Giro, Stage 6: Down the Other Side

I am convinced the race organizers picked this climb just for this piece of architecture on the descent of Fuscaldo.  They also padded the stone walls with some bright orange pads - they remind me of gym mattes from my high school days long, long ago.  Given the speed the break away was reaching on the descent, a mistake without the pads could be fatal, even with them it wouldn't feel great.  On the climb Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo) had sacraficed himself for his teammate, Jasper Stuyven.  Simone Andreetta (Bardiani-CSF), Lukas Postlberger (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Silvan Dillier (BMC) were still with the man from Trek-Segafredo.  I often wonder how much of the gorgeous scenery the racers are able to enjoy.

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/2965097-40-235247/PaintingDown-the-Other-Side-G17-41.html

Giro Stage 8: The View from the Back

Most of the peloton is working way too hard to be able to take in the incredibly beautiful surroundings that they labor through.  I didn't catch the name of this Cathedral, I hadn't decided to capture the peloton spinning by the edifice until after the TV Broadcast had told me all about it.  I do enjoy the travelogue aspects of the Grand Tours almost as much as I enjoy the racing.  Well honestly, I enjoy the racing considerably more that the scenery, but it is nice to see.  Jussi Veikkanen (FDJ), the National Champion of Finland, seems to be spending his entire Giro hanging around the back end of the peloton.  Perhaps he is using this Giro to prepare for the Tour de France.

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.  They are a lovely small family run art supply company that has some of my favorite media.  The painting is also available for purchase 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, these are original one of a kind paintings and when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2555142---184157/Painting.html#.VVfcDCFViko