Volta Catalunya Stage 6: Chasing But Not Gaining

Today with a break up the road the peloton couldn't figure out whose job it was to do the chasing.  First Giant Shimano did the work with hopes of getting yet another stage victory with their sprinter, Luka Mezgec, then Katusha came up just to make sure the break didn't get over six minutes, protecting their leader's jersey.  Finally it was Lampre that came up to work in hopes of getting a win for their team, wanting to get something in the books for this edition of the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can 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.  While you are there, why not browse around all of the art on offer?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2337537---195767/Painting.html#.Uze4qs_D_IU

Volta Catalunya Stage 2: Head & Shoulders Above

Luka Mezgec (Giant Shimano) further solidified his hold on the leader's jersey with a very strong print, crossing the finishing line in Gerona with a 15 foot lead over the next closes sprinter.  With the ten second time bonus, he now has a 14 second lead over fellow sprinter, Roberto Ferrari (Lampre).  Here you can see Ferrari to his right, along with Daniele Ratto (Cannondale) and Marcus Burghardt (BMC) as they all watch Mezgec give his second victory salute in as many days.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can by yours by visiting my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  Or for this particular painting, you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2335079---195767/Painting.html#.UzI9q8_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 6: Making It a Double

Naturally, if you and your team have been aggressive throughout the stage you really want to finish it off with a victory.  Even more so if the victory is the second one in a row and it wins you the Malliot Jaune.  So while AG2R rider, Alexis Villermoz crash within site of the finishing line, it was his teammate, Carlos Betancur, that got the better of the Rainbow Jersey of Rui Costa (Lampre), Geraint Thomas (Sky) Arthur Vichot (FDJ) and Zdenek Stybar (OPQS).  Between the bonus seconds for winning the stage and Stybar nipping Thomas at the line to gain the final bonus seconds available for the stage, Betancur gain enough time to take over the Yellow Jersey of race leader.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase through 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%202014/2328181---195767/Painting.html#.UyPHqcvD_IU

Paris-Nice Stage 6: Looking Around

Today was a day for attacking, after each break was caught another would go.  Team Sky, holding the Yellow Jersey, was not its normal dominate self, basically conceding the jersey in the press before the day of racing even began.  AG2R and IAM Cycling prove to be the most combative teams in today's racing. While I didn't catch the name of the IAM rider, he went on this move with Jose Rodolfo Serpa of Lampre Merida and Alexis Villermoz of AG2R.  As the peloton tries to get on terms behind them, they are looking at each other trying to see who has the legs to lead the attack.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available at 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%202014/2328167---195767/Painting.html#.UyO9asvD_IU

Tour Down Under: Sprinting for Seconds, Stage 4

Wearing the Blue Jersey of Sprint Leader but hoping to pull back on the Ochre Jersey of race leader, Simon Gerrans contested every sprint in Stage 4 of the Tour Down Under grabbing 3 seconds at the first sprint, and 1 more in this sprint.  Nathan Haas (Garmin Sharp) and Elia Viviani (Lampre) laid in wait and showed their sprinter's legs to beat him to the sprint point.  Cadel Evans (BMC) wearing the Ochre Leader's Jersey kept a watchful eye on the proceedings, however it seems that he may have had a mechanical just as he tried to accelerate to challenge in the sprint.  He changed bikes shortly after the sprint point.  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 to get your piece of the Santos Tour Down Under.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2297981---194179/Painting.html#.UuM-388o7IU

Tour Down Under: Flying Across the Line, Stage 2

With Greipel out of the picture due to a puncture and the GC men trying to gain seconds in real time and bonus seconds, Diego Ulissi was able to get the jump on everyone.  He even had enough time to throw out his arms in a victory salute as he glided across the line.  Hidden by this view is Cadel Evans slidding in ahead of the Ochre Jersey of race leader, worn by Simon Gerrans.  Gerrans' third place was enough to keep in the leader's jersey.  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/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2296423---194179/Painting.html#.UuCslc8o7IU

Tour Down Under: Porte Gives It a Go, Stage 2

With just one kilometer left to go, Richie Porte tries to jump away to regain the four seconds that he lost in stage one however, Orica-Greenedge, Hass and Ulissi weren't having any of it.  They quickly jumped on to his wheel and neutralized the attack.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by visiting my artist web site at www.greigleach.com.  Or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your original cycling art.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2296413---194179/Painting.html#.UuCpQs8o7IU

Tour Down Under: Showing the Home Colors, Stage One

Wearing the Australian National Champion Jersey that he had won just two weeks earlier, Simon Gerrans takes the sprint ahead of the powerful Andre Greipel (Lotto) and Steele Van Hoff (Garmin) with Diego Ulissi (Lampre) pulling fourth in the finale of the first stage of the Tour Down Under.  I think the Gerrans surprised even himself by getting around Greipel who had a great lead out and the early jump.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that you could call your own by visiting my artist website at www.greigleach.com or you could follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2295961---194179/Painting.html#.UuAZqc8o7IU

Tour Final Stage: Driving It Home

Mark Cavendish went into today's stage being the first sprinter (or cyclist) to win four times on the Champs Elysees and had ever reason to think today would make it the fifth win in a row.  But the Tour carried four different fast men to the boulevard of Paris, four men each with a powerful lead out and the speed, strength and nerve to be the first to cross the line.  Cavendish may have been hampered by having to chase back on to the peloton after a flat earlier on the cobbles, he may have used to much energy in the chase to have that famous final kick to the line.  In the end it was the new sprinter of Argos-Shimano, Marcel Kittel that grabbed the win, making it four stages for him in the 100th Tour de France.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist website where you can purchase this painting.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the final sprint of the 100th Tour de France.

