Paris-Nice Stage 7: Up and Over

With his hands in the air, Tom-Jeffe Slagter (Garmin Sharp) becomes the second rider in this running of Paris Nice to win a second stage.  He was able to get up the final steep climb up to the finishing line, just beating out Rui Costa in the Rainbow Jersey (Lampre), Jose Joaquim Rojas (Moviestar) and the Yellow Jersey of Carlos Betancur (AG2R).  Costa was frustrated to claim second for the second day in a row and to be left still looking for his first victory in the World Champion Jersey.  He, however, remains in second place in Paris Nice by just 14 seconds.  Betancur's four place finish was enough to keep him in the leader's Yellow Jersey for the final stage into Nice.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by visiting my artist website, www.greigleach.com.  Or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2328821---195767/Painting.html#.UyU1_8_D_IU

Paris-Nice Stage 7: Looking Them Over

With several big climbs in the middle of Stage 7, a group of 7 riders got out in front of the peloton, continuing the near perfect matching of numbers in the break to the number of the stage.  When a group is working together they will create a pace line, where the first guy in line breaks the wind for a while then swings off the front and goes to the back of the line.  Once in the back the rider has a chance to catch his breath while the next rider breaks the wind.  Due to the slip stream created as the wind slips around the leader the second rider uses as much as 50% less effort than the guy with his nose in the wind.  Lieuwe Westra (Astana) looks over his shoulder to find where he will be slotting in when he gets to the back.  It is also a good chance to get a look at his fellow breakaway members to assess their remaining strength.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard created using Yarka St. Petersburg cake watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes both from Jack Richeson Company, Inc. (www.richesonart.com).  Also, this work is available for purchase from my artist website, www.greigleach.com or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2328811---195767/Painting.html#.UyUn3c_D_IU

Paris-Nice Stage 5: Looking Over

Team Bretagne place another rider in another break away.  And following suit with the break away formula of Paris-Nice this year, stage 5 featured a 5 man break.  So the break was represented by Sylvain Chavanel (IAM Cycling) who was so disappointed to have an very poorly timed puncture at the base of yesterday's final climb.  He went out today to redeem himself and to prove a point with his legs.  In addition the break was comprised of Jan Bakelants (OPQS), Matthew Busche (Trek Factory Racing), Izaguirre Insausti (Moviestar), and Brice Feillu (Bretagne).  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com, a family owned art supply company in Wisconsin, USA.  This painting can be yours by visiting my artist website, www.greigleach.com.  Or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2327627-22-18-195767/Painting/Sports.html#.UyKUW8_D_IU

Paris-Nice Stage 4: Following the Leader

Stage 4 was the first stage to feature some real climbs in the 2014 running of Paris Nice, and because of that the Polka Dot Jersey (awarded for being first over the most climbs) was destined to change hands today.  The early breakaway was set up to claim all of the available points and they seemed to have come to an agreement to let V. Agnoli of Astana grab all of the King of the Mountain points on the first climbs of the stage.  He gathered up enough points to don the Polka Dot Jersey at the finish of the stage.  Oddly, Team Bretagne missed this breakaway after having been represented in every break of every stage thus far.  Perhaps coincidently, each day's break has had the same number of riders as days in the race, so it was four today.  V. Agnoli of Astana, Jesus Herrada of Moviestar (and the National Champion of Spain), Laurent Didier of Trek Factory Racing and Perrig Quemeneur of Team Europcar were the riders to comprise today's effort.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase at my artist website, www.greigleach.com, or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2327069---195767/Painting.html#.UyEnjs_D_IU

Paris-Nice Stage 3: Winning in Green

Perhaps the only thing better than winning a stage is winning a stage while wearing the sprinter's Green Jersey (the jersey of the most consistent sprinter).  With today's stage ending on a Formula One race track speed and room was the order of the finale.  So the best on the day went to John Degenkolb of Team Giant-Shimano follow closely by Jose Joaquin Rojas (Moviestar), Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma Quick Step), Matty Goss (Orica Greenedge) and Borut Bozic (Astana).  Just peaking in under Degenkolb's arm is the Yellow Jersey of race leader Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ).  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by visiting my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  Or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2326245---195767/Painting.html#.Ux_Pe8_D_IU

