Giro Stage 13: Just Plain Wet

The bright sunshine that graced the opening stages of the 98th Giro d'Italia seem now to be a distant memory.  Those that took to the start today faced a long wet slough on flat straight roads, straight until the final couple of kilometers were the town of Jesolo seemed to have a disproportionate share of roundabouts and 90 degree turns.  Even with a day that was tailor made for the sprinters, there were those who were willing to go for the long breakaway.  After all, the breaks have had unexpected success in a couple of stages already, why not today?  Keeping dry and warm was a challenge that everyone faced, in the breakaway, Jerome Pineau (IAM Cycling) sheds a soaking layer and passes it to his Director Sportif.  Joining Pineau in the possibly futile effort were Rick Zabel (BMC) and Marco Frapporti (Androni Giocattoli).  If memory serves, Androni Giocattoli has placed a rider in every breakaway 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, find them online at www.richesonart.com.  This painting is available for purchase through my artist website for only $50 USD at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But, don't delay, this is an original one of a kind work of art.  Once it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2558514---184157/Painting.html#.VWAD7PlViko

Tour Stage 6: Postponing the Inevitable

With two of their break away companions already back in the embrace of the peloton, Luis Mate (Cofidis) looked over at Jerome Pineau (IAM Cycling) and sprinted off on his own.  Initially, Pineau gave chase to the Spaniard, and then thought better of the effort.  Mate may have only been postponing the inevitable catch by the peloton, but he wasn't going to be caught with out a fight.  After all, nothing ventured, nothing gained.  This image also caught my eye with the truly French tree lined road cutting through the wheat and flax fields on the northern flat lands.  This is an original small watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com  In addition, this painting will appear in my soon to be self published tome, "Book de Tour".  To learn more about the book project, to pre-order your copy, or to get involved in bringing the art of the 101st Tour de France, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  If you would like to purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  While you are there, why not browse around at all of the cycling art on offer?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2400102---199992/Painting.html#.U78oec_D_IU

Tour Stage 6: No Place to Hide

Northern France, known as the "Bread Basket" is wide open and flat.  Not the best circumstance for the break away, their chances are much better when the road helps to hide them from view.  That didn't stop Jerome Pineau (IAM Cycling), Tom Leezer (Belkin Pro Cycling), Luis Mate (Cofidis) and Arnaud Gerard (Bretagne-Seche) from trying to beat the odds.  Jens Voigt explains why riders go in the break away by saying, "If you go for the break you have maybe a 10% chance of wining the stage, if you don't go you have a 0% chance."  Then their is the TV air time for the team sponsors to be considered in the equation.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website, www.greigleach.com.  It will also be part of my soon to be self-published cycling art book, "Book de Tour".  To learn more about the book project, to pre-order your copy, and to find out how to be involved in bring this artistic story of the 101st Tour de France to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour  If you would like to purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2400092---199992/Painting.html#.U78lk8_D_IU