Giro Stage 14: Starting His Defense

Fabio Aru (Astana) was the final racer to roll down the start ramp in Treviso.  Due to his Maglia Rosa, he was the last competitor to attack the 59.4 kilometer race of truth.  Today's time trial was the longest in the Giro in nearly a decade and was a combination of a long flat course and a dominantly uphill finish.  Aru is not known for his abilities in the race of truth, but hoped for the 'power of the pink'.  It is well documented that holding the leader's jersey in a Grand Tour enables riders to turn in miraculous rides that far exceed their previous achievements.  Aru was unable to pull out the upset and retain the overall lead, but his ride brought respect to the Maglia Rosa.

Each rider is follow by both a team car and a race official.  Those that are of interest to Italian television are also followed on the ground by a TV Moto and in the air by one of the helicopter mounted cameras.

This is an original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company, www.richesonart.com.  This painting is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  International shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2558892---184157/Painting.html#.VWFyj_lViko

Giro Stage 14: Cheating the Wind

Richie Porte (Sky) is the Australian National Time Trial Champion, so he hit the start ramp in Treviso not in the black and blue of the Team Sky kit, but instead wearing the national colors of Australia.  I painted and titled this piece before I knew just what kind of ride the Aussie was having today.  Porte has been having a very tough second week of the Giro.  Between losing time on climbs, suffering from the "Wheelgate" time penalty and getting caught up in pile ups outside of the magical 3 kilometer mark, he has continued to slide down the general classification.  Stage 13 and the time trial should have been his chance to shine, but instead of Porte cheating the wind, it turned out to be the other way around.

This is an original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company, www.richesonart.com.  This painting is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  International shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2558888---184157/Painting.html#.VWFtTflViko