Tour Down Under: Checking the Time, Stage 5

Even with race radio and two way communication between the riders and their team cars, there is still two people on a motorcycle going from group to group on the road showing the time splits on a chalkboard (or in this case a wipe board).  Today's break was comprised of the old man of the peloton, Jens Voight (Trek) as well as, Mikhail Ignatyev (Katusha), Juan Jose Lobato (Moviestar) and Matteo Trentin (Omega Pharma Quickstep) who managed to build up an advantage of nearly 10 minutes before the teams of the contenders decided it was far enough.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by visiting my artist website, www.greigleach.com or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of Voight's final season.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2298899---194179/Painting.html#.UuScG88o7IU

Tour of Britain Stage 6: Three Climbers

Angel Madrazo worked hard today to keep hold of the Skoda King of the Mountains jersey taking first place over all but the last climb to pretty much ensure that he will be wearing it at the end of the final stage in London.  Modrazo, Liam Holohan and Martin Velits dropped their break compatriots on the penultimate climb of the day hoping to reach the foot of the final climb ahead of the charging peloton.  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/2214601---189075/Painting.html#.Uj-IFs_D_IU

Tour of Britain Stage 6: Two Minutes to the Good

The Tour of Britain has had a break up the road in every road stage of the race and Angel Madrazo has been there every time including today.  One of the hold overs from the days before race radios is the time keepers chalkboard.  A motorcycle goes between each of the groups on the road informing them of the time gaps between the peloton the break and any chasing groups in between.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that was created using cake watercolors, brushes and paper from www.richesonart.com a great family run art supply business.  In addition, this work is available through 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/2214451-15-12-189075/Painting/Sports.html#.Uj9Tjc_D_IU

Tour of Britain Stage 5: Full On

Even with a double climb of Caerphilly Mountain, it was a rather large group that came to the line together in the center of town.  However the climbs at shucked all of the marquee sprinters leaving the climbers and GC men to fight it out to the line.  Ultimately it was another rider from the UK, Sam Bennett of AN Post-Chainreaction that had the power to get past all of the others charging to the line.  The Moviestar rider on the right is none other than the Colombian climber, Nairo Quintana.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available through 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/2213457---189075/Painting.html#.UjyNnMvD_IU

Tour of Britain Stage 5: What Is the Gap?

The heroic climber of the Tour de France, Nairo Quintana, showed his colors today on the Caerphilly Mountain climb, jumping away from the Team Sky led peloton on the first of two ascents of the mountain.  Only Bongiorno of Team Bardiani was able to match his acceleration, although many others tried in vain.  As with all attacks, the aggressor takes a quick look behind to see just who came along and just how successful the effort has been.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available 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/2213439---189075/Painting.html#.UjyK48vD_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

Tour of Britain Stage 4: Little Help

The leader in the King of the Mountains Jersey managed to make it into the eleven man breakaway in today's stage, and the group was able to stay away until the final climb of the day, almost making it to the line ahead of the peloton.  Angel Madrazo of Team Moviestar is calling for his team car on one of the many rolling uncategorized climbs leading up to the final ascent of the day.  After getting over the first to climbs of the stage first, he was starting to drag a little bit as the kilometers piled up.   This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by going to my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get you piece of the 2013 Tour of Britain.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2212677---189075/Painting.html#.Ujs3Vs_D_IU

Tour of Britain Stage Two: I Know They're Back There

Day two of the Tour of Britain did not see any better weather, but it is the Scottish Highlands what else could one expect.  Dan Martin and Nairo Quintana along with another Moviestar team mate, jumped away from the rest of the peloton on the final categorized climb of the day in hopes of repeating their exploits of the Tour de France.  I imagine that the Irishman had an advantage when it came to the cold wet conditions of the stage, but all three riders had the disadvantage of having the climb come to far out from the end of the stage.  Martin seems to be able to intuit that the peloton is not far away and is just trying to get a visual confirmation of what he feels to be true.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that you can own by going to my artist website where you can purchase this piece.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 2013 Tour of Britain.  While you are there check out works from four other major races from the 2013 racing season.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2211397-2-0-189075/Painting/Sports.html#.UjiE9cvD_IU

