Giro, Stage 5: Coming Back Together

No one was surprised to see the catch of the break away come with just 15 kilometers left to race.  The teams of the sprinters didn't want to catch them too early, nor did they want to let them steal the glory.  Maciej Paterski (CCC Sprandi Polkowice) and Evgeny Shalunov (Gazprom-Rusvelo) knew it was a long shot that their break would work, but both were equally sure they didn't have a chance of taking the stage if they didn't give it a try.  Now with the race 'gruppo compacto' it was time for the sprinters' teams to get themselves organized.

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.

With the start of the Giro d'Italia, I am crowd funding my third cycling art book through Kickstarter.  I could use your support in making this book get made, please consider supporting the project here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/art-of-cycling-100th-giro-ditalia.  This will be just one of the hundred plus paintings that will be included.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/100th-Giro-dItalia/2964468-34-235247/PaintingComing-Back-Together-G17-35.html

Giro, Stage 5: Climbing Through Town

It is unlikely that the break will succeed againg today.  With the second half of the stage almost pan flat, the sprinters are going to want to have their day.  That didn't stop the pair of Maciej Paterski (CCC Sprandi Polkowice) and Evgeny Shalunov (Gazprom-Rusvelo) from going out front of the peloton.  They did manage to get upwards of four minutes on the peloton before those behind began the chase.  This is the second time that Shalunov has been in a break, and I believe at least one of his teammates have been in every break away thus far in the 100th Giro d'Italia.

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.

With the start of the Giro d'Italia, I am crowd funding my third cycling art book through Kickstarter.  I could use your support in making this book get made, please consider supporting the project here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/art-of-cycling-100th-giro-ditalia.  This will be just one of the hundred plus paintings that will be included.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/100th-Giro-dItalia/2964402-31-235247/PaintingClimbing-Through-Town-G17-32.html

Giro Stage 3: Looking for the Peloton

Pavel Kochetkov (Katusha) was caught on the descent off of the Barbagelata by Simon Clarke (Orica GreenEdge), Adam Hansen (Lotto Soudal) and Maciej Paterski (CCC Sprandi).  The foursome could feel the charging peloton as they approached the 5 K to go banner.  Paterski took the opportunity to look back as he swung off the front of the group.  Hansen was hoping to mark his birthday by giving himself a stage victory in the Giro d'Italia.  The peloton didn't seem to be in a generous mood as it hunted down the escapees.

This is an original small watercolor and ink painting that is available for purchase through my artists website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 98th Giro d'Italia.  International shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2553048---184157/Painting.html#.VVGKmiHBzGc

Ruta del Sol Final Stage: Going Long

Apparently, Maciej Paterski (CCC Spandi) just kept riding people off of his wheel until there was no one back there.  With only 16 kilometers left to go he had 27 seconds on the peloton and the sprinter's teams.  He was actually looking like he had a chance to pull of the surprise and rob the fast men of their glory.  Put it was a long shot and a long way to go.

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/2515982---206768/Painting.html#.VOvN0fnF-xU

Ruta del Sol Final Stage: Head of the Race

Maciej Paterski (CCC Spandi) was feeling good on the final day of racing, he seemed to drag the rest of his break away companions along, thinning the group out in the process. With less than 30 kilometers left to race, the original six was now down to three.  Those that were able to hold the Polish rider's wheel, Merhawi Kudus Ghebremedhin (MTN-Qhubeka) and Johnny Hoogerland (Roompot).  Hoogerland always sticks in my mind as the most unfortunate rider from a number of years ago in the Tour de France.  He was the rider who was hit by a VIP vehicle during an Alpine stage and knocked into a barb wire fence.  The inspiring part of the story, he got back on the bike a finished the stage.  That night, he went to the hospital to get something like forty stitches, then lined up for the start the next day.  These are hard men who race in tight lycra!

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/2515978---206768/Painting.html#.VOvKufnF-xU

Ruta del Sol Final Stage: Six Away

As per usual, the final stage of the Ruta del Sol had the requiste early breakaway.  This time one team managed to put more than one rider into the group.  With only six riders in the break, two of them ride for MTN-Qhubeka (my vote for the best kit in the peloton).  The group was comprised of Merhawi Kudus Ghebremedhin and Jim Songezo (MTN-Qhubeka), Dario Martin Hernandez (Burgos BH), Johnny Hoogerland (Roompot) and Maciej Paterski (CCC Spandi),  With today's stage the last chance for the sprinters to show their legs, this break wasn't given more than a two minute gap on the peloton.  Giant-Alpecin was still looking for a stage win for their man, John Degenkolb.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from the family run art supply company, www.richesonart.com.  In additon, this painting 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/2515766---206768/Painting.html#.VOu0iPnF-xU

Volta Catalunya Final Stage: Headed Downtown

For the second time in as many days a large group of nine riders got away from the peloton and were just over three minutes to the good as they road down the highway to the finishing circuit in downtown Barcelona.  With all of the GC men in the peloton and the closest man in the break over four minutes down, there was no real reason for those behind to put in a real hard chase.  And like yesterday seven different teams were represented in the break including the teams that had yet to win a stage in this running of the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya.  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 through my artist website at 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/Spring%20Classics%202014/2338093---195767/Painting.html#.UzjdVM_D_IU