Giro, Stage 9: I Think They're Here

The last two members of the early break, Jan Tratnik (CCC Sprandi Polkowice) and Tomasoz Marczynski (Lotto Soudal) looked back over their shoulders to see the closing peloton.  With the first category 1 climb to end the stage, it was time for the GC men to test each others legs.  The peloton was being lead by the team of the odds on favorite, Nairo Quintana of Movistar.  In some ways, the 100th Giro d'Italia starts now!

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be 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.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

With the start of the Giro d'Italia, I am crowd funding my third cycling art book through Kickstarter.  I could use your support in making this book get made, please consider supporting the project here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/art-of-cycling-100th-giro-ditalia.  This will be just one of the hundred plus paintings that will be included.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/100th-Giro-dItalia/2966825-60-235247/PaintingI-Think-They're-Here-G17-61.html

Giro, Stage 9: Getting Some Attention

Jakub Mareczko (Wilier Triestina) dropped back to the race doctor after leaving some of his skin and cycling shorts on the side of the road.  The Polish rider had miss judged a turn and gone down hard on his right hip.  He was quickly back onto his bike and riding again.  The race doctor is there to see after the riders and help them finish each stage, or convince them to pull out of the race if their injuries are too serious.  If you don't know, a rider must finish each stage (in the allotted time) in order to be allowed to start the next day.  So injured riders will do all they can to finish a stage and then decide if they are well enough to start the next day.  It has taken quite a bit of effort to get into the Giro and no one is very eager to leave before the end.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be 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.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

With the start of the Giro d'Italia, I am crowd funding my third cycling art book through Kickstarter.  I could use your support in making this book get made, please consider supporting the project here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/art-of-cycling-100th-giro-ditalia.  This will be just one of the hundred plus paintings that will be included.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/100th-Giro-dItalia/2966823-59-235247/PaintingGetting-Some-Attention-G17-60.html

Giro, Stage 5: Coming Back Together

No one was surprised to see the catch of the break away come with just 15 kilometers left to race.  The teams of the sprinters didn't want to catch them too early, nor did they want to let them steal the glory.  Maciej Paterski (CCC Sprandi Polkowice) and Evgeny Shalunov (Gazprom-Rusvelo) knew it was a long shot that their break would work, but both were equally sure they didn't have a chance of taking the stage if they didn't give it a try.  Now with the race 'gruppo compacto' it was time for the sprinters' teams to get themselves organized.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be 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.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

With the start of the Giro d'Italia, I am crowd funding my third cycling art book through Kickstarter.  I could use your support in making this book get made, please consider supporting the project here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/art-of-cycling-100th-giro-ditalia.  This will be just one of the hundred plus paintings that will be included.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/100th-Giro-dItalia/2964468-34-235247/PaintingComing-Back-Together-G17-35.html

Giro, Stage 5: Climbing Through Town

It is unlikely that the break will succeed againg today.  With the second half of the stage almost pan flat, the sprinters are going to want to have their day.  That didn't stop the pair of Maciej Paterski (CCC Sprandi Polkowice) and Evgeny Shalunov (Gazprom-Rusvelo) from going out front of the peloton.  They did manage to get upwards of four minutes on the peloton before those behind began the chase.  This is the second time that Shalunov has been in a break, and I believe at least one of his teammates have been in every break away thus far in the 100th Giro d'Italia.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be 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.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

With the start of the Giro d'Italia, I am crowd funding my third cycling art book through Kickstarter.  I could use your support in making this book get made, please consider supporting the project here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/art-of-cycling-100th-giro-ditalia.  This will be just one of the hundred plus paintings that will be included.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/100th-Giro-dItalia/2964402-31-235247/PaintingClimbing-Through-Town-G17-32.html

Tour, Stage 19: This Jersey Is His!

Rafal Majka (Tinkoff) went alone to the top of the big climb of the day.  As he grabbed the maximum points over the HC climb of the Montee de Bisanne, he cemented his hold on the Maillot a Pois.  There are now not enough points left in the Tour to take his King of the Mountains title away from him.  So today, two guys who ride for Team Tinkoff earned a leader's jersey in the Tour.  Peter Sagan can no longer be caught in the race for the Maillot Vert and Majka can't be caught either.  All both have to do is stay upright, beat the time cut for two more days and they will be on the podium in Paris.  Chapeau to you both.  Now with the rain starting to fall, staying up right may well be a challenge for them and the rest of the peloton.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

Be sure to check out my second cycling art book, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships, available online or through your local book seller.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2827767-138-224974/PaintingThis%20Jersey%20Is%20His!%20TdF139-Greig-Leach.html#.V5K3jbgrLIU

Tour, Stage 19: Coming Back Together

This threesome of Rafal Majka (Tinkoff), Alexis Vuillermoz (Ag2r La Mondiale) and Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal) had pushed away from the rest of the break away while in search of the King of the Mountain points at the summit of the Col de la Forclaz Montmin.  They pressed their advantage on the descent into this beautiful valley.  Realizing that the long stretch of the valley floor could be covered quicker with the rest of the group, the three waited for those behind to catch back up.  Thomas De Gendt was the one who launched the attack hoping to catch Majka in the KOM competition, but unfortunately for the Belgium the Polish National Champion got into the group as well.  De Gendt claimed first over the first categorized, but Majka basically nullified it by taking second.  With three more climbs to go, Majka was going to have to keep a close eye on the rider from Lotto Soudal.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

