Il Lombardia: Get on My Wheel!

Diego Rosa (Astana) was on great form today.  He had repetitively gone on the attack, softening up the others for his team leader, Fabio Aru.  As Aru struggled on the penultimate climb of the rather long day, pulling Davide Villela (Cannondale-Drapac) along with him, Rosa slowed to lend a hand.  Damiano Caruso (BMC) had already been put back into the fold, but others had slipped of the front.  Rosa was there to help put Aru into that group if the pair could manage it.

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/Other%20Cycling%20Art/2860440-27-206768/PaintingGet%20on%20My%20Wheel!%20IL3-Greig-Leach.html#.V_GvqPArLIU

Dauphine, Final Stage: Here We Go Now

If any of the contenders wanted to take the Yellow Jersey away from Chris Froome (Sky) they were going to have to attack on the penultimate climb up the Col du Noyer.  Etixx-Quickstep had been laying the ground work across the valley before turning onto the mountain road, but it was Alberto Contador (Tinkoff) who was the first to strike out in hopes of reclaiming his leader's jersey that he put on after the Prologue.  The first to try to go with the Spaniard was Pierre Rolland (Cannondale), but he just doesn't have Contador's explosive climbing abilities.  Etixx-Quickstep didn't panic, they just kept on keeping on.  Froome didn't react immediately either, but then that is the metronome style of Team Sky.

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.

Be sure to check out my second cycling art book, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships, available online or through your local book seller.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2807371-80-185083/Painting.html#.V12V6fkrLIU

Dauphine, Stage 6: A Very Elite Group

Giving chase to the only two that were still up the road gaining time was a very elite group, a veritable whose who in the 2016 ProTour.  While the threesome on Team Sky was on the front, followed by the duo from BMC were Alperto Contador (Tinkoff) the rest of this prestigious group included Dan Martin & Julian Alaphilippe (Etixx-Quickstep), Diego Rosa (Astana), Daniel Navarro (Cofidis) and Pierre Rolland (Cannondale).  Ironically, both Navarro and Rolland lost the wheels of the group as soon as I completed this painting.  Apparently, Team Sky was upping the ante to be in this elite group.

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/2807224-76-185083/Painting.html#.V1zxYPkrLIU

Dauphine, Stage 2: Let's Go Get 'Em

Looking back over his shoulder, Lilian Caleneiane (Direct Energie) seemed to call to Daniel Teklehaimanet (Dimension Data) and Jack Bauer (Cannondale), "Let's go get 'em!"  The threesome had just been dropped by their earlier compatriots on the climbe up the Cote de Saint Georges-en-Couzan.  Leaving them behind was Alexis Gougeard (Ag2r La Mondiale) and Bartosz Huzarski (Bora-Argon 18).  Teklehaimanet had ridden over the first to climbs claiming maximum points in the King of the Mountain competition, but losing the leaders on the third climb would mean the Eritrean wouldn't claim the Polka Dot Jersey at the end of the day.

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/2804581-48-185083/Painting.html#.V1eQVJErLIU

Dauphine, Stage 1: Scratching His Head

Today's stage was 168 kilometers long, plenty enough time to get rather uncomfortable.  I certainly would be.  Add the distance to the heat of the day and one could find a sweaty head getting rather itchy.  Tom Jelte Slagter (Cannondale) took the calm moments in the peloton to remove his helmet, scratch his head, and then suit back up for battle.  The peloton is full of many nationalities including the Spaniard. Joaquim Rodriguez and his Austrian teammate, Marco Haller (Katusha), riding shoulder to shoulder with Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana) and the Italian on the Spanish team Daniel Moreno (Movistar).  This sport of power, speed, endurance and beauty is truly and international endeavor.

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/2804044-43-185083/Painting.html#.V1ZAxZErLIU

Tour of California, Stage 6: Sprinting Home

Andrew Talansky (Cannondale) must have been given wings by his Stars and Stripes jersey of USA Time Trial Champion.  Talansky was able to just nip the time of his country man, Taylor Phinney (BMC) briefly taking over the lead on the day.  Unfortunately for the American Champion, the Australian Champion was still out on the road.  By the end of the day, Talansky had to settle for second place on the day, but it did help move him up on the general classification.

