Tour Down Under Stage 5: On HIm Like a Rabbit

I always enjoy listening to Paul Sherwen and Phil Liggett's coverage of professional cycling.  They are both so very knowledgeable and frequently use rather entertaining and descriptive phrases.  This title his how Paul Sherwen described how quickly Cadel Evans (BMC) jumped onto the rear wheel of the attacking Richie Porte (Sky).  Porte had pulled a similar move on Evans in the 2014 Tour Down Under on the very same climb.  This time Evans wasn't about to let the Tasmanian get away again.  The pair was quickly joined by race leader, Rohan Dennis (BMC) and the man sitting in third overall, Tom Dumolin (Giant-Alpecin).  Now it is a drag race to the top of the final climb of Willunga Hill with the Ochre Jersey on the line.  Possibly even the King of the Mountain Polka Dots, too.

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.  Enjoying this way of learning about a professional ProTour race?  Then check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France".  The book is available online world wide, and can be ordered from the publisher's website at http://www.dementimilestonepublishing.com/#!book-de-tour/c1nth.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2501200---194179/Painting.html#.VMPdXdg5DIU

Tour Down Under Stage 3: Countering the Move

Everyone expected those that want to win the Tour Down Under to make their move on the short steep ascent up to Paracombe.  The two main front runners, Richie Porte (Sky) and Cadel Evans (BMC) didn't disappoint.  While Evans got to the bottom of the climb first, it was Porte who put in the first acceleration.  A move that was quickly covered by the veteran Cadel.  It was looking like it would be a fight to the top and the Ochre Jersey between the Aussie and the Tasmanian.

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 enjoy reading about important bike races this way, be sure to check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France."  The book is available world wide, just google the title to find an online store where you won't have to pay international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2500062---194179/Painting.html#.VMCabU05DIU

Tour Down Under Stage 3: Fighting for Position

The run in to Paracombe included a very fast descent before a sharp right hand bend.  The last two kilometers must have felt like they were straight up a wall.  So if you wanted to have a chance of victory, you had to be at the very front of the peloton at the start of the climb.  I know that the only way I have a chance of being with the group at the top of a hill is for me to go down as fast as I possibly can.  So it was that Michael Schar led his team leader Cadel Evans (BMC) right to the front of the group.  They had just gotten around Peter Kennaugh (Sky), who was doing the same for Richie Porte (Sky).

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 enjoy reading about important bike races this way, be sure to check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France."  The book is available world wide, just google the title to find an online store where you won't have to pay international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2500058---194179/Painting.html#.VMCX2k05DIU

Tour Down Under Stage 2: Time to Celebrate

I was beginning to think that Movistar had decided not to show up in South Australia having not seen their distinctive kit for two days of racing, but as it is with all good sprinters, they only stick their noses into the wind when it really matters.  Juan Jose Lobato (Movistar) jumped from 12 places back to win the stage on the uphill sprint to the line in Stirling.  His margin of victory was so big that he had time to effect a phone call pose for his victory salute.  Behind him, his teammate, Gorka Izaguirre Insausti just missed getting around Daryl Impey (Orica-GreenEdge) to make it a one, two of Movistar.  Bobridge finished with the main group to keep his Ochre Jersey, and Cadel Evans (BMC)was just outside of the bonus seconds, finishing in 4th place on the stage.  Cadel says he will be retiring from racing at the end of the Tour Down Under, his home Tour.  This is a small 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.

If you love this kind of artistic coverage of cycling, please consider my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France" available world wide online.  Just google the title to discover where you can order a copy without having to pay international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2499494---194179/Painting.html#.VL_WDE05DIU

Giro d'Italia Stage 20: Bikes Only

Like certain sections of Pave in Paris-Roubaix, the final climb of the Giro d'Italia was restricted to cars and trucks, it was bikes only on the steep narrow way up Monte Zoncolan.  I have never seen what the mechanics had to do to meet this restriction.  They actually pulled a couple of wheels and a spare bike off of the team car, along with their tools, and climbed onto the back of a motorcycle so they could be there for their athletes.  The dedication to the effort of the Giro goes well beyond the guys pushing the pedals.  This is a group slipping off the back of the Gruppa Magila Rosa including, Gorka Izaguirre (Movistar) and sadly, Cadel Evans (BMC).  The Movistar riders had done what they could for their man in Pink, Nairo Quintana.   Cadel drifted off of the pace of everyone ahead of him on the GC, but fortunately for him those behind weren't faring any better.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com  For this particular painting you can follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But while you are there, why not take the time to browse around at all of the cycling art on offer?  All of these small watercolors are only $50 USD and I will ship them any where in the world (all ready have sent them to most countries in Europe and the far East).

