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

Tour Down Under: Looking for Company

The peloton didn't let the first break go, maybe because George Bennett (LottoNL Jumbo) was only just over a minute off of the lead and Orica-GreenEdge wasn't going to take any chances with Simon Gerrans lead.  Once the first group was caught, Maartin Tjallingii (LottoNL Jumbo) jumped away.  It seemed like as the peloton could only contain 6 yellow clad riders and once Bennett was in the group, Tjallingii popped out.  The Dutchman looked back over his shoulder hoping that at least one more man would bridge up to him.  He had to be comforted that it was Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal) that was the one leaving the Orica-GreenEdge lead peloton behind.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting created using watercolors from www.richesonart.com and 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.  In addition, be sure to check out my new book, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships" available now at www.artofcycling.bike.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2683073-95-194179/Painting.html#.VqU3CPkrLIU

Tour Down Under: Job Done

A team will have a designated leader, sometimes it may have two different objectives. or two possible race contenders.  For BMC Pro Cycling, they have the luxury of riches, Rohan Dennis started the day in third overall, with their new recruit, Richie Porte not far behind.  However, these guys and their positions on GC meant that the rest of the team had to work just that much harder.  As the peloton road through Willunga Hill for the final time, those teammates would had spent themselves in support of their leaders, dropped to the back of the pack and prepared to fight another day.  Maarten Tjallingii (LottoNL Jumbo0, Ian Stannard (Team Sky) dropped back along with the duo of Alessandro De Marchi (BMC) and Peter Velits (BMC) having done what they could for their teams.  I just now noticed that I never painted in the black area on the small of the backs of the BMC kit.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting created using watercolors from www.richesonart.com and 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.  In addition, be sure to check out my new book, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships" available now at www.artofcycling.bike.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2682113-91-194179/Painting.html#.VqQI8PkrLIU

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

Giro d'Italia Stage 3: Along the Water's Edge

The small breakaway that once had a six minute lead over the peloton, left Amargh inland in Northern Ireland and headed south and west to the Republic of Ireland and the coast of the Irish Sea on their way to the coastal port city of Dublin.  After racing in and out of the rain, Maarten Tjallingii (Belkin Pro Cycling) was able to lose the rain cape and show off the blue jersey of the King of the Mountains that he won riding in the break away the day before on the Northern coast.  He was joined by Yonder Godoy (Androni-Gocattoli), Gert Dockx (Lotto-Belisol), Rubiano Chavez (Team Colombia) and Cecchinell (Neri Sotolo).  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase at my artist website, www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting, you can follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2362593---198213/Painting.html#.U3AtXM_D_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 3: Lining the Streets

After two days of spectacular crowds and exciting racing the Giro crossed into the Republic of Ireland on its way to the capital of Dublin.  Just like the Northerners before them, the Republicans turned out by the hundreds of thousands to cheer on the peloton waving the Irish flag and bedecked in pink.  Today's road stage featured the customary break away and included Maartin Tjallingii (Belkin Pro Cycling) who further solidified his King of the Mountains Jersey that he won yesterday.  Riding with him was the Colombian National Champion Rubiano Chavez (Team Colombia), Gert Dockx (Lotto-Belisol), Ceccinhnell (Neri Sotolo) and Yonder Godoy (Androni Giocattoli).  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 addition, this painting, and all of my cycling art, is available for purchase at my artist website, www.greigleach.com.  For this particular piece, you can follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%27Italia%202014/2362585-12-6-198213/Painting/Sports.html#.U3Am5s_D_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 2: Trying to Do It Alone

Maarten Tjallingii (Belkin Pro Cycling) had spend way too much time out in the break away to let the peloton catch him without a fight.  So as his fellow escapees surrender and sat up Maarten had one more dig in perhaps a vain hope to beat the sprinters at their own game.  With just over 3 kilometers left to race he still had 10 seconds over the charging peloton, but once the sprinter's trains have the bit between their teeth, that is no where near enough time.  So yet again, the valiant effort of the break away was unsuccessful.  Although Tjallingii was able to claim the King of the Mountains Jersey for his efforts on the day.  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/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2362021---198213/Painting.html#.U26vks_D_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 2: Sprinting for Points

Stage two of the Giro d'Italia included the first chance for the racers to claim points in the King of the Mountain Competition with this relatively small climb up Cushendall Road along the northern coast of Northern Ireland, not far from the Bushmill's distillery.  With just a few points on offer from the Category 4 climb the four riders of the early break went into an all out sprint to get points for the first three across the line.  It was Maarten Tjallingii (Belkin Pro Cycling) that nip Andrea Fedi (Neri Sotolo) at the line for maximum points with Jeffry Johan Romero (Team Colombia) and Sander Arme (Lotto-Belisol) completing the make up of the four man break away.  These riders built up a lead of five and a half minutes before the team of the Pink Jersey and the sprinters' teams started the long sure chase.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com,  Also, this (and all of my cycling paintings) is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com  Or you could follow the direct link at the end of this post for this particular painting.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2361967---198213/Painting.html#.U26hDc_D_IU