Giro, Stage 1: Plenty of Time

The peloton had let those up the road get just over seven minutes before they began to reel them back in.  While it seems like a lot of time, this was going to be a day for the sprinters.  A day that will reward the Maglia Rosa to whomever crosses the line first in Olbia on the island of Sardinia.  As they ride along the coast, the time keepers keep them informed of the gap from the back of a motorcycle.  I wonder just how much time the peloton had to enjoy the beautiful scenery.

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/2962530-2-235247/PaintingPlenty-of-Time-G17-2.html

Giro Final Stage:An Upset Victory

This year's Giro seems to be the year of the breakaways.  I don't have an exact number, but it feels like far more stages have been won by a member of the breakaway, either the early break working all day to achieve victory, or like today, the late attack that catches the peloton off guard.   For this pair of Lijo Keisse (Etixx Quickstep) and Luke Durbridge (Orica BreenEdge) you could see it enter their minds on the bell lap that one of them was about to win the final stage of the 98th Giro d'Italia.  Keisse had the advantage of coming from the track and from being wise enough to force Durbridge to start his sprint from the front.  Durbridge did what he could but with the peloton charging down on the duo, he couldn't do the classic game of cat and mouse, but instead had to hope that he had the legs and Keisse didn't.  Alas, for the Aussie, Keisse had them.  Durbridge can take comfort knowing that Orica GreenEdge held the first four Maglia Rosas and one the opening Team Time Trial stage.  Whereas, Etixx-Quickstep had yet to claim a stage, and their team leader had been unable to produce his former prowess in previous Giros.  So it was truly and upset victory even if the over all winner has been known for weeks.  So "Chapeau, Contador!"

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from the small family run art supply company, Jack Richeson and Company.  There website is www.richesonart.com.  Plus, this painting is available through my artist website for only $50 USD, plus shipping (international is available) at www.greigleach.com.  To get this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post, but don't delay.  This is an original work of art, so when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2561858---184157/Painting.html#.VWvLgM9Viko

Giro Final Stage: Trying to Make It Stick

Luke Durbridge (Orica GreenEdge) and Lijo Keisse (Etixx Quickstep) went from almost the moment the Promenade was over, prying almost a thirty second gab on the peloton full of sprinters.  Sprinters who surely wanted to vie for one more stage victory.  With the technical nature of the 5 lap circuit, the powerful duo had the strength and the long shot of actually making the escape stick.  They had already spoiled the Red Jersey hopefuls chances of getting maximum points at the intermediate sprint, now it was beginning to look like they might do the same at the final finish line of the 98th Giro d'Italia.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from the small family run art supply company, Jack Richeson and Company.  There website is www.richesonart.com.  Plus, this painting is available through my artist website for only $50 USD, plus shipping (international is available) at www.greigleach.com.  To get this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post, but don't delay.  This is an original work of art, so when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2561846---184157/Painting.html#.VWvFfs9Viko

Giro Final Stage: Starting an Arguement

With two riders up the road the points on offer for the remaining positions in the intermediate sprints were greatly reduced.  It is theorized that Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek Factory Racing) and Sacha Modolo (Lampre Merida) had come to an arrangement that neither would sprint for the victory at the intermediate sprint leaving it all for the final sprint.  It seems that someone started to go for the early sprint, perhaps interpreting that since the breakaway had "won" the sprint, they were free to attack all of the other sprint hopefuls.  With the point differential in the race for the Red Jersey so tight, tempers seemed to be on edge.  Nizzolo appears to reach out and grab the jersey of Modolo right before Nizzolo and Trek Factory racing attacked for the remaining sprint points.  In the ensuing laps, the pair literally butted heads, shoulders and elbows.  Fortunately, the feathers seemed to have been back in place by the end of the stage, otherwise a head butt could have sent bikes and bodies flying all over the place.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from the small family run art supply company, Jack Richeson and Company.  There website is www.richesonart.com.  Plus, this painting is available through my artist website for only $50 USD, plus shipping (international is available) at www.greigleach.com.  To get this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post, but don't delay.  This is an original work of art, so when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2561844---184157/Painting.html#.VWvBhM9Viko

