Hour Record: The Record & More

Wow!  Jens Voigt, at the end of his career, is the new holder of the Hour Record.  He covered 51.115 kilometers in one hour.  He managed to cover one and a quarter kilometers more than the previous record.  With the new record, he has ensure that his name will appear in a very important list of impressive men on two wheels.  He accomplished this feet the day after he turned 43 years old.  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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2438730---195767/Painting.html#.VBuQmM_D_IU

Hour Record: Almost Home

Jens Voigt, as he reached the final fifteen minutes of his effort, actually began to turn in even faster laps.  He, and his coaches, had worked out that he needed to keep turning laps under 18 seconds for the total 199 laps it would take to tie the record.  With the hour almost over, he had sped up from 17.5 seconds to a couple that were less than 17.  After the very first lap, that included getting the single big gear to turn over, he never once went over 17.9 seconds with most laps logging in below 17.5.  Not bad for the old man of our beloved sport!  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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2438724---195767/Painting.html#.VBuOT8_D_IU

Hour Record: 45 More Minutes

Voigt was riding solid on the bike, turning in laps under 18 seconds, the magic number that would lead him to success.  When in the peloton, he is a rider known for fighting his machine and himself, trying to get every second out of the cranks.  Today he was rock solid in his tuck, laser focused on holding a clean line and a perfect aerodynamic tuck.  At 15 minutes into the effort, he had already picked up 15 seconds on the existing record, barring having gone out to hard at the start, he was on his way.  This is an original small watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  International shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2438704---195767/Painting.html#.VBuLns_D_IU

Hour Record: Awaiting

Jens Voigt, not one to go quietly into the night, set out today to set a new Hour Record in the National Velodrome in Switzerland.  Voigt has raced his last road race earlier this year in the USA Pro Challenge in Colorado, narrowly missing a stage win in two different break aways on two different stages in the race.  Knowing the spirit of the oldest man in the 101st Tour de France, it should come as no surprise that he hoped to end his professional racing career on a high note.  This is an original watercolor and ink small painting created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  In addition the painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com, with international shipping available.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2438700-116-114-195767/Painting/Sports.html#.VBuI6M_D_IU

US Pro Challenge Stage 7: Zipping Along

In a repeat of is break away efforts of stage 4, Jens Voigt (Trek Factory Racing), was off the front in hopes of ending his professional racing career with a final race victory.  Today he had the company of four others.  He did attack that group, too, with only Javier Mejias (Team Novo Nordisk) able to catch the wheel of the fast disappearing German.  The pair managed to hold off the charging peloton until the start of the final or bell lap of the downtown Denver, Colorado circuit.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this 4"x6" watercolor painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Remember, this is a first come first served sale of artwork, so don't delay!

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/US%20Pro%20Challenge%202014/2424534---201508/Painting.html#.U_rBYM_D_IU

US Pro Challenge Stage 7: Skirting the Mountains

The break having lost one of its fold powered south along the edge of the Rocky Mountains before swinging through Golden, Colorado, for the first of two trips through town.  The road down from Boulder is beautiful, long, straight and surprisingly flat.  The big man, Jens Voigt (Trek Factory Racing) swings off of the front, passing the task of breaking the wind to Jesse Anthony (Optum).  The eleven man group was building a good gap over the BMC lead peloton by working together, each taking their fair share of time with their noses in the wind.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular 4"x6" painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But while you are at the website, why not browse all of the artwork on offer.  International shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/US%20Pro%20Challenge%202014/2424524---201508/Painting.html#.U_q3RM_D_IU

US Pro Challenge Stage 7: Where Else Would He Be?

