Giro Stage 3: Bridging Across

As the peloton drew close to the remnants of the break away, Stefano Pirazzi (Bardiani CSF) jumped out of the crowd and went in search of the smaller group up the road.  The Italian managed to catch on to the tail of the break escorted by one of the many enthusiastic fans, or tifosi, who run beside the riders yelling encouragement (all sometimes the yells can turn ugly).  Fans will line almost every kilometer of the entire race, often drinking for hours as they wait for their heroes to speed by.

This is an original small watercolor and ink painting that is available for purchase through my artists website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 98th Giro d'Italia.  International shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2553044---184157/Painting.html#.VVGEviHBzGc

Milano Sanremo: Thinning Down

As the breakaway hit the Cape Berta, one of the short step climbs ahead of the two bigger and infamous climbs that come with just a few kilometers to the line, it was Stefano Pirazzi (Bardiani CSF) whose pace thinned out the break.  Seven members of the break were already dropped and it appears that Serge Pauwels (MTN-Qhubeka) and Julien Berard (AG2R) will shortly join the others.  It was only Pirazzi's countryman, Matteo Bono (Lampre Merida) that could hold the Italian's wheel.  It would be a tall order for these two to stay away, but now it is only about 40 kilometers left to race.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting 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.  The painting is only $50 USD and international shipping is available.

If you are enjoying reading about bike racing this way with the accompanying artwork please check out my recently published Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France.  The book is available through virtually every online bookseller.  So google the title to discover where you can get a copy and avoid international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2531038---195767/Painting.html#.VRDPKvnF-xU

Milano Sanremo: Gambling Long

A large group of eleven riders formed the early break away of the day.  It was a move that was more than the average long shot.  This group including, Stefano Pirazzi (Bardiani CSF), Marco Frapporti (Androni Giocattoli), Serge Pauwels (MTN-Qhubeka) among others, have another 100 kilometers to attempt to thwart the desires of the sprinters.  The course doesn't have enough sharp climbs to shed the sprinters, nor hide the break away from the peloton.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting 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.  The painting is only $50 USD and international shipping is available.

If you are enjoying reading about bike racing this way with the accompanying artwork please check out my recently published Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France.  The book is available through virtually every online bookseller.  So google the title to discover where you can get a copy and avoid international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2531036---195767/Painting.html#.VRDMl_nF-xU

Giro d'Italia Final Stage: Using the Climb

The next two to jump out of the peloton in hopes of surprising the peloton, used the sharp short climb ahead of the finishing line to stretch their legs.  Stefano Pirazzi (Baridaini CSF) was covered by Valerio Agnoli (Astana) as the crested the peak on the fifth time around the 7.3 kilometer loop.  Tens of thousands of fans lined the course craning their necks and straining at the barriers to get a glimpse of the action and a photograph of their heroes.  After yesterday's fan debacle, it was good to see everyone out of the way and well behaved.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2373976---198213/Painting.html#.U4uM4c_D_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 17: Went Long & Flung Wide

A group of four caught Thomas De Gendt (OPQS) and the five headed for the line together.  Stefano Pirazzi (Bardiani CSF) having gambled and got into the break along with two teammates, rolled the dice again on a long sustained push into Vittorio Vente for the win.  The others, Thomas De Gendt, Tim Wellens (Lotto-Belisol), Jay McCarthy (Tinkoff Saxo) and Mattelo Montaguti (AG2R) were all kicking themselves for gambling on not chasing the Italian.  Pirazzi's victory makes three stage wins for the Italian Wild Card team, more than enough to show their appreciation for being invited to the party.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your little piece of the Giro d'Italia.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2371868---198213/Painting.html#.U4bHzM_D_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 8: Attacking Each Other

Stage 8 to Montecapiolo started with a ten member breakaway that work well together building up to a ten minute lead on the peloton before the combination of a chasing peloton and ambitions within the escapees spell the flight's doom.  As the break started on the lower slopes of the first Category 1 climb of the 2014 Giro d'Italia, these three, Stefano Pirazzi (Bardiani CSF), Johan Davi Aredondo (Trek Factory Racing) and Perriq Quemeneur (Europcar), dropped the rest of the break as they set out in search of the cache of King of the Mountain points at the summit.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2365127---198213/Painting.html#.U3hm9c_D_IU

Tour of Britain Stage 6: Jumping Out

With the break caught and the peloton making the final ascent of the day it was time to try one's legs and go on the attack in sure of a stage victory.  It was first Stefano Pirazzi, hoping to pay back the team's hard work and then the attacking Irishman, Dan Martin launching a very aggressive dig.  Notice the two guys on the motorcycle, the one standing on the back is one of the intrepid TV camera men that bring the story of the race in such fine vivid detail.  And they do it all hanging on to their driver at speeds as high as 100 kph and on the climbs so slow that they can barely keep the bike upright.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 2013 Tour of Britain.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2214629---189075/Painting.html#.Uj-OF8_D_IU

