Fleche Wallonne: Leaving Them All!

With his final kick, Julian Alaphilippe (Quickstep) was able to leave everyone behind.  He didn't have time to offer a victory salute as he crossed the line, but I am sure the win was far more important than the celebration for the camera.  Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) just didn't have the legs to close the gap to the Frenchman, but he did claimed the second step of the podium.  Thus he traded places with Alaphilippe from 2017.  Rounding out the podium was the Jelle Vanendert (Lotto Soudal) who had been the first to start the sprint (if you can call it that on the Mur de Huy) to the line.

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/Spring-Classics-/3148377-420-195767/PaintingLeaving-Them-All!--FW18-7.html

Fleche Wallonne: Within Meters

Poor Maximilian Schachmann (Quickstep) was caught within meters of the summit of the Mur de Huy.  He could take some comfort in the fact that one of those he could see passing him was his teammate, Julian Alaphilippe.  Leading the charge was Jelle Vanendert (Lotto Soudal).  Surprisingly, there is no sign of the defending champion Alejandro Valverde (Movistar).  Could this be the year that he looses his steel grip on the race and this fabled climb?

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/Spring-Classics-/3148328-419-195767/PaintingWithin-Meters--FW18-6.html

Paris Roubaix; Still a Chance

Using the normal formula that helps determine if the break will be caught, defending Paris Roubaix champion Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) should still be able to catch the leadering duo of Peter Sagan and Silvan Dillier.  Greg Van Avermaet is trying to encourage his fellow chasers, Jasper Stuyven (Trek-Segafredo), Niki Terpstra (Quickstep) - he, too, has won in Roubaix before - and Sep Vanmarcke (EF Education First-Drapac) to work together. At this point there are 11 kilometers left before the showers, and the leaders have only a 52 second advantage.  Close, but doable.  Their efforts are being closely watched by the TV moto riding behind.  Obviously, we are seeing this image by the leading TV Moto.

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/Spring-Classics-/3141710-411-195767/PaintingStill-a-Chance--PR18-8.html

Paris Roubaix: Do We Keep Going?

First it was Mike Teunissen (Sunweb) who launched a counter attack to catch the ever dwindling break away up the road.  His move was quickly covered by Philippe Gilbert (Quickstep).  Quickstep was playing a numbers game covering all of the moves and boasting two former winners of Paris Roubaix at the start of the day.  The famed Tom Boonen, who has won this race four times, is a former member of the team as well.  They know how to get this done.  One snag with today, however, they have let Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) slip up the road to join the remanents of the early break.

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/Spring-Classics-/3141697-409-195767/PaintingDo-We-Keep-Going?--PR18-5.html

Paris Tours: Closing It Out

When I came up this title, I thought it was refering to both Matteo Trentin's (Quickstep) when at the end of the race and that he was closing out his career with the team with a victory.  But as is started to write this I realized it could also refer to the end of the 2017 road cycling season.  And now I also realize that this post will also close out my blogging on this year's art of cycling.  Soren Kragh Andersen (Sunweb) did well to take second place on the day, he just didn't have the legs to catch Trentin who had launched his sprint from the back of the threesome.  It was Niki Terpstra (Quickstep) who finshed third ahead of the Andre Greipel (Lotto Soudal) lead peloton.

Enjoy the off season of road cycling.  I plan to ride, work on other art projects and get ready for 2018.  Thanks for reading and a special thank you to all of you who have purchase my artwork over this season!

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/Other-Cycling-Art/3047812-42-206768/PaintingClosing-It-Out-PT-5.html

Paris Tours: Two Against One

With just three kilometers left to go, it was beginning to look like it would be these three competing for the victory in Tours.  Soren Kragh Andersen (Sunweb) was in the uninviable position of racing against a pair of teammates.  Matteo Trentin (Quickstep) was leading the trio with his teammate Niki Terpstra waiting to contribute to the effort.  Andersen could take heart that Quickstep riders have blown a three on one break in Paris Roubaix last year, but it was going to be a difficult task to chase the attacks and safe enough for his own sprint to the line.

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/Other-Cycling-Art/3047808-41-206768/PaintingTwo-Against-One-PT-4.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Men's Road Race: Heia!

Heia (Norwegian for Go) is what the fans were yelling as the peloton and every other racer road by.  While I doubt that Gianni Moscon (Italy) was saying, "heia!" he definitely wanted Julian Alaphilippe (France) to go as hard as he could.  The pair had opened up about eight or nine seconds on the peloton as the crested the Salmon Hill climb for the final time.  Now it was a ten kilometer basically down hill dash for the line.  A large group of all of the race favorites were chasing hard pulling away from the rest of the peloton that wouldn't see them again until the post race festivities.

We were all in dismay around the world as the video feeds dropped first from the motorcycles and then the helicopters as the chase was truly on for the Rainbow Jersey.  All we could do was watch lead vehicles ride by waving to the crowds as we waited for the peloton to appear near the finish and into the lenses of the stationary cameras.  Would these two stay away, or would it be a bunch sprint?

