Dauphine, Stage 5, Sprinting for Third

With the final step of the podium still up for grabs, this trio comprised of Dan Martin (Etixx-Quickstep), Adam Yates (Orica-GreenEdge) and the Yellow Jersey of Alberto Contador (Tinkoff) sprinted as hard as the over climbed legs could go.  Martin was hoping to move himself higher in the GC and to represent the team since Julian Alaphilippe (Etixx-Quickstep) was suffering further down the mountain.  Yates also hoped to move up and was able to just nip the third slot from Martin at the line.  Of course, Contador was hoping to minimize his loses on the day.  He had been claiming that he did not want to wear the leader's jersey throughout the race, but he has made it a little difficult to reclaim it from a very on form Froome.

Ultimately, Martin moved himself into 4th place just 37 seconds back and Yates slid into 6th looking for 52 seconds.  With 2 more stages to race and eleven more climbs to surmount this race is hardly decided.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2806627-70-185083/Painting.html#.V1vDPvkrLIU

Dauphine, Stage 4: Cornering for Home

With just meters left to race the entire peloton was elbowing their way through the final corner.  Once they straighten up from this hard lean, it was time to sprint in earnest.  Leading them through the corner was the strong man from BMC, Greg Van Avermaet,  Rubbing shoulders with the Belgium on the Swiss team was Daryl Impey (Orica-GreenEdge) and next to him, the Norwegian Champion, Edvald Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data).  Tucked in behind Van Avermaet was the fast man from Giant-Alpecin, John Degenkolb.  From here it looked like it was going to be the man from BMC at the line.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2805694-62-185083/Painting.html#.V1pDE_krLIU

Dauphine, Stage 4: Leading the Chase

With just one rider left to catch, Marcus Burghardt (BMC) went to the front and led the chase to pull Maxime Bouet (Etixx-Quickstep).  Tucked onto the wheel in his borrowed Polka Dot Jersey of the King of the Mountains is his teammate, Richie Porte.  Behind the BMC duo was the lead out train for Orica-GreenEdge headed up by Christian Meier.  Behind them was the start of Nacer Bouhanni's Cofidis lead out.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2805682-61-185083/Painting.html#.V1pAG_krLIU

Dauphine: Stage 2, Holding onto the Tail

As the peloton started up the penultimate climb of the day, although it should be said that there was no real down hill before the final climb to the finish line, the sprinters started sliding to the back of the pack.  Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis) resplendent in his Green (Points Leader) skinsuit was one of those that wasn't happy with the climbs to come.  Joining him at the rear of the peloton was Stephen Cummings (Dimension Data) and Daryl Impey (Orica-GreenEdge).  It wasn't long before they, and quite a few other riders, started falling off the back and into the Grupetto.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2804566-47-185083/Painting.html#.V1eMo5ErLIU

Dauphine, Stage 1: Peddling Through Town

The first stage on the open road featured the requiste break away.  The duo of Mitch Docker (Orica-GreenEdge) and Frederik Backaert (Wanty-Groupe Gobert).  The two had managed to build up to five minutes on the peloton.  But by the time they road through the town of Peyzieu the teammates of the sprinters had reeled back two minutes on the escapees.  One of the treats of watching cycling throughout the world, is the chance to see areas of great beauty and charm.  I often wonder how much the riders really get to enjoy the scenery.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2804035-41-185083/Painting.html#.V1Y7gJErLIU

Paris Roubaix: Embracing His Victory

It was Matthew Hayman (Orica GreenEdge) who had slipped away at 72 kilometers to go, only to be brought back into the fold, that got the jump on the more season campaigners who came into the velodrome with the Australian.  Hayman seemed stunned and perhaps incredulous that he had actually one this most fabled of one day races.  He had just held off the veteran Tom Boonen (Etixx-Quickstep), as well as Ian Stannard (Team Sky).  Sep Vanmarcke (LottoNL Jumbo) who had felt sure the race was his twenty minutes earlier, missed the podium, having poured all of his energy into the solo effort.  Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) came home almost a minute and a half later, with Fabian Cancellara (Trek-Segafredo) arriving another three minutes later covered in the mud of northern France and the sweat of disappointment in a poorly timed tumble.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  In addition this painting, and all of my cycling artwork, 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.

Be sure to discover my most recent book, Art of Cycling: Richnond 2015 UCI Road World Chanpionships.  You can find the book at your favorite online retailer or at www.artofcycling.bike.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2767310-318-195767/Painting.html#.Vwsn9fkrLIU

Paris Roubaix: Directing Traffic

Tom Boonen (Etixx-Quickstep) knew that two of his main rivals were over a minute behind and getting further back by the kilometer.  Boonen kept pushing those that were in the front group to keep working together.  While everyone wanted to win, none were interested in helping the four time winner Boonen get his fifth victory.  In this leading group were Edvald Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data), Imanol Erviti (Movistar), Ian Stannard (Sky) and now back in the fold, Matthew Hayman (Orica-GreenEdge), all with the pedigree to dream of victory in the velodrome of Roubaix at the end of this grueling race of 257.5 kilometers.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  In addition this painting, and all of my cycling artwork, 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.

