Giro, Stage 5: Hanging Out

The race mechanics have a difficult job that often is performed in rather difficult situations.  Here the mechanic for UAE Team Emirates is leaning out of a moving car to adjust something on the front of Roberto Ferrari's bike.  My wife was amused by this image, thinking that it could be viewed as a bit obscene.  I hadn't seen it because I could tell what was going on (I am creating these paintings from video), but I think I see what she is talking about.  The title doesn't help clean up the interpretation either.

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/2964434-33-235247/PaintingHanging-Out-G17-34.html

Giro Stage 18:Tending to the Aftermath

Roberto Ferrari (Lampre Merida) was one of the two victims of the run in with what was apparently a neutral service vehicle.  The details of what happen were rather sketchy, but the end result had Ferrari and Damiano Cunego (Nippo Vini Fantini) bloody and on the tarmac.  Ferrari was able to get back up and resume the stage, Cunego however saw his Giro come to an end.  The pair had been well place in a large breakaway that had gain the largest gap in the race thus far, leaving Cunego to wonder what might have been.  After he was back on the bike, Ferrari dropped back to the race doctor to get his wounds cleaned and a healthy dose of anti-bacterial spray.  Once he had been seen to, there was nothing to do but rejoin the peloton and hope for a better day tomorrow.

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,  They are a lovely family run art supply business with some really fine products.  This painting is available for purchase through 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/Giro%20d%20Italia/2560824-237-234-184157/Painting/Sports.html#.VWfVkc_BzGc

Giro d'Italia Stage 4: The Final Dash for the Line

All of the sprinters may have had a sense of relief when they learned that Marcel Kittel would not be starting the stage due to a high fever that came on during the rest day.  Not that any of them would wish him harm or celebrate his illness.  Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ) took the anger and adrenaline from his chase back on and rewarded his team's efforts in getting him back on with a very dramatic charge to the line around Tom Veelers (Giant Shimano) and ahead of Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek Factory Racing) and Roberto Ferrari (Lampre-Merida).  Where you may ask is Cannondale?  They fell victim to the wet roads and sharp corners just ahead of the flame rouge.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase at my artist website, www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2363409---198213/Painting.html#.U3KBz8_D_IU

Volta Catalunya Stage 2: Head & Shoulders Above

Luka Mezgec (Giant Shimano) further solidified his hold on the leader's jersey with a very strong print, crossing the finishing line in Gerona with a 15 foot lead over the next closes sprinter.  With the ten second time bonus, he now has a 14 second lead over fellow sprinter, Roberto Ferrari (Lampre).  Here you can see Ferrari to his right, along with Daniele Ratto (Cannondale) and Marcus Burghardt (BMC) as they all watch Mezgec give his second victory salute in as many days.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can by yours by visiting my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  Or for this particular painting, you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2335079---195767/Painting.html#.UzI9q8_D_IU

Tour Final Stage: Driving It Home

Mark Cavendish went into today's stage being the first sprinter (or cyclist) to win four times on the Champs Elysees and had ever reason to think today would make it the fifth win in a row.  But the Tour carried four different fast men to the boulevard of Paris, four men each with a powerful lead out and the speed, strength and nerve to be the first to cross the line.  Cavendish may have been hampered by having to chase back on to the peloton after a flat earlier on the cobbles, he may have used to much energy in the chase to have that famous final kick to the line.  In the end it was the new sprinter of Argos-Shimano, Marcel Kittel that grabbed the win, making it four stages for him in the 100th Tour de France.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist website where you can purchase this painting.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the final sprint of the 100th Tour de France.

This project has been a joy, a challenge and an artistic voyage and I thank you for taking the trip around France (and Corsica) with me.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2184521---186227/Painting.html#.UfKNOcvD_IU