US Pro Challenge Stage 7: Zipping Along

In a repeat of is break away efforts of stage 4, Jens Voigt (Trek Factory Racing), was off the front in hopes of ending his professional racing career with a final race victory.  Today he had the company of four others.  He did attack that group, too, with only Javier Mejias (Team Novo Nordisk) able to catch the wheel of the fast disappearing German.  The pair managed to hold off the charging peloton until the start of the final or bell lap of the downtown Denver, Colorado circuit.  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" watercolor painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Remember, this is a first come first served sale of artwork, so don't delay!

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/US%20Pro%20Challenge%202014/2424534---201508/Painting.html#.U_rBYM_D_IU

US Pro Challenge Stage 7: Dishing Out the Hurt

As the peloton went up the final climb of the 2014 US Pro Challenge, Phil Liggett was saying he didn't understand why Garmin Sharp had put most of the team on the front to drive the pace on the way up Lookout Mountain.  It was his partner, Paul Sherwen, who knew that the boys in blue would want to eliminate as many sprinters as possible on the step climb on the outskirts of Golden, CO.  Phillip Gaimon and Gavin Mannion are looking back down the mountain to see if they have shucked Cannondale and their sprinter, Elia Viviani.  Without the fast Italian, Garmin felt sure their man Alex Howes would be able to get the win he so narrowly missed on the opening stage of the race.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website, www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this 4"x6" painting for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post. 

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/US%20Pro%20Challenge%202014/2424526---201508/Painting.html#.U_q6DM_D_IU

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 6: Ripping It Up

Tom Danielson (Garmin Sharp) had his work cut out for him on the penultimate day of the US Pro Challenge.  Danielson started the day just off of the podium in 4th place and trailing the race leader by just over a minute and a half.  Danielson has gone faster than Tejay van Garderen on this very course, but to gain that much time, he will have to count on an extraordinarily bad ride on the part of wearer of the yellow jersey.  The Garmin Sharp rider certainly was doing his part, at the first time check he went through with the new best time, 26 seconds faster than the current stage leader, Mick Rodgers (Tinkoff Saxo).  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 for just $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/US%20Pro%20Challenge%202014/2423884---201508/Painting.html#.U_lVS8_D_IU

US Pro Challenge Stage 6: One Last Ramp

Jens Voigt (Trek Factory Racing) has been doing quite a number of things for the last time this season.  This race is no exception.  I am sure he was happy to be doing his very last individual time trial.  When I raced, I dreaded the time trial, and I wasn't very good at it either.  Voigt is not a time trial specialist, but as he showed in stage 4, he as the power to sustain an incredible amount of effort at maximum speed.  With this long drag up the pass outside of Vail, Colorado, it would require just that amount of effort to carry 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 and Company, a family run artist supply company in Wisconsin, www.richesonart.com.  They are great people who sell some fabulous art materials.  This painting is available (as is all of my cycling art) 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.  But don't delay, the art is sold on a first come first serve basis.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/US%20Pro%20Challenge%202014/2423880---201508/Painting.html#.U_lOs8_D_IU

US Pro Challenge Stage 5: Commiserating

Tejay van Garderen (BMC) soft pedaled after crossing the line in Breckenridge chatting with Rafal Majka (Tinkoff Saxo) most likely about just how miserable the stage was.  In Colorado, the rain is always ice cold, so combining that with temperatures in the high 40's Fahrenheit, the pair who sit in first and second overall shared a moment of relief to be done with the day.  Tejay's teammate, Ben Hermans lost time and his third place overall on his descent off of the big pass of the day which aloud Tom Danielson (Garmin Sharp) to move on to the current podium in third place.  He lost 5 seconds to this pair ahead of tomorrow's time trial up the Vail Pass.  This is a small watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this 4"x6" painting for $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  There are three years of cycling art to choose from there as well.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/US%20Pro%20Challenge%202014/2423746---201508/Painting.html#.U_jYvM_D_IU