Giro Final Stage: On a Promenade

Much as in the Tour de France, the peloton allowed the entire team of Tinkoff Saxo to ride onto the finishing circuit in Milan en mass with the Maglia Rosa tucked onto the end of the procession.  Close on the heals of Tinkoff Saxo were that Astana boys all in blue.  Astana holds the Maglia Blanco, the best team title and second and third on the general classification.  They do not hold the King of the Mountains Jersey as I said in my final post from yesterday.  Sorry, I had gotten bad information.  The Maglia Azzurro stayed on the shoulders of Giovanni Visconti (Movistar), so he finishes the Giro as the King of the Mountains.  The only Jersey that could possible change hands (barring any extreme misfortune) is the Red of the most consistent sprinter.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from the small family run art supply company, Jack Richeson and Company.  There website is www.richesonart.com.  Plus, this painting is available through my artist website for only $50 USD, plus shipping (international is available) at www.greigleach.com.  To get this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post, but don't delay.  This is an original work of art, so when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2561842---184157/Painting.html#.VWu9EM9Viko

Giro Final Stage: Taking a Bow

While they were still in the neutral start section of the final stage of the 98th Giro d'Italia, Tinkoff Saxo clasped arms with the Maglia Rosa of Alberto Contador and took a bow for all of the press photographers astride their motorcycles.  As far as I could tell, the team eschewed the traditional sharing of the Prosecco, but not the re-taping of the handlebars with bright pink .  Contador went a step further with Specialized sending him a new bright pink bike.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from the small family run art supply company, Jack Richeson and Company.  There website is www.richesonart.com.  Plus, this painting is available through my artist website for only $50 USD, plus shipping (international is available) at www.greigleach.com.  To get this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post, but don't delay.  This is an original work of art, so when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2561840---184157/Painting.html#.VWu1X89Viko

Giro Stage 20: More Than Enough

Chapeau, Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo)!  Contador has held the Maglia Rosa for thirteen stage of the 98th Giro d'Italia and had paid honor to the Giro everyday.  These last two days the Astana duo of Aru and Landa, have sorely tested Contador.  Today, he came very close to actually cracking on the penultimate climb, but as he so often does, manage to recover.  He climbed within himself on the Colle Delle Finestre once he had been dropped, and did not take any unnecessary risks on the following descent.  He never panic, remembering that he had a very sizable time gap on those further up the road.  As he crossed the line over two minutes after the victorious Aru, he allowed himself a celebratory fist pumb, knowing that he had secured his second Grand Tour victory in a row.  Tomorrow he need only arrive safely with the peloton.  He can let the sprinters have their day, but he will be the one having the glory (and the prosecco).

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.  In addition, this painting is available for purchase from my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But be advised, this is a one of a kind painting, so don't delay, when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2561512---184157/Painting.html#.VWq3ic9Viko

Giro Stage 20: Best Young Rider

Fabio Aru (Astana) claim his second stage victory in a row, in so doing, he also claimed the fourth mountain top finish for his team.  He also solidified his second place standing on the General Classification, and his Maglia Blanco has never been in doubt, Fabio Fellini (Trek Factory Racing) who holds second place in the young rider competition is over forty five minutes behind this young Italian.  Aru pulled back over two minutes on the Maglia Rosa of Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo), but the Spaniard knew exactly what his cushion was and seemed to hold back from the all out defense of Pink.  Aru's teammate, Mikel Landa, who had often sacrificed himself for Aru's benefit, earned the final Maglia Azzurro for his efforts on the day.  The young Italian certain has given his countrymen something to cheer about in their home Tour.

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.  In addition, this painting is available for purchase from my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But be advised, this is a one of a kind painting, so don't delay, when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2561510---184157/Painting.html#.VWq0UM9Viko

Giro Stage 20: Shoulder to Shoulder

With the top of the Giro and the Primo Coppi in sight, Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha) was caught by the charging Mikel Landa (Astana).  Before the thousands who had gotten themselves up to watch the hard men in spandex summit this illustrious climb, the pair road shoulder to shoulder on the rutted dirt and mud track.  Poor Zakarin, who had labored alone up most of the tortured ascent, Landa nipped around the Russian just as the reached the high point of the race.  For the pair, it was now time to get back down off of the mountain as fast as possible.  Fortunately, the back side of the Colle Delle Finestre featured a well paved smooth road.  Reaching the kind of speeds that they were about to obtain and then cornering on this dirt track could well have been disastrous.  The tight corners and high speeds on the tarmac were dangerous enough.

