Giro, Stage 17: When Legs Are Faster

There are times when the light agile racing bikes can do a better job of handling tight corners than the larger and heavy motorbikes that escort the race around Italy.  Long ago, I got to discover just how much faster a bicycle could whip through traffic when I was a bike courier in DC.  Today as they worked their through small town on their way towards Iseo, the break away caught a group of motos.  Fortunately the foursome of Alessandro De Marchi (BMC), Wout Poels (Sky), Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana) and Ben Hermans (Israel Cycling Academy) were able to stay upright.  I am sure De Marchi had a few choice words for the driver who's actions almost brought the Italian to grief.  There have been some horrible wrecks between motos and racers, I sure hope that we don't see one again anytime soon. 

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/101st-Giro-dItalia/3167325-69-249297/PaintingWhen-Legs-Are-Faster-G18-74.html

Giro, Stage 11: Finishing It Off

It is truly impressive that Omar Fraile (Dimension Data) was able to recuperate from his early efforts in the break away, pull even in King of the Mountain points and still take the stage victory at the end of the day.  Fraile out smarted Rui Costa (UAE Emirates) who claimed second.  They were followed home by Pierre Rolland (Cannondale-Drapac) in third, Tanel Kangert (Astana) in fourth, and Ben Hermans (BMC) in sixth.  All in all, it was a great day of racing, that saw some movement in the general classification.  And yet, the top spots of the leader board all stayed as they were at the start of the day.

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/2968108-80-235247/PaintingFinishing-It-Off-G17-81.html

Dauphine, Stage 6: Pushing Through the Pain

With Ag2r La Mondiale on the front of the break pushing the pace up the Montee des Frasses, Ben Hermans (BMC) was pushing through the pain.  This group that also included Jurgen van den Broeck (Katusha) where on their fourth climb of the day, that included a Catagory 2, two Catagory 1's and an Haute Catagory.  There was still the final ascent up the Catagory climb of Mirabel to finish the day.  Hermans was hoping to be well placed to help his team leader, Richie Porte on the final ascent of Stage 6.

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.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2806861-72-185083/Painting.html#.V1xkUvkrLIU

Il Lombardia: Down to Two

Ben Hermans (BMC) and Peter Weening (Orica-GreenEdge) had set off after the breakaway on the previous climb.  By the time they had neared the final big climb of the day, they had ridden everyone off of their wheels.  While they still had over 40 kilometers to the finish, they were looking like they had the legs to make it all the way to the finish in Bergamo Alta.  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.  Also, be sure to check out my soon to be released, "Book de Tour" at http://www.dementimilestonepublishing.com/#!book-de-tour/c1nth.  The book is a complete collection (and then some) of my annotated paintings of the 101st Tour de France and the inaugural La Course.  International shipping is available for this painting and for the book.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2449702---195767/Painting.html#.VDhIS8_D_IU

Il Lombardia: Giving Chase

Il Lombardia is one of cycling's monuments, and one of the last of the season coming two weeks after the UCI World Road Racing Championships.  There was a sizable group up the road that was starting to split apart on the penultimate big climb of the day.  That was enough of an inspiration to get Ben Hermans (BMC), along with Peter Weening (Orica-GreenEdge), and Bauke Mollema (Belkin Pro Cycling) to jump out of the peloton in search of the tete de la course.  BMC had a good Worlds, taking the Gold Medal in the Team Time Trial on the opening day of racing in Ponferrada, Spain.  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.  It 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 browse all of the artwork on offer?  In addition, "Book de Tour," my collection of annotated paintings of the 101st Tour de France is about to be released.  You can pre-order your copy through my publisher's website, http://www.dementimilestonepublishing.com/#!book-de-tour/c1nth.  Only $29.95 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2449698-125-120-195767/Painting/Sports.html#.VDhFws_D_IU

US Pro Challenge Stage 3: One After the Other

Every rider aspiring to wear the Yellow Jersey knew that they had to attack the defending champion, Tejay van Garderen (BMC) if they wanted to have a chance to still be in the lead after the uphill time trial to Vail on Saturday.  First it was Mick Rodgers (Tinkoff Saxo), then the Colombian pair, followed by another Tinkoff Saxo man, Bruno Pires.  Finally, Tom Danielson (Garmin Sharp) decided he had to be aggressive to get the better of the man currently in the royal blue jersey of the best place Colorado native, van Garderen.  The BMC leader was fortunate to have such a strong teammate to do the quick chasing in the form of Ben Hermans, not that Tejay was having any problems pulling the attackers back.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/US%20Pro%20Challenge%202014/2423132---201508/Painting.html#.U_a2r8_D_IU

US Pro Challenge Stage 3: The Top of the Pass

Stage 3's elevation map showed the riders going almost straight up from the beginning of the stage, down the other side and then right back up again.  Ben Hermans (BMC) went out early so he could be out front to help his team leader, Tejay van Garderen later on.  He was the first to crest the first King of the Mountain point on the top of Monarch Pass, with van Garderen's main rival, Tom Danielson (Garmin Sharp) stuck onto his wheel.  The US Pro Challenge uses a variation of the Tour de France's Polka Dot Jersey of the KOM leader.  The one in Colorado is a pattern of ever smaller white dots on a red field as opposed to the even pattern of red polka dots on the white jersey of the Tour.  However neither of these guys are after the jersey currently worn by Ben Jacques-Magnes (Jamis).  Danielson is out to win the race overall.  This is an original small watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Co. (www.richesonart.com) a small North American family run art supply company.  The painting is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But while you are at the website, you should take the time to browse all of the art on offer.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/US%20Pro%20Challenge%202014/2423122-12-6-201508/Painting/Sports.html#.U_anSM_D_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 3: The Safest Place Is Up Front

With just two hundred bicycles racing on the narrow by lanes and wide boulevards of the stages of the Giro, it is important to stay near the front of the peloton if you hope to place well in the General Classification or GC.  It only takes a touch of wheels a movement of lost concentration to send twenty of thirty riders cleats over handlebars and possibly bringing your whole racing season to a painful end.  So, those that hope to wear pink on the final day, use their team to keep them safe and out of the wind.  Cadel Evans (BMC) is now a seasoned Grand Tour racer, with a win of the Tour de France on his palmar and he knows who to be in the right place ahead of the twists and turns that are taken at high speed towards the end of most every stage.  Today, as the peloton neared Dublin, it is Ben Hermans and Daniel Oss, who escort their team leader, Cadel around the roundabouts of the outskirts of Dublin.  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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2362599---198213/Painting.html#.U3A3Cc_D_IU