Be sure to discover my most recent book, Art of Cycling: Richnond 2015 UCI Road World Chanpionships.  You can find the book at your favorite online retailer or at www.artofcycling.bike.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2767301-315-195767/Painting.html#.VwsghPkrLIU

Paris Roubaix: Slipping Away

Orica-GreenEdge had come to the north of France to race and race they did.  After Luke Durbridge (Orica GreenEdge) had dropped off of the front of the race, the mantle for the team was taken up by Matthew Hayman.  Hayman slipped away from the everyone else on the road, attempting to go off on his own.  With 77 kilometers left to race, it was most likely too much to hope to stay away to the end, but the move did let everyone know that the Aussie was up to the challenges of the cobbles, rollers and winds of Northern France.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  In addition this painting, and all of my cycling artwork, 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.

Be sure to discover my most recent book, Art of Cycling: Richnond 2015 UCI Road World Chanpionships.  You can find the book at your favorite online retailer or at www.artofcycling.bike.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2767289-312-195767/Painting.html#.VwsYOfkrLIU

Paris Roubaix: Opening Up a Gap

Perhaps it is true that there is strength in numbers.  Once a group of 16 had managed to join forces off of the front of the peloton, the break finally started to build up a bit of a gap on the fast riding peloton behind.  Tacked onto the pack of the group was Matthew Hayman (Orica-GreenEdge).  Some of those ahead of the Australian were Michael Morkov (Katusha), Tim Declercq (Topsport Vlaanderen) and Marko Kump (Lampre-Merida). All along the route, the gendarmerie race ahead to warn the riders of dangers along the road.  Once the riders have swung past, the officers jump onto their motorcycles and rush past the race to take up their warning job again.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  In addition this painting, and all of my cycling artwork, 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.

Be sure to discover my most recent book, Art of Cycling: Richnond 2015 UCI Road World Chanpionships.  You can find the book at your favorite online retailer or at www.artofcycling.bike.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2767223-309-195767/Painting.html#.VwsQ5fkrLIU

Milano-San Remo: Fighting to Get Back On

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As fatigue set in, and the nerves began to fray, riders began to hit the deck, crashing from touches of wheels or momentary lapses of attention.  One of those to hit the deck was the former French champion, Armaud Demare (FDJ).  Demare joined with Gregor Muhlberger (Bora-Argon 18), one of Muhlberger's teammates, and Luka Mezgec (Orica-GreenEdge) in the dash to race back up to the peloton.  Demare was more fortunate than some who crashed.  First he was able to get back up on his bike, while others were not able to continue, and he was also able to catch back onto the rear of the peloton.  In so doing, he was still able to harbor hopes of playing in the finale of the race in about 25 kilometers.

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%20/2747782-293-195767/Painting.html#.Vu90dPkrLIU

Tirreno Adriatico Stage 3: Embracing the Speed

Fernando Gaviria Rendon (Etixx-Quickstep) did a great job paying the team back for all of its hard work on the road to Montalto di Castro.  Just missing out on the stage victory was the rising star for Orica-GreenEdge, Caleb Ewan.  Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) is still looking for a European victory in his snappy new Rainbow Jersey.  Today he missed the podium, too.  Others that made the painting, but not the podium, are Leigh Howard (IAM Cycling) and Sacha Modolo (Lampre Merida).  Etixx-Quickstep also did enough to keep Zdenek Stybar in the Maglia Azurra of the race leader.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created live 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, just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of Tirreno-Adriatico.

Plus be sure to discover my new book, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships".  You can purchase it online at www.artofcycling.bike or ask for it at your local bookstore.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2741323-274-195767/Painting.html#.VuM2yvkrLIU

Tirreno-Adriatico Stage 3: Timing the Catch

The peloton did not want to catch the break too early.  For the sprinter's teams it would mean they had to work that much harder to control the front of the group, to keep other opportunists from attacking off of the front.  As they rolled under the 10 K banner, Etixx-Quickstep had all of their train together, the question was, were they setting up their sprinter or just protecting the Maglia Azzura of Zdenek Stybar?  Riding in the second train was Orica-GreenEdge undoubtedly setting up their youn fast man, Caleb Ewan.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created live 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, just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of Tirreno-Adriatico.

Plus be sure to discover my new book, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships".  You can purchase it online at www.artofcycling.bike or ask for it at your local bookstore.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2741312-273-195767/Painting.html#.VuMz3vkrLIU

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad: Giving a Hand and a Wheel

There is a reason that there are teams in a bike race.  And each member of a team has a particular role to play.  Some like Jens Keukeleire (Orica-GreenEdge) are the "protected riders" those that are designated to have the best chance to win the race for the team.  Others, like Keukeleire's teammate, Alexander Edmondson, are called domestiques, and are in the race to aid the goals of the protected riders on their team.  Keukeleire had a flat on the rough cobbled roads that are a feature of the Belgium races, and Edmondson realizing his man was in trouble, stopped, removed his own rear wheel and switched it onto his teammates bike.  This allowed Keukeleire to get back into the race much quicker (although it could have gone better had Edmondson not had so much trouble making the trade).