This project has been a joy, a challenge and an artistic voyage and I thank you for taking the trip around France (and Corsica) with me.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2184521---186227/Painting.html#.UfKNOcvD_IU

Tour Stage Sixteen: The Big Break

Today's stage was wedged between the second rest day and the last time trial before Paris, so it was deemed to be a day for the break.  All of the GC men are going to want to save as much energy as they can get away with, so once the break didn't have anybody in the top 20, they were off up the road.  This break had 26 riders at the last valley before Gap and by that time is was twelve minutes.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that was created using cake watercolor, brushes and paper from www.richesonart.com   Believe me, the quality of the supplies does effect the quality of the work.  Also, this work, and all of the works in this series, are available for purchase at my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your art of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2182971---186227/Painting.html#.Ue7Yf8_D_IU

Tour Stage Thirteen: What Are You Thinking?

Stage 13 started like the usual flat stage with an early break of five guys up the road.  They had roughly three and a half minutes before things started happening behind them.  At this time everyone was still blissfully unaware that today was not any different than what everyone thought it would be.  Perez has dropped back from his break away companions to chat over the break's chances with his director sportif.  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 at the end of this post to get your piece of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2182409---186227/Painting.html#.Ue2onc_D_IU

Tour Stage Twelve: Going Straight Through

A break away forms in every stage, well almost, and today was no exception.  This group of five got away at the drop of the starting flag and set about building up their advantage to eight minutes, before the peloton decided that that was far enough.  Juan Antonio Flecha managed to get himself into yet another break, riding off in hopes of repeating is only other stage win in 2003.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that 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%202013/2182377---186227/Painting.html#.Ue2fZ8_D_IU

Tour Stage Two: Surprise!

Against all odds, Jan Bakelants jumped from his breakaway companions as the peloton drew near to catching the group.  With the commentators sure that one man could not hold off the charging sprinters even if their numbers were drastically reduced, he looked back to see them coming and gave it one final kick to surprise everyone, least of all himself.  He also managed to gain one second at the line, one second that has given him the Malliot Jaune of leader of the 100th Tour de France.  So two days into the race, and every jersey has changed hands except the Malliot Vert.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available at my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to bet your piece of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2174685---186227/Painting.html#.UdoaCc_D9Ms

Giro Day Twenty: For Stage & Placing

Michele Scarponi was laying down a blistering pace with the fastest time at the time check.  It looked like he was in position to win the stage and overtake Uran for third overall.  This group of cycling kit clad tifosi were equally excited to cheer one of the Italians  favorites in the professional peleton.  In the end Uran ride was enough to keep third by just over a minute and Nibali's ride both one the stage and secured a four minute lead in race for the Maglia Rosa.  This is an original watercolor and ink watercolor that is available for purchase through my artist website, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2153413---184157/Painting.html#.UaVeJs_D_IU

Giro Day Nineteen: Visconti Goes

Only one climb in Stage 17 but it was enough for Giovanni Visconti to jump away from the peleton in search of Di Luca, Rubiano and Durbridge.  He quickly found each of them and slipped right on by.  I don't know if his intention was a solo break for the line, but when he noticed he was alone at the crest, he certainly went hard for the finish.  He managed to get away from no less than Scarponi, Nibali, Sanchez and Evans.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase in a 3 day auction on ebay.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post, but hurry the auction begins as soon as this post is published.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251279236607

Giro Day Eighteen: Digging for Points

Stefano Pirazzi had been in the break away all day, at this point it had been 216 kilometers and he is desperately striving to stay ahead of the charging Maglia Rosa Group to get the last mountain points of the day, unfortunately a rider from Argos Shimano got the jump on him and got over the climb first.  What impressed me was how he got swamped by the group but then still managed to jump out from the back of the group to be the second guy over the climb.  He ensured that he will be wearing the Blue Jersey again tomorrow.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and can be yours by visiting my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2153353---184157/Painting.html#.UaVSLM_D_IU

Giro Day Sixteen: Fighting It Out in the Snow

Vincenzo Nibali aptly defended the Maglia Rosa today although he did not gain any time like he did yesterday.  He met the attacks by Scarponi and Evans and finished the day with the two not allowing anyone to threaten him in the overall GC.  For the second day in a row the Giro finished on top of a mountain in a snow storm, I have always thought of Italy as a sunny warm country.  But I guess that doesn't allow for the Alps on the northern border and they actually finished in France today.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and it is available for purchase at my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2153249---184157/Painting.html#.UaU-5c_D_IU

Giro Day Fifteen: Showing the Pink

Stage 14 was horrible weather preventing all mobile video from communicating with the uplink, so the broadcast was limited to the very few stationary cameras along the route.  This is the Maglia Rosa Group passing the camera near the bottom of the final climb of the day.  And it was a brute, that took the riders up into wet snow.  While most of the riders wore jackets, arm warmers, leggings and most anything else to stay warm, Vincenzo Nibali  went with a very dashing short sleeve pink jersey and his Astana team aqua shorts.  He should be very proud of keeping the jersey thus far and I think he wanted to show it off.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and like all of the works in this series was created using cake watercolors, brushes and paper from www.richesonart.com.  This painting is available for sale through my artist website, just follow the direct link at the end of this post. 

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2152785---184157/Painting.html#.UaQVacvD_IU

Giro Day Twelve: Driving Hard to Gain Seconds

With 10 kilometers left to race in Stage 11 and only 20 seconds separating 3rd through 6th places, Team Blanco, Lampre and Fantini-Selle Italia, came to the front of the Magila Rosa group and drove hard hoping to get some time splits in the peleton.  Nibali and Evans just stayed with the move and saved their fight for another day.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase through my artist website.   Just follow the direct link at the end of this post, but hurry, you wouldn't want someone else to take your painting home.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2151497---184157/Painting.html#.UaAfVsvD_IU