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.  In addition, this painting is available for purchase from my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But be advised, this is a one of a kind painting, so don't delay, when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2561502---184157/Painting.html#.VWqubc9Viko

Giro Stage 20: A Monster of a Ride

The final section of the penultimate climb of the Giro was some of the worst surfaces for bike racing, out done only by the famed pave sections of Paris Roubaix.  However this road was also on a 10% average gradient, whereas those of Northern France are straight and flat.  Both race courses come with thousands of yelling, costumed fans, many of whom are considerable less than sober as well.  Today the peloton found it self negotiating the winds and exposed crags above the tree line and into the remaining pockets of last winter's snow.  Ryder Hesjedal (Cannondale Garmin) has truly come into his own over the last week of the Giro, climbing not only mountains but the general classifications standing as well.  Tucked onto the resurgent Canadian's wheel is another who's final days of the Giro are far superior to the opening days, Rigoberto Uran (Etixx Quickstep).  Both men should move even further up the GC based on their efforts today.

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.  In addition, this painting is available for purchase from my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But be advised, this is a one of a kind painting, so don't delay, when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2561498---184157/Painting.html#.VWqrYM9Viko

Giro Stage 20: Hard Ride & Bad Road

The final day of climbing for the 98th Giro d'Italia feature a very long, steep climb to the highest point of the entire race.  The final section of the climb of the Colle Delle Finestre was a 10 kilometer stretch of unpaved, dusty, rutted one lane track that challenged the riders stability and their climbing legs.  Steven Kruijswijk (LottoNL Jumbo) worked hard to keep those he had dropped earlier from catching back onto his wheel.  At his point, Ryder Hesjedal (Cannondale Garmin) was closing back to the Dutchman.  Hesjedal had the Maglia Rosa of Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) glued onto his wheel, with the Astana duo of Fabio Aru and Mikel Landa just behind the man in pink.  It seems cruel that the 30 kilometer banner should be sponsored by an Italian beer company.  I am sure most of the peloton was lusting for a cold beer after a long, hot, dusty day in the saddle.  Bicycling Magazine claims that a beer after a hard ride is a perfect recovery drink.

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.  In addition, this painting is available for purchase from my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But be advised, this is a one of a kind painting, so don't delay, when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2561494---184157/Painting.html#.VWqnnc9Viko

Giro Stage 19: Fighting for the Stage

Surprisingly, it was Fabio Aru (Astana) that was able to go with the quickly escaping Ryder Hesjedal (Cannondale Garmin).  Equally unsuspected was Mikel Landa (Astana), Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) and Steven Kruijswijk (LottoNL Jumbo) who couldn't respond (or chose not to) to the duo's assault on the final climb of the day.  Aru's counter attack shucked the lanky Canadian from his wheel and go on to claim his first stage in the 98th Giro d'Italia.  The victory had to sooth some of the bruising had taken over the last couple of days.  I'm sure it left in no doubt who the rightful team leader should be on the Kazakhstani team.  For his part, Hesjedal moved himself further up the standings, but had to accept second place on the stage.  He can celebrate moving from 9th overall up to 7th even if he didn't get to raise his arms in victory at the line in Cervinia.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson and Company.  They are a small family run art supply company out of Wisconsin with really great art products.  You can learn more about them at www.richesonart.com.  This painting is also available through my artist website for only $50 USD, plus shipping.  The website is www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

Apparently, my website has decided it doesn't want to share my paintings today.  If you are interested in purchasing the painting, please email me at greigsart@gmail.com.

Giro Stage 19: Urging Him On

Less than a minute behind Giovanni Visconti (Movistar), Pavel Kotchkov (Katusha) was desperately trying to tag onto the wheel of the Italian.  As they scaled the 12 kilometer climb up the Col Saint Pantaleon, his director sportif leaned way out the window to shout words of encouragement to the laboring Russian.  Kotchkov is one of the few native Russians who is riding the Giro for the Russia based Team Katusha.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson and Company.  They are a small family run art supply company out of Wisconsin with really great art products.  You can learn more about them at www.richesonart.com.  This painting is also available through my artist website for only $50 USD, plus shipping.  The website is www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

Apparently, my website has decided it doesn't want to share my paintings today.  If you are interested in purchasing the painting, please email me at greigsart@gmail.com.

