Tour Down Under: Quite the View

The penultimate stage of the Tour Down Under takes in quite a variety of the South Australian landscape.  As I am writing this it is snowing heavily here in Richmond, VA, so this view of the shimmering waters of the South Australian sea is quite the treat.  For the escape group, they had little time to take in the scenery as they continued to work together to build up to an over six minute lead on the apparently disinterested peloton.  Or the peloton was just waiting for the effort of two climbs of Willunga Hill, the summit of the final climb marks the finish line of the stage.  It almost looks as though the foursome of Lars Boom (Astana), Nelson Oliverira (Movistar), Reinhardt Janse Van Rensburg (Team Dimension Data), and Pim Ligthart (Lotto Soudal) were intentionally looking away from the inviting coast.

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/2681934-88-194179/Painting.html#.VqP1bvkrLIU

Tour Down Under: Getting Away

As soon as the peloton hit the end of the neutral start, Lars Boom (Astana) jumped out of the pack on a very long bid for victory.  He was quickly joined by Nelson Oliverira (Movistar) and Pim Ligthart (Lotto Soudal).  Once the trio had established a bit of a gap, several others tried to bridge across, thinking this might be the day that the break would succeed.  The only one to get onto the trios wheels was Reinhardt Janse Van Rensburg of the new pro tour team, Team Dimension Data.  This was a strong, experience break, perhaps they would be the ones to break the strangle hold of the peloton this year.

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/2681911-87-194179/Painting.html#.VqPyJ_krLIU

Dauphine Stage 6: Cooling Off

Today's 178.5 kilometer stage from Grenoble to Poisy had its regular break away that include a total of 15 riders from 14 teams, with roughly 20 K to go these three, Lieuwe Westra (Astana), Pim Ligthart (Lotto-Belisol) and Jan Bakelants (OPQS), got away from the rest through the attack of Westra.  All three of these guys have been in a number of breaks thus far in the Dauphine, each hoping to bring glory to their teams and themselves.  Today was another rather warm day in eastern France, so after Westra had a drink from his bidon, he squirted water across his chest, on his head and onto the back of his next, all in an effort to beat the heat.  This is an original small watercolor and ink painting (4"x6") that could be yours through visiting 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/Dauphine%202014/2388044---199476/Painting.html#.U6Onc8_D_IU

Paris-Nice Stage 7: What Does He Have in HIs Pockets

Cyclist will consume upwards of 6,000 calories in a single stage of racing and if they don't get it right the resulting bonk could ruin his chances for an overall placing in the GC.  For those of you who may not know, cycling jerseys have three small pockets along the back (the easiest place for the riders to access).  Team Bretagne continued making a presence in all put one of each stage's break away.  Another rider who has benefit from getting into the break is the Lotto-Belisol rider in red, Pim Ligthart, who got over the mountains first and took over the lead in the King of the Mountains competition.  Now, he will get to wear the Polka Dot Jersey into Nice on the final stage of the race.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist website, www.greigleach.com.  Or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2328813---195767/Painting.html#.UyUq8s_D_IU

Paris-Nice Stage 6: Down to Four

With a Cat 2 mountain near the finish and a final circuit that contain a very steep climb up to the finishing line it had all the makings of an epic day of racing.  Today's stage broke the pattern by forming a twelve man break (when the pattern necessitated a six man break).  First Sylvan Chavanel, resplendent in his Polka Dots (due to is efforts in stage 5) and then Tommy Voeckler (Europcar), Alessandro De Marchi (Cannondale) and Pim Ligthart (Lotto-Belisol) dropped the rest and headed off for the big climb of the day on their own.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard created using Yarka St. Petersburg cake watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my cycling art is available for purchase through my artist my website, www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2328165---195767/Painting.html#.UyO678vD_IU

Giro Final Day: Way Too Far

Another mechanic hanging out the back seat window working on a moving bike.  He is reaching so far he has almost reached right out of his pants.  The problem was the cadence reader was slipping on the chain stay, bear in mind that the spokes are zipping along at 25 mph (I have no idea what the RPM would be) and one slip and the best he can hope for is really sore fingers.  Let alone what can happen if the bike goes down.  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/2154537---184157/Painting.html#.Uaea8s_D_IU