Giro, Final Stage, Curtain Call

All put one rider of Team Sky joined arms as they rode throught Roma in celebration of a quite historic win.  Missing was Vasil Kiryienka who pulled out two days ago.  Those who got to take the bow with their pink handlebar tape flashing (Froome has a brilliant pink bike instead) where, Chris Froome, Kenny Elissonde, David de la Cruz, Sergio Henao, Christian Knees, Wout Poels and Salvatore Puccio.  Earlier the announcers were claiming that Froome was the first rider to hold all three grand tour jersey at once.  While that isn't correct, he is now just one of three to accomplish that feat.  Miguel Indurain achieved that remarkable task and the great Eddy Merckx went on better, winning four consecutive grand tours.  Froome will be starting the Tour, so he could equal Merckx this July.

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.

This painting is sold!

Giro, Stage 20: The Fruit of His Labors

Team Sky just had to pay attention today.  Chris Froome's brilliant riding over the past two days have put him into the maglia rosa.   He has 46 seconds on the rider who has been second overall for the entire 101st Giro d'Italia, Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb).  As the peloton started up the Col Tescore, Froome had Salvatore Puccio and Sergio Henao in front and Wout Poels bringing up the rear.  They looked ready for anything Dumoulin would try.  None of the others were close enough to his lead to be much of a worry to the likely holder of all three grand tour titles similtaneously. 

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/101st-Giro-dItalia/3169465-85-249297/PaintingThe-Fruit-of-His-Labors--G18-89.html

Giro, Stage 15: Riding in the Rain

Nothing like a cold, wet day for a bike ride (or race in this case).  The peloton faces a number of catagorized climbs and some step ones that only showed on the profile today.  Joe Dombrowski (EF Education First) was one of his team that set a hard pace for most of the stage.  I, nor the commentators could quite figure out why they were riding so hard.  They even had a rider in the break up the road.  Spoiler alert, it didn't produce any discernable results.  Behind, the maglia rosa was being covered up by Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) as his teammates looked on.  Others close on the general classification like, Sergio Henao (Sky) and Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) were keeping a close eye on the young Brit in pink.

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.

Apparently, my website has decided not to let me load images today.  If you are interested in this painting, please email me at greigsart@gmail.com.  All payments can be routed through PayPal for your security, and mine.

Giro, Stage 10: Trying to Get Across

Recognizing that the race was to be won by whomever was up the road, Alessandro De Marchi (BMC) and Sergio Henao (Sky) went off in hopes of joining those ahead.  Henao may have been trying to re-capture some of the glory that Team Sky had expected to be generated by Chris Froome.  Henao is the National Champion of Colombia, but his jersey his hidden under his dark Sky rain jacket.  Perhaps the same could be said for De Marchi, at least his team leader had possession of the Maglia Rosa for a couple of stages in the first week of the Giro.

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/101st-Giro-dItalia/3163235-46-249297/PaintingTrying-to-Get-Across--G18-46.html

Liege Bastogne Liege: Move & Counter

With the final member of the early break caught, it was time for the attacks to come from the peloton.  The Cote de la Roche aux Faucons provided the perfect launch pad.  First to attack was Philippe Gilbert (Quick-Step) who was countered by Sergio Henao (Sky).  Quick-Step has been able to use its strength in numbers to great affect this season, so it was that Bob Jungels (Quick-Step) that was able to counter the counter attack by Henao.  Striving to hold onto the Luxembourg Champion's wheel was one of two Canadians in the race, Michael Woods (EF Education First-Drapac).  With just twenty kilometers left to race, it was the time to try a split the peloton apart, and that is exactly what was taking place on the penultimate climb of the day.

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-/3151254-427-195767/PaintingMove-&-Counter-LBL18-7.html

Paris Nice, Final Stage: Chasing

With the surprise attack of the duo from Trek-Segafredo but the Maillot Jaune of Sergio Henao (Sky) into some serious jeopardy, in fact, at this point Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo) was the virtual leader of the race on the road.  Henao had started with a 31 second buffer on the former winner of Paris Nice (and a great deal of other major races), so he need to be very aware of the time splits going forward.  And he needed to pay attention to any bonus seconds Contador may be able to pick up at the intermediate sprint or the finish.  Behind the Maillot Jaune, many were defending their positions and unwilling to assisted the Colombian.  On his wheel was the Basque Jon Izauirre (Bahrain Merida), the Maillot Vert of Julian Alaphilippe (Quickstep) follow by yesterday's stage winner, Richie Porte (BMC) and Jakob Fulgsang (Astana).  In the distance you can make out the sole figures of other riders that were finding the final climb of Paris Nice just too, too much.