Giro Stage 19: Clean Away

I am borrowing an expression from Daniel Lloyd, who is the announcer for the broadcast that I am watching.  He, and I, are rather impressed with Giovanni Visconti's (Movistar) attack out of the breakaway today.  Visconti made it a point to go for all of the King of the Mountain points he could collect on today's rather lumpy stage.  He may not have believed that he could stay away until the mountain top finish in Cervinia, but he was the first to summit both Saint Barthelemy and Col Saint Pantaleon.  The pair of climbs earned him enough points to take over the Maglia Azzurro.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson and Company.  They are a small family run art supply company out of Wisconsin with really great art products.  You can learn more about them at www.richesonart.com.  This painting is also available through my artist website for only $50 USD, plus shipping.  The website is www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2561088-245-240-184157/Painting/Sports.html#.VWnFV89Viko

Giro Stage 18: Quick Fix on the Fly

When a rider's luck is in, it is truly a fun thing to watch.  The day Contador had the ill timed flat, he ended up widening his advantage on the General Classification.  Today, having dropped everyone who tried to hold the Maglia Rosa's wheel, Contador dropped his chain when shifting to the smaller front chain ring.  He was lucky enough to be able to reach down and re-thread his chain and get back to the task at hand.  He was able to do this without having to stop.  His team car had pulled up behind with his mechanic jumping out while the car was still moving.  The mechanic first reached for a replacement bike, then realized that the problem had been fixed by the team leader on his own.  The mechanic barely had time to run up to Contador to give him a push before the Maglia Rosa was back to his distinctive, and effective, dancing on the pedals.

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,  They are a lovely family run art supply business with some really fine products.  This painting is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  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/2560832---184157/Painting.html#.VWfZls_BzGc

Giro Stage 17: Storming Home

First Philippe Gilbert (BMC) and then Luca Paolini (Katusha) stormed past Patrick Gretsch (AG2R) and Greg Henderson (Lotto Soudal).  Paolini's attack looked sure to succeed and had the announcers for BeIn Sports, Daniel Lloyd and Carlton Kirby, screaming with excitement.  The duo sped down the final 2 kilometer descent and then onto the final 2 kilometers of flat roads.  Perhaps if the two had worked together, they may have had a chance, but the organized teams of Giant-Alpecin, Trek Factory Racing and Lampre-Merida were in hot pursue of a stage win for their respective sprinters.

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.  This painting, and all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $50 USD plus shipping, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is a one of a kind original painting, so don't delay.  When it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2560570---184157/Painting.html#.VWalyvlViko

Giro Stage 17: Let's Work Together

Once the peloton had reeled the early break back into their fold, it was time for the puncheurs to try their legs.  First to attack the collective was Patrick Gretsch (AG2R).  Gretsch looked over his shoulder to discover that Greg Henderson (Lotto Soudal) had joined him on the final climb of the day.  With only four kilometers until the end of the stage, Gretsch seemed to attempt to talk Henderson into collaborating on their escapee.  Henderson didn't feel that Gretsch had the legs to go the distance.  So the Kiwi quickly dropped the German and went off in search of a solo victory.  Lotto Soudal is left without their big marquee sprinter, Andre Greipel.  Greipel abandoned the Giro before the high mountains, opting instead to begin his preparation for the Tour de France.  Henderson has the remarkable distinction of making this appearance in the Giro his eleventh Grand Tour in a row!

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.  This painting, and all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $50 USD plus shipping, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is a one of a kind original painting, so don't delay.  When it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2560568---184157/Painting.html#.VWajzPlViko

Giro Stage 17: Getting on with the Job

One of the teams that have yet to claim a stage victory is Giant Alpecin,  Their sprinter, Luka Mezgec, has had his guys on the front of the peloton for most of the stage.  As the peloton whipped through Mennagio on Lake Como, it was the breakaway killer, Ji Cheng, who came to the front and kicked up the pace.  Cheng was in search of the threesome up the road, a threesome that would soon be spat out the back of the charging pack.

As beautiful as the towns along the breathtaking lake may be, the teams of the sprinters had to get on with the work at hand.  There would be time to enjoy the beautiful surroundings at the end of the day.  The race would finish in a new country, Switzerland, in the town of Lugano on yet another glacier fed lake.

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.  This painting, and all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $50 USD plus shipping, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is a one of a kind original painting, so don't delay.  When it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2560566---184157/Painting.html#.VWagpPlViko

Giro Stage 13: Assembling the Train

Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek Factory Racing) got his team to the front of the peloton before the technical part of the course started with a sharp right hand turn.  Trek Factory Racing was concerned about cornering on the wet roads.  The didn't want to risk being further back in the pack as they swung through the tricky corners.  The last thing they wanted was to go down or get caught behind a crash thus missing out on a chance to claim the stage.

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, find them online at www.richesonart.com.  This painting is available for purchase through my artist website for only $50 USD at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But, don't delay, this is an original one of a kind work of art.  Once it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2558522---184157/Painting.html#.VWAJBPlViko