Tour, Stage 14: Reducing the Group

With such a large group off of the front, some of the riders get frustrated with others not doing their share of work.  The easiest way to correct the problem in a large group is to attack them on a climb.  That is just what Gorka Izaguirre (Bahrain-Merida), the Spanish National Champion, did.  He was joined near the summit of the Col du Pont sans Eau by Tom-Jelte Slagter (Dimension Data) and Jasper Stuyven (Trek-Segafredo).  Slagter was the one to get over the climb first, where he pressed on his advantage for another 46 kilometers hoping to solo to victory in Mende.

Apparently, the fans had been shamed about what had happened on Alpe d'Huez where a fan's camera caught the handlebars of Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain Merida) and threw him to the tramac.  He got up and finished the stage, but then learn he had broken a vertabrae in the crash.  Today the fans stood well back from the riders and enjoyed the racing without influencing it.

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

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2018/3191766-76-251072/PaintingReducing-the-Group--T18-75.html

Tour, Stage 9: Getting There First

This pair decided they would be better of hitting Sector 6 without the rest of the early break.  So Damien Gaudin (Direct Energie) and Reinardt Janse van Rensburg (Dimension Data) headed onto the Pont Thibault a Enevelin off the front of the scattered peloton.  You may notice that this banner is a different color scheme than the one I painted for Sector 14.  The difficulty of each pave section is color coded to let the riders have some idea what they are about to deal with.

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

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2018/3187642-44-251072/PaintingGetting-There-First--T18-44.html

Giro, Stage 6: All Who Matter

This vastly reduced peloton was chasing the even more drastically reduced break away up the final kilometers of the Etna climb.  At this point all of the big names (and GC contenders) were still together, including the Maglia Blanco of Maximilian Schachman (Quick Step), my hometown boy, Ben King (Dimension Data), the Maglia Rosa of Rohan Dennis (BMC) and Fabio Aru (UAE Team Emirates) in his Italian National Champion jersey.  The big M is on the back of Richard Carapaz (Movistar).  The others who are odds on favorites are leading this group, but not really readable in this painting.

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

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/101st-Giro-dItalia/3161026-28-249297/PaintingAll-Who-Matter--G18-28.html

Paris-Roubaix: Hoping to Get There First

If it is racing, it is an early break away.  Today it was a group that swelled to nine riders that build up an eight and a half minute lead on the rather relaxed peloton.  That would all change as soon as the first of the 29 sections of pave were reached in Troisvilles just another nine kilometers up the road.  A couple of those at the back of the group included the Swiss National Champion, Silvan Dillier (Ag2r La Mondiale), Marc Soler (Movistar), Jay Thomson (Dimension Data) and Ludovic Robeet along with his teammate JImmy Duquenny (WB Aqua Protect).  With a single day race, the rules of thumb go out the window when it comes to a break's success or eventual failure.

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

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3141631-405-195767/PaintingHoping-to-Get-There-First-PR18-1.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 6: What Can We Do?

Finally, it was this duo of Logan Owen (EF Education First-Drapac) and Ben O'Connor (Dimension Data) who got a solid lead on the peloton.  Their two minute lead also meant that they sucked up all of the bonus seconds out on course all put ensuring that Daryl Impey (Mitchelton-Scott) would go out the over all winner of the 20th Tour Down Under. 

Owen appears to be asking O'Connor whether they should continue with the effort or admit defeat to the closing peloton.  Or perhaps he was asking if the Dimension Data man had any power left in his legs, since Owen left on his own on the next lap.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. To purchase this artwork, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3099886-116-194179/PaintingWhat-Can-We-Do?-TDU18-29.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 6: Hoping to Get Away

With a very tight race in every competition except the King of the Mountains, today's circuit race through downtown Adelaide should be a "real ripper," to use the venacular.  The first group to open up a gap on the peloton was this quartet comprised of Antoine Duchesne (FDJ), Nans Peters and Pierre Roger Latour (Ag2r La Mondiale) and  Ben O'Connor (Dimension Data).  With bonus seconds on offer at the intermediate sprints, Mitchelton-Scott would love for a group to get established and help make sure that no one could grab time on the Ochre Jersey of their man Daryl Impey. 

