Giro, Stage 11: Filming the Chasers

Stage 11 went through the finishing line in Bagno di Romagna before heading out for another 50 kilometers of racing.  With the chasing group coming through the final kilometer area, it was a chance for the stationary camera to pick up the camera moto filming the chasers.  Leading the chase was Jose Jerrada (Movistar) followed by Ruben Plaza (Orica-Scott), Paolo Tiralongo (Astana) and a slew of others.  It is stunning to see what the cameramen on the back of the motorcycles go through to get the wonderful shots of the race, and what a day of racing it was, too!

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/2968095-76-235247/PaintingFilming-the-Chasers-G17-77.html

Tour Down Under Stage 2: Trying to Come Back

Flying down from the town of Stirling was this group containing one of the GC contenders for Team Sky, Sergio Henao.  Henao either crashed or had a mechanical, so he was being paced back on the descent by his brother Sebastien Henao and another teammate.who was a last minute replacement to the team roster.  Paolo Tiralongo (Astana) and Ben Bastauer (Ag2r La Mondiale) were more than happy to let the Sky boys do all of the work.  Sergio Henao did make it back to the peloton before the final climb, but most likely spent far too much energy in the 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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2905773-106-194179/PaintingTrying%20to%20Come%20Back%20TDU17-8.html#.WH8H2fkrLIU

Giro Stage 16: Taking Advantage

Astana hit the front of the peloton as soon as they realized that Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) was off the back of the group.  The professional peloton has a long tradition of not attacking the race leader when they have a mechanical problem.  Apparently, Contador had a flat tire on the previous descent so Astana saw their chance to gain time on the Maglia Rosa for their top riders, Fabio Aru and Mikel Landa.  Astana had the opportunity to hide behind the excuse that Katusha had already put in an acceleration that jeopardized Landa's position on the GC.  After race interviews revealed that Astana knew exactly what was going on behind and decide to not respect the age old tradition.

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.  The 4"x6" painting is available from my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular art work for $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2559978---184157/Painting.html#.VWULnflViko

Giro Stage 9: Getting the Shot

Paolo Tiralongo (Astana) earned his first stage win in the 98th Giro d'Italia.  He wanted to make sure there were plenty of enthusiastic poses for the photographers to chose from.  I am use to seeing the resulting photos from the press photographers that are lucky enough to have the credentials to line the chosen site at the end of each stage.  This was a treat to get the view as the victorious cyclist sees the press core as he claims a stage.  The course was wise enough to put a shallow bend after the line which allow the photographers to get their money shots while not constricting the road way for the decelerating cyclist.

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, www.richesonart.com.  This painting is available for purchase through 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.  International shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2555494---184157/Painting.html#.VVkMDiFViko

Giro Stage 9: Turning for Home

Astana is having an amazing Giro.  With Fabio Aru and Mikel Landa safely stuck like glue to the Maglia Rosa of Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) Paolo Tiralongo was free to chase down the last man ahead of his erstwhile break away companions.  Unfortunately for Tom Jelte Slagter (Cannondale Garmin) the charging Italian was able to fly past the flagging Dutchman on his way to another Italian stage win.  His gap was large enough for the race organizers to allow the neutral service vehicle and some of the race motos inbetween the pair of stage hopefuls.

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, www.richesonart.com.  This painting is available for purchase through 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.  International shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2555490---184157/Painting.html#.VVkJZCFViko

Paris Nice Stage 3: Hitting Them Hard

Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) eventually could no longer hold the wheel of Paolo Tiralongo (Astana).  As he went backwards, Jan Bakelants and Romain Bardet (both AG2R) jumped out of the pack on a steep short climb before the finishing town just seven kilometers up the road.  The move by AG2R looked like a winner, Bakelants has pulled a successful move like this one in the past.  More likely than not, he was working for his teammate, Bardet, giving him the chance to gain a little time before the mountains tomorrow.   I was equally amused by the other trio, the beer bellied cycling fans on the crest of the hill.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting is painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.   To purchase this particular painting for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  If you are enjoying reading about bike racing with this accompanying artwork, be sure to check out my recently published Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France.  The book is available through virtually all online booksellers, please google the title to find out where you can purchase your copy and avoid international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2523636---195767/Painting.html#.VQCJQPzF-xU

Paris Nice Stage 3: Fresh Legs

It was Philippe Gilbert (BMC) and then Florian Vachon (Bretagne Seche) that surrender the effort and dropped back into the peloton,  However surprisingly, Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) found the strength to jump onto the fresh legs of Paolo Tiralongo (Astana) as he attacked out of the peloton with just under 10 kilometers left to race.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting is painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.   To purchase this particular painting for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  If you are enjoying reading about bike racing with this accompanying artwork, be sure to check out my recently published Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France.  The book is available through virtually all online booksellers, please google the title to find out where you can purchase your copy and avoid international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2523634---195767/Painting.html#.VQCHJfzF-xU