Giro, Stage 11: Driving the Pace

Jeremy Roy (Groupama-FDJ) hit the front to drive the pace for his team leader, Thibaut Pinot.  Thibaut currently sits third on the general classification and is hoping to use the steep climbs at the end of the stage to gain time on the two ahead of him.  With just 7.5 kilometers left to the line in the old town of Osimo, it looks more like a leadout to a sprint stage, not the narrow steep cobbled climbs that await the peloton.

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/3164936-51-249297/PaintingDriving-the-Pace--G18-51.html

Giro, Stage 11: Trying to Get Established

Attack after attack for 25 kilometers and yet the early break away hadn't yet formed,  But it does look like this powerful dual of Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana) and Alessandro De Marchi (BMC).  Behind the early animator of the stage, Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo) was trying to join up with the leaders.  Alas, despite all of his earlier efforts (or because of them) he just couldn't make the jump.  The repeative attacks had set a blisteing pace for the first 25 kilometers of just over 50 kph.  This was setting the stage for the fastest stage of the Giro the day after the longest stage.

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/3164923-48-249297/PaintingTrying-to-Get-Established--G18-48.html

Giro, Stage 10: Trying to Get Across

Recognizing that the race was to be won by whomever was up the road, Alessandro De Marchi (BMC) and Sergio Henao (Sky) went off in hopes of joining those ahead.  Henao may have been trying to re-capture some of the glory that Team Sky had expected to be generated by Chris Froome.  Henao is the National Champion of Colombia, but his jersey his hidden under his dark Sky rain jacket.  Perhaps the same could be said for De Marchi, at least his team leader had possession of the Maglia Rosa for a couple of stages in the first week of the Giro.

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/3163235-46-249297/PaintingTrying-to-Get-Across--G18-46.html

Giro, Stage 9: Opening Up the Sprint

As I just wrote (previous post) Domenico Pozzovivo (Bahrain Merida) and Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) were trading attacks as the finish line approached.  Neither could shake the other, although they had managed to dropped all of the Colombians, as well as most of the pre-race favorites.  The one they didn't drop was Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott).  His final sprint to the line showed that his Maglia Rosa was no fluke.  Simon Yates now has a stage victory and a few more seconds in the lead of the 101st Giro d'Italia.  Pinot took second on the stage but remains in fourth place on the general classification.  Pozzovivo finished the day in fourth, he did managed to move up on the GC.

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/3162426-41-249297/PaintingOpening-Up-the-Sprint--G18-41.html

Giro, Stage 9: Attacking at the Snow LIne

With everyone reeled back in, it was time for the general classification guys to fight it out amongst the snow banks.  Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) and Domenico Pozzovivo (Bahrain Merida) kept trading blows on the final kilometers of the Gran Sasso d'Italia.  The Maglia Blanco of Richard Carapaz (Movistar) attempts to keep pace with the accelerations, with others biding their time, or just trying to hang on.

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/3162402-40-249297/PaintingAttacking-at-the-Snow-Line--G18-40.html

Giro, Stage 9: Mouthing Off

Manuele Boaro (Bahrain-Merida) was clearly annoyed with his fellow break away companions.  An annoyance that seemed not to phase Fausto Masnada (Androni Giocattoli).  Both riders had a teammate in the break and wanted the others to do more work (both hoping to launch their teammates on to the final climb with a sizable lead).  Hugh Carthy (EF Education First) seemed to question the antics of the Italian, some times you just need to race your bike.  I suppose they can be forgive, I am sure they are all exhausted from the day, and from nine days of racing.  Somehow, both Mathias Brandle (Trek-Segafredo) and Simone Andreetta (Bardiani CSF) stayed out of the converstaion, perhaps opting to letting their legs do the talking.

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/3162396-38-249297/PaintingMouthing-Off--G18-38.html

Giro, Stage 9: Here, Take Mine

I wish I had caught who it was that was passing a front wheel to Ruben Plaza (Israel Cycling Academy).  Teammates who are further down on general classification will aid those on the team that have a mechanical.  That is what is going on here, Plaza had a puncture to his front tire so his teammate passed his own over to him.  Plaza quickly got back underway while his teammate awaited the arrival of the Israel Cycling Acadmy team car.  Cycling is, after all, a team sport.