Jens Voigt (Trek Factory Racing), as everyone in and out of cycling most likely knows, would be retiring from the sport at the end of today's racing.  While many would just pedal around the course, Voigt set off in the early bread with every intention of winning the final stage of his final race.  He spent most of the day on the front driving the pace of the twelve man break.  Two of his break away compatriots where Reuben Zepuntke (Bissell Development) and Cameron Wurf (Cannondale), they had to be struggling to hold the wheel of the extremely motivated German.  Wurf later dropped off the pace to be there to help the Cannondale sprinter, Elia Viviani, in hopes of getting him over the only climb of the day.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from the family run art supply company, Jack Richeson & Co., www.richesonart.com.  This painting, and indeed all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this 4"x6" painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/US%20Pro%20Challenge%202014/2424522-33-30-201508/Painting/Sports.html#.U_q01c_D_IU

US Pro Challenge Stage 6: One Last Ramp

Jens Voigt (Trek Factory Racing) has been doing quite a number of things for the last time this season.  This race is no exception.  I am sure he was happy to be doing his very last individual time trial.  When I raced, I dreaded the time trial, and I wasn't very good at it either.  Voigt is not a time trial specialist, but as he showed in stage 4, he as the power to sustain an incredible amount of effort at maximum speed.  With this long drag up the pass outside of Vail, Colorado, it would require just that amount of effort to carry the day.  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, a family run artist supply company in Wisconsin, www.richesonart.com.  They are great people who sell some fabulous art materials.  This painting is available (as is all of my cycling art) through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this 4"x6" painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But don't delay, the art is sold on a first come first serve basis.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/US%20Pro%20Challenge%202014/2423880---201508/Painting.html#.U_lOs8_D_IU

US Pro Challenge Stage 4: Thanking His Fans

When asked if he would be given an honorary lap of the Champs Elysees before riding his final stage of the Tour de France, Jens Voigt replied, "Honor in cycling is not given, it is earned."  Today he was not given a stage victory and he came 750 meters short of earning the victory as well.  Just as he attacked on the Champs Elysees, but did not win the stage.  However, he has won the hearts of cycling fans around the globe, and today reached out, high fiving scores of those along the side of the road as he rolled towards the finishing line behind the peloton.  Once he had been caught, there was no reason to keep racing.  He will need a very long arm indeed to high five all of those who are fans of this senior statesman of cycling.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this 4"x6" painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Be warned, this is a first come first served chance to own one of the last paintings done live from Jens Voigt racing.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/US%20Pro%20Challenge%202014/2423516---201508/Painting.html#.U_e-xM_D_IU

US Pro Challenge Stage 4: One for His Fans

Jens Voigt (Trek Factory Racing) went to the sign in board with a variation to his team's jersey.  Written in a lovely script were the words, "Thank you, fans!"  It was a lovely sentiment from a pro of 17 years who knows were the support ultimately comes from.  He may have planned to combine the jersey with the actions he has now set into play.  With the ascent up into the Garden of the Gods, Voigt quickly got a sizable gap on the break away and set off in search of the stage victory that would cap an already brilliant career.  Voigt has said that he wanted to leave racing while he was still competitive and he certainly proved his capabilities in the final lap of the Colorado Springs circuit.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this 4"x6" painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/US%20Pro%20Challenge%202014/2423500---201508/Painting.html#.U_e12s_D_IU

US Pro Challenge Stage 4: Attacking the Break

Two members of the early break had marked this day on their race books as a day they could make something happen.  Ben Jacques-Magnes (Jamis) felt sure he could take back his King of the Mountains jersey that he surrendered to Tejay van Garderen the day before.  With Tejay racing for Yellow, he was interested in the KOM points or being in the break away.  Jens Voigt (Trek) is racing his last professional race and wanted to go out with a victory.  The day's short climbs, twisty roads and sections of open flat stretch were well suited to a man of Voigt's talents.  The pair attacked their break away companions on the final ascent in the Garden of the Gods that would award KOM points, Jacques-Magnes for the points, and Voigt as a perfect launch pad for an attempt for a solo run to the finish.  The fly to the line was quite similar to his opening stage of the 101st Tour de France.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com  To purchase this painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But while you are there, why not take the time to browse all of the art on offer?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/US%20Pro%20Challenge%202014/2423498---201508/Painting.html#.U_ezkM_D_IU

