Tour Down Under Stage 5: Enjoying the Pain

It takes a certain kind of man (or woman) to be a successful professional cyclist.  One asset is the ability to embrace the pain of an all out effort, to almost enjoy the pain.  Jack Bobridge (UniSA-Australia) hit the bottom of Willunga Hill with just over a minute and a half on the chasing peloton.  If he could crest the top of the very steep climb ahead of the rest he should gain enough King of the Mountain points to lay claim to the KOM Polka Dot jersey on the final day of the Tour.  His only worry was Rohan Dennis (BMC) gaining any points on either ascent of the big climb of the Tour Down Under.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  If you enjoy reading about bike racing with the accompanying watercolors, please check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France".  It is available world wide and can be ordered from the publisher's website, http://www.dementimilestonepublishing.com/#!book-de-tour/c1nth.

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Tour Down Under Stage 5: Shake Hands & Sling 'Em

As they approached the first ascent of Willunga Hill, the three man break had already lost Jordan Kirby (Drapac) mainly due to the hard pace being set by Jack Bobridge (UniSA-Australia).  Bobridge has stated his intention to try for the Hour Record one week after the end of the Tour Down Under.  Today's stage was an excellent chance to both train for the attempt and to secure his King of the Mountains Jersey.  His compatriot, Gregory Henderson (Lotto Soudal) reached back to shake Bobridge's hand, as he too, realized he could no longer hold the pace.  Henderson's parting gesture included a Madison Sling, a hold over from the duo's days on the track.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  If you enjoy reading about bike racing with the accompanying watercolors, please check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France".  It is available world wide and can be ordered from the publisher's website, http://www.dementimilestonepublishing.com/#!book-de-tour/c1nth.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2501188---194179/Painting.html#.VMPWR9g5DIU

Tour Down Under Stage 5: Way Off the Front

The early break of the day, started by Jordan Kirby (Drapac), went as soon as the start flag dropped at the end of the neutral roll out.  Even though the participants were facing the longest stage in the 2015 Tour Down Under, Gregory Henderson (Lotto Soudal) and new home town hero, Jack Bobridge (UniSA-Australia) quickly joined Kirby in the small break away.  Bobridge was hoping to get to the top of the first trip up Willunga Hill first ensuring his hold on the King of the Mountains Jersey all the way to the end of the Tour.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  If you enjoy reading about bike racing with the accompanying watercolors, please check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France".  It is available world wide and can be ordered from the publisher's website, http://www.dementimilestonepublishing.com/#!book-de-tour/c1nth.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2501186---194179/Painting.html#.VMPTWtg5DIU

Tour Down Under Stage 4: Coming Back to the Fold

Each stage of this year's Tour Down Under has been progressively tougher for a break away to get away or to succeed.  Today, it took quite a bit to get a four man break going.  One of those in the break was the first wearer of the Ochre Jersey, Jack Bobridge (UniSA-Australia).  Here, Bobridge is dropping back to the peloton having gained his objective for the day.  By being the first over the only categorized climb of the day, he is now the leader of the King of the Mountains competition on the road.  Since there are no more rated climbs on the road to Mount Barker, he will be pulling on the KOM jersey on the podium this evening. 

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 is 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.  If you are enjoying reading about this Tour, please check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France" available online world wide.  Google the title to find out where you can purchase your copy without having to pay international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2500578---194179/Painting.html#.VMH11tg5DIU

Tour Down Under Stage 3: Keeping Up the Pace

Jack Bobridge (UniSA-Austalia) has been very attentive at the business end of the peloton in his Ochre Leader's Jersey.  He is being shepherded by a teammate as he mixes it with Team Sky and Astana.  Bobridge has enjoyed his days in Ochre, but with a very sharp rise right at the finishing line to end the stage, he may be hard pressed to not pass it to the shoulders of another competitor. 

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that 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.  If you enjoy reading about important bike races this way, be sure to check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France."  The book is available world wide, just google the title to find an online store where you won't have to pay international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2500056---194179/Painting.html#.VMCVMk05DIU

Tour Down Under Stage 1: Punching the Air

It was Jack Bobridge (UniSA-Australia) who managed to get the jump on his breakaway companions using a small little rise to launch his attack almost in the shadow of the sprint trains of the peloton.  With his win at the line, taking the first intermediate sprint and being the first over the only climb of the day, he will be pulling on at least three leader's jerseys on the podium this evening.  But it will be the Ochre Jersey of race leader on his back at the starting line for Stage 2 of the Tour Down Under.  Not bad for the hometown boy.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available for purchase (only $50 USD) through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

If you are enjoying the artwork on this blog (and the writings too) please check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France"  You can find the book through most online stores throughout the world, just google the title to learn where you can get your copy.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2499424---194179/Painting.html#.VL8PTk05DIU