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/3162384-37-249297/PaintingHere,-Take-Mine--G18-37.html

Giro, Stage 8: Having to Chase

With the rains pouring down the mountain side, the peloton could be somewhat happy that they didn't have to race down the mountain.  But that didn't mean that there wasn't risk in the hairpin turns just the same.  A number of riders went down in a corner, most notably Chris Froome (Sky) and his teammate Wout Poels.  Waiting just ahead is Sky armada, David De La Cruz.  Froome was able to rejoin the peloton, but lost a few more seconds against some of his GC rivals.  Even before the 101st Giro d'Italia started, Froome crashed in a training run of the TT course back in Jerusalem.  Nothing serious, but he just seems not to be laser focused for this race.  But then he has been having some distracting issues off of the bike involving the inhaler for his asthma.  But then, it is early days yet.

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/3162090-34-249297/PaintingForced-to-Chase--G18-34.html

Giro, Stage 8: Rising

For once I chose this image to paint because one of the fans at the side of the road.  I was struck by the most enthusiastic baker, still clad in his apron, getting pictures of the break away with his cell phone.  I admit to trying to find an appropriate pun to go with a baker and the break climbing the mountain.  I may not have succeed.  The original group of seven was starting to thin out on the final climb of the day.  At 15 kilometers left to the summit and the end of the stage, it qA mrrwo Montaguti (Ag2r La Mondiale) followed by Jan Polanc (UAE Team Emirates) and Tosh Van Der Sande (Lotto Fix-All).  Each had tried to leave the others, but couldn't succeed.  Meanwhile, the peloton had closed to within a minute and a half.

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/3162087-33-249297/PaintingRising--G18-33.html

Giro, Stage 8: A Job to Be Done

It falls to Mitchelton-Scott to lead the chase by the peloton.  After their succes in stage 6 claiming the stage, the Maglia Rosa and the Maglia Azzurro, they are honor bound to chase down the break away.  And that job through the flat sections of today's stage fell to Svein Tuft and Sam Bewley.  The other teams were happy to let them do the work since Tuft was pulling the seven escapees back second by second.  And it falls to the crowds to cheer their efforts on.

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/3162084-32-249297/Painting-Job-to-Be-Done--G18-32.html

Giro, Stage 8: Seven with Sevens

Okay, this title might be a little bit of a stretch, but...  The early break was comprised of seven men.  All of their bib numbers included the number seven except one, that of bib 44, Matej Mohoric (Bahrain Merida).  Clearly Davide Villella (Astana) is bib 37, led next by Jan Polanc (UAE Team Emirate) bib 207, Tosh Van Der Sande (Lotto Fix-All) bib 107, Matteo Montaguti (Ag2r La Mondiale) bib 17 and Rodolfo Torres Agudelo (Andronni Giocattoli) bib 27.  As the group rode along the coast after the intermediate sprint, they had little time to enjoy the sights of Agropoli.  They did have quite a bit of time on the peloton, with over five minutes on the gruppo Maglia Rosa.

You may have notice, there were no paintings of Stage 7.  Sometimes, life takes over even painting the Giro.  I will be missing a couple of the 21 stages of this race, but I truly enjoy painting and watching this most beautiful of sports.

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/3162081-31-249297/PaintingSeven-with-Sevens--G18-31.html

Giro, Stage 6: Stage for One, Jersey for the Other

The title tells the story.  It was exciting to watch Jhoan Chaves (Mitchelton-Scott) attack the leading group and get away on the final kilometers of the Etna climb. It was strange to watch his teammate, Simon Yates go on the attack from the peloton (or what was left of it).  Normally, a teammate would not risk pulling adversaries up to his man up the road.  Yates, however, was able to go so hard, that no one could catch his wheel.  The Mitchelton-Scott came to the line together, both celebrating.  Chaves made the sign of the cross and Yates raised his arms, seemingly celebrating his teammates stage victory.  But he became the new owner of the Maglia Rosa of race leader and his teammate took the stage.  There will be champagne at the Mitchelton-Scott dinner table tonight!  Chapeau!

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/3161036-30-249297/PaintingStage-for-One,-Jersey-for-the-Other--G18-30.html

Giro, Stage 6: A Little Dig

With riders spread all over the mountain (or should I say volcano), it may have been this trio that fans were most interested in.  With attacks jeopardizing their GC positions and the maglia rosa already dropped, it was Chris Froome (Sky) who had a little dig.  He as hoping to gain some time on Fabio Aru (UAE Team Emirates) and Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb).  In the end he didn't have the legs to get away, in fact, he lost some time against Dumoulin.

