Giro, Stage 11: Taking Tom Back Up

The defending champion of the 100th Giro d'Italia, Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) is being lead back up through the peloton.  His team is always near by, ready to lend a hand in any way the team leader may need.  Former break away stars, Maxim Belkov (Katusha) and Marco Frapporti (Androni Giocattoli) moved over, to let Louis Vervaeke and Chris Hamilton lead number 1 through.  With 63 kilometers left to race, there was no reason to be worried.

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/3164925-49-249297/PaintingTaking-Tom-Back-Up--G18-49.html

Giro, Stage 9: Chasing a Few Points

With a larger group of escapee then heretofore, it was going to take some effort to get any sprint points (or KOM points for that matter).  At the first of two sprints before the climb up the Gran Sasso d'Italia, it was Maxim Belkov (Katusha-Alpecin) who went on the offensive.  His move was covered, and bested, by Davide Ballerini (Andronni-Giocattli) in Bussi Sul Tirino.  Two others that had been leading the fourteen member group, Simone Andreetta (Bardiani CSF) and Mathias Brandle (Trek-Segafredo) decided not to get involved with the duos shennanigans.  However, it should be noted that Andreetta came third across the line.  10 kilometers up the road the duo went at it again, with Belkov trying from further out, again to no avail.  And again, Andreetta came third.

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/3162382-36-249297/PaintingChasing-a-Few-Points--G18-36.html

Giro, Stage 4: Well Played

The three surviving members of the early break, took the opportunity to shake hads as they neared the 15 K to go banner.  After prying out a five minute gap on the peloton over the preceeding 183 kilometers, it was now just a couple of seconds until they would be re-absorbed by the chasing peloton.  It is always a long shot that a break will work out, but it is always worth the attempt.

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/3159784-19-249297/PaintingWell-Played--G18-19.html

Giro, Stage 4: Sorry About That

The race had it's required early break away, a group of five that included the Maglia Azzurro along with Jacopo Mosca (Wilier Triestina-Selle Italia), Marco Frapporti (Androni Giocattoli-Spidermac) and Maxim Belkov (Katusha-Alpecin).  Apparently Frapporti had a touch of wheels with the Russian Belkov - or some other incident (it happened off camera so who knows what actually happened).  The Italian made sure to apologize or at least explain what happened, knowing full well that the group was going to have to work together to stay away from the peloton all the way to Caltagirone.

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/3159764-17-249297/PaintingSorry-About-That--G18-17.html

Giro, Stage 20: Starting the Climb

The final road stage, and this is the final break away of the 100th Giro d'Italia.  The quintet of riders hit the base of the Monte Grappa with a few minutes in hand, but it could be argued that they were all out front to provide help to their respective team leaders later in the stage.  The one member of the group you can't see is Dries Devenyns (Quickstep).  Otherwise, it is Tom Jelte Slagter (Cannondale-Drapac) who is leading Dylan Teuns (BMC), Maxim Belkov (Katusha-Alpecin) and Mathieu Ladagnous (FDJ) through the stop sign and on to the climb.

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/2974137-135-235247/PaintingStarting-the-Climb-G17-143.html

Giro Stage 12: A Wheel and a Chat

Maxim Belkov (Katusha) was one of many riders who had a flat tire on the day.  While he had his on the descent off of Castelnuovo, at least his was a slow leak that allowed him to keep control of his bike on the twisty wet descent.  While his mechanic changed the rear wheel (notice the Belkov his holding the bike off of the ground to aid his mechanic), his director sportif took the opportunity to discuss any strategies for the remainder of the race.  I am sure that the fan in the blue hoodie couldn't believe his luck in being able to film a ProTour team racer so close.  It is nice that he avoided the intrusive selfie that plaque last season's racing.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from the American family run art supply company, Jack Richeson & Company, www.richesonart.com.  This painting is available for purchase through my artist website for the low price of $50 USD, plus shipping (including international shipping).  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/2557662---184157/Painting.html#.VV43iflViko

Tour Down Under Stage 4: Making a Late Break

With several breakaways established and then got by the peloton on the road to Mount Barker, it was these three that tried to go again after the second intermediate sprint.  Maxim Belkov (Katusha) - who had been in the first break away on Stage One, was joined in the late effort by Ruslan Tleubayev (Astana) and Pieter Serry, who is riding for the newly renamed Etixx-Quickstep cycling team.  Belkov was hoping that lightening would strike twice, allowing him to be in another successful break that would stay away until the finishing line.

This is a small original water color and ink painting that is available for purchase 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 this Tour, please check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France" available online world wide.  Google the title to find out where you can purchase your copy without having to pay international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2500582---194179/Painting.html#.VMH6qdg5DIU

Tour Down Under Stage 1: Getting Twitchy

Surprisingly, it appears that the peloton missed the formula that would catch the break away before the line.  Instead the four, that had gone from the very first kilometer of the stage were still away with less the 500 meters to the line.  The more experience Mazim Belkov (Katusha) and Lieuwe Westra (Astana) goofed, ending up on the front of the foursome, snapping their heads around trying to see which Aussie was going to jump first.  For his part, Jack Bobridge (UniSA-Australia) kept an close eye on the fast approaching peloton.  This game of high speed chess was watched from the back of the motorcycle of the neutral service vehicle, the duo ready to loan a wheel should anyone have a very poorly timed flat tire.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  If you would like to get this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

If you are enjoying this cycling art, you may be interested in checking out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France".  Google the title to find where you can get the book near you.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2499420---194179/Painting.html#.VL8MNE05DIU

