Women's Tour of California Stage 1: Red Lining at the Summit

Borrowing a metaphor from auto racing, these three of the front of the peloton where making out their engines as they road over the only Queen of the Mountain climb of the day (cute change in competition title there isn't it?).  Sara Poidevin (Rally Cycling) was the first to hit the summit followed closely by Mara Abbot (Wiggle High5) and Tayler Wiles (USA Cycling).  Although I must say they must have all been on the rivot, since it appeared that no one seemed able to sprint for the points.

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.  This painting and in fact, all of my cycling art, 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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2793776-27-223355/Painting.html#.Vz9gGPmDGko

Tour of California, Stage 5: With Aplomb

Roughly a year ago, Toms Skujins (Cannondale), then riding for Hincapie Racing, went for a long solo break in a stage of the Amgen Tour of California and claimed victory on the day.  This year he did have two men with him when he was within site of the finish line, but the result was still the same.  Once he knew he had the better of Adam De Vos (Rally Cycling), he spread his arms and legs wide absorbing the cool winds off of the lake and the warm applause of the crowd.  With Skujins victory the Argyle boys have to stages to their credit and a day in Yellow, not a bad outing for the home team.

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.  This painting and all of my cycling artwork is available, along with my two cycling books (one on the 2014 Tour de France and the other on the 2015 UCI Road World World Championships) on my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.  But don't delay, since it is an original work of art, once it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2793515-26-223355/Painting.html#.Vz6c8_mDGko

Tour of California, Stage 5: Launching

As they well knew, the sprint for the finish came down to a fight between Adam De Vos (Rally Cycling), Toms Skujins (Cannondale) and Xabier Zandio (Team Sky).  It was De Vos who opened up the sprint, a steep uphill affair, the was initially covered by Zandio with Skujins looking at the duo and checking to see if he had the legs to go with the attack.  There was one rider, Jasper Stuyens (Trek-Segafredo) trying desperately to bridge up to the three, but he was quickly running out of real estate.

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.  This painting and all of my cycling artwork is available, along with my two cycling books (one on the 2014 Tour de France and the other on the 2015 UCI Road World World Championships) on my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.  But don't delay, since it is an original work of art, once it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2793512-25-223355/Painting.html#.Vz6YzPmDGko

Tour of California, Stage 5: Now Its Three

The duo of Toms Skujins (Cannondale) and Adam De Vos (Rally Cycling) had been caught by their former break away companions, only to jump off the front again.  The only one capable of bridging across was the oldest man in the race, Xabier Zandio (Team Sky).  The trio had over three minutes on the peloton and nearly a minute on their twice former break away compatriots.  With roughly ten kilometers left to race this trio was fairly certain it would be they contesting for victory.

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.  This painting and all of my cycling artwork is available, along with my two cycling books (one on the 2014 Tour de France and the other on the 2015 UCI Road World World Championships) on my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.  But don't delay, since it is an original work of art, once it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2793509-24-223355/Painting.html#.Vz6Vy_mDGko

Tour of California, Stage 5: A Little Dig

The problem with a big break away is that there tends to be too many passengers and not enough drivers.  Toms Skujins (Cannondale) jumped out of the group on the climb up to the Kirkwood Summit the only one to respond was the Canadian, Adam De Vos (Rally Cycling).  The duo seemed to have a brief conversation on their way to the summit.  Apparently a deal was made because Skujins backed off the pace just before the summit letting De Vos claim the maximum points at the top of the climb.  Unexpectedly, the pair continued to press their advantage on the descent, building up a quick 40 seconds on their erstwhile companions.

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.  This painting and all of my cycling artwork is available, along with my two cycling books (one on the 2014 Tour de France and the other on the 2015 UCI Road World World Championships) on my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.  But don't delay, since it is an original work of art, once it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2793503-22-223355/Painting.html#.Vz6PrfmDGko

Tour of California, Stage 4: Taking a Peek

The only thing odder than seeing the famous sprinter, Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data), in a break away, is seeing him lead the small group up a climb.  I am curious what was going through Gregory Daniel's (Axeon Hagens Berman) mind as he rode along with one of the legendary figures still competing on the ProTour.  Also with this group was yet another of the young riders from Rally Cycling, Will Routley.  It feels like Rally Cycling and Axeon Hagens Berman have had a player in every break away in every stage of this year's Tour.