Apparently after this group swelled in numbers, the peloton decided this was not the break they wanted.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. To purchase this artwork, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3099884-114-194179/PaintingHoping-to-Get-Away-TDU18-27.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 5: Looking for the Top

As the break started up the penultimate climb of Willunga Hill (and of the day and the Tour Down Under), it was the leader of the King of the Mountains, Nicholas Dlamini (Dimension Data) that was battling it out for points with Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal) and Scott Bowden (UniSA-Australia).  The effort was being watched intently by the race commisare sticking his out through the roof of the following car. 

When I titled this piece I didn't know just how prophetic I was being.  As they approached the banner that had marked the KOM points line in every previous stage, De Gendt motioned for Dlamini to go ahead and claim the points.  After apparently giving Dlamini enough points to secure the jersey, De Gendt pressed on crossing the line at the top of the mountain (that would be the finishing line next time up) first.  It turned out that was where the KOM points were awarded placing Dlamini second over the summit.  It may not effect the final destination of the jersey, but it shouldn't have happened.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. To purchase this artwork, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3099763-111-194179/PaintingLooking-for-the-Top-TDU18-24.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 3: At It Again

The duo of Scott Bowden (UniSA-Australia) and Nicholas Dlamini (Dimension Data) went off the front of the peloton at the first kilometer for the third day running.  Dlamini was searching for more King of the Mountain points to further secure his Subaru KOM polka dot jersey.  Bowden was proving that the non Pro Tour team has every right to be in the Tour Down Under, and that they can light up the race.  Once Dlamini had claimed maximum points he quickly dropped back into the fold.  With the excessive heat even the South African saw no reason to work any harder than necessary.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. To purchase this artwork, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3099367-104-194179/PaintingAt-It-Again-TDU18-11.html

Vuelta, Stage 12: Slipping Away

With Morkov's attack neutralized, it was the young Australian, Brendan Canty (Cannondale-Drapac) who was the next to put in a go off the front.  More than half of the break had been dropped alredy on the Puerto del Torcal, so it was only Omar Fraile (Dimension Data), Tomasz Marczynski (Lotto Soudal), Pawel Poljanski (Bora Hansgrohe) and Jose Joaquin Rojas (Movistar) who could stay on the young man's wheel.  With 23 kilometers left to race, it seems as though it is down to one of these five.

With the troubles that Canty's team are experiencing, it would be great to grab a bit of glory in the Vuelta.  The team has lost a major sponsor and is currently running a crowd funding drive on Indiego.com.

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-2017/3024523-12-239162/PaintingSlipping-Away-V-13.html

Vuelta, Stage 10: Who's Coming?

After a rather long break, I'm back.  I watched the Tour and the first week of the Vuelta, but I have just today picked up my pen and brush to paint racing again.  I needed the break.  But I did miss the thrill of painting the racing as well as being more connected to the world wide cycling community.

So with the first rest day of the Vuelta completed and my rather longer rest months done, it is time to paint (and race) again.  Jacques Janse Van Rensburg (Dimension Data) attacked on the final climb of the stage.  He is looking back over his shoulder in hopes of being joined by some of the others in the early, rather large, break of the day.  One should always be careful of what you wish for.

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-2017/3022829-1-239162/PaintingWho's-Coming-V-2.html

Giro, Stage 18: Warring Kings

Mikel Landa (Sky) started the day in the Maglia Azzurro of the King of the Mountians competition, but Omar Fraile (Dimension Data) wanted it back.  As the pair neared the summit of the second climb of the day, the Passo Valparola, Landa opened up a sprint for the top.  Fraile was able to stay with the Spaniard, and get around him to take the maximum points.  It is going to be harder to overtake Landa's lead in the competition however.

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 racing of the 100th Giro d'Italia, I am crowd funding my third cycling art book through Kickstarter.  I could use your support in helping this book get made, please consider backing the project here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/art-of-cycling-100th-giro-ditalia.  This will be just one of the hundred plus paintings that will be included. With Kickstarter, if there is not a 100% funded, no one is charged a dime, and the project recieves 0% funding.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/100th-Giro-dItalia/2972244-117-235247/PaintingWarring-Kings-G17-125.html

Giro, Stage 15: Joining the Party

As the leaders on the road past the 30 kilometer banner, the original leaders were joined by Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana) and Pierre Rolland (Cannondale-Drapac).  With the addition of the two new men, the break began to open up a bit larger gap on the peloton behind.  They were further aided by a reduction in speed by the peloton.  On the previous descent, Nairo Quintana (Movistar) had crashed. As is often the case in professional cycling, the maglia rosa of Tom Dumoulin (Team Sunweb) slowed the pace of the peloton to led the Colombian back onto the back of the group before resuming full speed racing.