Tour Stage Twenty: The First to Launch

With GC placement on the line, Froome having sewn up the Yellow Jersey for 2013, the top five were fighting it out with each other to gain time to be on the podium in Paris.  The TV commentators and I thought this was it, the big move by Quintana attacking Contrador and the Sky boys.  After I painted this image, the TV Moto pulled out to reveal that is was Joaquim Rodriquez was the one to launch the first attack and Quintana is covering that attack.  Quintana started the day in 3rd looking for 11 seconds to overtake Contrador, and Rodriquez looking for 47 seconds to accomplish the same feet.  Chris Froome had over 5 minutes in hand, so he could just watch the proceedings, however, you don't have the strength and drive to pull on a Malliot Jaune and then watch your rivals ride away from you on the final mountain top finish of the 100th Tour de France.  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 100th Tour de France. 

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2183717---186227/Painting.html#.UfCbY8vD_IU

Tour Stage Nineteen: Looking for Seconds

First Valverde and Bardet went up the road, a few minutes later, Rodriquez attacked.  Once Rodriquez had gone, anyone in the upper ranks of the GC had to give chase, they are less than a minute apart from each other.  Froome, on the other hand, has five minutes on the lot of them, but still he jumps and chases all of them down.  Even more amazing than Froome answering the attacks is Richie Porte.  Yet again he is dropped when the attacks start and quickly drops off the back of the group, and yet again, he digs deep and comes back up to his team leader.  And not only does he come back up, but goes straight to the front and paces Froome to insure that they don't surrender a single second to the others.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist website where you can purchase this little painting.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2183679---186227/Painting.html#.UfCKlcvD_IU

Tour Stage Nineteen: Shelter from the Storm

With about 15 kilometers left to go in the stage the skies opened up and dumped hard cold rain on the break away and the peloton alike.  I don't know if the cycling fan was channeling Bob Dylan, trying to keep Rui Costa dry, or just running along side with an umbrella that just happened to be in his hand.  The storm had turned the street into a small stream, but unlike baseball, the race must go on to the end.  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 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2183675---186227/Painting.html#.UfCHeM_D_IU

Tour Stage Eighteen: Going Up, Again

Every rider either climbed the Alpe d'Huez a second time today or they abandoned the race, two took the second option.  With the remainder of the earlier break scattered up the road Chris Froome weathered all of the GC attacks and dished out his shared of his own.  At this point the only two who could match his attacks were the Colombian climber, Quintana, and the GC Spanish contender Rodriquez.  Each of Froome's accelerations would drop his team mate, but failed to get rid of these two.  However, he did managed to dispatch Contrador, Mollema, and Ten Dam.  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 art from the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2183299---186227/Painting.html#.Ue_zUMvD_IU

Tour Stage Sixteen: Pushing on Ahead

With just seven kilometers to go after the summit of the Col du Manse everyone in the big break away was trying to use it as a springboard for a stage victory.  Rui Costra jumped with Dani Navarro quickly covering the move, Nicolas Roche is trying to bridge across to the other two attackers.  Even with the famous Alpine climbs looming in the days to come, the col was lined with campers and enthusiastic fans cheering the break on with unbridled enthusiasm.  Moviestar is hoping for a stage victory to go with their almost win on Mont Ventoux, so Rui was given the freedom to fly.  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 art of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2183157---186227/Painting.html#.Ue9EZc_D_IU

Tour Stage Fifteen: The Last One

Quintana made quick work of picking up every body that was up the road from the peloton,  The last one to catch was Neive who had actually gone from the peloton a little while ahead of the Columbian climber.  The moto photographer wanted to catch this image of the catch that put Quintana first on the road.  He is a great climber to watch, his face never showing any emotion or effort, just the concentration of an inspired ride.  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 artistic piece of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2182609---186227/Painting.html#.Ue3uWc_D_IU