Vuelta, Stage 17: I Flicked My Elbow

I should explain the title.  When a rider is either ready to pull off of the front, or is trying to encourage those behind to take over the pace making, he will flip his elbow out to the side as a signal for those behind to move forward.  When I am on group rides I will usual tap my butt to indicate the same intention, but the pro peloton is moving a lot quicker and sometimes it is unwise to remove a hand from the handlebars.  Stefan Denifi (Aqua Blue Sport) has just swung off of the front on the first of the two climbs of the day, and seems a bit displeased with how long it is taking Daniel Moreno (Movistar) to take over the pace making.  On the Spaniard's wheel is Julian Alaphilippe (Quickstep), Alessandro de Marchi (BMC) and finally, Magnus Cort (Orica Scott).

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/Vuelta-2017/3030088-37-239162/PaintingI-Flicked-My-Elbow-V-38.html

Fleche Wallone: Take This One!

Even the best riders and mechanics can't keep things from going wrong.  Dan Moreno (Movistar) managed to snap a chain while passing through the town of Huy for the first time.  The Italian let his team car know what the problem was via radio and then pulled off to await a new bike.  The entire team in the car jumped out to get Moreno another bike an get him back racing as quickly as possible.  With another 60 kilometers left to race, it was certain that Moreno would be back in the peloton in support of his team leader, Alejandro Valverde.

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.

With the start of the Giro d'Italia, I will be crowd funding my third cycling art book through Kickstarter.  Please feel free to become a follower of this blog to be informed of the project and your chance to participate in helping to make it happen.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/2952533-398-195767/PaintingTake-this-One!-FW17-2.html

Giro d'Italia Stage 11: Looking to See Who's There

With the peloton closing in on the final climb four of the fourteen in the early break went out on the attack.  The other Irishman still in the break, Nicholas Roche (Tinkoff-Saxo) was the first to go and was then joined by Daniel Mareno (Katusha), Georg Preidler (Giant Shimano) and Barbin (Bardiani CSF).  With 8 kilometers of climbing ahead of them, there was a real chance to put in some time to those behind.  After the crest of this climbe up Naso di Gatto, the rest of the stage was all down hill, so if you had a minute or two at the summit, there was a very good chance of a stage victory.  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 painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But while you are there, why not take the time to browse through the rest of the cycling art on offer?  All of the small watercolors are only $50 USD.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2367699---198213/Painting.html#.U32BG8_D_IU

Volta Catalunya Stage 3: The First to Attack

Once Kevin Reza (Europcar), the last of the early break was picked up, it was time for the counterattacks to start.  The first out of the group was another Europcar rider, Pierre Rolland.  His move was quickly covered by Andrew Talansky (Garmin Sharp) and although you can see him behind Andrew, Jakob Fuglsang (Astana).  This attack was watched carefully by the faithful lieutenant of Roaquim Rodriquez, Daniel Moreno (Katusha).  Katusha had worked way to hard for the Spaniard to let anyone steal the stage he had marked as his.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available from my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this painting follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2335659---195767/Painting.html#.UzOTm8_D_IU