Milano Sanremo: On the Final Climb

Having watch Paris Nice this scene felt all too familiar.  Here was the peloton with Christophe Laporte (Jumbo-Visma) was driving the pace up the Poggia de Sanremo in hopes his team leader, Wout Van Aert would be able to get away from the field behind.  Instead it was Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) that was the first to attack as his teammate Diego Ulissi finished his turn driving the pace.  At first it was just Michal Kwiatkowski (Ineos-Grenadiers) who could go with the two time winner of the Tour de France.  However, this attack, and the next two were pulled back by Wout Van Aert and the rest of the peloton.  It was beginning to look like it was going to be a small bunch sprint of the elites of the peloton sprinting for victory on the Via Roma.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

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Paris Nice, Final Stage: Do Some Work!

After sprinting away from the peloton with the help of his teammate, Jarlinson Pantano (Trek Segafredo), Alberto Contador quickly caught up with the large break away that was just up the road.  He was able to slip up to the front of the group and use them to slow down Sergio Henao's chase.  Contador started to get a bit frustrated as the break away simply jumped onto the Spaniard's wheel and didn't contribute to the effort.  He repeatedly turned around to gesture to those following to come forward and do a pull.  On his wheel was Marc Soler (Movistar) who wasn't about to help Contador put time into his team leader, and I doubt Nicolas Edet (Cofidis) had much to offer.  Finally, the UAE Abu Dhabi riders, Simone Petilli and Diego Ulissi came to the front to give a bit of a break to the gesticulating Spaniard.

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.

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Paris Nice, Stage 7: Trading in the Maillot Jaune

Julian Alaphilippe (Quickstep) was unable to go with the big accelerations from the domestiques of Sergio Henao (Sky) and Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo).  He quickly lost contact with the main peloton and had his faithful assistant, David de la Cruz to help him limited his losses.  Alaphilippe could take some comfort from knowing that his teammate Dan Martin was still hanging tough with the heads of the climbing state.  He can find further comfort in realizing that while he may not keep the Maillot Jaune, he will be holding the Maillot Blanc since the next closes in that classification has already been dropped.  Joining the Quickstep duo, but not offering any assistance, were Nicolas Edet (Cofidis) and Diego Ulissi (UAE Abu Dhabi).  Ulissi had been on the front of the race at the bottom of the climb, but just couldn't hold onto the peloton as it sped past.

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.

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Paris Nice, Stage 7: In Pursuit

This trio comprised of Cyril Gautier (Ag2r La Mondiale), Quentin Pacher (Delko Marseille Provence KTM) and Diego Ulissi (UAE Abu Dhabi) were trying to chase down the lone Frenchman who was just up the road.  The three certainly had the advantage of numbers now that the four had reached the valley roads ahead of the final climb up the Col de la Couillole.  Unfortunately for them, the peloton wasn't far behind, and all of the General Classification were looking to use the mountain top finish to put time into their rivals.

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.

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Tour Down Under: Sprinting for Seconds

With Laurens De Vreese (Astana) up the road, there were only a couple of bonus seconds up for grabs at the intermediate sprint out on course.  Last year the race was decided by only two seconds, so any chance to grab a few seconds are well worth the effort.  The winner of stage 1, Caleb Ewan (UniSA-Australia) claimed the best of the rest slot, 2 seconds and some valuable points in the sprinters jersey competition (the red jersey he is currently wearing).  Race leader, Jay McCarthy (Tinkoff) bedecked in Ochre nabbed third and a single second.  While being attentive Diego Ulissi (Lampre-Merida) could only manage a fourth place at the line, so he was unable to add any bonus seconds to his second place overall.

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.

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Tour Down Under: The Throw for the Line

Once Peter Kennaugh (Team Sky) had jumped it was up to the others to chase the British Champion down.  The first to set off in pursuit were Jay McCarthy (Tinkoff) and Rohan Dennis (BMC).  Diego Ulissi (Lampre-Merida) left it just a little to late, almost catching the fading McCarthy at the line.  With McCarthy's win, he claimed the Ochre Jersey of overall leader, with Ulissi and Rohan following the winner of the stage on the line and in the GC.  Unfortunately for Orica-GreenEdge, Daryl Impey tangle handlebars with an Astana rider and went down taking out Simon Gerrans and a number of others in the peloton.  All were given the same finishing time, but it was the bonus seconds that established the new General Classification order.

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.