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.  This painting along with my book, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI World Road Racing Championships," 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.  Remember, it is a one of a kind piece, so once it is sold, it is no longer available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2794064-34-223355/Painting.html#.V0C6pvkrLIU

Tour of California, Stage 3: Second by Second

Cannondale has the Yellow Jersey on the shoulders of one of their teammates, Ben King, so it falls on them to reel the escapes back into the fold. Leading the team is Patrik Bevin, sporting the bandages of a crash early in the stage.  Riding just on their wheels was the team of Evan Huffman, Rally Cycling.  While the man riding in the Polka Dot Jersey and sitting second overall was up the road, it was his team that kept their eye on the boys in green.  I can't really figure out what Rally Cycling's goal was back in the peloton, but Huffman was certainly achieving his up the road.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting measuring 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting (and all of my cycling art and cycling books) are available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting (and yes international shipping is available), just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2792228-11-223355/Painting.html#.VzvDm_mDGko

Tour of California, Stage 2: With Seconds to Spare

On rare occasions the break away actually succeeds, today was one of those days.  Evan Huffman (Rally Cycling) opened up the sprint with about 500 meters left to race, but was unable to hold of the more experienced Ben King (Cannondale) who had the advantage of starting the sprint from behind Huffman.  The pair had wisely not played any cat and mouse games knowing full well that the peloton was in full flight just behind them and gaining on them all the way to the line.  In the end both would have a leader's jersey for their efforts of the day.  Huffman is now the King of the Mountain and King pulls on the Yellow Jersey of race leader.  You can just see the peloton sprinting a mere 8 seconds behind the winning Richmonder.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting measuring 4"x6" that was created live during the race using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art (and two cycling books) are 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%20California/2791616-9-223355/Painting.html#.VzqIz_krLIU

Tour of California, Stage 2: Topping Up

With just over 15 miles left to run to the finish line, the last two from the early break were beginning to think they might have a chance to hold off the charging peloton.  The pair seemed to have work out some sort of alliance over the final summit of the day.  Ben King (Cannondale) seemed to let Evan Huffman (Rally Cycling) claim the final King of the Mountain points, enough points to award him the Polka Dot Jersey at the end of the day.  King reached out to grab a couple of bottles and energy gels for the final assault on the finale of the stage.  At this point the duo had ridden William Barta (Axeon Hagens Berman).  Barta had either flatted or crashed on the final descent, but then managed to catch back up to these two.  However, it seems that the effort left his legs deadened for the final little climb of the day.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting measuring 4"x6" that was created live during the race using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art (and two cycling books) are 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%20California/2791586-8-223355/Painting.html#.VzqFm_krLIU

Tour of California, Stage 2: Across the Valley Floor

True to form, Stage 2 of the Tour of California had its small break away.  At least it was the small one that was allowed to build up a seven minute lead on the peloton.  Earlier, 22 riders had escaped the main body of racers, and that was not allowed to amass any time on the peloton at all.  The foursome included Ben King (Cannondale), who hails from my hometown of Richmond, Virginia, along with Sindre Skjoestad Lunke (Giant-Alpecin), William Barta (Axeon Hagens Berman) and Evan Huffman (Rally Cycling).

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting measuring 4"x6" that was created live during the race using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art (and two cycling books) are 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%20California/2791502-6-223355/Painting.html#.Vzp-vPkrLIU

Tour of California, Stage 1: To Perfection

To quote Paul Sherwin, Peter Sagan (Tinkoff), timed it to perfection.  The World Champion managed to burst out of the back and chase down the sprinting Wouter Wippert (Cannondale) and Dylan Groenewegen (LottoNL Jumbo), to claim yet another victory while wearing the rainbow jersey that he won in my home town of Richmond, Virginia.  Sagan's win will have him trade in his stripes for the yellow jersey of race leader, a jersey that he took home as the over all victor a year ago.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting (only 4"x6") that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  The work, along with the rest of my cycling art and cycling art books, 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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2791112-5-223355/Painting.html#.VznrGvkrLIU

Paris Roubaix: Cobbles & Giants

Paris Roubaix, nicknamed the "Hell of the North," is celebrated (or feared) for its 27 sections of pave (rough cobble stone roads).  Along with this race of deep tradition that started in 1896, are the "Giants of Flanders."  The giants are up to 16 foot tall paper mache puppets or statues that are dressed in traditional farmer's garb.  The passionate French and Belgium fans will line virtually every kilometer of the twisting course from the outskirts of Paris to the town of Roubaix, bringing their giants out to enjoy the giants of cycling.  About to enter the 26th section of pave, (or the second that the riders will traverse) are Gatis Smukulis (Astana) along with Christophe Laborie (Delko Marseille Provence) and Phillip Gaimon (Cannondale).  This threesome are bringing up the rear of the peloton.

