Vuelta, Stage 10: No Answer

As even Jose Joaquim Rojas (Movistar) knew going into the finale, he had no answer for the sprinting prowess of Matteo Trentin (Quickstep).  Trentin easily claimed his second stage victory in this year's Vuelta and the fourth for his team.  Again it was quite unexpected to see two sprinters come to the line alone on a stage that had a catagory one climb within the final kilometers of the stage.  Chapeau, Matteo!

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Vuelta-2017/3022845-4-239162/PaintingNo-Answer-V-5.html

Vuelta, Stage 10: Just Us

Oddly, it was the two sprinters from the early break that out climbed the rest of the break (and the peloton) to find themselves all alone.  With just two kilometers left to race, Jose Joaquim Rojas (Movistar) peeks over his shoulder to make sure there are no surprises from those chasing behind.  Unfortunately for Rojas, it is the Matteo Trentin (Quickstep) in the green sprinter's jersey who is on his wheel.  Clearly it will be these two who vie for stage honors and the odds are against the Spaniard.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Vuelta-2017/3022839-3-239162/PaintingJust-Us-V-4.html

Tour Stage 13: Checking the Damage

Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) found himself rather isolated after his right hand man, Jakob Fuglsang, went down on the descent of the Col du Palaquit.  He apparently hit another rider's water bottle and lost control of his bike at 50 miles per hour leaving a good deal of skin on the mountain.  Niblai sent a teammate back to help pace Fuglsang back, although there was little chance he would ever catch back on to the peloton of the elite of the Tour.  Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) noticing a chance to gain time on Nibali, put Jose Joaquim Rojas and the rest of his remaining teammates on the front to put pressure on all of those ahead of him on the General Classification.  Rojas, looked behing to see just how effective his efforts had been before he rolled off the front, and did his best to make it the rest of the way up the climb of  Chamrousse.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com and will be included in my soon to be self published book of the 101st Tour de France art, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre-order a copy, or to discover how you can be a part of bringing the art of the sport we love to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some excellent incentives for backers at every level starting at $5 USD.  Everyone who backs the project will have their name included in the special thanks page.  If you would like to purchase this painting directly, just follow the link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2404790---199992/Painting.html#.U8mrvM_D_IU

Paris-Nice Final Stage: One for the Home Team

This has been a wonderful Paris Nice for the French.  The French team AG2R claimed the Yellow Jersey for their man, Carlos Betancur, both Team Bretagne and Europcar lit up the breakaways nearly every stage and Sylvan Chavanel wore the Polka Dot Jersey for two days.  But the ultimate feather in the cap was Arthur Vichot (FDJ - another French team) winning on the Boulevard des Anglais wearing the Tri-Colour Jersey of the French National Champion.  This was truly a race for the home team.  It does make you wonder how the French will fair in the Tour de France.  The final standing for Paris Nice were; Carlos Betancur (AG2R) - Yellow Jersey, John Degenkolb (Giant Shimano) - Green Jersey, Pim Ligthat (Lotto Belisol) Polka Dot Jersey, Carlos Betancur (AG2R) - White Jersey (the best placed rider under 24) and Movistar for the best team.

This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could 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%202014/2329441---195767/Painting.html#.UyY8uc_D_IU

Paris-Nice Stage 7: Up and Over

With his hands in the air, Tom-Jeffe Slagter (Garmin Sharp) becomes the second rider in this running of Paris Nice to win a second stage.  He was able to get up the final steep climb up to the finishing line, just beating out Rui Costa in the Rainbow Jersey (Lampre), Jose Joaquim Rojas (Moviestar) and the Yellow Jersey of Carlos Betancur (AG2R).  Costa was frustrated to claim second for the second day in a row and to be left still looking for his first victory in the World Champion Jersey.  He, however, remains in second place in Paris Nice by just 14 seconds.  Betancur's four place finish was enough to keep him in the leader's Yellow Jersey for the final stage into Nice.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by visiting my artist website, 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%202014/2328821---195767/Painting.html#.UyU1_8_D_IU

Paris-Nice Stage 3: Winning in Green

Perhaps the only thing better than winning a stage is winning a stage while wearing the sprinter's Green Jersey (the jersey of the most consistent sprinter).  With today's stage ending on a Formula One race track speed and room was the order of the finale.  So the best on the day went to John Degenkolb of Team Giant-Shimano follow closely by Jose Joaquin Rojas (Moviestar), Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma Quick Step), Matty Goss (Orica Greenedge) and Borut Bozic (Astana).  Just peaking in under Degenkolb's arm is the Yellow Jersey of race leader Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ).  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could 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%202014/2326245---195767/Painting.html#.Ux_Pe8_D_IU