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Giro Stage 7: No Time to Celebrate

Most stages end with a happy, triumphant victory salute to the crowds.  However, there are occasions when the sprint is so hotly contested that the victor has no time to raise his arms in celebration.  Diego Ulissi (Lampre Merida) had to content himself with the traditional salute after he had secured the victory.  He just held off Juan Lobato (Movistar) although he did have a bigger advantage over Manuel Belletti (Southeast) and Enrico Battaglin and Sonny Colbrelli both of Baridani-CSF.  I have lost count of how many stages have been taken by an Italian, but they are certainly making a strong showing at their home Tour.

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 particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.  Do act quickly to get your own piece of the 98th Giro d'Italia.

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Giro Stage 3: Two Italians

Stage 3 of the 98th Giro was the first to feature a Category 2 climb and it was a very short day in the saddle.  The peloton had only to cover 136 kilometers of a rather jagged terrain, the last 20 of which were almost pancake flat.  After a flurry of attacks, a rather large break away of roughly twenty riders formed off the front of the Tinkoff Saxo lead peloton.  With such a big group, it was inevitable that some of its members would try to scurry up the road on their own.  This pair of Italians, comprised of Diego Ulissi (Lampre Merida) and Davide Villella (Cannondale Garmin) dreamed of giving a second stage win to the home country.

This is an original small watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  They are a small family owned art supply company located in Wisconsin.  The painting is also available for purchase through my artists website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 98th Giro d'Italia.  International shipping is available.

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Liege Bastogne Liege: Up the Early Climb

The 101st running of the Liege Bastogne Liege included the requiste early breakaway.  This one was comprised of eight riders (although not are were visible).  They are hitting the second of the ten categorized climbs that faced the peloton as they covered the 253 kilometers of the French speaking section of Belgium.  The organizers of the race cruelly loaded all most all of the climbs in the back end of the race, including eight of the climbs in the last eighty kilometers of the day's racing.  Thousand upon thousand of loyal cycling fans turned out to cheer on their heroes and foes alike with the largest numbers lining the climbs like the Cote Saint-Roch.  Mainus Minaard (Wanty Groupe Gilbert) follows Diego Ulissi (Lampre Merida) and Otto Vergaede (Topsport Vlaaderen) up the short steep climb with the rest of the break blending into the throngs yelling their encouragements (or swigging their beers).

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 most of my cycling art 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.

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Giro d'Italia Stage 12: Driving for Every Second

With the roads trying out, double stage winner, Diego Ulissi (Lampre-Merida) was able to post a time under 58 minutes over the 41.9 kilometer hilly course.  Realizing that he was close to taking over the stage lead, Diego pushed himself to his limit and managed to take over the lead by 50 seconds.  The problem with the Time Trial is that the rider with the best time has to wait as each subsequent racer crosses the line to see if his time will stand.  This also takes away the victorious arms in the air salute unless of course the best time is placed by the Maglia Rosa (the last rider on the road).  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.

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Giro d'Italia Stage 8: Out of the Pack

The last two kilometers of stage eight were about heart breaking almosts and the thrills of victory.  First it was Arrendondo (Trek Factory Racing) first getting caught and then dropped by Pierre Rolland (Europcar), next it was the remaining peloton catching Rolland inside of 2 kilometers left to race.  As to the thrilling victories, it was Diego Ulissi (Lampre-Belisol) just nosing out Robert Kiserlovske (Trek Factory Racing), the Croatian National Champion, hoping for a stage win and to atone for Arrendondo coming up short.  But perhaps more importantly, it was Cadel Evans (BMC) that will be starting Stage 9 in Lugo with the Maglia Rosa upon his very clever shoulders.  So while the Pink moves from Orica GreenEdge to BMC, it will still be on the shoulders of an Australian cyclist.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase from my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the Giro d'Italia for only $50 USD.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Tour Down Under: Porte Gives It a Go, Stage 2

With just one kilometer left to go, Richie Porte tries to jump away to regain the four seconds that he lost in stage one however, Orica-Greenedge, Hass and Ulissi weren't having any of it.  They quickly jumped on to his wheel and neutralized the attack.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by visiting my artist web site at www.greigleach.com.  Or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your original cycling art.

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Tour Down Under: Showing the Home Colors, Stage One

Wearing the Australian National Champion Jersey that he had won just two weeks earlier, Simon Gerrans takes the sprint ahead of the powerful Andre Greipel (Lotto) and Steele Van Hoff (Garmin) with Diego Ulissi (Lampre) pulling fourth in the finale of the first stage of the Tour Down Under.  I think the Gerrans surprised even himself by getting around Greipel who had a great lead out and the early jump.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that you could call your own by visiting my artist website at www.greigleach.com or you could follow the direct link at the end of this post.

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