Tour of Britain, Stage 5: Just Making Sure

The leader in the King of the Mountains competition, Xandro Meurisse (Wanty Group Gobert) had been picking up the final remaining point on the two previous climbs of the day's stage and doing so without having to sprint against his nearest competitor, Nicolas Roche (Sky).  Today it seems, Roche had decided not to spend the energy trying to grab any of the minor placings on the tops of the climbs.  Meurisse approached the summit of Selsley Common on the front of the peloton.  He took a quick look back over his shoulder just to make sure no one was trying to sprint past him for the remaining KOM point of the day.  Behind him, Lotto Soudal and LottoNL Jumbo were more interested in keeping the tempo turning over than they were in the KOM competition.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2849124-58-189075/PaintingJust%20Making%20Sure%20ToB32-Greig-Leach.html#.V9HoEpgrLIU

Tour of Britain, Stage 5: Climbing Out of Town

As the peloton headed out of the town of Selsley they started a steep climb up the final categorized climb of the day.  There had been a intermediate sprint in the center of town, but there were no points left for those in the peloton to worry about.  When they reach the top of the climb there will only be one point left towards the King of the Mountains competition (all the others having been sucked up by the breakaway).  It was Bert-Jean Lindeman on the front for LottoNL Jumbo followed by a rider from Lotto Soudal and then the entire Dimension Data team.

I have been surprised to see park cars along the side of the road, many sticking well in to the tarmac.  Several riders collided with the back of a line of cars in town, with some having to swerve onto the sidewalk to avoid a similar fate.  Fortunately, all were able to get back up and riding.  And they all eventually rejoined the peloton.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2849121-57-189075/PaintingClimbing%20Out%20of%20Town%20ToB31-Greig-Leach.html#.V9Hk_pgrLIU

Tour of Britain, Stage 2: Beside the Lake

Continuing the beautiful scenery art, the organizers route the peloton (and the break away) over the dam and around the edge of Thirlmere.  Tucked onto the back of the rather large break was Bert-Jan Lindeman (LottoNL Jumbo).  Ahead of the Dutchman was the Irish National Champion Nicolas Roche (Team Sky) who was following Conor Dunne (JLT Condor) and Loic Vliegen (BMC).  The beauty of today's course is making me ache to travel to the Highlands.  My wife's relatives would like it if we did.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2848030-37-189075/PaintingBeside%20the%20Lake%20ToB11-Greig-Leach.html#.V84NEpgrLIU

Giro Stage 2: First Over the First

The opening road stage of the 98th Giro d'Italia featured just one small Category 4 climb, but the first over the climb would also win the first King of the Mountains' jersey of the race.  The early five man break attacked each other on the way up the climb, but it was Bert-Jen Linderman (LottoNL Jumbo) who had the legs to claim the points at the summit.  The Dutchman was followed over the rise by Lukasz Owsian (CCC Spandi) with the moment being caught by the TV cameraman standing on the rear of TV Moto 1.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com, as is all of my cycling art. To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  International shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2552486---184157/Painting.html#.VU_jQCHBzGc