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/Spring%20Classics%20/2932985-377-195767/PaintingChasing%20PN17-41.html

Paris Nice, Final Stage: Hitting Hard

As soon as Philip Deignan (Sky) swung off of the front of the peloton were he was working for his team leader (and Yellow Jersey wearer), Sergio Henao, Jarlison Pantano (Trek-Segafredo) attacked the Maillot Jaune pulling his team leader Alberto Contador along.  The Trek-Segafredo duo seemed to be laying in wait for the moment to pounce.  Contador has a tradition of not waiting to the final climb of the day to go on the offensive.  Adding to that is the fact that he started the day 31 seconds behind the Colombian, Sergio Henao.  Riding on the wheel of the Yellow Jersey is Dan Martin (Quickstep).  He doesn't want to aid in the chase because he has a teammate up the road.  At this point he can afford to let Contador go, and worry about his over all placing as they get closer to Nice.

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/Spring%20Classics%20/2932884-374-195767/PaintingHitting%20Hard%20PN17-38.html

Paris Nice, Stage 7: Evenly Matched

The two leaders of their respective teams found themselves riding shoulder to shoulder past the melting snow with just one kilometer left to race.  Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo) and the Colombian champion, Sergio Henao (Sky) seemed to be evenly matched, but out ridden by Richie Porte (BMC).  Henao was higher on the GC then Contador, so if the Spaniard wanted to take over the Maillot Jaune, he was going to have to attack the Colombian.  He did, but wasn't able to get enough of a gap to close the time difference.  With Alaphilippe down the mountain side, it was Henao that would be wearing the Maillot Jaune for the final stage into the streets of Nice.

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/Spring%20Classics%20/2932591-372-195767/PaintingEvenly%20Matched%20PN17-36.html

Paris Nice, Stage 6: On to the Climb

For the first time in the 75th Paris Nice, the familiar sight of a peloton being lead by the boys in black of  Team Sky.  By this point it was Sebastian Henao (Sky) followed by his cousin and Colombian National Champion, Sergio Henao.  Waiting in the wings to take over for Sebastian on the front was Mikel Nieve.  Just a  guy or two back you can  just see the Yellow Jersey on the back of the young Frenchman, Julian Alaphilippe (Quickstep).

The peloton was now climbing up to the end of the stage before heading back out for another lap around the countryside near Fayence.  They were just 30 seconds behind the last two members of the early morning break.

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/Spring%20Classics%20/2932277-361-195767/PaintingOn%20to%20the%20Climb%20PN17-25.html

Tour Down Under Stage 5 Leaving Them All Behind

Richie Porte (BMC) did what he has done three time previously on Willunga Hill, he rode absolutely everyone off of his wheel.  The difference for Porte today was that he was already in the Ochre Jersey of race leader.  His fourth victory on the top of Willunga Hill all but guarantees his overall victory.  In addition he keeps himself even on KOM points with Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal).  Behind Porte and fading rather quickly are Sergio Henao (Sky), Esteban Chaves (Orica-Scott) and Rafael Valls (Lotto Soudal), none of whom could hold the wheel of the very motivated leader of BMC.

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/2908185-126-194179/PaintingLeaving%20Them%20All%20Behind%20TDU17-28.html#.WIOm8vkrLIU

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

Tour, Stage 20: Pulling Them Up the Mountain

The reason I picked this image to paint was primarily for the aesthetics.  I was intrigued by all of the variations of green.  That and it was also a great illustration of what it is to pay your team back for their hard work.  It was a rare sight to see the Maillot Vert on the front of a break away that was climbing a second categorized climb of the day.  Sagan was pulling the breakaway further away from the peloton behind.  The plan was to help his teammate, Romain Kreuziger, climb up the general classification.  I must apologize for getting the colors of the Czech flag out of order.  It should be White, Red, Blue.  Inbetween the Tinkoff riders is Pierre Rolland (Cannondale-Drapac) who had the rather spectacular crash yesterday.  As a testimony to his toughness, he finished the stage yesterday, and came out to the start today.  In case their was any doubt, he confirmed it by getting into the break today.  Following this trio are Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal) and Sergio Henao (Team Sky).

