Giro, Stage 3: Not Happy

It seemed like Guillaume Boivin (Israel Cycling Academy) had spent the first 125 kilometers talking, and apparently getting more and more frustrated with his break away companions.  As they approached the sole climb of the longest stage of the Giro, he seemed annoyed that the others weren't doing their share of the work.  Almost immediatley after I painted this image, Marco Frapporti (Androni Giorattoli Spidermac) attacked.  Ultimately, he took maximum points at the summit at Foran River, leaving Boivin hoping only to be able to draw even with the leader in the King of the Mountains competition, Enrico Barbin (Bardiani CSF).  Instead it was Barbin taking second over the summit furthering his lead in the Maglia Azzurro.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/101st-Giro-dItalia/3159149-12-249297/PaintingNot-Happy--G18-12.html

Giro, Stage 19: Meanwhile...

The commentators, the cameras, perhaps even the fans, barely noticed the brilliant solo victory by Mikel Landa (Sky).  With his mountain top stage win, he has made the Maglia Azzurro his own.  Like the Maglia Ciclamino, he just has to finish the next two stages to claim the final King of the Mountains title in Milan on Sunday.  I guess everyone could be forgiven for paying more attention to the wide open general classification happen ten minutes down the road.

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 racing of the 100th Giro d'Italia, I am crowd funding my third cycling art book through Kickstarter.  I could use your support in helping this book get made, please consider backing 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. With Kickstarter, if there is not a 100% funded, no one is charged a dime, and the project recieves 0% funding.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/100th-Giro-dItalia/2973498-133-235247/PaintingMeanwhile...-G17-141.html

Giro, Stage 18: Coming Right

I try to remain neutral as I paint the various races, but I must admit that I am a fan of the American Tejay van Garderen (BMC).  I was yelling at my computer screen as he and Mikel Landa (Sky) came up to the finish in Pontives.  While I had considered that the pair may have made a deal allowing Landa to take the mountain points along the way and van Garderen would take the stage, but given the effort in the last couple of hundred meters, it was a true full on race to the line.  Van Garderen had high hopes at the start of this Giro, but as he said, his body let him down in the early stages of the race.  He was in tears after the finish with the relief of the victory.  The American normally fades in a three week stage race, but he has certainly reverse that trend on this stage.  Landa is close to carrying the Maglia Azzurro all the way to Milan after today's effort.

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 racing of the 100th Giro d'Italia, I am crowd funding my third cycling art book through Kickstarter.  I could use your support in helping this book get made, please consider backing 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. With Kickstarter, if there is not a 100% funded, no one is charged a dime, and the project recieves 0% funding.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/100th-Giro-dItalia/2972356-123-235247/PaintingComing-Right-G17-131.html

Giro, Stage 18: Drinks for Everyone!

As the duo of Tejay van Garderen (BMC) and Mikel Landa (Sky) were laboring up the final climb, they were being offered chilled waterbottles from the neutral service waterboy.  I just noticed that it looks like the middle fan on the side of the road is holding the tray of bidons, but it is actually mounted on the back of the motorcycle.  Many fans along the way will wear (or not wear in some cases) all sorts of costumes.  These ladies seem content to simple don bright pink wigs and also, to skip the running along with the riders and making a general nuisance of themselves.  Perhaps they could teach some of the men along the road on just how to behave.

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 racing of the 100th Giro d'Italia, I am crowd funding my third cycling art book through Kickstarter.  I could use your support in helping this book get made, please consider backing 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. With Kickstarter, if there is not a 100% funded, no one is charged a dime, and the project recieves 0% funding.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/100th-Giro-dItalia/2972294-120-235247/PaintingDrinks-for-Everyone-G17-128.html

Giro, Stage 18: Warring Kings

Mikel Landa (Sky) started the day in the Maglia Azzurro of the King of the Mountians competition, but Omar Fraile (Dimension Data) wanted it back.  As the pair neared the summit of the second climb of the day, the Passo Valparola, Landa opened up a sprint for the top.  Fraile was able to stay with the Spaniard, and get around him to take the maximum points.  It is going to be harder to overtake Landa's lead in the competition however.

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 racing of the 100th Giro d'Italia, I am crowd funding my third cycling art book through Kickstarter.  I could use your support in helping this book get made, please consider backing 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. With Kickstarter, if there is not a 100% funded, no one is charged a dime, and the project recieves 0% funding.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/100th-Giro-dItalia/2972244-117-235247/PaintingWarring-Kings-G17-125.html

Giro, Stage 13: Almost a Day Off

Between the flatness of the stage and the relatively slow pace of the peloton, Omar Fraile (Dimension Data) must have felt like he was having a day off.  With no climbs nor King of the Mountain points on the stage, he knew that his Maglia Azzurro would be on his shoulders for at least one more day.  Although, right now he is having to speed through the team car caravan to get back up with the accelerating peloton after having a flat tire.