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2373548---198213/Painting.html#.U4pDRMvD_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 15: Pierre Lights It Up

Pierre Rolland (Europcar) was the next to decide the peloton was too busy watching each other and head out on his own.  However, the Maglia Rosa, Rigoberto Uran (OPQS) and Cadel Evans (BMC) thought that the Frenchman should be followed and stood up to catch the fast accelerating Rolland.  Perhaps unknowlingly, he set the attacks alight, but was able to stay out ahead of those fighting for position on the General Classification.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that measure 4"x6" and is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2369744---198213/Painting.html#.U4LAi8_D_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 12: Fighting to Hold On

Cadel Evans (BMC) wearing the Maglia Rosa went out on the 41.9 kilometer Time Trial hoping to increase his lead over his GC rivals.  Unfortunately, he was over cautious on the raining corners in the early sections of the course and began to lose time to Rigoberto Uran (OPQS) and some of the others behind him in rankings.  Once he began to feel the stage slipping away from and possibly the jersey, he pushed harder, but that only created control problems.  In the end, the title of the painting, became prophetic, not only is he fighting to hold on in this wet corner of the course, but he was fighting to hold on to the race lead.  I do have to wonder if he let the Jersey go away.  He was concerned that he had taken up the race lead earlier than he wanted to.  It is hard on a team to defend the Maglia Rosa day in and day out. This is an original watercolor and ink postcard (4"x6") that is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this particular piece, you can follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2368289---198213/Painting.html#.U37ags_D_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 10: Stringing It Out

With a small hill at the end of the 173 kilometer stage, Team Sky saw an opportunity to drag their sprinter, Ben Swift, away form the rest of the fast men, setting him up for a stage victory.  So it was the Italian, Dario Catalko (Team Sky), Bernhard Eisel (Team Sky) and Edvald Boasson Hagen (Team Sky) that hit the front and ramped up the pace.  Sprinters are notoriously bad climbers, it is a whole different weight to power body type.  BMC, on the other hand, knew that the descent into town and the roads to the finish line were technical twisty affairs and the safest place to be was on or near the front.  This concern was proved true in a rather dramatic fashion inside of the final kilometer.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2366657---198213/Painting.html#.U3ukZM_D_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 9: Maglia Rosa

Cadel Evans (BMC) may think he got into the Maglia Rosa a little too early in the Giro, but he showed no signs of wanting to led it go onto the shoulders of anyone else.  As the peloton crested the biggest climb of the stage about 40 kilometers from the finish line, he brought his team to the front to tear down the rather beautiful but technical descent.  It was a good chance to show why he was a World Cup mountain biker before making the switch to road racing.  So for those along the side of the road, they got to see a very, very brief flash of pink as he was hitting speeds of 70 kph on the straight ways that connected the hair pin turns on the back side of Sant Antonio.  His descending but some rather large gaps in the peloton, that left some rivals scrambling to get back on across the valley floor.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting, please follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2365395---198213/Painting.html#.U3kZ7s_D_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 8: On the Pirate's Hills

Perhaps I should explain this title.  The famous (and infamous) Italian champion cyclist, former winner of the Giro, multi stage winner in the Tour de France, and contemporary of Lance Armstrong, Marco Pantani lived and trained in this region of Umbria.  The stage was dedicated to his memory, and memorials, bill boards and banners dotted the course the these new found heros pedaled.  With the break away now strewn all over the road in groups of twos and threes, this select group  of the main rivals churned their way up the Cippo di Carpeona, paced along by Alexis Vuillermoz (AG2R) and is team mate, Domenico Pozzovivo.  They were watched by Nicolas Roche (Tinkoff Saxo) and Cadel Evans (BMC), in case someone who mattered went up the road.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2365131---198213/Painting.html#.U3huqs_D_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 6: Winning in Pink

Orica GreenEdge has had a near perfect first six stages of the Giro d'Italia.  Starting with the team winning the Team Time Trial that put Svein Tufts into the Maglia Rosa, to then passing the Jersey over to Michael Matthews who has held it ever since and finally taking a road stage win while wearing the same jersey.  The only blot on the day was just how hard Tufts went down in the pile up at the base of the climb.  The TV coverage showed a rather torn up kit and bloody rider making the climb up to the finishing line.  A rider must cross the line at the end of each day's stage in order to be allowed to continue in the Giro (or any other multi stage race).  So while Matthews won the stage, it could be argued that Cadel Evans was the big winner on the day.  Not only did he claim second on the stage, but he also moved himself up into second overall, and he put a lot more time between himself and all of the other principle GC contenders.  He even managed to avoid taking the Maglia Rosa too early in the race thus saving his team needing to defend for the next 15 stages.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by visiting my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2364487---198213/Painting.html#.U3WpCc_D_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 6: Pressing Their Advantage

These eight riders managed to stay up right as the rains fell at the base of the climb up to Montecassino.  As the peloton charged towards the ascent, they really ramped up the speed, alas they hit a traffic circle at full speed just as the rains turned the road surface to an oil slick.  Riders went every where, unfortunately some went to the hospital.  Cadel BMC) had put his guys right on the front of the peloton along with Michael Matthews' Orica GreenEdge team.  They got around unscathed, but Giampaolo Caruso (Katusha), Janez Brajkovic (Astana), Angel Vicioso Arcos (Katusha) and Davide Villella (Team Cannondale) were not able the finish the stage, some being taken directly to the hospital.  Many others went down and left skin and pieces of racing kit along the road.  I am sure there will be plenty of discussion of whether or not this group should have waited for the other GC contenders that were caught out by the crash.  It is tradition not to attack the leader's jersey when he has crashed or had a mechanical, but since the Maglia Rosa was in the lead group, they road hard for the line.  Three from Orica GreenEdge (although they are wearing three different jerseys), Michael Matthews, Luke Durbridge and Ivan Santaronita were joined by three more from BMC, Cadel Evans, Daniel Oss and Steve Morabito with Tom Wellens (Lotto-Belisol) and a rider from Neri Sottoli tagged onto this express train.  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%202014/2364485---198213/Painting.html#.U3Wlfc_D_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 5: For the Home Team

