Italia, Felline knew that he had friends up the road, so he jumped out of the peleton looking like he was going on an attack to catch up to the break away.  The next time the TV Moto catches him in the lens, he is hugging two friends along the side of the course.  Once the peleton caught back up to him, he kissed the cheeks of his friends jumped back on the bike and got on with the race at hand.  The first time I watched the Giro, it was the birthday of a rider in the peleton and they were going to ride through his home town.  He rode ahead and joined a party on the side of the course.  When the peleton arrived, he handed out pastries to the riders, as they got back to riding they took the trays of desserts with them, making sure everyone had a treat.  When they got to the end of town, they passed the trays to fans and got back to the hard task of the Giro.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and like all of the works in this series, it was created with cake watercolors, brushes and paper from www.Richesonart.com  Also, this work is available for purchase at my artist website, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2153265---184157/Painting.html#.UaVAsMvD_IU

Giro Day Sixteen: This Is May?

That has to be the question amongst the peleton given the weather of the last two days.  This is the rear of the peleton riding up the Col du Mont Ceno (I think) across the Italian border into France.  And yes, that is snow along side the riders, and not the unmelted snow bank left from last winter but new snow from the last 36 hours.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and like all of the works in this series, it was created using cake watercolors, brushes and paper from www.richesonart.com   Also, all of these works are available for purchase, first through a brief auction on ebay, just follow the link at the end of this post.  Or later, I will be adding the works to my artist website and you will be able to buy the works there (ebay will be the better deal).

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251277781335

Giro Day Fourteen: The Break of the Day

I would assume that everyone in the peleton would know that a break couldn't work on such an obvious day for the sprinters, but then nothing ventured nothing gained.  And there were some sprint and mountain points to pick up along the way.  The riders in the first group included, Ermeti, Lars Bak, Hondo, Boem, Lastras and Ludvigsson, some of them made a very long day of it, others dropped back a little earlier on.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and is available for purchase by bidding on it in a short 3 day auction on ebay.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251276811316

Giro Day Thirteen: The Final Climb of the Day

This is the break of the day still away at about 70 K still to go, they are about to crest the final climb of the day.  While nothing like the mountains of the last two days, it was short and very steep.  More like some of the fabled climbs of the Arden.  I am not sure what the tifosi in the red suit  signed said, I don't read Italian, but he sure looked like he was trying to be a Santa Claus.  This break comprised of riders from Vacansoliel, Argos Shimano, Katusha, Androni-Giocattoli Venezuela, stay away until inside of the last kilometer of the race.  It is always so heartbreaking to see them get caught within sight of the finishing line.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and can be yours by visiting my artist web site.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post. 

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2151521---184157/Painting.html#.UaAqicvD_IU

Giro Day Thirteen: Cold & Wet

Another wet day at the Giro and another break away.  The rain doesn't stop thousands and thousands of fans from coming out to watch the race fly by, some are rather picturesque along the side of the road.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and is available for sale through a 3 day auction on ebay.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post, but hurry, the auction begins as soon as this post is published.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251276558445