Giro Day Nineteen: Up for the Only Time

Today's stage was almost pancake flat, except for this nasty climb with the top just 16 kilometers from the finishing line.  The peleton has just picked up Belkov from the early break with Fantini-Selle Italia storming up setting up Di Luca's attack.  You have to admire his continued attempts at solo breaks to the line, he keeps coming up short, but he still tries on every steep climb near the finish.  The striated fields in the back ground are another of the hundreds of acres of vineyards that the races passed by on Stage 17 on their way to Vincenza.  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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2153383---184157/Painting.html#.UaVXPc_D_IU

Giro Day Twelve: Filming the Break

Another stage another break away, this one was large and had virtually every team in it and since their was no one in the break threatening the GC standings, off they were allowed to go.  Also you can see how the amazing video footage is captured.  The cameraman is standing on the back of a motorcycle holding the camera and facing backwards, he needs complete trust in his driver.  The red car is the race referee, who will always be right behind the leader of the stage.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist web site, but go quickly, you wouldn't want some one else to get your painting.   Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2151487---184157/Painting.html#.UaAaBcvD_IU

Giro Stage Seven: The Break Starts Up

Another day and another break away goes up the road.  In this case the road is going up as well.  Unlike the flat stage 6, a mountainous stage gives the small groups a better chance over the power and speed of the peleton.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that like all of the works in this series was created using Richeson Art's cake watercolors, brushes, and papers. (www.richesonart.com )  And this painting is available for purchase through my artist website, just follow the link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2149247---184157/Painting.html#.UZo5e8vD_IU

Giro Day Six: Stopping Short

The down side of the riders being more relaxed and having time to chat is that they are a little less focused.  Remember that there are roughly 200 cyclist riding along all sorts of roads, most that they have never seen before, and it just takes a swerve, a quick tap of the brakes or a momentary loss of balance to cause a massive pile up.  Stage 6 saw its share of wrecks, fortunately none too severe.  These are the riders behind the crash desperately trying to get stop before they pile on to the twisted legs, wheels and handlebars.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for sale on my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get yours.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2149189---184157/Painting.html#.UZmcpM_D_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.