Omloop Het Nieuseblad: Hello, Guys

It was Hugo Hofstetter (Cofidis) who was the first to drop back from the early break.  He is looking back over his shoulder as the Lotto Soudal and Trek-Segafredo lead peloton comes up from behind.  At this point the riders had cover most of the short steep and oft cobbled climbs of the day and it was now time to get down to putting the favored riders into position.  The first step in that process would be to gather up all of the early break away.  They can now tick one off of that number.

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, www.richesonart.com.  Plus this painting is avialable through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to purchase your piece of this early spring semi-classic.  International shipping is available.

Then there is my new book of the 2015 Road World Championships entitled, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships.  Available world wide and at www.artofcycling.bike.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2720242-252-195767/Painting.html#.VtMkJvkrLIU

Tour de France Stage 3: Losing Wheels

Both the winds and the injuries from the two big crashes took their toll on the peloton.  As the race got back underway, many found it too hard to hold onto the wheels of those ahead.  One of those who was losing the wheel ahead of him was Fabian Cancellara (Trek Factory Racing).  Not only was he losing the wheel in front, he was also losing his Maillot Jaune and any chance of winning a stage in the 2015 Tour.  Cancellara was one of those who went head over heals landing hard on the dirt beside the road when William Bonnet (FDJ) had a touch of wheels that set of a disturbing chain reaction.  Cancellara is just coming back from a crash on these same roads in the Spring Classics that cracked one of his vertebrae.  Hanging on to Cancellara's wheel is Damien Gaudin (AG2R), another of those who left most of his jersey and some of his skin on the roads of Belgium.

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, a family run art supply company with incredible products for all sorts of artistic endeavors.  Their website is www.richesonart.com.  In addition, this painting 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.  But don't delay, since it is an original there is only one of these paintings available and you wouldn't want to miss your opportunity to have a piece of art from the 102nd Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2577156---210122/Painting.html#.VZt2GvlViko

Tour de France Stage 3: Wide Open Roads

The Tour left the roads of the Netherlands crossing onto the flat wide open roads of Belgium.  The early breakaway seems to have found the only stretch of the entire stage that wasn't chocked full of cycling crazed Belgians.  Jan Barta (Bora-Argon 18) who had managed to get into the break yesterday, was joined by Bryan Naulleau (Europcar), Louis Meintjes (MTN-Qhubeka) and Martin Elimger (IAM Cycling).  Elimger is no stranger to the heart break of a Tour de France break away.  He and a fellow escapee where caught just 50 meters from the line as the peloton swooped into Nimes in the 2014 Tour de France.  The open roads can often lead to strong cross roads so you can be sure that the peloton behind was keeping a watchful eye on wind speed and direction.

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, a family run art supply company with incredible products for all sorts of artistic endeavors.  Their website is www.richesonart.com.  In addition, this painting 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.  But don't delay, since it is an original there is only one of these paintings available and you wouldn't want to miss your opportunity to have a piece of art from the 102nd Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2577150---210122/Painting.html#.VZtsrPlViko

Gent-Wevelgem: Putting His Head Down

Once the early break away had been caught, it was time for the serious contenders to try and establish an advantage.  Normally, Stijn Vandenbergh (Etixx Quickstep) would be riding for his team sprinter, Mark Cavendish, but the Manx Missile had suffered mechanicals and crashes leaving him well of the pace.  Instead the big Belgium was able to use his familiarity with the conditions to press his own case.  After his move, Daniel Oss (BMC) and Sep Vanmarcke (LottoNL Jumbo) put their heads down and went after the fleeing Vandenbergh.

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 through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2534716---195767/Painting.html#.VRmDTPnF-xU

E3 Harelbeke: Dropping Off

The early break of four riders quickly became three as Sjoerd Van Ginnekin (Roompot) dropped off of the pace as they ascended the Kapelberg.  It was Dries Devenyns (IAM Cycling) that lifted the pace on the climb, fortunately for them, Sean De Bie (Lotto Soudal) and Kristian Sbaragli (MTN-Qhubeka) were able to hold the Belgium rider's wheel.  The foursome had an avantage of four minutes on the peloton earlier in the race, but now it gap was only a minute between the two groups.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2533364---195767/Painting.html#.VRZmfPnF-xU

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad: Having a Go

As the peloton closed in on the break away up the road (they have already brought back 3 of the original 8), it was time for individual riders to see if they could get away from the main group.  Stig Broeckx (Lotto Soudal) felt that he owed it to his countrymen to put in a good showing, particularly given that his team is a Belgium registered team as well.  With three of the big teams, BMC, Etixx Quickstep, and Team Sky (all with former winners in their kits) all looking at each other, biding their time, it was a good move to give it a go.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that 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 cycling this way and the accompanying artwork, be sure to check out my recently published book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France"
http://www.greigleach.com/gallery/201710/Book+de+Tour/#.VPOW8vnF-xU

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2519188---195767/Painting.html#.VPOkFfnF-xU

Omloop Het Nieuwsbald: Picking Up Lunch

As the announcer for Cycling.tv said, it is now Spring in Belgium, at least as far as cycling is concerned. Most of the ProTour teams were joined by numerous Continental teams at the start of the first of the northern cobbled Classics and what has oft been considered the start of the European racing calendar.  One of the domestiques for Team Sky gave a quick hand gesture as he slid over to pick up as many musettes for his teammates as he could.  The peloton was being lead by the new colors (and new name) of Team Lotto Jumbo NL.  Tucked onto their wheel are the new boys hoping to move up to ProTour status, Team MTN-Qhubeka.

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 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 cycling this way and the accompanying artwork, be sure to check out my recently published book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France"
http://www.greigleach.com/gallery/201710/Book+de+Tour/#.VPOW8vnF-xU

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2519120-130-126-195767/Painting/Sports.html#.VPOYh_nF-xU

Binche-Chimay-Binche: He Slipped Away

Omega Pharma Quick-Step had played their cards, or should I say riders, to perfection.  All day it was Thomas De Gendt out ahead of the group.  Then it was Niki Terpstra who left the peloton to join his teammate at the business end of the race.  Finally as the break went under the kilometer, it was the third man of the triumphant, Zdenek Stybar, the National Road Racing Champion of the Czech Republic, who nipped off the front.  Around the corner it was Styby who raised his arms in victory.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that 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.  International shipping is available, and the painting is only $50 USD.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2449128---195767/Painting.html#.VDYVgs_D_IU 

Binche-Chimay-Binche: What's Left of the Peloton

With just 18 kilometers left to race the peloton vacillated between riding hard and looking around.  The end of the season long, wet race in the strong crosswinds left a very small peloton trying to figure out if they had the legs to chase down the break.  Strung out behind the diminished peloton is the ever present convoy of race officials, team cars, medics and then far, far behind, the broom wagon.  This is a small watercolor and ink painting that 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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2449124---195767/Painting.html#.VDYM-s_D_IU

Binche-Chimay-Binche: All Lined Up

I am beginning to wonder if the peloton can only come to Belgium if it is cold, wet and miserable.  With the open fields and strong winds it was a day for echelons and arm warmers.  The winds broke the race into smaller and smaller groups along the wet roads.  The reduced peloton has gone after the second group up the road lead by Cofidis and BMC Pro Cycling.  Tucked in behind them were a couple of the smaller Continental Pro Teams.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that 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.  While you are there why not take the time to browse all of the artwork on offer?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2449112---195767/Painting.html#.VDYI2M_D_IU