Tour Down Under Stage 1: Getting Twitchy

Surprisingly, it appears that the peloton missed the formula that would catch the break away before the line.  Instead the four, that had gone from the very first kilometer of the stage were still away with less the 500 meters to the line.  The more experience Mazim Belkov (Katusha) and Lieuwe Westra (Astana) goofed, ending up on the front of the foursome, snapping their heads around trying to see which Aussie was going to jump first.  For his part, Jack Bobridge (UniSA-Australia) kept an close eye on the fast approaching peloton.  This game of high speed chess was watched from the back of the motorcycle of the neutral service vehicle, the duo ready to loan a wheel should anyone have a very poorly timed flat tire.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  If you would like to get this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

If you are enjoying this cycling art, you may be interested in checking out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France".  Google the title to find where you can get the book near you.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2499420---194179/Painting.html#.VL8MNE05DIU

Tour Down Under Stage 1: Over the Top

With only one categorized climb in the opening stage of the Tour Down Under, whoever got over Checker Hill first would be wearing the King of the Mountains Jersey tomorrow.  With such a coveted prize on offer, the breakaway tabled its cooperative spirit as they neared the top of the climb.  Luke Durbridge (Orica GreenEdge) launched the first attack, but it was his countryman, Jack Bobridge (UniSA-Australia) that had the legs to get over the crest and under the Subaru banner first.  With nearly twenty kilometers left to go to the line, the pair of Aussies waited for the other two before racing down the other side of the hill.  With the steep descent it was looking like there was a chance that the breakaway may have a chance.  This is an original small watercolor and ink painting that is available for purchase through my artist website, www.greigleach.com   To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

If you like the paintings you see here, be sure to look into my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France" available online and in bookstores around the world.  Just google the title to find in near you.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2499416---194179/Painting.html#.VL8JEk05DIU

Tour Down Under Stage 1: At the Beginning

The Santos Tour Down Under and the 2015 ProTour Road Racing season is now underway.  Stage One was lit up from the drop of the flag with a three man break away that included, Lieuwe Westra (Astana), Maxim Belkov (Katusha) and Jack Bobridge (UniSA-Australia).  The trio was quickly joined by the Australian on the other Australian team, Luke Durbridge (Orica-GreenEdge).  The now quartet never build up more than a minute and a half on the peloton, so it looks to be a mass mad dash down to the finish line off of the only categorized climb of the day.  This is an original small (4"x6") 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 many other pieces of original 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. 

If this appeals to you, be sure to take a look at my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France" available world wide.  Just Google it to find out where you can buy a copy.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2499294-31-30-194179/Painting.html#.VL7Ymk05DIU

Volta Catalunya Stage 3: Chatting on the Way Up

Another stage means another early breakaway up the road.  This group of six got away at the nine kilometer mark and built themselves an advantage of slightly over ten minutes.  I think the peloton was too concerned with trying to stay warm then they were with chasing down the break.  Jack Bobridge (Belkin Pro Cycling) having been the first over the first climb of the day was checking with the team car and his director sportif, to see how he should go about winning the KOM points over the beyond category climb of the Alt de La Creueta.  With that win he would be ensured the King of the Mountains Jersey at the end of the stage.  He is joined by Michel Koch (Cannondale), Rudy Molard (Cofidis) Branislav Samorlov (CCC-Polstage Polkowice), Andrey Zeits (Astana) and Kevin Reza (Europcar) on their collective effort to steal the stage from the GC contenders.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  In addition, this (and all of my cycling art postcards) is available from my artist website, www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting you can follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2335647-56-54-195767/Painting/Sports.html#.UzOIrMvD_IU

Giro Day Six: The Catch Is Here

The fate of almost every break away is to be caught and the earlier it forms, the smaller the group, the surer it is to be reeled back in.  Cameron Wurf of Cannondale and Jack Bobridge of Team Blanco put in a valiant effort, but it was to be a day for the sprinters and no break away was going to spoil that.  So the peleton sucked them up with 25 kilometers left to race.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and is available for sale at my artist web site.  Just follow the link at the end of this post to get your original art of the 2013 Giro d'Italia. 

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2149233---184157/Painting.html#.UZo1s8_D_IU

Giro Day Six: Two Today

Another stage in the Giro d'Italia and another break away, this one was the smallest yet with only these two riders.  Remember Cameron Wurf from stage one (I thought his last name was Wulf), this is him with Jack Bobridge of Team Blanco.  Today's stage also showed the peleton leaving the breakaway hanging out in front. pegged at two and a half minutes.  But when the sprinters decided it was time, you know what happened.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and is available for sale on my artist web site.  Just follow the link at the end of this post and make this your very own.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2149179---184157/Painting.html#.UZmYp8vD_IU