Liege Bastogne Liege: Life at the Back

Life at the back of the peloton is a mixed back of struggling, mechanicals and other special cycling skills.  Zdenek Stybar (Etixx Quickstep) is racing his arm to call forward his team car for some assistance.  Riders will drop back to the rear of the peloton and signal the race director that they need some help from their team car, of course they have already talked with their Director Sportif via radio to let him know just what the problem is.  Other riders like Mike Terpstra (Roompot) may be struggling to hold the pace of the group, while others like, Stephen Cummings (MTN Qhubeka) and Arnold Jeannesson (FDJ) are answering the call of nature.

When the pace is on, riders will merely get out of the peloton, whip it out, and let the stream flow.  So it is a courtesy to drop to the back, I imagine it isn't much fun to be in the slip stream of a rider who is relieving himself.  When the pace is slow, or in a mutual agreement among the group, riders will actually stop along the side of the road for a "break naturale".  Does that fit into the "too much information" category?

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that 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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2546756---195767/Painting.html#.VT41-CHBzGc

Ruta del Sol Final Stage: Head of the Race

Maciej Paterski (CCC Spandi) was feeling good on the final day of racing, he seemed to drag the rest of his break away companions along, thinning the group out in the process. With less than 30 kilometers left to race, the original six was now down to three.  Those that were able to hold the Polish rider's wheel, Merhawi Kudus Ghebremedhin (MTN-Qhubeka) and Johnny Hoogerland (Roompot).  Hoogerland always sticks in my mind as the most unfortunate rider from a number of years ago in the Tour de France.  He was the rider who was hit by a VIP vehicle during an Alpine stage and knocked into a barb wire fence.  The inspiring part of the story, he got back on the bike a finished the stage.  That night, he went to the hospital to get something like forty stitches, then lined up for the start the next day.  These are hard men who race in tight lycra!

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  Yes, international shipping is available.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

If you have enjoyed reading about bike racing with the accompanying artwork please be sure to check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France"  The book is available through most online book stores worldwide.  Just Google the title to find where you can purchase the book and avoid international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Other%202015%20Cycling%20Art/2515978---206768/Painting.html#.VOvKufnF-xU

Ruta del Sol Final Stage: Six Away

As per usual, the final stage of the Ruta del Sol had the requiste early breakaway.  This time one team managed to put more than one rider into the group.  With only six riders in the break, two of them ride for MTN-Qhubeka (my vote for the best kit in the peloton).  The group was comprised of Merhawi Kudus Ghebremedhin and Jim Songezo (MTN-Qhubeka), Dario Martin Hernandez (Burgos BH), Johnny Hoogerland (Roompot) and Maciej Paterski (CCC Spandi),  With today's stage the last chance for the sprinters to show their legs, this break wasn't given more than a two minute gap on the peloton.  Giant-Alpecin was still looking for a stage win for their man, John Degenkolb.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from the family run art supply company, www.richesonart.com.  In additon, this painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  Yes, international shipping is available.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

If you have enjoyed reading about bike racing with the accompanying artwork please be sure to check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France"  The book is available through most online book stores worldwide.  Just Google the title to find where you can purchase the book and avoid international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Other%202015%20Cycling%20Art/2515766---206768/Painting.html#.VOu0iPnF-xU

Ruta del Sol Stage 4: Stuck in the Middle

As I have said the nine man break split apart, leaving riders all over the road.  At this point Greschke and Selvaggi were extending their lead on these three and the peloton.  Four others had already surrendered and been picked up by the Tinkoff-Saxo led peloton.  That left Hugh Carthy (Caja Rural-Serguros), Eugene Duyn (Team Roompot) and Romain Sicard (Europcar) stuck in the middle, in the oft called "no man's land."  The trio was hoping that it would be the two ahead that they would see first rather than hearing the whirring sound of the spinning wheels of the peloton.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that 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.


If you like reading about cycling along with original art, be sure to check out my "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France" available online world wide through Amazon and other online book retailers.


http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Other%202015%20Cycling%20Art/2515226---206768/Painting.html#.VOp9b005DIU