Milano-San Remo: Up the Final Copa

The early break was still off the front of the peloton, although their numbers had dropped somewhat.  As Marco Coledan (Trek-Segafredo) led Mirco Maestri (Bardiani CSF), Maarten Tjallingii (Lotto Jumbo NL) and Jan Barta (Bora-Argon 18) up the final of the three Copas that mark the final phase of the race to San Remo, the Copa Berta.  The course along the Mediterranean Sea offer beauty vistas as the road wound around the steep hills that plunged into the beautiful azure sea.

This is a small original watercolor that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watecolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  In addition, the painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  The painting is available for sale and can be found by following the direct link at the end of this post.

Be sure to check out my newest cycling book, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships.  The book is available through your favorite book seller worldwide or at my publishers website, www.artofcycling.bike.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2747779-292-195767/Painting.html#.Vu9x4PkrLIU

Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne: Ramping Up the Pace

Tom Boonen (Etixx-Quickstep) hit the front of the peloton and raise the pace just that much more. Today Boonen shifted from protected rider to "super" domestique.  It may well have been in order to pay back the team for his rather disappointing finish yesterday in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.  Joining Boonen at the pointy end of the pack were Maarten Tjallingii (Lotto NL Jumbo), Bradley Wiggins (Team Sky) and Phillippe Gilbert (BMC).  With the early break back in the fold, it was time to ramp up the pace to discourage any one else from having a go at the favorites in the peloton.

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.  This 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.  If you enjoy reading about cycling with this accompanying artwork, be sure to discover my recently publish book on the Tour de France, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France"  It is available worldwide through most online book retailers.  Just google the title to discover where you can get your copy, often without international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2519508---195767/Painting.html#.VPSHE_nF-xU

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad: Riding in the Gutter

With almost 190 kilometers in their legs, along with 10 steep climbs and this the final of eleven sections of pave, the riders were looking everywhere for the smoothest section of road.  While it adds some risk for punctures and collision with spectators, the side of the road (or gutter) is the smoothest section of the cobbles.  Of course, smooth is only a relative term here, it is still bone jarring when ridden at speed on a ultra light racing bicycle.  This trio are the second group on the road, hoping against hope that they will see the leading quartet before the finish line.  Leading the chase is Sep Vanmarcke (Lotto Jumbo NL), followed by a former winner, Greg Van Avermaet (BMC).  Tagged onto the back of the group not helping to chase down his teammates is the current Czech National Champion, Zdenek Stybar (Etixx Quickstep).

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.

If you are enjoying reading about cycling this way and the accompanying artwork, be sure to check out my recently published book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France"
http://www.greigleach.com/gallery/201710/Book+de+Tour/#.VPOW8vnF-xU

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2519200---195767/Painting.html#.VPOpk_nF-xU

Omloop Het Nieuwsbald: Picking Up Lunch

As the announcer for Cycling.tv said, it is now Spring in Belgium, at least as far as cycling is concerned. Most of the ProTour teams were joined by numerous Continental teams at the start of the first of the northern cobbled Classics and what has oft been considered the start of the European racing calendar.  One of the domestiques for Team Sky gave a quick hand gesture as he slid over to pick up as many musettes for his teammates as he could.  The peloton was being lead by the new colors (and new name) of Team Lotto Jumbo NL.  Tucked onto their wheel are the new boys hoping to move up to ProTour status, Team MTN-Qhubeka.

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, this 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.

If you are enjoying reading about cycling this way and the accompanying artwork, be sure to check out my recently published book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France"
http://www.greigleach.com/gallery/201710/Book+de+Tour/#.VPOW8vnF-xU

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2519120-130-126-195767/Painting/Sports.html#.VPOYh_nF-xU

Ruta del Sol Final Stage: A Big Attack

After the peloton finally pulled back Paterski (CCC Spandi), Edward Theuns (Topsport Vlaaderen) thought he would have a go at jumping the sprinters.  The final two kilometers were seemingly straight up to the finish.  Theuns waited for one of the Lotto Jumbo NL riders to swing off and in the loll, launched his big move.  With a much shorter distance to go, he had a slightly better chance of making it alone to the line, but yet again, it was still a long shot.  Or should I say, short shot?

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  Yes, international shipping is available.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

If you have enjoyed reading about bike racing with the accompanying artwork please be sure to check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France"  The book is available through most online book stores worldwide.  Just Google the title to find where you can purchase the book and avoid international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Other%202015%20Cycling%20Art/2515984---206768/Painting.html#.VOvQfPnF-xU