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.  In addition this painting, and all of my cycling artwork, 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.

Be sure to discover my most recent book, Art of Cycling: Richnond 2015 UCI Road World Chanpionships.  You can find the book at your favorite online retailer or at www.artofcycling.bike.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2767271-310-195767/Painting.html#.VwsUUPkrLIU

Tour Down Under: Photo Finish

With experience comes skill.  Simon Gerrans (Orica GreenEdge) and Rohan Dennis (BMC) were able to catch the escapees on the descent.  A descent that reached speads in excess of 105 kilometers per hour.  The duo fought all of the way to the line.  So close was their finish that it had to go to the photo finished where it was learned that it was Gerrnas who came from behind to beat last year's winner at the line.  With Gerrans win and the bonus seconds, he will be taking the Ochre Jersey back for the home team.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting created using watercolors from www.richesonart.com and 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.  In addition, be sure to check out my new book, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships" available now at www.artofcycling.bike.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2678358-80-194179/Painting.html#.VqHLjfkrLIU

Tour Down Under: Almost There

It was a surprise to all that the trio of Rohan Dennis (BMC), Richie Porte (BMC) and Simon Gerrans (Orica-GreenEdge) had been dropped by this duo.  Sergio Henao (Team Sky) was a known climber but the Canadian Michael Woods (Cannondale) surprised them all.  The two raced to the summit just around the corner.  The maximum points in the King of the Mountains competition was claimed by Henao, but the pair now had the chance to storm down the other side of the climb all of the way to the finish line and the stage victory.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting created using watercolors from www.richesonart.com and 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.  In addition, be sure to check out my new book, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships" available now at www.artofcycling.bike.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2678319-79-194179/Painting.html#.VqHJAvkrLIU

Tour Down Under Stage 2: Showing the New Colors

The new team of Cannondale-Garmin hit the front of the peloton in force on the final lap around Stirling showing off their new colors and looking for a stage victory to announce their presence in the 2015 ProTour peloton.  The green is certainly bright enough to ensure they won't be missed in the coming months.  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.  While you are there, why not browse all of the artwork on offer, cycling themed and otherwise. 

If you are enjoying discovering the story of this race through these paintings, be sure to discover my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France" available online world wide.  Just google the title to discover where you can order your copy free of international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2499484---194179/Painting.html#.VL_S5k05DIU

US Pro Challenge Stage 7: Where Else Would He Be?

Jens Voigt (Trek Factory Racing), as everyone in and out of cycling most likely knows, would be retiring from the sport at the end of today's racing.  While many would just pedal around the course, Voigt set off in the early bread with every intention of winning the final stage of his final race.  He spent most of the day on the front driving the pace of the twelve man break.  Two of his break away compatriots where Reuben Zepuntke (Bissell Development) and Cameron Wurf (Cannondale), they had to be struggling to hold the wheel of the extremely motivated German.  Wurf later dropped off the pace to be there to help the Cannondale sprinter, Elia Viviani, in hopes of getting him over the only climb of the day.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from the family run art supply company, Jack Richeson & Co., www.richesonart.com.  This painting, and indeed all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this 4"x6" painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/US%20Pro%20Challenge%202014/2424522-33-30-201508/Painting/Sports.html#.U_q01c_D_IU

US Pro Challenge Stage 4: A Perfect Sprint

Nothing is given in the professional peloton, no prizes for a retiring warrior, just hard fast racing in every stage of every race.  Despite all of his effort and the will of nearly every sportscaster, cyclist, racing fan and German, Jens Voigt (Trek) was caught with just 750 meters left to the finish line by the men that wanted to get their sprinter first across the line.  Cannondale had been doing quite a bit of work at the front of the peloton all day to keep the break away in check and had done a heroic effort to catch Voigt by the final kilometer.  Elia Viviani (Cannondale) seemed too far back to be a factor at the outset of the sprint, but then found the wheel of the Hincapie Sportswear man and waited for the right moment to bounce.  Viviani had raced well in the early season, so it was a pleasure to see his excitement with this victory.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this 4"x6" painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post. 