Tour of Britain Stage 5: Swinging Off

The title of the post and painting comes from the technique of collaborative drafting.  Each rider in this break is sharing the effort of staying away from the peloton.  So each rider will go to the front and pull a turn in the wind, after a short turn they will then swing of the front and slot back in behind the others.  Once on the end of the line, he can recover just a bit before it is his turn to be back out front.  Here, Jacob Rathe, has just swung off putting, Angel Madrazo on the front as they fly past the council flats of Caerphilly and the final climb of the day.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase at my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 2013 Tour of Britain.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2213433---189075/Painting.html#.UjyIWsvD_IU

Tour of Britain Stage 5: Let's Go Faster

Angel Madrazo put himself into his fourth breakaway of four road stages in the Tour of Britain as he continues to secure the King of the Mountain jersey.  One of the effects of drafting is that the shelter riders uses about 30% less energy than the guy with his nose in the wind, so on a pedaling descent the first in line cannot go as fast as those behind.  Madrazo is anxious to keep the break's speed up so gives a helping push to Stefano Pirazzi all in an effort to stay out in front of the peloton.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that was created using cake watercolors, brushes and paper from www.richesonart.com   I highly recommend them, they are a family run business creating and marketing a wide variety of excellent artist's supplies.  Also, this piece is available from my artist website, just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 2013 Tour of Britain.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2213425-11-6-189075/Painting/Sports.html#.UjyGPMvD_IU

Giro Day Twenty Two: Dressing for the Snow

The domestique has to help in any way he can.  Stefano Pirazzi has decided he needs a heavier jacket for the coming snow covered climb, so his Bardiani teammate is actually holding the heavier jacket in his teeth waiting for Pirazzi to remove the lighter jacket.  His teammate then passes the new one over, takes the lighter one and drops back to the team car.  In case you are thinking that is job done, he then pedals back up through the peleton, to be beside his team leader should another need arise.  All of this is in making sure that Pirazzi keeps the blue jersey of best climber in the 2013 Giro d'Italia.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist web site.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2154155---184157/Painting.html#.UaaaFcvD_IU

Giro Day Twenty: Mountains & the Future

Stefano Pirazzi, bedecked all in the blue of the leader in the Mountain Jersey, found he had a future racer trying desperately to stay even with the climber along today's stage.  The kid was probably 12 or 13 and obviously wants to compete with the big boys.  I wish I knew his name, I would love to see if this fantasy becomes a reality.  He did get himself and the bike about 8 kilometers up the mountain side.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to purchase your piece of the Giro d'Italia.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2153403---184157/Painting.html#.UaVaoM_D_IU

Giro Day Eighteen: Digging for Points

Stefano Pirazzi had been in the break away all day, at this point it had been 216 kilometers and he is desperately striving to stay ahead of the charging Maglia Rosa Group to get the last mountain points of the day, unfortunately a rider from Argos Shimano got the jump on him and got over the climb first.  What impressed me was how he got swamped by the group but then still managed to jump out from the back of the group to be the second guy over the climb.  He ensured that he will be wearing the Blue Jersey again tomorrow.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and 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/2153353---184157/Painting.html#.UaVSLM_D_IU

Giro Day Eighteen: Running Tifosi

Tifosi are the exuberant cycling fans that run along side of the racers cheering sometimes in costumes, sometimes nearly naked, always joyful and excited to be so close to these international athletes.  I am sure that alcohol frequently figures into the equation.  This group seem to be conjuring up bumble bees, the guys were in black and yellow striped dresses (that would stay up) and their female companion wore a brilliant big shouldered yellow blouse with a tight black jump suit.   All of this is being caught by the following TV Moto.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase through my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2153331---184157/Painting.html#.UaVQss_D_IU

Giro Day Sixteen: Going Up, Again

The small breakaway hits a climb that doesn't count for points but is a steep uphill just the same.  Pieter Weening, the rider for Orica Greenedge on the front is checking out Pirazzi to see if he is cracking or up to launching an attack.  There is a lot of assessing your fellow riders, a lot of tactics and a lot of guts going on in a bike race.  It isn't enough just to be stronger than everyone, you also have to be smarter and have a great team around you.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by bidding on it in a short 3 day auction on ebay.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post, but act quickly, the auction starts as soon as this post is published.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251277807202

Giro Day Sixteen: Falling Through the Snow

Chalapuo and Pirazzi were joined on a little break on the way up the Col by Borigiorno (Pirazzi's Bardiani teammate) and Rabottini who rides for Fantini - Selle Italia.  They then dived down the other side of the mountain putting time into the peleton, they got out to 6 1/2 minutes very quickly, although a few more joined them as they crossed the valley ahead of the two monster climbs that ended the day.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by bidding on it in a short 3 day auction on ebay.  Just follow the direct link I have added to the end of this post, but hurry, the auction begins as soon as this post is published.

This painting is sold.

Giro Day Sixteen: Who's Coming Along

Chalupuo and Pirazzi jumped from the slow moving peleton just 2 kilometers from the summit of the first climb of the day, well the first categorized climb anyway.  Stefano Pirazzi started the day in the blue jersey of the best mountain climber of the Giro.  The jersey is awarded on a point system with a certain amount of points being awarded to the first couple of riders over each climb of the stage, the harder the climb the higher the points.  Stefano is looking over his shoulder to see if anyone else is coming after him and the points.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and is available for purchase at my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of the post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2153221---184157/Painting.html#.UaU3Fc_D_IU