Giro d'Italia Stage 5: Out of the Saddle & Up the Road

Stage 5, 203 kilometers from Taranto to Viggiano, was the first stage to feature a Category 3 climb.  But ahead of the base of the climb was the intermediate sprint, with no chance for the sprinters to gain points on the top of the climb up to Viaggiano, those without the red Sprinter's Jersey, broke away from the peloton in hopes of maximum points in the sprinting competition.  The break included an interesting mix of break away opportunitists, sprinters and those hoping for some King of the Mountain points.  Some of those in the break included, Rubiano Chavez (Team Colombia and the Colombian National Champion) Fabian Wegmann and Tyler Farrar (both Garmin Sharp), Tony Hurel (Europcar) and Ben Swift (Team Sky) amongst others.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  Also, this (and all of my cycling art) is available for purchase through 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%27Italia%202014/2363883-25-24-198213/Painting/Sports.html#.U3PoJs_D_IU

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

Giro Day Nine: Why Did We Let Him Go?

The original break away of the day let Maxim Belkov go on the second to last climb of the day, maybe thinking that he was just going for mountain jersey points and then would be back amongst them.  Instead he pressed on eventually gaining four minutes on this chase group who were keeping about three minutes on the Maglia Rosa Group (the biggest grouping of cyclist on the road that included the current race leader, Vincente Nibali).  The archway in the distance is the 30 kilometer to go banner that they have just passed through.  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/2150031---184157/Painting.html#.UZwwm8_D_IU

Giro Day Nine: A Wet Day in the Saddle

Another road stage and another break away up the rather wet road.  This break had the added pleasure of spending the entire stage in the rain.  The three here are Maxim Belkov (Katsuha), Cahalapuo (Team Columbia) and Pirazzi (Bardiani) being followed by a neutral service vehicle, a official motorcycle and in the further distance on of the press crew motorcycles.  The only weather that has ever alter a race has been heavy snow, and even that only alter the course, the race still went on.  At least today was reasonably warm.  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.    At the end of the race I will be reproducing some of my favorite paintings in a grouping of prints, please let me know if you are interested.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2151025---184157/Painting.html#.UZ67McvD_IU

Giro Day Six: Lunch To Go

Every Stage in the Giro has what is called a "Feed Zone".  It is an designated area at roughly the middle of the day's racing where the team helpers stand on the side of the road holding special bags called "Musettes" for the racers to grab as they zoom by.  The cyclist in the peleton while burned 6,000 calories on an average stage, so keeping themselves fueled up is an ongoing challenge.  The musettes are filled with easily digested high protein snacks, energy drinks, and special treats to lighten the hearts of the riders.   The bags are emptied by the riders and then tossed to the fans along the roadside hoping to get this special souvenir.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and like all of the work in this series is available for sale on my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.
http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2149183---184157/Painting.html#.UZmbE8vD_IU

Giro Day Five: Under the Camera in the Sky

The video footage of the Giro is stunning, from the still cameras, boom cameras, 3 separate motorcyclist and cameraman duos, and two helicopter mounted cameras that capture every move of the race and the incredible scenery of the country of Italy (or France, or Spain).  Frequently, one camera crew will catch sight of another.  While the moto was filming the rear of the peleton they caught the helicopter above in their lens.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and like all of the works in this series, available for sale on my artist website.  Just follow the link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2149107---184157/Painting.html#.UZl3McvD_IU

Giro Day Four: DiLuca's Late Attack

Daniello DiLuca had a rough break in yesterday's stage crashing on the last descent of the day and shearing off his rear derailleur and losing two and a half minutes.  So while the peleton was watching Team Sky and Bradley Wiggins he jumped out and stormed off, a few tried to go with him but they couldn't hang.  He quickly passed Sylvain Georges and stormed off through the driving rain in hopes of a victory akin to Paolini's that placed him in the Maglia Rosa.  In the true heartbreaking style of the peleton, he was caught with less than 500 meters to the line.  But he was able to gain time on many of his rivals, most notably Wiggins.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and is available for sale on my artist website, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2149105---184157/Painting.html#.UZl15svD_IU

Giro Day Four: Forming Another Break

One thing that frequently happens in the peleton is that when a break away is caught another group will jump out almost immediately.  This is so common that the peleton will often leave a group out front just to prevent others from giving it a go.  Here Marco Marcato of Vancansoleil leads a group of five on another attempt to surprise the peleton.  The second rider is Sylvain Georges who came close to pulling of the surprise.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard.  I will be creating a grouping of prints from this series at the end of the Giro.  If you would be interested please leave a comment so I can get an idea of the level of interest.

This painting is sold.