Giro, Stage 20: Cooked

All of the effort, all of the kilometers, all of the climbs, and all of the attacking yesterday seemed to have finally caught up with Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ).  On the way up the Col Saint Pantaleon the Frenchman seemed to hit a wall.  He was cooked.  One of his teammates got him a bottle from the team car, passed it over, Pinot simply passed it back to the car.  He knew his Giro had ended and he wasn't going to be on the podium after all.  He was escorted through the rest of the stage by Sebastien Reichenbach, Jeremy Roy and Steve Morabito.  Pinot had fought hard for the complete race but sometimes the body says enough is enough.

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/3169671-87-249297/PaintingCooked--G18-91.html

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 15: A Quick Peek

Jeremy Roy (FDJ) takes a quickl peek under his arm to see if the peloton was closing in on this group of escapees.  With the Frenchman are Moreno Hofland (Lotto Soudal), Eugert Zhupa (Wilier-Triestina) - it feels like he has been in every break of the Giro, Jan Barta (Bora-Hansgrohe) and bringing up the rear, Dries Devenyns (Quickstep).  This quintet was able to get a handful of seconds on the peloton, but were eventually reeled back in like several earlier attempts by others.  It seems that yet again, the peloton had a very specific group in mind that they were going to allow to form a break.  This was not one of the groups it had in mind.

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/2970691-93-235247/PaintingA-Quick-Peek-G17-101.html

Giro, Stage 4: Keep Going

Jeremy Roy (FDJ) was one of the riders who went down when the peloton being led by Fernando Gaviria (Quickstep) missed a turning on the course at high speed.  The leading motorcycles went correctly, but the off camber turn and the speed the riders were carrying made Gaviria have to turn left (rather than hit the guard rail. Others went straight into the barrier, or slide their bikes and bodies across the asphalt.  No one was badly hurt but it put a few riders into a panic to get going again.  Roy was given another bike and chased back to help out the team.

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/2964208-27-235247/PaintingKeep-Going-G17-27.html

Tour, Stage 18: Rough Day at the Office

Jermey Roy (FDJ) didn't quite make it through the last corners of today's stage.  As he hit the first part of the final S-curve his rear wheel kick out from under him.  Trying to compensate for that error he pulled his right foot out of the cleat but still couldn't get the bike to turn sharp enough to avoid going into the barriers.  Unlike a rider before him, he did manage to keep from flipping over the wall into the crowd, but more importantly he was serious hurt.  He quickly got back onto his bike and finish the course (just 150 meters around the final bend).  All in all, it was a rough day in the office for Roy.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2826648-127-224974/PaintingRough%20Day%20at%20the%20Office%20TdF128-Greig-Leach.html#.V5Eq67grLIU

Tour, Stage 14: Down to Two

First it was Cesare Benedetti (Bora-Argon 18) who went back to the peloton,  Then on a small rise out of town, it was Alex Howes (Cannondale-Drapac) who just couldn't hold the wheels of these two Tour de France veterans.  The fans lined every kilometer of the stage today, some waving giant French flags, delighted to see one of their countrymen on the front of the race for 173 kilometers of the stage.  The fan lined roads sort of made the neon green directional arrow (over to the left) rather unnecessary to show the riders the way to go.  Jeremy Roy (FDJ) and Martin Elmiger (IAM Cycling) teams have won a stage yet, so both were hoping they could bring stage glory to the team bus at the end of the day.  They only had to hold of the whole of the peloton for another five kilometers, to bad they only had about a 15 second lead.

I am delighted that Jeremy Roy put himself in front of the camera.  I have been hoping to paint him in the Tour since meeting him in Richmond, Virginia during the UCI Road World Championships.  I was painting the races live just across from the awards presentation podium when a rather attractive thin Frenchman walked up and introduced himself.  I have painted him in a number of different races in the past, so he took the opportunity saw hello in the real world.  We both took selfies together and then got back to our respective jobs.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2824417-101-224974/PaintingDown%20to%20Two%20TdF102-Greig-Leach.html#.V4qYRLgrLIU

Tour, Stage 14: "You Know They're Here?"

The four man break had been off the front for at least 150 kilometers by now.  As the group of Alex Howes (Cannondale-Drapac), Cesare Benedetti (Bora-Argon 18), Martin Elmiger (IAM Cycling) and Jeremy Roy (FDJ) swung around a round-about on the way into Villars les Dombes Parc des Oiseauz, Howes seemed to ask his compatriots, "You know they're here, right?"  The peloton and the break had been playing a little game of cat and mouse for the last twenty odd kilometes.  When the peloton sped up so did the break and when one slowed down, so did the other.  In fact, this went on for a bit longer although it was Howes who threw in the towel first and rejoined the peloton.