Tour Down Under Stage 1: At the Beginning

The Santos Tour Down Under and the 2015 ProTour Road Racing season is now underway.  Stage One was lit up from the drop of the flag with a three man break away that included, Lieuwe Westra (Astana), Maxim Belkov (Katusha) and Jack Bobridge (UniSA-Australia).  The trio was quickly joined by the Australian on the other Australian team, Luke Durbridge (Orica-GreenEdge).  The now quartet never build up more than a minute and a half on the peloton, so it looks to be a mass mad dash down to the finish line off of the only categorized climb of the day.  This is an original small (4"x6") watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  In addition this painting and many other pieces of original cycling art 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 this appeals to you, be sure to take a look at my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France" available world wide.  Just Google it to find out where you can buy a copy.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2499294-31-30-194179/Painting.html#.VL7Ymk05DIU

Giro d'Italia Stage 13: Ring Side Seating

If you have enough clout, a big enough VIP, you can get a ride in one of the official's vehicles that ride along with the peloton or the breakaways.  They are there to make sure that rules are followed, dangers are communicated, and riders get the assistance they need from either their teams or the race doctor.  While I have no idea who is in the car with the pink cap, he sure is getting a great view of Maxim Belkov (Katusha) as he finishes off a bottle and loads up his bottle cages on the bike.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that measures 4 inches by 6 inches and 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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2368877---198213/Painting.html#.U3_kGs_D_IU

Volta Catalunya Stage 2: I Feel Them Coming

The early six man break by now as lost two riders, one dropping off the pace and slipping back to the peloton, the other just road them all of his wheel, Thomas Voeckler (Europcar), hoping to solo his way to victory in the second stage of the Volta Catalunya.  These four where unable to pull back the lone Frenchman and, Michael Koch (Cannondale) sensed that the peloton would soon be swallowing them up as they charged up the final climb of Stage 2.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting, you can just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2335049---195767/Painting.html#.UzI4JMvD_IU

Giro Day Nineteen: Nice and Flat

Today was no exception to the pattern of early break aways getting five or six minutes on the peleton but the anticipation of another mass sprint made this effort as doomed as most.  The stage was dominantly flat today as the cyclist spun through vineyards, factories and cities.  This break was comprised of Belkov of Katusha, Rubiano of Androni, Dockx of Lotto and Durbridge the Australian National Champion and rider for Orica-Greenedge.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and it can be yours by visiting my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2153371---184157/Painting.html#.UaVUEs_D_IU

Giro Day Nineteen: On Ancient Roads

The scenery in Italy is stunning with ruins, castles, gardens, vineyards and sweeping vistas (and villas).  And the earliest paved roads were built by the Romans, I was struck by the beauty of the break away passing under this ruined gate way before they crossed the river into the town of Valeggio Sul Mincio.  Fortunately for the riders the road has been modernized since the days of the Roman Empire.  I had the chance to try to cycle on the Appian Way outside of Rome, there was no way my little skinny tired road bike was going over those stones!  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and like all of the work in this series was created with cake watercolors, brushes and paper all from www.richesonart.com   The works are also available for purchase at my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2153367---184157/Painting.html#.UaVTV8_D_IU

Giro Day Thirteen: The Final Climb of the Day

This is the break of the day still away at about 70 K still to go, they are about to crest the final climb of the day.  While nothing like the mountains of the last two days, it was short and very steep.  More like some of the fabled climbs of the Arden.  I am not sure what the tifosi in the red suit  signed said, I don't read Italian, but he sure looked like he was trying to be a Santa Claus.  This break comprised of riders from Vacansoliel, Argos Shimano, Katusha, Androni-Giocattoli Venezuela, stay away until inside of the last kilometer of the race.  It is always so heartbreaking to see them get caught within sight of the finishing line.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and can be yours by visiting my artist web site.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post. 

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2151521---184157/Painting.html#.UaAqicvD_IU

Giro Day Thirteen: Come On, Let's Go!

The break away had a very long day in the rain, well so did the rest of the peleton, and seemed to get a little testy along the way.  Here De Becker tries to get Belkov to pick up the pace and ride on ahead.  Judging by the way everyone is dressed it was not only wet but rather chilly as well.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and like all of the works in this project, it was created with cake watercolors, brushes and papers from www.richesonart.com   In addition, all of the works, including this one are available for purchase through my artist website, just follow the direct link at the end of this post. 

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2151507---184157/Painting.html#.UaAjj8vD_IU

Giro Day Thirteen: Cold & Wet

Another wet day at the Giro and another break away.  The rain doesn't stop thousands and thousands of fans from coming out to watch the race fly by, some are rather picturesque along the side of the road.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and is available for sale through a 3 day auction on ebay.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post, but hurry, the auction begins as soon as this post is published.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251276558445

Giro Day Nine: Down to the Sun & Victory

Maxim Belkov was the second rider in a row in a road stage to go in an early break away, leave his fellow attackers and solo to a stage victory.  Belkov had the added treat of making the final descent towards his stage victory as the sun broke through the rain soaked skies to shine on his accomplishment.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by going to my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2151027---184157/Painting.html#.UZ68KMvD_IU

Giro Day Nine: All in a Row

There are so many entertaining sights in the Grand Tours, and the Giro hasn't failed in that category.  The fans are ardent, loyal, and enthusiastic, so much that they come out in the rain, line up along a stone wall to get a better view of Maxim Belkov riding away from his former allies in the break of the day.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and like all of the works in this series, is available for purchase on my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2150039---184157/Painting.html#.UZw0Vs_D_IU