Tour of Britain Stage 5: Let's Go Faster

Angel Madrazo put himself into his fourth breakaway of four road stages in the Tour of Britain as he continues to secure the King of the Mountain jersey.  One of the effects of drafting is that the shelter riders uses about 30% less energy than the guy with his nose in the wind, so on a pedaling descent the first in line cannot go as fast as those behind.  Madrazo is anxious to keep the break's speed up so gives a helping push to Stefano Pirazzi all in an effort to stay out in front of the peloton.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that was created using cake watercolors, brushes and paper from www.richesonart.com   I highly recommend them, they are a family run business creating and marketing a wide variety of excellent artist's supplies.  Also, this piece is available from my artist website, just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 2013 Tour of Britain.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2213425-11-6-189075/Painting/Sports.html#.UjyGPMvD_IU

Tour Stage Nine: Driving to Town and the Stage

When Dan Martin went everyone in the peloton let him go except Jakob Fuglsang of Astana, the two joined forces on the descent, dropped into the most aerodynamic positions and drove as hard and as fast as they could towards the town of Bagneres-de-Bigorre and for one of them a stage victory.  In interviews after the stage each said that a solo break would not have held off the peloton, so their working together made sense until the last kilometer of the stage.  Dan Martin became the first Irishman to win a Tour de France Stage since is uncle did in 1992 (and his uncle went on to win the Tour that year).  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available at my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your artistic piece of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2179479---186227/Painting.html#.UeS0ZcvD_IU

Tour Stage Five: Who's Coming Along?

It seems that now, every time there is a descent of any steepness at the end of a stage you can find Sylvain Chavanel diving down the mountain trying to bring along his teammates for a sprint victory.  Stage Five of the 100th Tour de France was no different, Chavanel flies down the mountain making sure he has his teammate in the White Jersey behind and Mark Cavendish close at hand.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available through a quick visit to my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2178285---186227/Painting.html#.UeH1bsvD_IU

Giro Day Eleven: It Will Be a Cold Ride Down

Yet again, the tradition of staying warm on a descent had the riders grabbing newspaper to stuff up under their jersey to help them keep warm.  The cyclist have just exerted great effort, sweating heavily climbing up the mountain and the descents can be very chilling with the combination of the kit that is soaked in sweat and the wind chill factor of the high speed drop off of the mountain.  Now, the modern peleton stations team sojeuners who hand out capes, jackets and drinks just before the riders crest the climb.  As they start down, they quickly wrap up in their new found clothes.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and is available for sale on my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Also, I will be creating prints of the highlights of these works at the end of the Giro.  If you are interested in an even more affordable momento, please leave a comment so I have an idea of how many to print.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2151035---184157/Painting.html#.UZ7AEcvD_IU

Giro Day Nine: Down to the Sun & Victory

Maxim Belkov was the second rider in a row in a road stage to go in an early break away, leave his fellow attackers and solo to a stage victory.  Belkov had the added treat of making the final descent towards his stage victory as the sun broke through the rain soaked skies to shine on his accomplishment.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by going to my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2151027---184157/Painting.html#.UZ68KMvD_IU

Giro Day Six: Super Aero Mark

There weren't many down hill stretches but Mark Cavendish took full advantage of this one to get as much speed as possible.  He has dropped into a very tight aerodynamic tuck with his chin resting on his folded hands atop the handlebars.  For all of you considering this on your next club ride, it is not the safest way to ride by far!  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and like all of the work in this series is available for sale at my artist web site.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of art and of Giro d'Italia 2013.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2149225-46-42-184157/Painting/Sports.html#.UZo0uM_D_IU