Volta ao Algarve '25, Stage 4: Almost Over

I just love a title that has more than one meaning.  With just 22 kilometers left of the 175 kilometer stage to race in the final road stage of the 51st Volta ao Algarve clearly, this quartet's suffering was almost over.  In addition, the peloton was a mere twenty seconds behind so their time off the front was just about to come to an end.  For German Tivani (Aviludo-Louletano-Loule) had earned enough King of the Mountains points to make the jersey his for this edition of the race.  Warre Vangheluwe (Soudal-Quick Step), Johan Jacobs (Groupama-FDJ), and Gorka Sorarrain (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA) don't have quite as much to show for their time in the breakaway.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Almost Over VA25-12" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Volta ao Algrave '25, Stage 3: Letting Him Have It

After his team had chased all day, the peloton seemed to let German Tivani (Aviludo-Louletano-Loule) take the maximum points over the last climb of the day, the Faz Fato.  Both EF Education-EasyPost and Ineos-Grenadiers were massed at the front just in case there was a move over the top.  It was just another twenty kilometers until the bonus sprint and neither team wanted to be caught napping on what should prove to be a sprint stage finale.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Letting Him Have It VA25-9" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Down Under, Final Stage: Down the Shore

I heard this New Jersey expression the other day.  Going down the shore is what I would call going to the beach.  It seemed like the perfect title for this group turning the corner to run along the coast on their way to Snapper Point.  With an almost sure bet that today would be about the climbers, it didn't stop these seven from going on the offensive from the very start of the stage.  The only one with a chance of winning on the day was Danny Van Poppel (Jumbo-Visma).  He is wearing the blue sprinter's points jersey on load from the race leader but if he takes the sprint points on offer he would still need to score points atop Willunga Hill.  Joining the Dutchman are Jasha Sutterlin (Movistar), Nick White (UniSA-Australia), Gediminas Bagdonas (Ag2r La Mondiale) among others.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3286976-139-194179/PaintingDown-the-Shore--TDU19-21.html

Giro, Stage 18: Warring Kings

Mikel Landa (Sky) started the day in the Maglia Azzurro of the King of the Mountians competition, but Omar Fraile (Dimension Data) wanted it back.  As the pair neared the summit of the second climb of the day, the Passo Valparola, Landa opened up a sprint for the top.  Fraile was able to stay with the Spaniard, and get around him to take the maximum points.  It is going to be harder to overtake Landa's lead in the competition however.

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 racing of the 100th Giro d'Italia, I am crowd funding my third cycling art book through Kickstarter.  I could use your support in helping this book get made, please consider backing 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. With Kickstarter, if there is not a 100% funded, no one is charged a dime, and the project recieves 0% funding.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/100th-Giro-dItalia/2972244-117-235247/PaintingWarring-Kings-G17-125.html

Tour of California, Stage 4: Dropped Them All

Gregory Daniel (Axeon Hagens Berman), bedecked in the bright blue jersey of most courageous rider from his efforts in Stage 3, showed no signs of being star struck.  The young American launched his attack on the penultimate climb of the day.  He looked back over his shoulder to confirm that not only was he the first over the climb, but he had dropped the rest of the members of the break.  With just 5 miles left to race on the longest stage of the Tour, he was hoping to hold off the break and the closing peloton.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting created live during the race using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my cycling art is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  You will also find my art/cycling books on the 2014 Tour du France and the 2015 UCI Road World Championships on the site as well.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post. Don't delay, these are one of a kind original paintings, so once they are gone, they are gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2792954-18-223355/Painting.html#.Vz0OvfmDGko

Tour of California, Stage 4: Taking a Peek

The only thing odder than seeing the famous sprinter, Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data), in a break away, is seeing him lead the small group up a climb.  I am curious what was going through Gregory Daniel's (Axeon Hagens Berman) mind as he rode along with one of the legendary figures still competing on the ProTour.  Also with this group was yet another of the young riders from Rally Cycling, Will Routley.  It feels like Rally Cycling and Axeon Hagens Berman have had a player in every break away in every stage of this year's Tour.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting created live during the race using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my cycling art is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  You will also find my art/cycling books on the 2014 Tour du France and the 2015 UCI Road World Championships on the site as well.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post. Don't delay, these are one of a kind original paintings, so once they are gone, they are gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2792939-17-223355/Painting.html#.Vz0LdPmDGko

