Tour, Stage: Passing the Devil

There are thousands and thousands of costumed fans along the course of the Tour de France, but none so famous as The Devil.  I am sorry that I don't remember his name, or I would give it to you here.  It was a treat to catch side of this leaping fan of the Tour.  I hope I am as spry when my beard is as white as his.  Steve Cummings (Dimension Data) didn't seem to make a deal as he rode by, going solo to the base of the Col d'Aspin.  Instead he seemed more intent on getting information from his Director Sportif.

I have been told that his name is Didi Senft.  Good to know!

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%202016/2820964-44-224974/PaintingPassing%20the%20Devil%20TdF44-Greig-Leach.html#.V4AAm7grLIU

Richmond 2015 UCI Worlds: Leading the Chase

With less than two laps to go and a break up the road without a German teammate in it, Andre Greipel went to the front to chase it down.  The break had some really strong men in it including the about to be former World Champion, Michael Kwiatkowski (assuming he doesn't stay away), Elia Vivianni (Italy), Daniel Moreno (Spain), and of course the three that started the move, Bauke Mollema (Netherlands), Tom Boonen (Belgium), and Ian Stannard (UK).  The flat sections off of Monument Avenue through the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University, plus the down hill section of downtown to the river was well suited for the strengths of the big German sprinter.  I guess we now know that the team is working for John Degenkolb.  Tucked right onto the wheel of the big German is the American Tyler Farrar, another sprinter playing the roll of super domestique.  The American team missed the power move as well.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  The works were done live in the middle of the Fanfest area across from the awards podium as the racing was going on.  Prints and the originals will be available before very long at www.richmond.com (the website of the Richmond Times Dispatch newspaper).

Richmond 2015 UCI Worlds: Slipping Off of the Front

As they head back out onto the flat section of the course two of the Spanish riders slip off of the front.  It wasn't much of a move and riders from Germany, Belgium and Holland quickly brought them back into the fold.  I'm unsure who these two are but I am quite confident that Alejandro Valverde was not the Movistar rider on the front of the duo.  With the three climbs that come in rapid succession at the end of the laps, it seems unlikely that an attack on the flats has much chance of success.  As the riders head up Monument Avenue, if the gap is less than two minutes the break is visible as they come back down the avenue.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  The works were done live in the middle of the Fanfest area across from the awards podium as the racing was going on.  Prints and the originals will be available before very long at www.richmond.com (the website of the Richmond Times Dispatch newspaper).

Richmond 2015 UCI Worlds: Rolling Through

The early break away of seven riders that included /Richmonder, Ben King, worked well together, each one rolling through, taking their turn on the front of the group.  Some how, every time they came pass the finishing line fans, King was the one at the front of the group.  Those who did not quite get the finer details of racing would roar their delight at seeing him "leading" the race.  Along with King, Dunne, Sergent and Alzate, the riders in the break were Andriy Khripta (Ukraine), Park Sung Baek (Korea) and Yauheni Hutarovich (Belarus).  The climbs quickly claimed their first victim as Ivan Serbic (Serbia) wasn't able to hold onto the front group up the short steep cobbled ascent of 23rd Street.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  The works were done live in the middle of the Fanfest area across from the awards podium as the racing was going on.  Prints and the originals will be available before very long at www.richmond.com (the website of the Richmond Times Dispatch newspaper).

Commissioned paintings of the Tour or just the roads of the Tour

This painting is a reworking of the very first piece of the 102nd Tour de France.  The original, still available on my website at www.greigleach.com had an inaccuracy that an Eritrean was quick to point out.

Can you spot the difference on the back of Daniel Teklehaimanot's jersey?  My Eritrea friend asked that I created a larger painting (9"x12") that included the flag waving fans at the start, along with the correct flag on the back of the first black African on an African registered team to race in the Tour de France.  Teklehaimanot went on to become the first Eritrean (or black African) to wear any of the leaders' jerseys in the Tour.  He was the leader in the King of the Mountains competition for two days.

 

 

The other piece I completed today was for a fan of my art and of cycling who lives in Spain.  He had sent me a photograph of him riding up the fabled Alpe d'Huez.  A feat that I have added to my bucket list, not that I am very good on the steep climbs here on the East Coast of the United States. 