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.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

Be sure to check out my second cycling art book, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships, available online or through your local book seller.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2828153-147-224974/PaintingPulling%20Them%20Up%20the%20Mountain%20TdF148-Greig-Leach.html#.V5QOtrgrLIU

Tour, Stage 12: His First Attack

As the race for the stage continued up the road, just five kilometers left for the leaders, the race for the Maillot Jaune was touched off on the slopes of the Mont Ventoux.  Once Pierre Rolland (Cannondale-Drapac) was contained, it was the darling of Colombia, Nairo Quintana (Movistar) who went on the offensive.  Quintana had to go and went he did!  Now it remains to be seen if the remaining strength of Team Sky could bring Chris Froome forward, or the fleeing Quintana back.  The man on the front for Sky was a countryman of Quintana, Sergio Henao, however team loyality necessarily supersedes national loyalty in the Tour.  Now if was the World Championships, I am sure that Henao would ride Quintana (or the other way around).

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.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2823781-85-224974/PaintingHis%20First%20Attack%20TdF84-Greig-Leach.html#.V4gyWLgrLIU

Tour, Stage 5: Under Control

Chris Froome (Sky) got onto his radio as his teammates, Segio Henao and Geraint Thomas took control of the remnants of the peloton.  Froome was most likely checking on the time gap and who may no longer be in his group.  Riding just behind the defending winner of the Tour was the first of the teammates of the man who came in second to Froome last year, Nairo Quintana.  Froome nor Quintana were going to win the Maillot Jaune today, and now grabbing the "Golden Fleece" just got considerably harder.

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.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

To buy this painting, follow this link:  http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2819884-33-224974/PaintingUnder%20Control%20TdF33-Greig-Leach.html#.V32RibgrLIU

Dauphine, Stage 6: Left to Chase

The reduced peloton lead by Mikel Landa, Sergio Henao and the Yellow Jersey of Chris Froome was gaining on those up the road.  At least, they were until Romain Bardet launched his final attack.  Froome knew that he had a minute and 52 seconds on the Frenchman riding for Ag2r, but he had to keep chasing.  Tucked onto Froome's wheel were the three riders just behind him on the General Classification, and they were riding in the placing order as well.  Richie Porte (BMC), Alberto Contador (Tinkoff) and Dan Martin (Etixx-Quickstep) all shared Froome's desire to pull back the brown and pale blue clad Bardet.  The slopes of Meribel were stacking up to deliver the excitement everyone was expecting on the penultimate stage of the Dauphine.

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.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2807218-75-185083/Painting.html#.V1zudvkrLIU

Tour Down Under: New Kit, Same Result

Three times Richie Porte (BMC) has raced up Willunga Hill (well actually considerably more than that) and three times in a row he has claimed victory at the summit.  Although he is now riding for BMC Pro Cycling and the previous victories came while wearing the black and blue stripe kit of Team Sky, he still is the king of Willunga!  It look like the main in polka dots riding for his former Sky team, Sergio Henao would get the better of him, but with one more steep ramp at about 800 meters to go, Porte was able to leave the Colombian climber behind (by six seconds!).  Porte's ten second time bonus added to Simon Gerrans (Orica GreenEdge) coming in 18 seconds later still wasn't enough to claim the lead, but it was enough for second place just 9 seconds off of the lead.  Sergio Henao (Team Sky) all put ensured that he would be King of the Mountain at the end this Tour Down Under, and he currently sits in third overall just 11 seconds off of the lead.

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/2682191-93-194179/Painting.html#.VqQXcfkrLIU

Tour Down Under: Almost There

It was a surprise to all that the trio of Rohan Dennis (BMC), Richie Porte (BMC) and Simon Gerrans (Orica-GreenEdge) had been dropped by this duo.  Sergio Henao (Team Sky) was a known climber but the Canadian Michael Woods (Cannondale) surprised them all.  The two raced to the summit just around the corner.  The maximum points in the King of the Mountains competition was claimed by Henao, but the pair now had the chance to storm down the other side of the climb all of the way to the finish line and the stage victory.

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/2678319-79-194179/Painting.html#.VqHJAvkrLIU

Tour Down Under: Making His Move

With the short steep ascent of Corkscrew hill to form the launch pad, it was Richie Porte in his new BMC kit who was the first to jump out of the diminished peloton.  Quick to jump on to the Tasmanian's wheel were Simon Gerrans (Orica-GreenEdge), Domenico Pozzovivo (AG2R La Mondiale) and Serio Henao (Team Sky).  The parched hillside was dotted with cycling fans although most had gone to the top to see who would claim the hill and most likely the stage.

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/2678312-78-194179/Painting.html#.VqHGJPkrLIU