Giro Stage 20: Attacking the Mountain

Steven Kruijswijk (LottoNL Jumbo) has been having a "almost" Giro.  The Dutchman has been in multiple breakaways that have succeed all the way to the line, although he has only managed a second place on each of two stages.  One of those second places put him into the lead of the King of the Mountains competition, only to have the Blue Jersey taken from him yesterday by Giovanni Visconti (Movistar).  Today he was hell bent on taking back the jersey and claiming a stage victory.  On the last remaining stretch of hard surface road on the way up the Colle Delle Finestre, Kruijswijk attacked those that were left of the breakaway.  With Tanel Kangert (Astana) stuck on his wheel, he managed to escape from both Benat Intxuasti (Movistar) and Ryder Hesjedal (Cannondale Garmin).  With seven more kilometers to the summit of this climb and then another 12 kilometers of climbing up to the mountain top finish, it was a tall order to achieve both of his goals for the day.

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/2561486---184157/Painting.html#.VWqk5c9Viko

Giro Stage 16: Left to Do It Himself

A rather pissed off Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) hit the bottom of the formidable Passo del Mortirolo without any teammates for support.  Tinkoff Saxo had burned through the entire team chasing the Astana led escapees.  The Maglia Rosa hit the climb a full minute down on Fabio Aru and Mikel Landa (Astana) and the pair seemed to be pulling away from the isolated Contador.  However they had not taken into account the effects of anger and adrenaline.  As I pointed out, it is considered bad form to attack the race leader when he has had a mechanical (or even a crash), so if Contador was able to catch the Astana duo, no quarter would be given.  Try as they might, Benat Intxausti (Movistar), Simon Clarke (Orica GreenEdge) and Darwin Atapuma (BMC) were not able to hold the wheel of the possessed Contador.

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.  The 4"x6" painting is available from my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular art work for $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/Giro%20d%20Italia/2559984---184157/Painting.html#.VWUOlvlViko

Giro Stage 15: Into a Long Dark Tunnel

The most recent man to join the continuously swelling breakaway was the Italian Sergio Palinho (Tinkoff Saxo).  He had bridged across from the peloton mainly as an insurance policy for the Tinkoff Saxo leader, Alberto Contador.  As Paulinho slide onto the back of the break as Diego Rosa (Astana) was discussing the teams alternatives on besting the strong and talented Contador.  Benat Intxausti (Movistar) had zipped down the first mountain and looked well positioned to achieve his goal of securing his hold on the blue of the King of the Mountains jersey.  As the group road across the valley floor, they passed through several tunnels carved through the steep foothills of the Dolomites.

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.  They are a small family run art supply company that have incredible quality art supplies.  You can find them on the web at www.richesonart.com.  This painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  All of my small cycling watercolors are $50 USD plus shipping (including international shipping), including this one.  While you are at the website, why not take the time to look at all of the artwork on offer?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2559448-218-216-184157/Painting/Sports.html#.VWJ6k_lViko

Giro Stage 15: Securing Azure

Benat Intxausti (Movistar) bedecked in the Azure Blue King of the Mountains Jersey jumped out of the large breakaway on the climb up La Fricca, along with his teammate, Giovanni Visconti and a previous stage winner, Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha),  Intxausti had hit the breakaway fulling intending to be the first to reach the top of all three of the climbs that faced those remaining in the 98th Giro de Italia.  By summiting the climb up to La Fricca, he could chalk off the first of the three catagorized climbs of stage 15.  With the return of the sun, the fans came back out in droves to watch their heroes struggle up the climbs that they have all strained to climb on their own bicycles.

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.  They are a small family run art supply company that have incredible quality art supplies.  You can find them on the web at www.richesonart.com.  This painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  All of my small cycling watercolors are $50 USD plus shipping (including international shipping), including this one.  While you are at the website, why not take the time to look at all of the artwork on offer?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2559370---184157/Painting.html#.VWJlI_lViko

Giro Stage 11: Over They Go

Stage 11 into Imola included a circuit that included for climbs up a category 4 climb (although points were only award on the penultimate trip up the hill).  The early break seems to have pulled it over on the peloton for the second day in a row.  This group that included, Steven Kruijswijk (LottoNL Jumbo) his third appearance in a break, Diego Rosa (Astana), Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha) and Benat Intxausti (Movistar) among others.  The group is about to start their descent back down into Imola and onto the Autodromo Ferrari where the race will conclude on the finishing straight of the raceway in three more laps.

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.  In addition, this painting is available for purchase for only $50 USD through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But to hurry, this is a one of a kind painting and when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2557410---184157/Painting.html#.VV1MTPlViko

Giro Stage 8: All by Himself

Benat Intxausti (Movistar) caught everyone that had been his companions in the original break away and had the legs to reach the summit all by himself.  Sorry for the reference to "Bridget Jones' Diary."  His victory salute included this gesture to the empty road behind him, a view the camera obligingly shared for all to see the power of the victors legs.  Mikel Landa (Astana) tried hard to catch Intxausti, but was left pounding his handlebars in frustration.  He may have been all the more frustrated due to his team obligation to Fabio Aru.  He had supported his team leader until given the nod to go for the stage once the other contenders had counter all of the moves Aru had in his legs.

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.  They are a lovely small family run art supply company that has some of my favorite media.  The painting is also available for purchase 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 don't delay, these are original one of a kind paintings and when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2555216---184157/Painting.html#.VVf0CyFViko

Tour Stage 16: Isolating the Yellow Jersey

The Tour de France brings out the most avid fans, many of whom will follow the race for days, camping out in RVs along the race route.  They can become a traveling city independent of the race entourage, who will line the roads of the big climbs with their satellite dishes turned to race coverage.  They will come out to cheer every rider on, from there heroes to the last guy struggling of the back.  Team Movistar came out of the rest day with a plan to break Astana's hold on the race and to try and put Vincenzo Nibali on the defense.  As they started up the final climb of the day they put man after man on the front.  It was the efforts of Benat Intxausti who shuck the last Astana support rider, Tanel Kangert.  Alejandro Valverde still had one more guy in reserve, the Frenchman John Gadret.  As Kangert cracked, Nibali looked over to thank his teammate for all of the effort on the long climb and the long stage.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website, www.greigleach.com.  This painting and all of my art of the 101st Tour de France will be included in my soon to be self published book, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book, to pre order your copy, or to discover how you can be a part of bring the 2014 edition of the Tour de France to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some wonderful Backer Rewards starting as low as $5 USD, and at only $25 USD the reward includes an artist signed copy of the book.  Everyone who pledges their support will see their name in print on the Special Thanks page in "Book de Tour."  If you would like to purchase this painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But don't you want a copy of the book as well?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2406694---199992/Painting.html#.U87v5s_D_IU