 

You, too, could commission a painting of your favorite cycling event, be it the Pro's or yourself.  Just send me an email with an attached photograph and let's get to work.  My email address, I hear you ask.  greigsart@gmail.com

Tour de France, Stage 19, Most Defiant

Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) showed the form today that had won him the 101st edition of the Tour de France.  The Italian Champion had attacked on the first climb of the day just 10 kilometers into the stage.  While there are those that question whether he should have attack at the moment he did, his legs showed what he thought of those questions.  After joining forces with Pierre Rolland on the descent of the Col du Mollard, the Italian dropped the Frenchman on the way up the final climb of the day, La Toussuire.  Nibali punched the air in his most defiant stage victory.  His efforts had moved him up from eighth overall all the way up to fourth.  Leap frogging over Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) and the early fading Geraint Thomas (Team Sky).  Now the question remaining... Does he have anything left in his legs for the final Alpine stage that ends atop the fabled Alp d'Huez?

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, www.richesonart.com.  They are a small family run art supply business in the mid-west of the United States.  This painting is available, along with all of my cycling art, at my artist website, www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is an original painting, so once it has sold, it is gone.  I would recommend not delaying.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2584731-132-210122/Painting.html#.VbKnIPlViko

Tour de France, Stage 19: Getting a Bit Testy

After his mechanical incident on the first climb of the day, Chris Froome (Team Sky) was rather annoyed with the behavior of some of his GC rivals.  As the peloton raced across the valley floor on their way to the next big challenge of the day, Froome took the opportunity to express his opinion.  As he pulled along side of Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) he offer a few choice words of condemnation.  Valverde probably responded that he was not the guilty party, the man Froome wanted was still up the road.  Valverde had simply sped up to avoid Froome and then kept going because of Niblai's move threatening the Spanish Champion's podium position.  Wooter Poels (Team Sky) waited for his team leader as the others continued their discussion of the etiquette 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, www.richesonart.com.  They are a small family run art supply business in the mid-west of the United States.  This painting is available, along with all of my cycling art, at my artist website, www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is an original painting, so once it has sold, it is gone.  I would recommend not delaying.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2584702-129-210122/Painting.html#.VbKglvlViko

Giro Stage 11: Attacking Them All

Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) has never been one to sit back and race a calculated race.  Just when the commentators were sure no one would attack the general classifications, Contador sensed weakness in his closest rival, Fabio Aru (Astana), and jumped away from the peloton.  He gained a bit of a gap, but was soon reeled back into the fold.

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, www.richesonart.com.  In addition, this painting is available for purchase for only $50 USD through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But to hurry, this is a one of a kind painting and when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2557448---184157/Painting.html#.VV1UAPlViko

Giro Stage 11: Motoring

The final four lap circuit included a section of the Autodromo Ferrari in Imola.  With a wide open raceway at his disposal, Stefan Kung (BMC) took off from the peloton in search of the breakaway that was just over a minute up the road.  Plus, his attack took the responsibility of the chase off of the rest of the teams shoulders.  When ever a team has a teammate up the road, they are no longer expected to help in the chase of any breakaways.

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, www.richesonart.com.  In addition, this painting is available for purchase for only $50 USD through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But to hurry, this is a one of a kind painting and when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2557422---184157/Painting.html#.VV1OI_lViko

Giro Stage 10: Working for the Sprinters

With the break away about 3 minutes up the road, it was time for the teams of the sprinters to get onto the front of the peloton and chase down the escapees. Fumiyuki Beppu (Trek Factory Racing) along with members of  Lotto Soudal and Giant Alpecin started chasing, but the peloton may have left it a bit late.  The general rule of thumb is that the peloton can pull back a minute every ten kilometers.  Using that formula, it looks like the early break has a very slim chance of making it to the line without getting caught.  The chance is even better since only three riders are chasing the five up front.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolor and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company, www.richesonart.com.  They are a small family run art supply business that has an incredible area of fine art and craft products.  The painting is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Remember this is an original work of art, not a print, so don't delay, when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2556776---184157/Painting.html#.VVvPLPlViko

Giro Stage 5: Thank Heaven!

