Giro, Stage 18: Large Group & a Large Gap

It was a dozen guys who saw today's stage as the day that break would succeed.  Given that they have already built up a 14 minute gap with 63 kilometers left to the finish line atop Prato Nevoso, they sure seem to be right.  Davide Ballerini (Androni Giocattoli) drops back to his team car for a bottle and a quick stradegy meeting.  Ballerini is one of those with a teammate in the group.  Their presence in the break continues the team's 100% participation rate in every break of the 101st Giro.  Just ahead of the Italian is Boy van Poppel (Trek-Segafredo) and Alex Turrin (Wilier Triestina).

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/3167729-72-249297/PaintingLarge-Group-&-a-Large-Gap--G18-77.html

Paris-Roubaix: Piling Up

Unfortunately, a big part of Paris Roubaix is the crashes.  Today seem to have a large share even before the riders hit the pave.  Here the crash happened near the front of the peloton, leaving riders plowing into those already on the ground or riding out into the grass (and the spectators) in hopes of staying in contact with the front end of the peloton.  Ignatas Knonvalovas (Groupama-FDJ), the Champion of Lithuania was one of those who went off of the bike, but other than his bike needing a little attention he was good to go.  Both Hector Carretero (Movistar) and Boy Von Poppel (Trek-Segafredo) were able to get stopped, but others riding for both Mitchelton-Scott and Bahrain-Merida, weren't so fortunate.  I don't make it a point to focus on the crashes, I would rather celebrate the athletism and grit of the race.  It may be that I have raced and I know just how much it hurts to bounce off of the pavement.  Fortunately for me, I have never crashed on a rough section of pave!

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/Spring-Classics-/3141643-407-195767/PaintingPiling-Up-PR18-3.html

Tour of Britain, Stage 7b: In Suspense

Sorry, going for a pun with the title again.  The Clifton Suspension Bridge is a beautiful sight on the high ground of Bristol link the area of Ashton Court with the other side of the river Avon.  It was a rather long drop to the tidal river below.  So the breakaway was about to cross the suspension bridge while we and they were in suspense as to whether their effort would succeed or not.  This would be the final time that Andre Greipel (Lotto Soudal), Boy Van Poppel (Trek-Segafredo), Deigo Rubio (Caja Rural-Seguros) and Gorka Izaguirre (Movistar) would cross the bridge today.  The course will bring them back across the river again, but the finish line is in the middle of Ashton Court just 13 kilometers away.

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/2849930-80-189075/PaintingIn%20Suspense%20ToB54-Greig-Leach.html#.V9SrRZgrLIU