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/US%20Pro%20Challenge%202014/2423514---201508/Painting.html#.U_e8Qc_D_IU

Tour Final Stage: Just One More Time

Every stage of the Tour de France starts with the men wearing the leaders' Jersey lined up in front of the rest of the peloton.  The final stage was no different, Peter Sagan (Cannondale) and Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) have been spending quite a bit of time together at the start of each stage, both have worn their respective Jerseys for nearly every single stage of the 101st Tour de France.  They are joined by the White Jersey of best young rider, Thibaut Pinot (FDJ), just out of frame is Rafal Majka (Tinkoff Saxo) in the Polka Dot Jersey of the King of the Mountains.  The final stage is a chance for everyone to talk, say their farewells and general enjoy themselves.  That is until they swing past the Louvre in Paris and start up the Champs Elysees.  Then it is time to race one more time, every one in the Tour dreams of winning on the famed cobbles in the shadow of the L'Arc de Triomphe and without the need to hold back for another day, it is some full on racing for the fans in Paris.  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, a North American family owned and operated art supply company, www.richesonart.com.  The painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  This work and all of my paintings of the 2014 Tour de France will be included in my soon to be self published "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy, or to discover how you can be a part of bringing the art of the Tour to print, pleas visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some great incentives to get you to back the book starting for as little as $5 USD, everyone who pledges their support will have their name included in print on the Special Thanks page of the book.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But don't you want all of the paintings in a book form?  Of course you do!

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2408998-159-156-199992/Painting/Sports.html#.U9WQbcvD_IU

Tour Stage 18: Parting the Sea

The climbs of the Tour de France are always lined with enthusiastic fans of the sport, many whom have camped for days to see these titans of the sport ride by.  Some have had a bit to drink and will be a little too eager to shout for (or against) the riders as they attempt to part the sea of fans, flags and banners.  Each group of riders will be accompanied by one of the Gendarmes that support and secure the race, using their motorcycles as a rather effective battering ram.  The officer has to stay far enough ahead of the riders so as not to offer a slipstream to shelter the riders, but not so far ahead that the crowd will simply close in back around his motorcycle to get in the face of the struggling riders.  Alessandro De Marchi (Cannondale), Yury Trofimov (Katusha) and Bartosz Huzarski (NetApp-Endura) are the third group to squeeze through the throngs of fans as they approach the summit of one of the monster of the Tour.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  This painting along with all of my artwork of the 101st Tour de France will be included in my soon to be self published tome, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy or to discover how you can be a part of bringing this beautiful race to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  Be sure to check out the generous Backer Rewards for those who choose to pledge their support to the "Book de Tour" project.  If you would like to purchase this particular 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%202014/2407958---199992/Painting.html#.U9HYg8_D_IU

Tour Stage 15: Flurries of Attacks

The peloton had managed to stay together until the reached the edges of Nimes with the rather unusual exception that the two man break was still off of the front and seemingly not very willing to be caught.  As they swung around the traffic furniture, opportunistic riders kept trying their luck at getting away.  Niki Terpstra (OPQS) drove hard to catch up with Daniele Bennati (Tinkoff Saxo) as Peter Sagan (Cannondale) drove on the peloton in hopes of riding them all off of his wheel.  Sagan is still searching for his first stage win in this Tour although he has proven his ownership of the most consistent sprinter's Green Jersey having finished in the top five in all but the mountain top finish thus far.  Bennati had the misfortune of puncturing and had to pull off from his chance of a win.  With Bennati unable to continue Terpstra's chance were rather reduced.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  The painting will appear along with all of my 101st Tour de France paintings into my soon to be self published cycling art book, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your own copy, or to discover how you can become involved in bringing the 2014 Tour de France to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some fabulous incentives for those who choose to back this projects, rewards start at just $5 USD, and you can get an artist signed copy for only $25 USD, any amount contributed will get your name printed on the Special Thanks page of the book, even for just a $1 pledge.  If you would like to purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post, but you know you want a copy of this visual treasure of the Tour too.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2405590---199992/Painting.html#.U8yHy8vD_IU