Giro Day Twenty Two: Dressing for the Snow

The domestique has to help in any way he can.  Stefano Pirazzi has decided he needs a heavier jacket for the coming snow covered climb, so his Bardiani teammate is actually holding the heavier jacket in his teeth waiting for Pirazzi to remove the lighter jacket.  His teammate then passes the new one over, takes the lighter one and drops back to the team car.  In case you are thinking that is job done, he then pedals back up through the peleton, to be beside his team leader should another need arise.  All of this is in making sure that Pirazzi keeps the blue jersey of best climber in the 2013 Giro d'Italia.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist web site.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2154155---184157/Painting.html#.UaaaFcvD_IU

Giro Day Twenty: Mountains & the Future

Stefano Pirazzi, bedecked all in the blue of the leader in the Mountain Jersey, found he had a future racer trying desperately to stay even with the climber along today's stage.  The kid was probably 12 or 13 and obviously wants to compete with the big boys.  I wish I knew his name, I would love to see if this fantasy becomes a reality.  He did get himself and the bike about 8 kilometers up the mountain side.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to purchase your piece of the Giro d'Italia.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2153403---184157/Painting.html#.UaVaoM_D_IU

Giro Day Eighteen: Digging for Points

Stefano Pirazzi had been in the break away all day, at this point it had been 216 kilometers and he is desperately striving to stay ahead of the charging Maglia Rosa Group to get the last mountain points of the day, unfortunately a rider from Argos Shimano got the jump on him and got over the climb first.  What impressed me was how he got swamped by the group but then still managed to jump out from the back of the group to be the second guy over the climb.  He ensured that he will be wearing the Blue Jersey again tomorrow.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and can be yours by visiting my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2153353---184157/Painting.html#.UaVSLM_D_IU

Giro Day Eighteen: Running Tifosi

Tifosi are the exuberant cycling fans that run along side of the racers cheering sometimes in costumes, sometimes nearly naked, always joyful and excited to be so close to these international athletes.  I am sure that alcohol frequently figures into the equation.  This group seem to be conjuring up bumble bees, the guys were in black and yellow striped dresses (that would stay up) and their female companion wore a brilliant big shouldered yellow blouse with a tight black jump suit.   All of this is being caught by the following TV Moto.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase through my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2153331---184157/Painting.html#.UaVQss_D_IU

Giro Day Sixteen: Falling Through the Snow

Chalapuo and Pirazzi were joined on a little break on the way up the Col by Borigiorno (Pirazzi's Bardiani teammate) and Rabottini who rides for Fantini - Selle Italia.  They then dived down the other side of the mountain putting time into the peleton, they got out to 6 1/2 minutes very quickly, although a few more joined them as they crossed the valley ahead of the two monster climbs that ended the day.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by bidding on it in a short 3 day auction on ebay.  Just follow the direct link I have added to the end of this post, but hurry, the auction begins as soon as this post is published.

This painting is sold.

Giro Day Sixteen: Who's Coming Along

Chalupuo and Pirazzi jumped from the slow moving peleton just 2 kilometers from the summit of the first climb of the day, well the first categorized climb anyway.  Stefano Pirazzi started the day in the blue jersey of the best mountain climber of the Giro.  The jersey is awarded on a point system with a certain amount of points being awarded to the first couple of riders over each climb of the stage, the harder the climb the higher the points.  Stefano is looking over his shoulder to see if anyone else is coming after him and the points.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and is available for purchase at my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of the post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2153221---184157/Painting.html#.UaU3Fc_D_IU

Giro Day Five: And They Are Off

Each road stage of the Giro (and all of the Grand Tours) start with the jersey wearers lined up on the starting line with the rest of the peleton behind.  However when the flag drops it is only the start of the neutral area,  after the riders get going, about 5K, then the flag drops and the racing is on.  The fans gather to see their favorites sign in for the day, hope to get an autograph or even a picture, and then cheer as the peleton rides away.  After the riders and crowds are gone, the roadies come in and take everything off to the next start town.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and is available for sale in a quick 3 day auction on ebay.  I will provide a direct link at the end of this post.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251272803314