Dauphine, Stage 3: Up and Chasing

 I feel like everytime I paint a race that includes Guillaume Martin (Cofidis) I paint some version of this image.  Again he was caught up in a realitively small crash with about 14 kilometers to go.  While he was quickly back up and onto his spare bike, it was a long hard chase to get back to the peloton.  He had half of the team to help him work his way back through the cars (and his own team car).  It was Nathan Hass, Kenneth Van Bilson, and Pierre-Luc Perichon who led the way.  I believe the rest of the team was behind having gone down with their team leader.  This race has been fairly crash free, although today saw the abandoment of Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo) due to an early crash.  Hopefully, Martin will not meet the same fate over night.

This is the thirteenth painting of this year's race, I sure hope I didn't jinx the French favorite.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above.  Since ti is an original work of art, it is a first come first seved reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburth watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium-du-Dauphine/3814723-97-185083/Painting/up-and-chasing-cd21-13.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 3: Sprinting for Seconds

I do enjoy a pun,  I am a dad after all.  I am also about to be a grandfather, so that makes puns doubly fun.  So...  Nathan Haas (Katusha-Alpecin) and Jay McCarthy (Bora-Hansgrohe) sprinted for bonus seconds and for second place at the intermediate sprint point.  Haas was able to hold of McCarthy for a 2 second bonus, McCarthy got a 1 second bonus.  Seems like quite a bit of energy for very little gain.  However, the Tour Down Under has been decided by just one second in the past.  And this duo finished 2017 on equal time with count back putting one on the podium and the other in the less than satisfying fourth place.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. To purchase this artwork, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3099370-105-194179/PaintingSprinting-for-Seconds-TDU18-12.html

Giro, Stage 3: The Value of Team Work

Fernando Gaviria's (Quickstep) victory was such a powerful example of team work, that it was is teammate behind, Maximiliano Richeze, who raised his arms in a victory salute.  Gaviria was so concentrated on getting the better of Nathan Haas (Dimension Data), Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek-Segafredo) and Rudiger Selig (Bora-Hansgrohe) that he didn't dare celebrate until he was over the finish line.  Just out of frame was his other teammate, Bob Jungels who finished seventh on the day open up a minimum of 10 seconds on all of the GC contenders.  Gaviria's win also made him the third to wear the Maglia Rosa in the 100th Giro d'Italia.  This was the final day of racing on Sardinia.  Tomorrow will be a relative Rest Day, as the race will take the ferry to Sicily for two more days of racing before hitting the mainland.

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/2963224-23-235247/PaintingThe-Value-of-Team-Work-G17-23.html

Giro, Stage 2: That Didn't Work

Nathan Haas (Dimension Data) jumped free of the peloton on the descent off of the Genna Silana.  He was joined by Davide Martinelli (Quickstep).  Unfortunately for Haas, Martinelli was there more as a break away killer than a fellow opportunist.  He was more interested in making sure that Haas didn't succeed than pushing on together.  Haas looked over his shoulder and was disappointed to see the peloton closing in, despite all of his efforts to get Martinelli to work with him.

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/2962964-13-235247/PaintingThat-Didn't-Work-G17-13.html

Tour Down Under Stage 2: Leading Them Up

None other than the two time World Champion, Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe), who hit the bottom of the final climb on the front of the peloton.  Sagan was either riding for himself or for his teammate sitting in third overall, Jay McCarthy.  Trying to hold the wheel of the Slovakian was Nathan Haas (Dimension Data) followed by Richie Porte (BMC).  The climb proved too steep for Sagan, but he was the one to open up the attacks on the final 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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2905775-107-194179/PaintingLeading%20Them%20Up%20TDU17-9.html#.WH8KhvkrLIU

Tour of California, Stage 4: The Clear Winner

Two steep climbs within the final 5 kilometers ensured that the marquee sprinters would not be present to contest for the stage victory.  However the World Champion, Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) is not your typical sprinter.  It was Sagan who was able to sprint around Nathan Hass (Dimension Data) and still hold off the chasing Greg Van Avermaet (BMC).  It was Van Avermaet that Sagan left on the penultimate climb of 23rd Street in Richmond, Virginia on his was to winning his Rainbow Jersey.  Van Avermaet did manage to exact some revenge in some of the early Spring races in Belgium this year.  Julian Alaphilippe (Etixx-Quickstep) managed to hang on to finish at the same time as the leaders thus holding on to Yellow.  Sagan may have done enough to solidify is hold on what will become his fourth Green Jersey in the Tour of California, a feat he has already accomplished in the Tour de France.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting created live during the race using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my cycling art is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  You will also find my art/cycling books on the 2014 Tour du France and the 2015 UCI Road World Championships on the site as well.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post. Don't delay, these are one of a kind original paintings, so once they are gone, they are gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2792960-20-223355/Painting.html#.Vz0Vw_mDGko

Tour of California, Stage 4: On to the Track

Two short steep climbs mark the end of a 134 mile race along the Pacific coast, the final on the Mazda Raceway just above Monterey Bay.  First it was yet another rider for Axeon Hagens Berman, Ruben Gurreiro, who went on the attack.  His effort was quickly countered by Nathan Haas (Dimension Data).  While these two raced away, the favorites including George Bennett (LottoNL Jumbo), Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) and Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) played cat and mouse, trying to see who could escape from whom.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting created live during the race using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my cycling art is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  You will also find my art/cycling books on the 2014 Tour du France and the 2015 UCI Road World Championships on the site as well.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post. Don't delay, these are one of a kind original paintings, so once they are gone, they are gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2792957-19-223355/Painting.html#.Vz0SOfmDGko