US Pro Challenge Stage 1: Less Than Amused

The very select peloton was about to let Jens Voigt (Trek) steal their thunder and pulled the strong man back into their midst.  Although most of the true sprinters and three quarters of the riders in the race, were dropped in the chase of the fabled German.  With his teammate Janier Alexis Acevedo (Garmin Sharp) on the front, Tom Danielson gestured angerly for something.  Most likely he wanted more of his teammates on the front so he could gain as much time as possible.  Tucked onto his wheel was most of BMC, bringing their man and defending champion of the race, Tejay van Garderen into the business end of the petite peloton.  Van Garderen had Peter Stetina and Michael Schar, both of whom had shepherded the American through the most recent Tour de France.  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 purchase this painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/US%20Pro%20Challenge%202013/2421476---201508/Painting.html#.U_MHj8_D_IU

US Pro Challenge Stage 1: Leaving the Kids Behind

Jens Voigt (Trek Factory Racing) has been doing quite a few things for the last time this his final season.  One of those things is this race.  This will be his final professional race before he hangs up his tubulars and hangs out with his kids.  However I doubt it will be the last time we see him attack the peloton over the seven days of the US Pro Challenge.  Voigt had gone solo to bridge up to the lone figure of Ben Jacques-Maynes (Jamis) but then just kept going.  With just one more climb and the descent into Aspen, he could well have been riding for the first Yellow Jersey of the race.  Voigt is old enough to be the father of a large percentage of this peloton, but he is still racing with the enthusiasm of youth combined with the wisdom of old age.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this painting you can follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/US%20Pro%20Challenge%202013/2421468---201508/Painting.html#.U_ME2M_D_IU

Tour Final Stage: Racing His Final Stage

Jens Voigt (Trek Factory Racing) had announced that he was retiring after the Tour de France.  The 42 year old German has ridden in, and completed, 17 Tours de France, a most astonishing accomplishment.  When he was interviewed, he was asked if there would be any move by the peloton to honor him, giving him a lap on the front of the race, his response, "Honor in cycling is not given, it is earned," may well have been him telling us that he was planning to attack.  After Sylvain Chavanel (IAM Cycling) had been pulled back into the fold, Voigt went off of the front as he swung around the L'Arc de Triomphe.  The strong man may have been the one to make the audacious move stick, but again, the sprinters wanted there day in Paris.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  This painting will be one of the complete collection of my paintings of the 101st Tour de France that will be included in my soon to be self published "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book, to pre order your copy, or to discover how you can be a part of bringing the art of the Tour de France to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some excellent incentives to encourage you to pledge your support on Kickstarter (a crowd funding site) including an artist signed copy for only $25 USD, international shipping is available.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But don't you want all of the paintings collected together into a book?  Of course your do!

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2409026---199992/Painting.html#.U9WfqMvD_IU

Tour Stage 1: Shut Up Legs!

Jens Voigt (Trek Factory Racing) decided the only way he was going to achieve his goal of pulling on a Polka Dot Jersey at the end of the stage was to rid himself of his break away companions.  So using the intermediate sprint as a launch pad, tricking Nicolas Edet (Cofidis) and Benoit Jarrier (Bretagne-Seche) into thinking he would sit up after winning the sprint, he went off on his own in search of the final two categorized climbs on the day.  Voigt is a favorite rider amongst the peloton and cycling fans worldwide, partly due to his slogan painted on the top tube of his frame, "Shut Up Legs".  Trying to solo to victory on the stage, I am sure he told his legs to shut up more than once.  This is an original small watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  It will also be included in my self published "Book de Tour".  To learn more about the book, to pre-order and to be part of bringing the project to life, please visit, https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour  To purchase this painting from the 101st Tour de France, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2396566---199992/Painting.html#.U7hcd8_D_IU