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 racing of the 100th Giro d'Italia, I am crowd funding my third cycling art book through Kickstarter.  I could use your support in helping this book get made, please consider backing 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. With Kickstarter, if there is not a 100% funded, no one is charged a dime, and the project recieves 0% funding. 

The computer gremlins have returned to my website.  Please email me at greigsart@gmail.com to puchase this painting for only $75 USD, shipping extra, and I ship anywhere in the world.

Giro, Stage 2: Getting His Jersey

With the peloton breathing down his neck, Daniel Teklehaimanot (Dimension Data) jumped free of his break away companions to claim maximum points at the top of Genna Silana.  By taking the victory at the top he ensured that he would pull on the Maglia Azzurro at the end of the day.  Actually, his efforts on the day had also rewarded him with the lead in the intermediate sprint competition.  His move was cheered on by hundreds of cycling fans lining the summit.

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/2962955-12-235247/PaintingGetting-His-Jersey-G17-12.html

Giro, Stage 2: Working on the Front

Bora-Hangrohe started the day with all put one of the leaders' jerseys on their shoulders.  Unfortunately for Cesare Benedetti that meant that he couldn't defend his Maglia Azurro, but instead had to work for the team and the Maglia Rosa of his teammate, Lukas Postlberger.  It was the whole team that road on the front keeping the five man break away in check.  The team with the leader's jersey has the responsiblity of setting the pace for the peloton.

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/2962930-9-235247/PaintingWorking-on-the-Front-G17-9.html

Giro, Stage 1: One More Look

Cesare Benedetti (Bora-Hansgrohe) was having a great first day of the Giro, a really great day.  As he approached the final climb of the day, just 21 kilometers from the end of the stage, he took a quick glimpse over his shoulder to make sure he would take all three climbs of the day.  When riders go on a break, they hope for glory, Benedetti will be pulling on the first King of the Mountains jersey of the 100th Giro d'Italia.  Today he enters the record books as one of only five riders to win the first three climbs of any Giro.

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/2962535-4-235247/PaintingOne-More-Look-G17-4.html

Tirreno-Adriatico Final Stage: The Last to Go

Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) managed to claim the overall lead by just beating out Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) at the line in Stage 6.  His victory gave him bonus seconds leaving him 8 seconds ahead of Sagan and 7 seconds ahead of the previous race leader, Zdenek Stybar (Etixx-Quickstep).  The short 10 kilometer course made it possible for the Slovakian sprinter, Sagan, to have a legitimate chance of beating the Belgium rider for BMC.  Van Avermaet would have the advantage of knowing the time splits of Sagan who had left this start gate four minutes earlier.  In the end, Sagan's ride was almost enough but Van Avermaet ceded only 7 seconds to the reigning Road World Champion, Sagan.  So as he crossed the line, Van Avermaet knew he had won Tirreno-Adriatico.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watecolors and Steve Quiller brushes both from www.richesonart.com.  In addition, this painting is available from my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this original work of art, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

Plus, please be sure to check out my newest book, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships.  The book is complied from my live paintings of the 2015 Championships here in my hometown of Richmond, Virginia along with my blogposts serving as the rough draft for the text of the book.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2743992-288-195767/Painting.html#.VukMQPkrLIU

Tirreno-Adriatico Stage 6: At the Line

Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) resplendent in his Maglia  Rosso, lead the quartet from the moment he launched his sprint, only to be caught at the line by Greg Van Avermaet (BMC).  The two have been going at in this early spring and I am quite sure that Sagan is getting sick of Van Avermaet continually getting the better of him.  Unable to stay with the two, Michal Kwiatkowski (Team Sky) held on for third while Zdenek Stybar (Etixx-Quickstep) missed the podium altogether.  In so doing, Van Avermaet's win, with its bonus seconds added to the bonus seconds he gained out on course, moved the Belgium rider into the Maglia Azurra of race leader.  With just an individual time trial left to race, it will remain to be seen if Van Avermaet can recover enough to ride a really fast 10k ITT.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watecolors and Steve Quiller brushes both from www.richesonart.com.  In addition, this painting is available from my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this original work of art, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

Plus, please be sure to check out my newest book, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships.  The book is complied from my live paintings of the 2015 Championships here in my hometown of Richmond, Virginia along with my blogposts serving as the rough draft for the text of the book.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2743113-284-195767/Painting.html#.Vud8LfkrLIU

Tirreno-Adriatico Stage 2: Timing It Right

I should tell you that I am now watching this race using RAI-TV's web broadcast, which has been great with the small exception of being in Italian - not a language that I am exactly fluent in.  That being said, the presenters were very excited with the attack by Giovanni Visconti (Movistar) but where going totally crazy when Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) countered Visconti's move bedecked in the tricolore of the Italian National Champion's Jersey.  However, it was the late move with just over two kilometers left by the former Czech National Champion, Zdenek Stybar (Etixx-Quicstep) that proved the be the well timed strong escape of the day.  Nibali wasn't able to chase down the fleeing Czech, nor could the reigning Slovak and World Champion, Peter Sagan.  Sagan managed to claim second on the day, but seems to be finding victory in the Rainbow Jersey a bit elusive.  Stybar's stage victory was enough to move him into the Maglia Azurro of race leader, with Tejay van Garderen (BMC) a mere nine seconds back (tied with a number of his teammates).