US Pro Challenge Stage 5: Whipping Through Town

It was a miserable day for racing in Colorado today.  It was equally miserable for the commentators and spectators who had no video coverage to watch.  The images are caught several ways all effected by the weather.  Helicopters that fly above the peloton not only couldn't see the riders due to the cloud cover peaks, they couldn't see the peaks themselves, not exactly the safest way to fly.  Without the transmitters in the sky, the images from the motorbikes were not visible either.  So it wasn't until the leaders swung through the town of Breckenridge, pass the stationary cameras did we get to see the rather wet, chilled men of the break away. The four to summit the high pass then dropped like stones into town before heading out for another climbing loop.  Janier Acevedo (Garmin Sharp) led his teammate, Ben King along with Laurent Didier (Trek) and Rob Britton (Smart Step) through the ski resort town in front of hundreds of rain soaked enthusiastic fans of cycling.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Co., www.richesonart.com.  This painting, and 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%202014/2423728---201508/Painting.html#.U_jTZc_D_IU

US Pro Challenge Stage 4: Attacking the Break

Two members of the early break had marked this day on their race books as a day they could make something happen.  Ben Jacques-Magnes (Jamis) felt sure he could take back his King of the Mountains jersey that he surrendered to Tejay van Garderen the day before.  With Tejay racing for Yellow, he was interested in the KOM points or being in the break away.  Jens Voigt (Trek) is racing his last professional race and wanted to go out with a victory.  The day's short climbs, twisty roads and sections of open flat stretch were well suited to a man of Voigt's talents.  The pair attacked their break away companions on the final ascent in the Garden of the Gods that would award KOM points, Jacques-Magnes for the points, and Voigt as a perfect launch pad for an attempt for a solo run to the finish.  The fly to the line was quite similar to his opening stage of the 101st Tour de France.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com  To purchase this painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But while you are there, why not take the time to browse all of the art on offer?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/US%20Pro%20Challenge%202014/2423498---201508/Painting.html#.U_ezkM_D_IU

US Pro Challenge Stage 4: Can I Get a Drink?

Daniel Summerhill (UHC) may have been channeling his inner bar fly as he raised his bottle aloft to let the race referee and his team car know that he wanted another drink.  It is one way to catch a busy bartender's eye, lifting you bottle in the air, a universal sign for I want another, please.  While you will see the same gesture in the ProTour races, here it is more important as the teams are without radios to let their needs be known.  Summerhill and eleven others form the sizable break away on the circuit race around Colorado Springs and the Garden of the Gods.  Some of the other riders included Wesley Sulzberger (Drapac), Ben Jacques-Magnes (Jamis) and the irrepressible Jens Voigt (Trek).  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.  In addition this painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com and to get this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/US%20Pro%20Challenge%202014/2423468---201508/Painting.html#.U_elEc_D_IU

US Pro Challenge Stage 3: Taking It All

The pair that came together to the line on Monarch Mountain, had been the protected riders for their respective teams, both hit the front hard and sprinted together for the summit.  However the day and the stage were to go to the celebratory Tejay van Garderen (BMC), he had gotten enough separation to take over the lead in the race and had garnered enough KOM points to take the jersey from Ben Jacques0Magnes (Jamis).  Rafal Majka (Tinkoff Saxo) did not gain any jersey or stage wins to add to his palmares, but he did move himself into second place in the overall with Tejay's teammate, Ben Hermans just a second behind him.  Tom Danielson (Garmin Sharp) lost time but still managed to hold fourth place overall.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But while you are at the website, why not take the time to look at all of the cycling art that is on offer.  There is quite a few paintings from the 2014 ProTour season still available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/US%20Pro%20Challenge%202014/2423144---201508/Painting.html#.U_a5_c_D_IU