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 racing of the 100th Giro d'Italia, I am crowd funding my third cycling art book through Kickstarter.  I could use your support in helping this book get made, please consider backing the project here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/art-of-cycling-100th-giro-ditalia.  This will be just one of the hundred plus paintings that will be included. With Kickstarter, if there is not a 100% funded, no one is charged a dime, and the project recieves 0% funding.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/100th-Giro-dItalia/2970708-97-235247/PaintingJoining-the-Party-G17-105.html

Giro, Stage 15: Leading the Break Away

These are the three that pressed on off the front of their chasing break away companions.  It felt like Jacques Janse van Rensburg (Dimension Data) let the break all of the way up the climb of Miragolo san Salvatore.  On his wheel is the second rider from FDJ to make it into a break away on this stage, Rudy Molard.  Behind him is one of the climbing domestiques for Team Sky, Philip Deignan.  The vehicle behind them is the Vittoria Neutral Service car, who is ready to aid any of the riders who have a mechanical.  Because of the proximaty of the chasers and the peloton, the team cars of those in this group are as much as five minutes behind and would be unable to provide timely aid to their guys, so it falls on the neutral service to aid the break if necessary.

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 racing of the 100th Giro d'Italia, I am crowd funding my third cycling art book through Kickstarter.  I could use your support in helping this book get made, please consider backing the project here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/art-of-cycling-100th-giro-ditalia.  This will be just one of the hundred plus paintings that will be included. With Kickstarter, if there is not a 100% funded, no one is charged a dime, and the project recieves 0% funding.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/100th-Giro-dItalia/2970706-96-235247/PaintingLeading-the-Break-Away-G17-104.html

Giro, Stage 14: Those That Got Away

Finally, these three were allowed to flee the peloton.  But they weren't given much of a leash, never gaining more than two minutes on the attentive peloton behind.  The stage was very flat now, but you and the trio of Natnael Berhane (Dimension Data), Sergey Lagutin (Gazprom-Rusvelo) and Daniel Martinez (Wilier-Triestina) can see the mountians on the horizon.  As describe the announcers at the start of the broadcast, the stage look like a hockey stick on its edge, the blade sticking up in the air.  At that is what the stage will be, a climb up the blade into the thin air of a mountian top finish.

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 racing of the 100th Giro d'Italia, I am crowd funding my third cycling art book through Kickstarter.  I could use your support in helping this book get made, please consider backing the project here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/art-of-cycling-100th-giro-ditalia.  This will be just one of the hundred plus paintings that will be included. With Kickstarter, if there is not a 100% funded, no one is charged a dime, and the project recieves 0% funding.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/100th-Giro-dItalia/2970188-87-235247/PaintingThose-That-Got-Away-G17-95.html

Giro, Stage 13: Almost a Day Off

Between the flatness of the stage and the relatively slow pace of the peloton, Omar Fraile (Dimension Data) must have felt like he was having a day off.  With no climbs nor King of the Mountain points on the stage, he knew that his Maglia Azzurro would be on his shoulders for at least one more day.  Although, right now he is having to speed through the team car caravan to get back up with the accelerating peloton after having a flat tire.

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 racing of the 100th Giro d'Italia, I am crowd funding my third cycling art book through Kickstarter.  I could use your support in helping this book get made, please consider backing the project here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/art-of-cycling-100th-giro-ditalia.  This will be just one of the hundred plus paintings that will be included. With Kickstarter, if there is not a 100% funded, no one is charged a dime, and the project recieves 0% funding. 

The computer gremlins have returned to my website.  Please email me at greigsart@gmail.com to puchase this painting for only $75 USD, shipping extra, and I ship anywhere in the world.