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/3161032-29-249297/PaintingA-Little-Dig--G18-29.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

Giro, Stage 6: The First to Attack

It was only a matter of time before the attacks would come from the rather large lead group.  It was Robert Gesnik (LottoNL Jumbo) who jumped clear on the base of the climb to the Etna Observatory.  I never did catch who the Ag2r La Mondiale rider was, but he quciksly slipped back from this group to be absorbed by the chasing peloton.  Gesnik got a good gap, but was quickly pulled back, and spat out the back.  Perhaps he attacked too hard and blew his own legs.

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/3161020-27-249297/PaintingThe-First-to-Attack--G18-27.html

Giro, Stage 6: Cold Drinks, Here!

Think ball park, or football stadium, and the vendors yelling, "Cold beer, here!"   With just under twenty kilometers left to race, the team soigneurs lined out along a straight stretch of road for the riders to take one last bottle for the climb.  Leading the peloton are Jack Haig and Jhoan Chaves (Mitchelton-Scott) followed closely by Sebastien Reichenbach (Groupama-FDJ).  Clearly it was a BMC soigneur looking to pass to his man in the leading group Alessandro De Marchi.

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/3161014-26-249297/PaintingCold-Drinks,-Here!--G18-26.html

Giro, Stage 6: Having to Chase

With the Maglia Rosa on the back of their team leader, Rohan Dennis, it fell to BMC to chase down the largest break of this year's Giro.  With roughly 18 riders up the road, it was going to be a hard chase with a rather large spike in the tail of the stage.  Jurgen Roelandts looks behind to see that he has Francisco Bentoso and Jean-Pierre Drucker on his wheel.  Astana is getting ready to lend a hand in the chase, with Alexey Lutsenko joining the black and red of BMC.  There is still 45 kilometers to catch the leaders, but the last 15 of that is up the infamous Etna volcano.

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/3160760-25-249297/PaintingHaving-to-Chase--G18-25.html

Giro, Stage 5: Looking Around

As they hit the final 500 meters up to the finish line in Santa Ninfa, everyone was still looking around to see who was going to launch first.  Giovanni Visconti (Bahrain-Merida) was the first to jump on his pedals.  But, Enrico Battaglin (LottoNL Jumbo) saw the move and was able to counter his countryman's sprint.  Behind, Domenico Pozzovivo (Bahrain-Merida) was keeping an eye on those who would challenge his teammate.  Behind it was Zdenek Stybar (Quick Step) and Francesco Gavazzi (Androni Giocattoli) who were trying to get into the mix.  At the end of the day, it was Battaglin taking stage 5 with Visconti fading to second place on the day.  Pozzovivo only managed a nineth place finish, but still better than losing time on the day.

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/3160569-24-249297/PaintingLooking-Around--G18-24.html

Giro, Stage 5: Trying It Alone

After chasing down the attack by his erstwhile companion, Laurent Didier (Trek-Segafredo), Andrea Vendrame (Androni Giocattoli) went on an attack of his own.  He left the other three behind and claimed both the final intermediate sprint of the day and maximum points on the category 4 climb of the Poggioreale.  With only 15 seconds on the peloton and another four kilometers to race it was unlikely this attack would stick.  But he has been leading the race for over 190 kilometers thus far.  Behind him, the commissare is watching for the closing peloton and keeping an eye on Vendrame's progress.

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/3160563-23-249297/PaintingTrying-It-Alone--G18-23.html

Giro, Stage 5: Out in the Open

Today's break was the first to have two guys on the same team in it.  The duo of Ryan Mullen (Trek-Segafredo) and Laurent Didier, joined forces with Andrea Vendrame (Andoni Giocattoli) and Eugert Zhupa (Wilier Triestina).  Vendrame went at the drop of the flag at kilometer zero joined quickly by the Irish champion Mullen.  Mullen was pressing on with the attack when he learned that his teammate Didier was trying to come across.  Naturally, he backed off on his effort until the quartet was formed.  Here he is chatting strategy with his director sportif while grabbing a bidon for Didier.

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/3160561-22-249297/PaintingOut-in-the-Open--G18-22.html