Tour Stage 1: Getting the Point

With just a single King of the Mountain point on offer at the top of Craig Hill, it was a aggressive sprint to the summit.  Unfortunately for Jens Voigt (Trek Factory Racing) the two young Frenchmen proved to quick for the senior campaigner.  Ultimately it was Benoit Jarrier (Bretagne-Seche) getting the first virtual lead in the Polka Dot Jersey competition over his countryman, Nicolas Edet (Cofidis).  The Tour has four races within the race, the Maillot Jaune , or Yellow Jersey, is for the least overall time, the Green Jersey is for the points leader, the Polka Dot Jersey for the rider who gains the most King of the Mountain points and the White Jersey for the best placed young rider under 25.  Of course there is always the race for the stage victory, too.  This is an original small watercolor and ink painting that is available for purchase at my artist website, www.greigleach.com   To buy this piece of the 101st Tour de France, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  This painting, and all of my painting of this Tour will be presented in a self published book, "Book de Tour" if you would like to be a part of bringing this book to life and to pre-order your own copy please visit my Kickstarter fundraising site at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2396556---199992/Painting.html#.U7hVs8_D_IU

Tour Stage 1: From the Opening Kilometer

The 101st Tour de France got underway in Leeds after stopping in front of Harewwod House to be officially opened by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.  After chatting with the royals and the cutting of the ceremonial ribbon by Duchess Kate, the riders pulled on their helmets and shortly got to the business at hand.  From the very moment the start flag was dropped, Jens Voigt (Trek Factory Racing) attacked the peloton, bringing Nicolas Edet (Cofidis) and Benoit Jarrier (Bretagne-Seche) along with him.  Voigt is the oldest man in the race, closing in on 43 years old.  He is an inspiration to us old guys and the rest of the cycling world.  This is an original small watercolor and ink painting (4"x6") 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 piece of the 101st Tour de France, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  This painting, and all of the works of the 2014 Tour will be presented in a soft cover 11"x8 1/2" book entitled "Book de Tour",  you currently have the opportunity to support the creation of the art at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some fabulous incentive packages to help make this book a reality.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2396554-1-0-199992/Painting/Sports.html#.U7hSEs_D_IU

Dauphine Stage 3: Counter Attack

Once the peloton was all back together, Jens Voigt (Trek Factory Racing) - you know, the man of 'Shut Up Legs' fame - saw his chance to attack the peloton in the narrow twisting streets of this picturesque river town.  Voigt's attack came with 20 kilometers to go and another seven riders eventually bridged across to the elder statesman of pro cycling. Trek Factory Racing was hoping to get a stage victory with Jensie having had their designated sprinter crash out of the race early in the stage.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available through a quick three day auction on ebay.  To bid on this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

This painting is sold!

Volta Catalunya Stage 6: Attacking from the Back

The break away worked well because all nine riders worked hard and together to stay away from the peloton, but once they were inside of the last 10 K of the 172 kilometer stage the attacks began.  The commentators were surprised that it was the senior of the group, Jens Voigt (Trek Factory Racing) who fired the first volley across the others collective bow.  Jens rolled through his turn to the back of the group and then surprised everyone by jumping from the back where no one could see him until he was up to full speed.  Once he had attacked and been caught it was all bets off with attack after attack coming from most of the riders in the break.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by being the first to visit my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this painting follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2337541---195767/Painting.html#.Uze7DM_D_IU

Volta Catalunya Stage 6: Cap de Cursa

Another stage, another break away, but this one had a few extra things in its favor.  First it was a large group of nine riders, two, while they were strong the best placed rider was over eight minutes behind the race leader and, three, nine of the 22 teams in the race were represented in the group.  So this group was off with some big break away riders including the old man of the peloton, Jens Voigt (Trek Factory Racing) Pierre Rolland (Europcar) and Rudy Molard (Cofidis) and an up and coming Aussie, Damian Howson (Orica GreenEdge).  Maybe today will be the day that the peloton never sees the riders in the break until they are all back at the hotel.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that has been created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com  In addition this, and all of my cycling art in this blog, are available from my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2337533-69-66-195767/Painting/Sports.html#.Uze2pM_D_IU