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 painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

In addition, be sure to check out my newest cycling art book of the Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships at www.artofcycling.bike.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2740954-268-195767/Painting.html#.VuJiq_krLIU

Giro Stage 20: Tending to the King

Race mechanics have a high pressure job, a mistake by them can mean a stage victory or an early exit from the Giro.  Then there is all of the tasks that face them.  For the Movistar mechanic, he had to provide AV services for Giovanni Visconti.  Visconti started the day in the Maglia Azzurro, the King of the Mountains Jersey.  However, others further up the road were in position to take it off of his shoulders by the end of the penultimate stage of the 98th Giro d'Italia.  Whoever pulled on the Jersey on the podium this evening, would be the one to claim the title of King of the Mountains for this year's Giro.

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 for purchase from my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But be advised, this is a one of a kind painting, so don't delay, when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2561480---184157/Painting.html#.VWqdJ89Viko

Giro Stage 19: Clean Away

I am borrowing an expression from Daniel Lloyd, who is the announcer for the broadcast that I am watching.  He, and I, are rather impressed with Giovanni Visconti's (Movistar) attack out of the breakaway today.  Visconti made it a point to go for all of the King of the Mountain points he could collect on today's rather lumpy stage.  He may not have believed that he could stay away until the mountain top finish in Cervinia, but he was the first to summit both Saint Barthelemy and Col Saint Pantaleon.  The pair of climbs earned him enough points to take over the Maglia Azzurro.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson and Company.  They are a small family run art supply company out of Wisconsin with really great art products.  You can learn more about them at www.richesonart.com.  This painting is also available through my artist website for only $50 USD, plus shipping.  The website is www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2561088-245-240-184157/Painting/Sports.html#.VWnFV89Viko

Giro Stage 18: Turn About Is Fair Play

Two days ago, Astana attacked Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) when he had a flat tire on a mountainous descent.  It angered the Spaniard and went against the unwritten rule that no one attacks the race leader when they have had a mechanical, nor when they have crashed.  Contador felt misused and chased Fabio Aru down and then put several more minutes into his closest rival.  Today, when Astana's Aru and Mikel Landa (2nd and 3rd behind Contador) Tinkoff Saxo went to the front of the remaining peloton and really drove the pace.  As they started up the final climb, Contador was down to one teammate and only Steve Kruijswijk (LottoNL Jumbo) was able to hold the wheel of the dancing Maglia Rosa.  Kruijswijk his now wearing the Azure Blue of the King of the Mountains, the jersey he claimed the same day that Astana pulled its most aggressive move.

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,  They are a lovely family run art supply business with some really fine products.  This painting is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2560830---184157/Painting.html#.VWfYqs_BzGc

Giro d'Italia Stage 18: THE King of the Mountains

The Giro has switched to being about the Colombian cyclists, today under the watchful eye of the Colombian Government's Director of Sport, Johan Davi Arredondo (Trek Factory Racing) all but secured his victory in the King of the Mountains competition.  Today he took first over all three climbs of the stage including the mountain top finish of Rif Panarotta.  Without too many more mountains to climb in the rest of the 97th Giro d'Italia, it is impossible for anyone to gain enough points to over take his lead and steal his Maglia Azzuro.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that measures 4 inches by 6 inches and is available for $50 USD through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 97th Giro.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2372262---198213/Painting.html#.U4fjKcvD_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 15: Checking Behind

Once the break began to break apart and the selection began in the peloton behind, it was time for the opportunist to take a flyer at the stage win.  Johan Davi Arredondo (Trek Factory Racing) went off to defend his lead in the Maglia Azzuro King of the Mountains Jersey, he was joined by Andre Fernando Cardoso (Garmin Sharp) who had been in the early break of the day.  The pair are about to pass under the 10 kilometers to go banner under the eyes of the cycling fans lining the whole way up the final climb.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  The painting measures 4"x6" and sells for $50 USD using my shopping cart feature at the website.  For this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post, but don't delay, it is a one of a kind original.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2369740---198213/Painting.html#.U4K9lc_D_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 11: Fighting to Hold His Wheel

The little Colombian, Johan Davi Arredondo (Trek Factory Racing), jumped from the peloton and stormed by each group up the road in hopes of getting maximum King of the Mountain points as the summit of Naso di Gatto.  He had already been the first to summit the other climb of the day and hoped to strengthen his grip on the Maglia Azzurro.  Of all of the former members of the early break, it was Georg Preidler (Giant Shimano) that was able to come any where close to holding the Colombian climber's wheel.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard (4"x6") that is available for purchase at my artist website, www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2367701---198213/Painting.html#.U32Ekc_D_IU