US Pro Challenge Stage 3: One After the Other

Every rider aspiring to wear the Yellow Jersey knew that they had to attack the defending champion, Tejay van Garderen (BMC) if they wanted to have a chance to still be in the lead after the uphill time trial to Vail on Saturday.  First it was Mick Rodgers (Tinkoff Saxo), then the Colombian pair, followed by another Tinkoff Saxo man, Bruno Pires.  Finally, Tom Danielson (Garmin Sharp) decided he had to be aggressive to get the better of the man currently in the royal blue jersey of the best place Colorado native, van Garderen.  The BMC leader was fortunate to have such a strong teammate to do the quick chasing in the form of Ben Hermans, not that Tejay was having any problems pulling the attackers back.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/US%20Pro%20Challenge%202014/2423132---201508/Painting.html#.U_a2r8_D_IU

US Pro Challenge Stage 3: Pushing on Alone

On the final climb of the day, up the Monarch Mountain, Mick Rodgers (Tinkoff Saxo) went off hoping to repeat his mountain top stage win in the Pyrenees in this year's Tour de France.  He had bested Tejay van Garderen (BMC) on that stage, and figured he would have no problem achieving that feat again.  With Rodgers up the road, Tinkoff Saxo had another card to play back in the select peloton with the winner of the King of the Mountains of the Tour, and the winner of the Tour of Poland, Rafal Majka.  As the Australian toiled up the long 6% climb he had only the neutral service moto and the race escorts for company on the wide open roads of Colorado.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this painting for only $50 USD (+ shipping) just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/US%20Pro%20Challenge%202014/2423124---201508/Painting.html#.U_ap3M_D_IU

US Pro Challenge Stage 3: The Top of the Pass

Stage 3's elevation map showed the riders going almost straight up from the beginning of the stage, down the other side and then right back up again.  Ben Hermans (BMC) went out early so he could be out front to help his team leader, Tejay van Garderen later on.  He was the first to crest the first King of the Mountain point on the top of Monarch Pass, with van Garderen's main rival, Tom Danielson (Garmin Sharp) stuck onto his wheel.  The US Pro Challenge uses a variation of the Tour de France's Polka Dot Jersey of the KOM leader.  The one in Colorado is a pattern of ever smaller white dots on a red field as opposed to the even pattern of red polka dots on the white jersey of the Tour.  However neither of these guys are after the jersey currently worn by Ben Jacques-Magnes (Jamis).  Danielson is out to win the race overall.  This is an original small watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Co. (www.richesonart.com) a small North American family run art supply company.  The painting is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But while you are at the website, you should take the time to browse all of the art on offer.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/US%20Pro%20Challenge%202014/2423122-12-6-201508/Painting/Sports.html#.U_anSM_D_IU

US Pro Challenge Stage 2: Despite It All

Despite all of the drama of stopping the race, the slippery descent off of Kaliber Pass into Crested Butte, it was still Robin Carpenter (Hincapie Sportswear) who raised his arms in a joyous victory salute on the summit of Mount Crested Butte.  Two others profited, Tejay van Garderen (BMC) was able to put time into the rest of the favorites and Alex Howes (Garmin Sharp) took over the Yellow Jersey.  Oddly the stoppage in the valley became the final times for the riders on the stage which I am sure further angered the riders who had just raced hard up the short steep climb.  Carpenter had the stage win either way the first to reach the neutralization point and the first to reach the finish line.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  If you would like to purchase this painting follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/US%20Pro%20Challenge%202013/2422538---201508/Painting.html#.U_VWPc_D_IU

US Pro Challenge Stage 2: Grabbing a Drink

Just a few atypical aspects of this painting, usually road races are conducted on paved roads and despite the quality of its surface, this remains a dirt road.  The other deviation is team cars without the full tricked out paintjobs showing logos, team names and the principle team sponsors.  I assume it was to expensive to bring cars from Europe for the ProTour teams or it was just a chance for a car company to participate as a sponsor.  The latter seems to be the case given the descriptions of the vehicles given by Phil Liggett at some part of each broadcast.  Regardless, the sports director still hands bottles out of the car this time to the inaugural King of the Mountains' Jersey wearer, Ben Jacques-Magnes (Jamis-Hagens Bergman).  The jersey was won on his break away in the opening stage of the Challenge and is being further solidified today.  The only thing that may rain on his parade are the darkening clouds gathering on the horizon.  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.  They are only $50 USD, plus shipping.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/US%20Pro%20Challenge%202013/2422516---201508/Painting.html#.U_VPzs_D_IU

