Doha 2016, Elite Men's ITT: Out in the Desert

Steve Cummings (Great Britian) seemed to be channeling his inner Lawrence of Arabia in today's individual time trial.  The stark desert landscape and hot, dry air couldn't have been a welcome change from the verdant countryside of his home island.  Today's course started out near the unique architecture of Le Salle on the outskirts of Doha eventually bringing the riders back on to The Pearl and the line where every race will finish.  Alas, it wasn't to be Cummings day today, he only managed a 25th place.

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/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2864421-34-227958/PaintingOut%20in%20the%20Desert%20Doha34-Greig-Leach.html#.V_5n3-ArLIU

Tour of Britain, Final Stage: Riding Around with Yellow

Unlike the Tour de France, there was no promenade around the streets of the capitol city of the Tour of Britain.  With a group up the road, it fell to Team Dimension Data to ride tempo, not letting the escapees get to far away.  So Mark Cavendish rode in behind the Yellow Jersey of Steve Cummings with the rest of the team on the front including, Johann Van Zyl, Jay Robert Thomson, Mark Renshaw, and Bernhard Eisel.  It is reported that Cavendish has been ill for much of the Tour, but stayed in the race to help his teammate ensure Yellow on the final podium of the race.

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%20of%20Britain/2850500-85-189075/PaintingRiding%20Around%20with%20Yellow%20ToB59-Greig-Leach.html#.V9ZIfJgrLIU

Tour of Britain, Final Stage: About to Start

The entire peloton lined up on the road side under the Admiralty Arch on the streets of London.  Well, all but eight of those who had started a week ago in Glasgow, Scotland.  As is the tradition of every stage start, all of the leaders' jerseys are placed front and center, with the rest of the peloton lining up as they like.  Just out of  "camera" is Rohan Dennis (BMC) in the points jersey.  Next to him and in camera is the King of the Mountian, Xandro Meurisse (Wanty Group Gobert), then the Yellow Jersey of Steve Cummings (Dimension Data).  Breaking into the line up is the American, Taylor Phinney (BMC), perhaps he is planning something for the start.  And finally the sprinter leader, Jasper Bovenhuis (An Post Chain Reaction).  Bovenhuis has only to take one more of the intermediate sprints on the day to ensure his overall victory in the competition.  Unlike most stages, there is no neutral start for this circuit race through the streets of London, once the flag drops, the race is on.

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%20of%20Britain/2850489-83-189075/PaintingAbout%20to%20Start%20ToB57-Greig-Leach.html#.V9ZCApgrLIU

Tour of Britain, Stage 7a: In Defense of Yellow

Steve Cummings (Dimension Data) was the last to start the individual time trial in Bristol.  An honor (and advantage) given to the wearer of the Yellow Jersey (or whatever color signifies the race leader).  Cummings is strong against the clock, but the two riders just behind him are the National Champions of their respective countries.  In fact the field held at least five TT Champions and two previous World Champions in the race of truth.  Cummings managed a fourth on the day behind the stage winner, Tony Martin (Etixx-Quickstep) and the two who are now tied for second overall, Rohan Dennis (BMC) and Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin).  His fourth place was enough to defend his race lead, which he carries into the second half of the seventh stage of the Tour of Britain.

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%20of%20Britain/2849795-76-189075/PaintingIn%20Defense%20of%20Yellow%20ToB50-Greig-Leach.html#.V9RvNZgrLIU

Tour of Britain, Stage 2: Down to Two

Steve Cummings (Dimension Data) had bridged across to the leaders, dropped all of them and all but Julian Vermote (Etixx-Quickstep) of the leaders' group.  Cummings usually goes solo to the line when he wins a stage, but he welcomed the help of Vermote in getting away from everyone else.  The two quickly put forty seconds between themselves and the rest of those on the road.  So with just three kilometers left to race the winner was sure to be one of these two.  Spoiler alert!  It was Vermote who had the legs on the final short climb to claim the win and the Yellow Jersey.  Cummings held on for second and now sits second on the general classification.