Jens Voigt has been asked why he would always get into a break away when they have such a slim chance of succeeding.  His response is almost as well know as his mantra, "Shut Up Legs."  He answered, "If you go in the break you have maybe a 10% chance of winning, if you don't, you have a 0% chance."  Today, it was Jan Polanc (Lampre Merida) who took the chance and beat the odds.  His celebration seemed to show both disbelief and pure joy.  The celebration was watched with a rather dispassionate gaze from the race director standing through the roof as Polanc crossed the summit to claim victory in a stage of the Giro.

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, www.richesonart.com.  They are a small family run art supply company located in the upper midwest of the United States.  This painting is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com for only $50 USD.  And yes, international shipping is available.  To buy this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2553668---184157/Painting.html#.VVQGyiFViko

Giro Stage 2: Pressing Their Advantage

An oft sited mantra of the multi stage race, is to stay safe by riding at the front.  This mantra is even more important to heed on the first couple of stages when riders are nervous and a good ride can result in a leader's jersey.  With the second large crash of the day catching out some of the early contenders for the overall title, Alberto Contrador's team, Tinkoff Saxo, hit the front of the splintered peloton and drove both the pace and their advantage.  The team's of the sprinters were quite happy to let Tinkoff Saxo raise the pace and save them the energy of sticking their noses into the wind.

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

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2552488---184157/Painting.html#.VU_lYiHBzGc

Giro Stage 2: Time to Chat

With apologies to the teams that raced so beautifully as one in the opening stage of the Giro d'Italia, I have only started recording my artistic impressions of my favorite of the Grand Tours with the first open road stage of the 98th running of the "Fight for Pink."  I have had some personal family issues that have distracted me and taken most of the last four weeks to bring to conclusion.  But now, on to today's stage to Genova.  As per usual, the day was marked with an early break that sucked up all of the intermediate sprint victories, but left a few points remaining for the peloton.  Trek Factory Racing seemed to be interested in getting as many of the crumbs as possible.  These two had some time to talk a little strategy on the way to the line.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  They are a small family owned art supply company in Wisconsin, USA, that have some very wonderful media to chose from.  In addition, this painting (and all of my cycling art) 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.  International shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2552484-142-138-184157/Painting/Sports.html#.VU_gcSHBzGc

Liege Bastogne LIege: Riding Away

With less than five kilometers left to race, it was time to ramp up the attacks.  Next to stomp his pedals in anger was Romain Bardet (AG2R).  Never one to let anybody get away, Giampaolo Caruso (Katusha) chased the fleeing Frenchman down.  Caruso's efforts brought the remnants of the peloton back together, yet again.  Setting up to what looked to be a hard sprint up the Cote d'Ans to the line.

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%20/2546762---195767/Painting.html#.VT488iHBzGc

Liege Bastogne Liege: Down Again

Simon Gerrans (Orica GreenEdge), wearing bib # 1 as the last winner of the race, crashed a second time inside of the last 40 kilometers of the race.  Gerrans had been one of a huge pile up just a few kilometers earlier that ended the race for many of the big name contenders.  While Gerrans did manage to get back on the road from that, this crash was the one that made him hang up his cleats and any hope of repeating his race victory.  Some of the others to end their day included the home town boy, Philippe Gilbert (BMC), Nicolas Roche (Sky) and Dan Martin (Cannondale Garmin).  Poor Martin and Gilbert just can't catch a break, both have had crashes in their last two outings.  Gerrans is being aided by one of the many police officers that help close the roads, control the crowds and protect the riders along the route.

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%20/2546758---195767/Painting.html#.VT44jCHBzGc

Paris Nice Final Stage: Climbing Into Yellow

Richie Porte (Team Sky) resplendent in his National kit of the Australian Time Trial Champion started the day in second overall hoping to make up over 30 seconds on the Lotto Soudal Frenchman, Tony Gallopin.  Porte was confident he could get into the final Maillot Jaune having scaled the final road stage climb 25 seconds faster than his adversary.  Like his teammate, Geraint Thomas, Porte fell hard on the descent off of that mountain but was fortunate to jump back up uninjured.  Obviously as indicated by the spectators in serious rain gear, it wasn't the best conditions to race in, but Porte could take comfort knowing that today's climb would not be followed by a descent.  Porte's ride was enough to condition the recent tradition of whomever wins this time trial also wins the Race to the Sun.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting, along with all of my art of the 72nd Paris Nice, 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.  If you are enjoying reading about bike races with the accompanying artwork please be sure to check out my recently published, Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France.  The book is available through virtually every online bookseller around the world.  Just google the title to find out where you can get your copy while avoiding international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2525984---195767/Painting.html#.VQXPUo7F-xU