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3038112-55-239826/PaintingHeia!--Bergen-55.html

Bergen 2017, Men's Team Time Trial: Time to Defend

Naturally, the last team to roll down the start ramp was Quickstep, the defending World Champions of the Elite Men's Team Time Trial.  The team has been on the podium for five years running swapping Gold and Silver with BMC Pro Cycling.  Today, they had the shock of not even making the podium despite a strong ride, just not strong enough.  They finished their effort in fourth place just seconds off the podium - perhaps they should have kept Tony Martin on the team.  (Although his team didn't do nearly as well as Quickstep).

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3034246-6-239826/PaintingTime-to-Defend--Bergen-6.html

Vuelta, Final Stage: Sprinting for Green

It was a bit strange to see the Red Jersey of Chris Froome (Sky) along with his teammate, Ian Stannard mixing it up for an intermediate sprint on the final stage.  The way the math works, Matteo Trentin (Quickstep) had to win both the intermediate sprint - he did - and the stage - he did and Froome had to not place better than thirteenth at the finish for Trentin to win Green.  Trentin did his part with the help of his teammates, Niki Terpstra, Bob Jungels and Tim Declercq.  However, Froome was able to sprint to a tenth place across the finish line claiming Green, Red and White for himself.  He must have looked like the Italian flag when he tried to wear all three of his trophies from the Vuelta together.

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/Vuelta-2017/3031954-55-239162/PaintingSprinting-for-Green-V-56.html

Vuelta, Stage 20: His Last Mountain

It was the last mountain that Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo) would ride up with a race number pinned to his jersey.  And he was going to make the most of it.  His teammate Jarlinson Pantano had ridden himself to exhaustion helping to pull the retiring Spaniard away from the peloton.  As Pantano swung off struggling to keep pedaling on the steep climb, it was Enrico Mas (Quickstep) who seemed to take over the pace making for Contador.  Well he should, it was Contador's foundation that funded Mas' development into becoming a member of the professional peloton.  What an honor it must have been to lead his hero up the final climb of his racing career.  The fans on the side of the road were equally excited to see this legend of the sport going out in style.

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/Vuelta-2017/3031645-52-239162/PaintingHis-Last-Mountain-V-54.html

Vuelta, Stage 20: Riding Like Twins

Sorry, I just couldn't resist this one.  Twin brothers Simon and Adam Yates (Orica-Scott), riding together on the back of the break away, nearly pedal stroke for pedal stroke was just too tempting of an image to let ride away.  Ahead of the Yates twins are Marc Soler (Movistar), Enrico Mas (Quickstep), Soren Kragh Andersen (Team Sunweb) and Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale).  It was begining to look like the stage winner would come from this group.  Although the peloton hadn't let them get more than a minute and a half as they toiled up the Alto del Cordal.  Sky had no need to drive the pace, but other teams wanted to ensure their positions on GC, and some still harbored hopes that Froome would crack and they could claim the Jersey Rojo.

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/Vuelta-2017/3031638-51-239162/PaintingRiding-Like-Twins-V-52.html

Vuelta, Stage 17: I Flicked My Elbow

I should explain the title.  When a rider is either ready to pull off of the front, or is trying to encourage those behind to take over the pace making, he will flip his elbow out to the side as a signal for those behind to move forward.  When I am on group rides I will usual tap my butt to indicate the same intention, but the pro peloton is moving a lot quicker and sometimes it is unwise to remove a hand from the handlebars.  Stefan Denifi (Aqua Blue Sport) has just swung off of the front on the first of the two climbs of the day, and seems a bit displeased with how long it is taking Daniel Moreno (Movistar) to take over the pace making.  On the Spaniard's wheel is Julian Alaphilippe (Quickstep), Alessandro de Marchi (BMC) and finally, Magnus Cort (Orica Scott).

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/Vuelta-2017/3030088-37-239162/PaintingI-Flicked-My-Elbow-V-38.html

Vuelta, Stage 17: Grupo Perseguidor

The rest of my paintings and writings on La Vuelta a Espana will have to fit into the better late than never catagory.  I have had work, medical issues, and a mural project that have put me behind in watching and painting the race.  Shhh, don't tell me any of the results, I will continue to approach the stages as though they are live.  I don't want knowledge of how it all ends to influence what I choose to paint.  I have my guesses, but I don't want them confirmed.

With two big climbs at the end of the stage, and four guys up the road, Davide Villella (Cannondale-Drapac) and Julian Alaphilippe (Quickstep) jumped clear of the peloton in hopes of bridging across to the front group.  It looked like the Sky lead peloton was going to sit back a bit today, so a break seemed to have a good chance of succeeding for stage honors.  Plus, Villella is doing all he can to keep his polka dot jersey all of the way to Madrid.

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/Vuelta-2017/3030078-36-239162/PaintingGrupo-Perseguidor-V-37.html

Vuelta, Stage 16: You're Killing It!

