Giro Stage 17: Storming Home

First Philippe Gilbert (BMC) and then Luca Paolini (Katusha) stormed past Patrick Gretsch (AG2R) and Greg Henderson (Lotto Soudal).  Paolini's attack looked sure to succeed and had the announcers for BeIn Sports, Daniel Lloyd and Carlton Kirby, screaming with excitement.  The duo sped down the final 2 kilometer descent and then onto the final 2 kilometers of flat roads.  Perhaps if the two had worked together, they may have had a chance, but the organized teams of Giant-Alpecin, Trek Factory Racing and Lampre-Merida were in hot pursue of a stage win for their respective sprinters.

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, www.richesonart.com.  This painting, and all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $50 USD plus shipping, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is a one of a kind original painting, so don't delay.  When it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2560570---184157/Painting.html#.VWalyvlViko

Gent-Wevelgem: Making His Move

Luca Paolini (Katusha) was another rider who's sprinter was left out of contention in the climbs and crosswinds of Gent-Wevelgem.  Paolini almost lost out on the last climb up the Kemmelberg, but managed to catch back up to his breakaway companions shortly after the descent.  While the others in the break look for attacks from Geraint Thomas (Team Sky) or the riders that had teammates in the group, Paolini dug deep and sprung away from the others with about six more kilometers of racing.  Those behind each looked to the other to do the chasing of the fleeing Italian.  Unfortunately for them, they spent a little too much time thinking the others would do the work.  That enable Paolini to get an uncloseable gap allowing him to claim the race as the tender young age of 38.  Chapeau!  An encouragement to all of us old guys.

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 for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2534818---195767/Painting.html#.VRmRFvnF-xU

Giro d'Italia Stage 17: Comparing Notes

After the day the peloton had yesterday, there was quite a bit to talk about along the roads to Vittorio Venete.  Like any group of cyclist I know, there is lots of talk about the tough rides we have taken and Stage 16 of the Giro d'Italia was one of the toughest, three big climbs and all kinds of weather on top of it.  Oscar Gatto (Cannondale) had the time to regale Daniel Oss (BMC) and Luca Paolini (Katusha) with his take on the intrigue about whether there was a neutralization or not.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard, measuring 4 inches by 6 inches and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com,  Also, this painting, and all of my cycling art, is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  Each little painting is only $50 USD.  For this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%27Italia%202014/2371804-103-102-198213/Painting/Sports.html#.U4a3Gc_D_IU

Giro d''Italia Stage 15: An Italian Conversation

Stage 15's altimetry was rather amusing, it was intrinsically flat for the first 205 kilometers and then it went straight up for the last 20 kilometers to finish at the summit of Montecampione.  The day featured a large break of 10 riders, including Luca Paolini (Katusha).  He has just dropped back to his team car to get some food and a little bit of advice on how to get up the beast of a climb that was just down the valley road.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard measuring 4 inches by 6 inches.  The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com, a wonderful USA company based in Wisconsin.  This painting and indeed all of my cycling art, is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting you can follow the direct link at the end of this post, but while you are at the website, why not take some time to browse all of the artwork on offer?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%27Italia%202014/2369712-87-84-198213/Painting/Sports.html#.U4K0ms_D_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 4: What's the Plan?

Luca Paolini (Katusha), either self-nominated or by the peloton, was the rider that went up to the race director to try and find out just what the plan was for the finish of the stage.  At one point it seemed that the organizers might neutralize the entire stage, later that all of the final circuits of the race would be what was neutralized, all do to a very technical eight laps in town with very slippery conditions.  Apparently, the roads are not designed to move water off of the surface and there was a build up of oil on the surface.  Sadly, the fears of the riders was to be proven founded on the final lap through the town of Bari.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be purchased by visiting my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2363343---198213/Painting.html#.U3Jzmc_D_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 4: Showing Off HIs Pink Shirt

Stage 4 was the first stage of the Giro d'Italia to be raced on the race's home soil, but the raining weather from Ireland got on the plane with the peloton.  Monday was the first official rest day of the race, but it is hard to describe it as rest, when it involves packing up in Dublin, boarding a flight to the south of Italy and moving into another hotel.  For the team Soigners, mechanics, drivers, etcetera, it involved kitting out a whole new caravan of race vehicles, bikes, racing gear, the whole entourage, so they really had there work cut out for them.  While it was a rainy day, it was warm enough for Michael Matthews (Orica GreenEdge) to show off his Maglia Rosa of race leader.  But with the rain, the peloton staged a cycling version of a "sit-in" to complain of the danger of the finishing circuit and the wet, slick roads.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  In edition this painting (and all of my cycling art) is available for purchase at my artist website, www.greigleach.com, for this particular work you can follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%27Italia%202014/2363341-19-18-198213/Painting/Sports.html#.U3JxEc_D_IU

Giro Day Seven: A Rough Day in the Saddle

It was a very hard stage in the Giro today, between the climbs, the tactics, the rain and the crashes there were some surprising results from the day's race.  Luca Paolini gave up this pink jersey, the Maglia Rosa, of the Giro after 3 days in pink.  A lone rider from the break away, Adam Hansen, won the stage, after he went the peleton never saw him again.  Some riders rose up in the standings, most notably the new Maglia Rosa, and Evans, Nibali, Scarponi and Hesjedal and others dropped, most surprisingly, Bradley Wiggins.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and is available for purchase in a brief 3 day auction on ebay.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post and happy bidding.

This painting is sold.