US Pro Challenge Stage 2: Looking Around

As the road up to the pass got steeper and steeper, the leading group got smaller and smaller.  Michael Torckler (Smart Step) and Jai Crawford (Drapac) had put in a hard acceleration and now are looking around to see who they had gotten rid of.  Just behind the pair is the current holder of the King of the Mountains Jersey, Ben Jacques-Magnes ( Jamis Hagens Bergman).  He in turn is followed by the referee and time keeper motorcycles, and then it is the splintered remnants of the early break.  Fortunately the rain has not yet fallen on the hard pack dirt of the 17 mile climb to the summit.  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.  But don't delay, you wouldn't want to miss out on this one of Bridget's favorites.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/US%20Pro%20Challenge%202013/2421862---201508/Painting.html#.U_RAvM_D_IU

US Pro Challenge Stage 2: Policing the Break

With a large break away like this one of twelve riders, there are those that will skip their turns in the wind, not sharing the work load.  After winning the King of the Mountains Jersey, Ben Jacques-Magnes (Jamis) by getting into a break yesterday, felt that it was his job to make sure everyone work.  However, Chris Jones (UnitedHealthcare), who's teammate was in Yellow, felt he deserved a pass, after all, why should he help pull someone else into the overall lead?  This led to a number of hand gestures from Jacques-Manes, but in the end Jones stayed on the end of the group anyway.  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 little 4"x6" painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But while you are there, why not take the time to browse all of the art on offer.  Be warned, there is a lot of art on offer.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/US%20Pro%20Challenge%202013/2421858---201508/Painting.html#.U_Q4Mc_D_IU

US Pro Challenge Stage 1: Leaving the Kids Behind

Jens Voigt (Trek Factory Racing) has been doing quite a few things for the last time this his final season.  One of those things is this race.  This will be his final professional race before he hangs up his tubulars and hangs out with his kids.  However I doubt it will be the last time we see him attack the peloton over the seven days of the US Pro Challenge.  Voigt had gone solo to bridge up to the lone figure of Ben Jacques-Maynes (Jamis) but then just kept going.  With just one more climb and the descent into Aspen, he could well have been riding for the first Yellow Jersey of the race.  Voigt is old enough to be the father of a large percentage of this peloton, but he is still racing with the enthusiasm of youth combined with the wisdom of old age.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this painting you can follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/US%20Pro%20Challenge%202013/2421468---201508/Painting.html#.U_ME2M_D_IU

US Pro Challenge Stage 1: Headed Up the First Climb

The fourth edition of the US Pro Challenge, sometimes referred to as the Tour of Colorado, got underway on the slopes of Snowmass and Aspen.  Daniel Summerhill (UnitedHealthcare) was the first to attack the peloton.  He was joined by seven others including Lachlan Norris (Drapac) and Jonathan Freter (Jelly Belly) among others.  The group set off on the 61 mile circuit race between the two Colorado towns that feature to pretty hefty climbs.  Maybe not as big as the climbs of the Tour de France, but at a much higher elevation.  Aspen sits as high above sea level as most of the summits of Europe and today's King of the Mountain points were another 1,500 feet up.  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 and all of my cycling art is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/US%20Pro%20Challenge%202013/2421456-1-0-201508/Painting/Sports.html#.U_MAQM_D_IU

US Pro Challenge Final Stage: He's Just that Good

Peter Sagan now has more race wins than anyone else on the Pro Tour for this season, grabbing his fourth stage win in the seven stage US Pro Challenge, and one of those seven stages was a time trial.  I am looking forward to the coming years of the young speedster from Slovakia.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by bidding in a short three day auction on ebay.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of Sagan's legacy and the US Pro Challenge.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251326751056