I don't think I have ever seen this before.  As Bob Jungels (Quickstep) passed Tomasz Marczynski (Lotto Soudal), who had started to minutes before the man in blue, Marczynski gave Jungels a thumbs up, a congratulations for the ride the Luxemburger was having.  Jungels went on to pass to more riders on his way in to a second best time at the time of his arrival.  His concern, there were some high quality time trial riders with big things to ride for on the road behind him.  In the end he finished ninth on the stage, clearly the Polish rider was quite a bit further down in the classification.

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/Vuelta-2017/3027515-31-239162/PaintingYou're-Killing-It!-V-32.html

Vuelta, Stage 15: Finally Established

Today was a short stage (160K) with three steep, steep climbs at the end of the journey, so it was going to be hard and fast.  The first hour covered over 50 kilometers as group after group tried to get into the break away of the day.  Finally after 40 kilometers of racing it was this group of eight that made the break stick.  It helped that the best place rider was over 45 minutes behind the race leader.  Some of those in the break included Lluis Mas (Caja Rural-Seguros), Anthony Perez (Cofidis), Nelson Oliveira (Movistar), Matteo Trentin (Quickstep), and Sander Armee (Lotto Soudal).  Trentin was able to take advantage of one of the few early intermediate sprints to add to his point tally in the sprint competition.  Despite how well he has been climbing, there was no chance he would be there at the final summit of the day.

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/Vuelta-2017/3026987-25-239162/PaintingFinally-Established-V-26.html

Vuelta, Stage 13: Sprinting for Another

Rewarding his teammates for all of their hardwork throughout the stage, Matteo Trentin (Quickstep) sprinted to his third stage victory in the 2017 Vuelta!  And added to the four wins for the team so far.  Getting second on the stage while protecting his team leader was Gianni Moscon (Sky), third went to the Dane, Soren Kragh Anderson (Sunweb).  It was Tom van Asbroeck (Cannondale-Drapac) who managed fifth.  However, the ever attentive Chris Froome (Sky) was able to mix it in with the sprinters making sure he lost no time to his rivals.  He even pulled back seven seconds on Trentin's teammate, David de la Cruz.

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/Vuelta-2017/3024835-19-239162/PaintingSprinting-for-Another-V-20.html

Vuelta, Stage 13: Round-a-bout

The Quickstep team has been tearing up the Vuelta having one four stages already, but seem to want more with just a kilometer and a half to go.  The final two short climbs at the end of the stage were making it difficult for the traditional sprinters, but the Green Jersey of Matteo Trentin (Quickstep) had already taken a "mountain stage" as a sprinter, so this shouldn't be a problem.  Certainly, his teammates Bob Jungel and Julian Alaphilippe believed in him.  Alaphilippe is another one of the Quickstep riders who has taken a stage.  Attempting to mix it up with the Quickstep train is Soren Kraugh Anderson (Sunweb) hoping to grab a stage for his team (and for himself).

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/Vuelta-2017/3024829-18-239162/PaintingRound-a-bout-V-19.html

Vuelta, Stage 10: No Answer

As even Jose Joaquim Rojas (Movistar) knew going into the finale, he had no answer for the sprinting prowess of Matteo Trentin (Quickstep).  Trentin easily claimed his second stage victory in this year's Vuelta and the fourth for his team.  Again it was quite unexpected to see two sprinters come to the line alone on a stage that had a catagory one climb within the final kilometers of the stage.  Chapeau, Matteo!

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/Vuelta-2017/3022845-4-239162/PaintingNo-Answer-V-5.html

Vuelta, Stage 10: Just Us

Oddly, it was the two sprinters from the early break that out climbed the rest of the break (and the peloton) to find themselves all alone.  With just two kilometers left to race, Jose Joaquim Rojas (Movistar) peeks over his shoulder to make sure there are no surprises from those chasing behind.  Unfortunately for Rojas, it is the Matteo Trentin (Quickstep) in the green sprinter's jersey who is on his wheel.  Clearly it will be these two who vie for stage honors and the odds are against the Spaniard.

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/Vuelta-2017/3022839-3-239162/PaintingJust-Us-V-4.html

Giro, Stage 20: They Want Their Jerseys Back

The duo of Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) and Bob Jungels (Quickstep) had reason to work together in the cashing group.  Both were hoping to reclaim their previous leaders' jerseys.  For Dumoulin, his goal of the Maglia Rosa, was up the road on Nairo Quintana's shoulders.  And for Jungels, his Maglia Bianca, was just behind him, watching his every move, on the shoulders of Adam Yates (Orica-Scott).  Both of these guys have a reputation for being stronger at the individual time trial than those wearing their respective jerseys. So depending on the finish today, their will be a lot riding on the very specialized bikes of the time trial tomorrow.

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/2974156-140-235247/PaintingThey-Want-Their-Jerseys-Back-G17-148.html