Be sure to check out my second cycling art book, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships, available online or through your local book seller.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2827739-135-224974/PaintingComing%20Back%20Together%20TdF136-Greig-Leach.html#.V5KhI7grLIU

Tour, Stage 17: Two Jerseys, One Team

Tinkoff has been having a fabulous Tour de France, unless of course you want to count the withdrawal of their start, Alberto Contador.  Other than that they are currently holding both the Maillot Vert and the Maillot a Pois.  Today Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) went of on a long break away with 10 other riders including his teammate Rafal Majka.  Sagan went out for 150 kilometers just to be the first to cross the intermediate sprint point first in Hautville Lompnes.  He really needn't have bothered, is closest rival for the green jersey was Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data) who left the race today to finish his preparations for the Summer Olympics in Rio.  On the World Champion's wheel is the King of the Mountains, Rafal Majka.  Now he had a bigger to be in this break away, defending his lead in the competition for the Polka Dot Jersey of the King of the Mountain competition.  With Sagan's help, the break has already put over ten minutes between themselves and the peloton containing the Maillot Jaune.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

Be sure to check out my second cycling art book, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships, available online or through your local book seller.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2826248-118-224974/PaintingTwo%20Jerseys,%20One%20Team%20TdF119-Greig-Leach.html#.V4_pq7iAOko

Tour, Stage 15: Where Are the Chasers?

Rafal Majka (Tinkoff) peered back over his shoulder, just as he had at the start of the first climb, looking to see who was coming up behind.  Majka must have known that the duo of Alexis Vuillermoz (Ag2r La Mondiale) and Sebastien Reichenbach (FDJ) were chasing hard behind.  He would surely feel more comfortable going to the line in Culoz with just Jarlinson Pantano (IAM Cycling) rather than making it a foursome.  At least if these two stayed away from the chasers were guaranteed a place on the podium.  Majka already would be on the podium to receive both the Maillot a Pois and the red bib number of the most aggressive rider of the stage.  Now if he could just add stage winner to the day's tally.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2824759-110-224974/PaintingWhere%20Are%20the%20Chasers?-Greig-Leach.html#.V4wotrgrLIU

Tour: Stage 15: Looking for the Summit

The original successful break of the day was comprised of up to thirty riders, but the repetitive climbs dwindle that number down rather quickly.  On the other end of the break, the leaders kept changing.  By the time the front of the race started up the Haute Catagorie climb up the Grand Colombier, it was Rafal Majka (Tinkoff) back on the front along with the Russian on the Russian team, Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha).  The pair worked their way through the throngs of fans along the road.  However, unlike Mont Ventoux on Bastille Day, the crowd left enough room for the race to pass unmolested.  All though some less than kind things may have been shouted, but the relative composure seems to have returned to the sides of the road.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2824711-106-224974/PaintingLooking%20for%20the%20Summit%20TdF107-Greig-Leach.html#.V4waqbgrLIU

Tour, Stage 15: A Watchful Eye

I can't help myself, I love a title that opens up the interpretation of what is going on in the image, instead of spelling it out for you, the viewer.  There are two individuals who are being watchful in this painting.  First, the gendarme, one of an extra 1,500 police who have been added to the already excellent security of the Tour.  Since the attack in Nice, the fear as been that those responsible would target the Tour.  I am sure that it isn't the first time that the thought has crossed the minds of race officials or the security forces of France.  And then their is Rafal Majka (Tinkoff) who is watching behind to make sure that no one is bridging across to him nor his attacking companion, Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha).  The duo was trying to get the break away to stick as they labored up the Col du Berthland, the first of six categorized climbs of the day.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

Be sure to check out my second cycling art book, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships, available online or through your local book seller.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2824696-103-224974/PaintingA%20Watchful%20Eye%20TdF104-Greig-Leach.html#.V4wP2rgrLIU

Tour, Stage 11: Using the Wind

With the final change of direction and just ten kilometers left to race, Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) and his teammate Maciej Bodnar hit he front and went hard.  Being ever attentive, Chris Froome (Sky) saw this as a great wheel to catch, and a great opportunity to increase his lead on his rivals.  Only one of Froome's teammates was able to get across to the fleeing threesome, Geraint Thomas.  The four, representing just two teams had the perfect combination to press their advantage all of the way to the line.  Froome knew he could count on his teammate to work for him, just as Sagan could count on his.  Plus, Froome knew he had no chance of beating the leader of the sprint points competition in an all out sprint for the line, nor did he really need to.  For Sagan, this was about sprint points in the Maillot Vert competition, for Froome it was about extending his lead in the Maillot Jaune.  Bodnar was a very strong ally for all involve, he was just crowned the Time Trial Champion of Poland.  So it was on those behind to try and chase down this flying foursome.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

To buy this painting, just follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2823142-76-224974/PaintingUsing%20the%20Wind%20TdF76-Greig-Leach.html#.V4afQbgrLIU