I wasn't satisfied (nor all that interested) in the victory salute as Vermote crossed the line, so this has to do for the painting of his win.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2848051-41-189075/PaintingDown%20to%20Two-Greig-Leach.html#.V84hH5grLIU

Tour of Britain, Stage 2: Getting Away

This foursome, Dylan Van Baarle (Cannondale-Drapac), Jochem Hoekstra (Giant-Alpecin), Dan Martin (Etixx-Quickstep), and Steve Cummings (Dimension Data), was trying to drop the rest of the group that they were with.  None of them felt like pulling passengers along to catch the five that were still up the road.  Hoekstra took a quick peak over his shoulder to see if they had dropped the rest, it looked like Van Baarle would soon be added to the number who was dropped.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2848049-40-189075/PaintingGetting%20Away%20ToB14-Greig-Leach.html#.V84bP5grLIU

Tour of Britain, Stage 2: Riding for the Team

Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data) may have been dropped on the second climb of the day, but he used his faithful teammate Bernhard Eisel to bridge back to the peloton ahead of the final climb of the day.  It was Cav who went to the front as the peloton started up the aptly named The Struggle and drove the pace another teammate, Steve Cummings.  Cummings normally hangs out at the back of the peloton, so you know when he is on the front, he as something up his arm warmer.  Sorry couldn't resist the joke.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2848034-38-189075/PaintingRiding%20for%20the%20Team%20ToB12-Greig-Leach.html#.V84SwpgrLIU

Rio Olympics: Leading Them Around

Steve Cummings (Great Britain), a late addition to the GB Olympic team worked hard on the front pulling back the break away, on his wheel a member of the Italian team.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Summer%20Olympics/2833908-7-226051/PaintingLeading%20Them%20Around%20Rio7-Greig-Leach.html#.V6ZzirgrLIU

Tour, Stage 7: Alone at the Summit

I feel that this painting most captures the day for Steve Cummings (Team Dimension Data).  As the British rider reached the summit of the Col d'Aspin he was greeted by a hugh Union Jack, waving him on to victory on the stage.  According to the British broadcasting team on NBC Sports Network, Cummings had been passed over for inclusion in the Olympic team representing Great Britain.  I am sure he had the extra joy of winning this stage and thumbing his nose at his Olympic committee.  Cummings gained even more time on the trio behind on his way down into Lac du Payolle.  I will use this as his victory salute painting because it shows what he did to get the win.

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%202016/2820991-46-224974/PaintingAlone%20at%20the%20Summit%20TdF46-Greig-Leach.html#.V4AK9bgrLIU

Tour, Stage: Passing the Devil

There are thousands and thousands of costumed fans along the course of the Tour de France, but none so famous as The Devil.  I am sorry that I don't remember his name, or I would give it to you here.  It was a treat to catch side of this leaping fan of the Tour.  I hope I am as spry when my beard is as white as his.  Steve Cummings (Dimension Data) didn't seem to make a deal as he rode by, going solo to the base of the Col d'Aspin.  Instead he seemed more intent on getting information from his Director Sportif.

I have been told that his name is Didi Senft.  Good to know!

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%202016/2820964-44-224974/PaintingPassing%20the%20Devil%20TdF44-Greig-Leach.html#.V4AAm7grLIU

Tirreno-Adriatico Stage 4: An Absolute Flyer

Steve Cummings (Dimension Data) had been marking the attacks and hanging around with the escapees in support of his teammate, Edvald Boasson Hagen.  When the group Cummings was with got to far ahead of the peloton containing Boasson Hagen, Cummings was free to ride for himself.  And ride he did!  The Brit, after refusing to help those he had been with (at team orders), had the legs to ride everyone off of his wheel, taking an "absolute flyer" to the line for a solo victory in Foligno.

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 most 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.  And yes, international shipping is available.

Plus, be sure to check out my newest book, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships" a complete telling of the 2015 Worlds through art and word painted live as the racing happened on the streets of my home town.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2742078-279-195767/Painting.html#.VuWaBvkrLIU

Tirreno-Adriatico Stage 4: Marking the Attackers

One of the many team tactics in a stage race is for teammates of the protected riders (or of high place riders on the GC) is to chase down threatening break aways or attacks.  So when Mirko Selvaggi (Androni-Giocattoli) looked over his shoulder to check his gap on the peloton, he found Jakob Fulgsang (Astana) on his wheel.  The duo was swiftly joined by Peter Kennaugh (Sky) and Steve Cummings (Dimension Data).  All but Selvaggi were riding in support of teammates either to protect their general classification position or for their stage victory aspirations.

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 most 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.  And yes, international shipping is available.

Plus, be sure to check out my newest book, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships" a complete telling of the 2015 Worlds through art and word painted live as the racing happened on the streets of my home town.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2742061-277-195767/Painting.html#.VuWV1_krLIU