Tour de France, Stage 13: Slightly Different Terrain

After three grueling days in the Pyrennes, the riders were treated to what should have been an easy day.  However, nothing is easy in the Tour.  The early break of six including, Wilco Kelderman (LottoNL-Jumbo), Nathan Haas, (Cannondale Garmin) and local boy Alexandre Geniez (FDJ).  Supposedly Geniez was schooled in the starting town of Muret and raised in the finishing town of Rodez.  I am sure he entertained thoughts of winning a stage of the Tour de France on the very roads that he has trained on all of his life.  Making the stage hard were the rolling hills, the cross winds on the tops of the ridges and the oppressive heat.  It has been calculated that each rider needs about four gallons of water to drink and to pour over themselves in an attempt to keep their core cool.  Kelderman is doing just that.

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 through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Remember it is an original painting so when it is gone, it is gone.  I would advise against delaying if you see one you want.  International shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2581546---210122/Painting.html#.ValOqPlViko

Tour Down Under Final Stage: Is There a Gap?

The peloton lined up for the final stage in downtown Adelaide, they were facing a 20 lap circuit races through the heart of the city.  While it looked to be a day for the sprinters, a small group managed to pry free of the peloton living in hope for a surprise ending of the day.  Manuele Boaro (Tinkoff-Saxo) looks back over his shoulder to see if he and his compatriots, Alexis Gougeard (Ag2r), Calvin Watson (Trek Factory Racing) and Nathan Hass (Cannondale-Garmin), have managed to shake the main bunch off of their wheels.

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 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 have enjoyed reading this coverage of the Tour Down Under, be sure to check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France".  You can order your copy from the publisher's website here, http://www.dementimilestonepublishing.com/#!book-de-tour/c1nth

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2501684---194179/Painting.html#.VMSeQ9g5DIU

Giro d'Italia Stage 9: Garmin Hits the Front

In stage 9 of the Giro today, every time the road went down, BMC was on the front, and every time it went up, it was Garmin Sharp with their noses in the wind.  I am not sure who the Argyle boys are riding for since Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin Sharp) was one of these on the front along with Nathan Haas (Garmin Sharp).  All of the Garmin team lost big time when Dan Martin (Garmin Sharp) crashed in the opening Team Time Trial stage back in Belfast, Northern Ireland.  Ryder may be too far back to have a chance of defending his 2012 Giro win but he looked like he or Haas were riding for a stage win.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase through 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%202014/2365397---198213/Painting.html#.U3kcls_D_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 7: Time to Talk

With the break away on one of the steeper uncategorized climbs of the day and the peloton starting to gain on them, Robinson Chalapud (Team Colombia) got into a bit of a discussion with Nathan Hass (Garmin Sharp) about speeding up the pace.  He is making the motion of revving a motorcycle in hopes of convincing Nathan to speed up, either it was a question of speed or Robinson felt that Haas wasn't putting in enough pulls at the front of the pace line.  Whatever the Colombian thought, it made for a five minute argument as the two maintain their order in the break's pace line.  Winner Anacona (Lampre-Belisol), another well named bike racer, just watched the two argue it out and kept pedaling doing his share of pulls.  No sense getting Chalapud cross with anyone else.  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.  But while you are at the website, why not take the time to browse all of the art that is on offer?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2364867---198213/Painting.html#.U3ck2M_D_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 7: Going for It

Besides the final sprint of each stage for the stage win, the race organizers add an Intermediate Sprint somewhere along the route of the race.  Often times it is only rolled through by the break away riders, other days (like Stage 6) sprinters will go out in hopes of securing their lead (or gaining one) in the sprint competition.  The Giro d'Italia also awards a placing for the most victories in just the Intermediate sprints.  So the five man break actually went after the points in the town of Rieti and then got back to the business of trying to hold off the peloton all the way to the finishing line in Foligno.  The order across the line was; Robinson Chalapud (Team Colombia), Nicola Boen (Bariani CSF) and Nathan Haas (Garmin Sharp), these were the three that collect the points on offer, the other two in the break, Winner Anacona (Lampre-Belisol) and Bjorn Thurau (Europcar) only have the honor of being in the day's break away.  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 painting (and in fact, all of my cycling art) is available for purchase through 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/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2364865---198213/Painting.html#.U3cji8_D_IU

Tour Down Under: Sprinting for Seconds, Stage 4

Wearing the Blue Jersey of Sprint Leader but hoping to pull back on the Ochre Jersey of race leader, Simon Gerrans contested every sprint in Stage 4 of the Tour Down Under grabbing 3 seconds at the first sprint, and 1 more in this sprint.  Nathan Haas (Garmin Sharp) and Elia Viviani (Lampre) laid in wait and showed their sprinter's legs to beat him to the sprint point.  Cadel Evans (BMC) wearing the Ochre Leader's Jersey kept a watchful eye on the proceedings, however it seems that he may have had a mechanical just as he tried to accelerate to challenge in the sprint.  He changed bikes shortly after the sprint point.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by visiting my artist website, www.greigleach.com or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the Santos Tour Down Under.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2297981---194179/Painting.html#.UuM-388o7IU