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, www.richesonart.com.  Plus this painting is avialable through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to purchase your piece of this early spring semi-classic.  International shipping is available.

Then there is my new book of the 2015 Road World Championships entitled, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships.  Available world wide and at www.artofcycling.bike.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2720259-253-195767/Painting.html#.VtMmsvkrLIU

Tour Down Under: In the Beginning & the End

Caleb Ewan (Orica-GreenEdge) had a spectacular Tour Down Under, claiming the first and final stages of this years race,  Orica-GreenEdge did even better with Simon Gerrans winning two stages as well, bringing their total to four out of six possible stages.  Simon Gerrans also won the overall race and the points jersey so it really was quite a fabled race for the Australian team.  Plus this year, every stage was won by an Australian, so it really was a home team Tour.

This is the final painting of the first race of the ProTour season.  I will switch to the classics and monuments over the next three months and then it will be back to some of the major and more minor stage races for the rest of the season.  It is highly likely that I will be back painting the UCI Road World Championships live in Doha, Qatar.  It is equally likely that I will be at the US Pro Challenge in Colorado and maybe even the US Road Championships in May.

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/2683103-98-194179/Painting.html#.VqVBAfkrLIU

Tour Down Under: Photo Finish

With experience comes skill.  Simon Gerrans (Orica GreenEdge) and Rohan Dennis (BMC) were able to catch the escapees on the descent.  A descent that reached speads in excess of 105 kilometers per hour.  The duo fought all of the way to the line.  So close was their finish that it had to go to the photo finished where it was learned that it was Gerrnas who came from behind to beat last year's winner at the line.  With Gerrans win and the bonus seconds, he will be taking the Ochre Jersey back for the home team.

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/2678358-80-194179/Painting.html#.VqHLjfkrLIU

Tour Down Under: Making His Move

With the short steep ascent of Corkscrew hill to form the launch pad, it was Richie Porte in his new BMC kit who was the first to jump out of the diminished peloton.  Quick to jump on to the Tasmanian's wheel were Simon Gerrans (Orica-GreenEdge), Domenico Pozzovivo (AG2R La Mondiale) and Serio Henao (Team Sky).  The parched hillside was dotted with cycling fans although most had gone to the top to see who would claim the hill and most likely the stage.

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/2678312-78-194179/Painting.html#.VqHGJPkrLIU

Tour Down Under: Taking Them Up

Orica-GreenEdge has been expected to do the work on the front, first by being a ProTour team from Australia, and secondly, because the Ochre Jersey is on one of their team members.  So it is that Luke Durbridge, Michael Hepburn and Michael Albasini were called upon to ride tempo and keep the lone break away rider in check.  With the repetitive uncategorized climb on the finishing circuit, it was unlikely that their sprinter, Caleb Ewan, would be able to keep is leader's jersey, but the team leader, Simon Gerrans, had already picked up 5 bonus seconds in the earlier intermediate sprints.  He must be setting the stage to go for the General Classification lead by the end of the day.

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/2674747-69-194179/Painting.html#.Vp_PwPkrLIU

Tour Down Under: First of the Year

For my regular readers, you will know that I love a title with more than one meaning.  Here is another.  First of the Year refers to both Caleb Ewan's (Orica-GreenEdge) first win of 2016, but it also refers to the first ProTour stage win of the season and the first win for Orica-GreenEdge.  Nothing like getting the first victory out of the way, not that it makes a sprinter any less hungry on the next day out.  With this victory it follows the Ewan is the first overall leader of the Santos Tour Down Under and will be spraying the press photographers with champagne shortly.

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/2673672-67-194179/Painting.html#.Vp6JXfkrLIU

Tour Down Under: Swapping Wheels

As a team rider, one has to be ready to aid your protected rider at all times.  Here Mathew Hayman (Orica-GreenEdge) stops to give his man, Simon Gerrans, his back wheel in order to keep Gerrans in contention for the overall.  With the wheel, Gerrans saved the time it would have taken for his team car to get up to him with the replacement for his punctured rear tire.  Hayman then waited for the his mechanic and rode in with the follow caravan leaving Gerrans able to finish with the same time as the winner of the stage.

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/2673664-65-194179/Painting.html#.Vp6FGfkrLIU

Tour Down Under: Drinking on the Job

With the heat beating down on the peloton, it was important to keep drinking.  Michael Hepburn (Orica-GreenEdge) and his teammate, Luke Durbridge rode tempo on the front of the peloton,  The duo pegged the break away at two minutes, holding them there until the last kilometers of the stage. With the three men up the road, it was less likely that someone with fresh legs would jump out of the pack and spoil the sprinters' day.

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/2673259-63-194179/Painting.html#.Vp3VE_krLIU