On a sprint stage, the peloton does not want to catch the break too far out from the finish line.  If they do, it makes it harder to control the other teams and almost guarantees that others will attack the bunch.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2824408-100-224974/Painting#.V4qSHbgrLIU

Tour, Stage 14: Rolling Through Town

By now you know the pattern as well as I, the break away goes early.  And then, on the flat stages like today, they are chased down by the teams of the sprinters.  Today this foursome of Martin Elmiger (IAM Cycling), Jeremy Roy (FDJ), Cesare Benedetti (Bora-Argon 18) and Alex Howes (Cannondale-Drapac) could managed to shake the grip of the peloton until 30 kilometers into the stage.  The peloton wasn't in the mood to let these guys get any real time, keeping the gap inside of five minutes at the most.  Today may well be the last chance in the Tour for the sprinters to show their stuff until we reach the Champs Elysees in Paris.  A new give away from the publicity caravan for this year is a roll up sign like the one the fan is showing to the riders (and the camera).  On the reverse, the logo of Vittel water is displayed, and on the front their is space to write any message the fan chooses.  I do wonder if they are providing markers.  Their have only been one or two that I have been able to read thus far.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

Be sure to check out my second cycling art book, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships, available online or through your local book seller.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2824393-97-224974/PaintingRolling%20Through%20Town%20TdF98-Greig-Leach.html#.V4qD4rgrLIU

Dauphine, Stage 5: Their Turn to Chase

With the final climb up to Vaujany just ahead, FDJ was working to get their team leader, Thibaut Pinot, in the best position for the start of the ascent.  With the five riders still up the road, the first step was to pull them back into the peloton.  I had the pleasure of meeting Jeremy Roy (FDJ) when he was in Richmond, Virginia for the UCI World Road Racing Championships.  I was hoping to confirm that he was one of those on the front of the peloton,  Alas, I am just not certain he was one of these three in "Bleu, Blanche et Rouge."

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2806609-66-185083/Painting.html#.V1u4MfkrLIU

Tour de France, Stage 12: The First of Many

I always enjoy the opportunity to have the title of a piece of artwork to have more than one meaning.  Today, this title refers to this summit of the Col de Portet d'Aspet is the first of many big climbs for the stage, but it also makes reference to the simple fact that these are the first of many more competitors that will be passing this point over the next half hour.  And of course the final inference is that this is the first of many more paintings to come for both the stage and the rest of the Tour de France.  Georg Preidler (Giant Alpecin) was the first to summit closely followed by Jeremy Roy (FDJ), Lieuwe Westra (Astana).  The trio had jumped out of the rather large breakaway of another 19 riders.  With so many hard categorized climbs on the course, each and everyone of the escapees felt that today was the day that the peloton would let the break succeed.

This is an original small watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes that came from Jack Richeson & Company (www.richesonart.com), a small mid western family run art supply company with excellent art supplies.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  International shipping is available.  Don't delay, it is a one of a kind original painting, so when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2581388---210122/Painting.html#.VahXnvlViko

Criterium International Stage 3: Dishing It Out

FDJ had plans for the finale up the Col d'Ospedale, going to the front and dishing out a hard pace for their man, Thibaut Pinot.  Jeremy Roy and Steve Morabito (FDJ) pushed the pace as riders for Cannondale Garmin and Trek Factory Racing looked on, waiting of the attack that was sure to come.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this painting, for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post, and yes, international shipping is available.  Enjoying reading about professional cycling with this accompanying art?  Then be sure to check out my recently publish book on the 2014 Tour de France, just google the title, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France" to discover where you can order a copy from your local online book seller.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2535420---195767/Painting.html#.VRrlE_nF-xU

Ruta del Sol Stage 3: Narrow Roads

Having technical difficulties loading images, check back later to see the painting here.  Or you can follow the link at the end of this post to see it at my website.


Stage 3 of the Ruta del Sol, was lead out by a large break away.  With the nine man group trying to slip away, the peloton was in no mood to give them more than a two minute leash.  As they crested one of the earlier climbs on the stage they squeezed through the narrow streets of Agron.  Tucked onto the back of the group are Alessandro Bazzana (United Healthcare), Jeremy Roy (FDJ), and Miquel Angel Rubiano (Colombia).


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 the painting 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.  And yes, international shipping is available.


http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Other%202015%20Cycling%20Art/2514770---206768/Painting.html#.VOl6H9g5DIU

Fleche Wallone: Putting Everything into the Attack

Katusha pulled Rolland and Bakelants back into the peloton and then it was Jeremy Roy (FDJ) who went out on the attack on the penultimate climb of the day.  He knew that he didn't have the strength to wait for the final climb up the famed Mur du Huy so he laid it all out in an effort to get to that climb alone.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist website at www.greigleach.com or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2352151---195767/Painting.html#.U1iMcsvD_IU

Tour Stage Fifteen: You Wouldn't Dare

Peter Sagan had gone with the break away just so he could get maximum points at the intermediate sprint, he knew that none of his Green Jersey competitors would be out there with him, so he wanted to make sure no one took his points.  Sylvain Chavanel, a teammate of Mark Cavendish, is right behind him, Sagan was looking to make sure he didn't jump him to bank points away to help Cav.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase at my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of the post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2182599---186227/Painting.html#.Ue3n-s_D_IU

Tour Stage Fifteen: The Daily Break

Every road stage starts with a break away, and Stage 15 was no exception.  Unlike yesterday, the peloton wasn't letting these guys go, everyone wanted to win on Mount Ventoux.  And every Frenchman wants to win on Bastille Day, which is why FDJ and AG2R are in the break, with Riblon, Roy and Chavanel flying the flag for France.  The every clever Peter Sagan went into the break in hopes of still being there when they got to the intermediate sprint point.  With all of the small climbs earlier in the stage, he was the only sprinter able to pull it off.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that was created using cake watercolors, brushes and paper from www.richesonart.com   In addition this work is available for purchase at my artist website.  Just follow the direct link to get your piece of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2182591---186227/Painting.html#.Ue3g88_D_IU