Giro, Stage 11: Finishing It Off

It is truly impressive that Omar Fraile (Dimension Data) was able to recuperate from his early efforts in the break away, pull even in King of the Mountain points and still take the stage victory at the end of the day.  Fraile out smarted Rui Costa (UAE Emirates) who claimed second.  They were followed home by Pierre Rolland (Cannondale-Drapac) in third, Tanel Kangert (Astana) in fourth, and Ben Hermans (BMC) in sixth.  All in all, it was a great day of racing, that saw some movement in the general classification.  And yet, the top spots of the leader board all stayed as they were at the start of the day.

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 am crowd funding my third cycling art book through Kickstarter.  I could use your support in making this book get made, please consider supporting the project here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/art-of-cycling-100th-giro-ditalia.  This will be just one of the hundred plus paintings that will be included.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/100th-Giro-dItalia/2968108-80-235247/PaintingFinishing-It-Off-G17-81.html

Giro, Stage 11: Out Front, Again

Earlier, both Mikel Landa (Sky) and Omar Fraile (Dimension Data) had been caught by the chasing group.  While Landa went on out the back once he was caught, Fraile hung tough with the group.  After recovering from his earlier effort, he was able to join the attack of Rui Costa (UAE Team Emirates).  In turn, they were joined by Pierre Rolland (Cannondale-Drapac).  Now the three were descending off of the final climb of the day hoping to hold off those behind.  It seemed clear now that the group of GC contenders riding with the Maglia Rosa, would never see the front group again.

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 am crowd funding my third cycling art book through Kickstarter.  I could use your support in making this book get made, please consider supporting the project here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/art-of-cycling-100th-giro-ditalia.  This will be just one of the hundred plus paintings that will be included.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/100th-Giro-dItalia/2968104-79-235247/PaintingOut-Front,-Again-G17-80.html

Giro, Stage 11: The Open Road

This pair had slipped away from the rather large break at the base of the second of four climbs on the day.  It was a bit of a surprise for me to see a Team Sky rider in the break, but then they have had to rethink their normal way of racing since Blockhaus.  It was Mikel Landa (Sky) who had nothing but open road ahead of him with Omar Fraile (Dimension Data) on his wheel.  The two had pried a two minute gap on their former break away companions and over five minutes on the group containing the Maglia Rosa.

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 am crowd funding my third cycling art book through Kickstarter.  I could use your support in making this book get made, please consider supporting the project here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/art-of-cycling-100th-giro-ditalia.  This will be just one of the hundred plus paintings that will be included.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/100th-Giro-dItalia/2968091-74-235247/PaintingThe-Open-Road-G17-75.html

Giro, Stage 9: Pushing On

The daily breaks seem to be getting larger and larger.  While yesterday may have been the largest today's collection started as two groups with these guys being out front.  Marco Marcato (UAE Team Emirates) was on the tail of 10 man group.  Iljo Keisse (Quickstep) was the next rider, most likely there to watch the others and be ready to help the Maglia Rosa - Bob Jungels - later on.  One of the others near the rear end is Omar Fraile (Dimension Data).  The break was trying to keep the chasers from joining them since Pierre Rolland (Cannondale-Drapac) was in their number.

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 am crowd funding my third cycling art book through Kickstarter.  I could use your support in making this book get made, please consider supporting the project here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/art-of-cycling-100th-giro-ditalia.  This will be just one of the hundred plus paintings that will be included.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/100th-Giro-dItalia/2966815-57-235247/PaintingPushing-On-G17-58.html

Giro, Stage 4: Not Amused

The duo of Jacques Janse Van Rensburg (Dimension Data) and Jan Polanc (UAE Team Emirates) vied to be the first to summit the Portella Femmina Morta.  Van Rensberg had the lead and drifted towards the barriers closing the door for Polanc to get through.  Perhaps the move kept Polanc from taking the climb, most likely he wouldn't have gotten it regardless.  Polanc reached out a pushed Van Rensburg over and exchanged a few displeased words with his rival.  The pair argued most of the way down the climb, but then got back to working together to stay away from the peloton.

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 am crowd funding my third cycling art book through Kickstarter.  I could use your support in making this book get made, please consider supporting the project here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/art-of-cycling-100th-giro-ditalia.  This will be just one of the hundred plus paintings that will be included.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/100th-Giro-dItalia/2964143-25-235247/PaintingNot-Amused-G17-25.html