Paris Nice Final Stage: Down the Ramp

Each time trialer is held upright as he waits for the official to count down his (or her) start.  The racers will roll down the ramp and onto the course getting into their aerodynamic tuck as quickly as possible.  Geraint Thomas (Team Sky) has quite a bit to ride for today, he is hoping to get onto the podium at the end of the day, but a roughly twenty minute all out effort of climbing looms in the way of the goal.  Thomas was one of those who crash on the final descent into Nice on the final road stage of the race, hopefully he is not too sore to put in a good ride today.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting, along with all of my art of the 72nd Paris Nice, 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.  If you are enjoying reading about bike races with the accompanying artwork please be sure to check out my recently published, Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France.  The book is available through virtually every online bookseller around the world.  Just google the title to find out where you can get your copy while avoiding international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2525970---195767/Painting.html#.VQXIEI7F-xU

Paris Nice Stage 6: What He Was Afraid Of

Richie Porte (Team Sky) and his teammate, Geraint Thomas got over the final climb with about 15 seconds in hand over the Yellow Jersey of Michal Kwiatkowski (Etixx Quickstep) but he wasn't about to play it safe.  Unfortunately, the very thing he feared happen on the descent of the Cote de Peille.  Fortunately, it was a much safer corner than some of the unprotected drop offs on the previous descent.  Although it happened off camera, Thomas also took a spill, allowing Kwiatkowski to join back up with the Team Sky men.  Now instead of fighting it out between each other, the trio had to give chase to the fleeing Tony Gallopin (Lotto Soudal).  Gallopin's earlier attack and superior descending had him in with a real chance to steal the Maillot Jaune from all three of them.  Quite a feat considering he started the day in sixth overall!

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting 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.  If you are enjoying reading about this race with the accompanying artwork, please check out my recently published Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France.  The book is available through most every online bookseller around the world, so just google the title to find where you can get your copy while avoiding international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2525786---195767/Painting.html#.VQSgvY7F-xU

Riding in the Fast Lane

In addition to the small cycling watercolors, I also do large scale Shiva Paintstik paintings on paper.  Actually, the Paintstik works came long before I started the project of painting cycling events live.  The large scale works like this one can be quite big, this one is 44"x52" and take considerably longer to create then the postcard sized watercolors.  The subject matter varies widely, but all of it reflects what I am interested in, figurative pieces are all slices of my life.  Many of them are created from remember moments in time.  The work can be very specific, but it frequently coveys an everyman perspective on life.  Regardless of where we are, we are all dealing with many of the very same issues.

This painting is entitled, "Riding in the Fast Lane".  For the large oil pieces, my wife, Bridget, is the one to create the titles.  She was once referred to as the "titler" in one of my exhibition reviews.  This piece is loosely based on one of my watercolors of the final stage of the Tour Down Under.

The painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are there, why not take the time to look at more of my figurative work.  To reach this painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Figurative%20Works/2508782-2-0-7216/Painting.html#.VNusLU05DIU

Tour Down Under Stage 5: Counting Heads

After cresting the first ascent of Willunga Hill, Lars Boom (Astana) along with several teammates hit the front of the drastically reduced peloton to toughen up the race for his man, Luis Leon Sanchez.  Both men are new to Astana and are eager to show team management what they can do for the team in the first ProTour race of the 2015 calendar.  Showing that he is never one to miss a move, you can see the Ochre Jersey of race leader, Rohan Dennis (BMC) keeping a sharp eye on all of the tactics being deployed.

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.  Enjoying this way of learning about a professional ProTour race?  Then check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France".  The book is available online world wide, and can be ordered from the publisher's website at http://www.dementimilestonepublishing.com/#!book-de-tour/c1nth.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2501198---194179/Painting.html#.VMPa3tg5DIU