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/2792939-17-223355/Painting.html#.Vz0LdPmDGko

Tour of California, Stage 3: Second by Second

Cannondale has the Yellow Jersey on the shoulders of one of their teammates, Ben King, so it falls on them to reel the escapes back into the fold. Leading the team is Patrik Bevin, sporting the bandages of a crash early in the stage.  Riding just on their wheels was the team of Evan Huffman, Rally Cycling.  While the man riding in the Polka Dot Jersey and sitting second overall was up the road, it was his team that kept their eye on the boys in green.  I can't really figure out what Rally Cycling's goal was back in the peloton, but Huffman was certainly achieving his up the road.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting measuring 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting (and all of my cycling art and cycling books) are available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting (and yes international shipping is available), just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2792228-11-223355/Painting.html#.VzvDm_mDGko

Tour of California, Stage 3: Checking the Time

With the Polka Dot jersey of King of the Mountains on his shoulders, Evan Huffman (Rally Cycling) went in the early break hoping to add to his point tally.  Not to be outdone, Oscar Clarke (Holoweska/Citadel) joined in the assault of the multiple climbs on the day.  .The duo swapped summit victories, leaving the jersey on the shoulders of Huffman until the final climb of the day, assuming he would be in amongst it at the finish.  Tucked onto the tail of the seven man break away group was Krists Nielands (Axeon Hagens Berman).  However with the big climb at the end of the stage, it was unlikely that the peloton would make the same mistake as they did on Stage 2.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting measuring 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting (and all of my cycling art and cycling books) are available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting (and yes international shipping is available), just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2792216-10-223355/Painting.html#.VzvBO_mDGko

Tour of California, Stage 2: With Seconds to Spare

On rare occasions the break away actually succeeds, today was one of those days.  Evan Huffman (Rally Cycling) opened up the sprint with about 500 meters left to race, but was unable to hold of the more experienced Ben King (Cannondale) who had the advantage of starting the sprint from behind Huffman.  The pair had wisely not played any cat and mouse games knowing full well that the peloton was in full flight just behind them and gaining on them all the way to the line.  In the end both would have a leader's jersey for their efforts of the day.  Huffman is now the King of the Mountain and King pulls on the Yellow Jersey of race leader.  You can just see the peloton sprinting a mere 8 seconds behind the winning Richmonder.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting measuring 4"x6" that was created live during the race using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art (and two cycling books) are 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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2791616-9-223355/Painting.html#.VzqIz_krLIU

Tour of California, Stage 2: Topping Up

With just over 15 miles left to run to the finish line, the last two from the early break were beginning to think they might have a chance to hold off the charging peloton.  The pair seemed to have work out some sort of alliance over the final summit of the day.  Ben King (Cannondale) seemed to let Evan Huffman (Rally Cycling) claim the final King of the Mountain points, enough points to award him the Polka Dot Jersey at the end of the day.  King reached out to grab a couple of bottles and energy gels for the final assault on the finale of the stage.  At this point the duo had ridden William Barta (Axeon Hagens Berman).  Barta had either flatted or crashed on the final descent, but then managed to catch back up to these two.  However, it seems that the effort left his legs deadened for the final little climb of the day.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting measuring 4"x6" that was created live during the race using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art (and two cycling books) are 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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2791586-8-223355/Painting.html#.VzqFm_krLIU

Tour of California, Stage 2: Across the Valley Floor

True to form, Stage 2 of the Tour of California had its small break away.  At least it was the small one that was allowed to build up a seven minute lead on the peloton.  Earlier, 22 riders had escaped the main body of racers, and that was not allowed to amass any time on the peloton at all.  The foursome included Ben King (Cannondale), who hails from my hometown of Richmond, Virginia, along with Sindre Skjoestad Lunke (Giant-Alpecin), William Barta (Axeon Hagens Berman) and Evan Huffman (Rally Cycling).

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting measuring 4"x6" that was created live during the race using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art (and two cycling books) are 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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2791502-6-223355/Painting.html#.Vzp-vPkrLIU

Tour of California, Stage 1: Way Off the Front

This is my first time painting the now 11 year old Tour of California.  Normally I am all wrapped up in the Giro d'Italia but I thought that this year it would be a treat to paint a race that happens within the USA.  Besides, I do love to watch Peter Sagan race.  Most stages will feature an early break away frequently populated with members of the smaller Continental teams.  Today was no exception, amongst the seven to build up a six minute lead on the peloton were, Danny Pate (Rally Cycling), Daniel Patten (Team Wiggins), Joonas Henttala (Novo Nordisk) and Daniel Eaton (UnitedHealthcare).

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting (only 4"x6") that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  The work, along with the rest of my cycling art and cycling art books, 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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2791079-1-223355/Painting.html#.VznigPkrLIU