The Giro now has its first Italian stage winner, with the added bonus of Diego Ulissi riding for the Italian team, Lampre-Merida.  Ulissi launched a very powerful counter attack off of Rafal Maika (Tinkoff Saxo) to take a very commanding gap over the rest of the peloton.  The other big winner of the day was the second place finisher Cadel Evans (BMC), who grabbed a 5 second time bonus and gained seconds on the rest of the GC contenders.  Cadel is now 15 seconds behind the Maglia Rosa of countryman, Michael Matthews (Orica GreenEdge0 and just one second behind the second placed, Peter Weening (Orica GreenEdge).  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be purchased through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2363929---198213/Painting.html#.U3P6M8_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

Tour Down Under: Why Defend? Attack! Stage 5

At the base of the final climb up Old Willunga Hill and the lead of the Tour Down Under up for grabs, Team BMC and Cadel Evans decided to surprise the peloton, the contenders and even the commentators by attacking rather than just defending his position and sticking to the wheels of his two closes adversaries in the overall general classification.  Unfortunately the bold move wasn't to pay the dividends he hoped for.  At least this should dispel the belief that Cadel never attacks and lnly races defensively.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by visiting my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  Or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2298905---194179/Painting.html#.UuShDM8o7IU

Tour Down Under: Sprinting for Seconds, Stage 4

Wearing the Blue Jersey of Sprint Leader but hoping to pull back on the Ochre Jersey of race leader, Simon Gerrans contested every sprint in Stage 4 of the Tour Down Under grabbing 3 seconds at the first sprint, and 1 more in this sprint.  Nathan Haas (Garmin Sharp) and Elia Viviani (Lampre) laid in wait and showed their sprinter's legs to beat him to the sprint point.  Cadel Evans (BMC) wearing the Ochre Leader's Jersey kept a watchful eye on the proceedings, however it seems that he may have had a mechanical just as he tried to accelerate to challenge in the sprint.  He changed bikes shortly after the sprint point.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by visiting my artist website, www.greigleach.com or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the Santos Tour Down Under.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2297981---194179/Painting.html#.UuM-388o7IU

Tour Down Under: Feeling OK, Stage 3

Cadel Evans used his team, his climbing ability, his descending ability and his experience to win the stage by 15 seconds.  With time so important he forsook the traditional two armed victory, instead pedaling across the finishing line at full speed.  Only after stopping the clock did he flash the universal sign for feeling okay about his race.  The 15 seconds ahead of the charging contenders and the additional 10 second time bonus for winning the stage put Cadel into the Ochre Jersey of race leader of the Tour Down Under.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by visiting my artist website, www.greigleach.com, or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2297229---194179/Painting.html#.UuHjXs8o7IU

Tour Down Under: Fighting It Out, Stage 3

Cadel Evans went into the stage with a plan and a team that helped him realize his goal.  Having used the rest of BMC to push a super high pace up Corkscrew Hill it was left to him to launch the final attack before the summit of the climb.  When he went it was only Richie Porte that could hang onto his wheel, initially helping with the pace setting.  But in the end, it was Cadel that rode the complete peloton off his wheel, not only up the hill but down as well.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by visiting my artist website, www.greigleach.com or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get this small piece of the Tour Down Under.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2297219---194179/Painting.html#.UuHgdM8o7IU

Tour Down Under: Shepparding Cadel, Stage 3

Those who don't understand the ins and outs of bike racing do realize how much of a team sport it actually is.  BMC showed that they had a plan and the team to make it work today.  They were able to put rider after rider on the front to push the pace and rid rider after rider from the contention.  Here it is the Swiss rider, Moribito, bending himself inside out for his team leader, Cadel Evans as they storm up Corkscrew Hill.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by visiting my artist website, www.greigleach.com   Or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  While you are there, why not look around at all of the cycling art on offer.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2297201---194179/Painting.html#.UuHd_88o7IU

Tour Down Under: Flying Across the Line, Stage 2

With Greipel out of the picture due to a puncture and the GC men trying to gain seconds in real time and bonus seconds, Diego Ulissi was able to get the jump on everyone.  He even had enough time to throw out his arms in a victory salute as he glided across the line.  Hidden by this view is Cadel Evans slidding in ahead of the Ochre Jersey of race leader, worn by Simon Gerrans.  Gerrans' third place was enough to keep in the leader's jersey.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by visiting my artist website at www.greigleach.com, or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2296423---194179/Painting.html#.UuCslc8o7IU