Giro, Final Stage: First and Last

During the neutral role out, and through much of the early part of the stage (more about that later), riders had sometime to chat, congratulate each other, and generally revel in getting through to the final stage of the 101st Giro d'Italia.  Giuseppe Fonzi (Wilier Triestina) mad sure to congratulate Chriss Froome (Sky).  The pair represent the fastest, the Maglia Rosa and the slowest finisher, in the Tour de France, it is called the lantern rouge, here it is the Maglia Nera (black jersey).  While there was breifly an actual jersey awarded, now it is just a dubious honor.  For Fonzi, he was an animator of many break aways, so has no reason to hang his head.  Plus unlike some twenty plus riders, he made it to the final stage.  Beside the two, you can just see Elia Viviani (Quickstep) leaning in to chat with another rider on Team Sky.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/101st-Giro-dItalia/3170188-92-249297/PaintingFirst-and-Last-G18-96.html

Giro, Stage 20: Well Done

The first to reach out and shake Chris Froome's (Sky) hand was his most loyal lieutenant, Wout Poels.  Poels had been dropped by the multiple attacks on the final climb of the Giro.  He managed to claw his way back up to Froome and the rest of the contenders.  Not only did he rejoin, but he had the legs to lead out Froome in a sprint that added six more seconds to the Maglia Rosa's lead over Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb).  The only one holding onto the wheels of the Team Sky duo was Domenico Pozzovivo (Bahrain Merida), who had clearly recovered from his bad day on stage 19.  The next to cross was Richard Carapaz (Movistar) but he was unable to gain time on Angel Miguel Lopez's (Astana) Maglia Bianca.  So, no jerseys changed hands today, and it is very unlikely that any will change in Rome either.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/101st-Giro-dItalia/3169726-91-249297/PaintingWell-Done--G18-95.html

Giro, Stage 20: What He Must Do

Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) had only one option if he was going to win the Giro d'Italia.  Attack, attack, attack.  With ten kilometers left to race for GC, Dumoulin went hard on a steep section of the climb up to Cervinia.  Chris Froome (Sky) was quickly on to the Dutchman's wheel.  The two traded blows the rest of the way up to the finish of the last stage of hostilities.  The stage on the streets of Rome will be one for the sprinters, but it is tradition not to attack the Maglia Rosa on the final day of the Giro, as it is in the Tour de France or the Veulta d'Espania.  At this point, Dumoulin was the only one in the group with a teammate.  He had the able assistance of Sam Oomen, who was hoping that he could help is team leader while also moving up in the Maglia Bianca for himself.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/101st-Giro-dItalia/3169717-89-249297/PaintingWhat-He-Must-Do--G18-93.html

Giro, Stage 20: The Fruit of His Labors

Team Sky just had to pay attention today.  Chris Froome's brilliant riding over the past two days have put him into the maglia rosa.   He has 46 seconds on the rider who has been second overall for the entire 101st Giro d'Italia, Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb).  As the peloton started up the Col Tescore, Froome had Salvatore Puccio and Sergio Henao in front and Wout Poels bringing up the rear.  They looked ready for anything Dumoulin would try.  None of the others were close enough to his lead to be much of a worry to the likely holder of all three grand tour titles similtaneously. 

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/101st-Giro-dItalia/3169465-85-249297/PaintingThe-Fruit-of-His-Labors--G18-89.html

Giro, Stage 19: The Struggle Is Real

The small cracks that opened in Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) in stage 18 became large fissures on the first truly big climb of the day.  Yates slipped off the back of the peloton on the lower slopes of the Colle del Finestre with another 78 kilometers to the end of the stage.  As all of the other GC contenders road away, he knew his Maglia Rosa was gone and his hopes for a top ten finish along with it.  He was being escorted by his loyal teammates, but right now he couldn't even hold their wheels.  Behind him, Jan Hirt (Astana) was willing to sit on the Brit's wheel and let his teammates up the road know if Yates re-found his legs.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/101st-Giro-dItalia/3168816-78-249297/PaintingThe-Struggle-Is-Real--G18-83.html

Giro, Stage 18: Catching Them Napping

Chris Froome (Sky) is not one to give up.  Actually, professionally cycling is about not giving up, fighting the odds, and fighting your body.  This isn't a sane activity - even for us weekend warriors.  Froome attacked the Maglia Rosa while he and everyone else were eyeing each other.  Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) and Domenico Pozzovivo (Bahrain-Merida) were able to catch the wheel of the fleeing Brit, but for the first time in his debute Giro Simon Yates (Mitchelton Scott) wasn't able to respond.  It was Pozzovivo who finished ahead of the trio of contenders, followed by Dumoulin and Froome.  Yates came home 28 seconds later, thus narrowing his lead to just 28 seconds over Dumoulin with Pozzovivo in third by over two minutes.  Froome is in fourth, now three minutes and 22 seconds behind.  Two more mountain stages should make for some very exciting racing before Roma.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/101st-Giro-dItalia/3167754-76-249297/PaintingCatching-Them-Napping--G18-81.html

Giro, Stage 16: Sheer Desire

It has been said that the Malliot Jeune gives you wings.  The same must be true of the Maglia Rosa.  Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) started the day with two minutes and eleven seconds on second place Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb).  It was fully expected by all involved that Dumoulin would be able to use his expertise and size to power ratio to pull back all of that time and more.  Instead, Yates brilliantly and courageously defended his lead.  He finished twentieth on the day, but that was enough to keep him in the pink jersey by 56 seconds.  His other main rivals are two minutes or more behind him.  Given how he has been riding in the high mountians, tomorrows flat stage for the sprinters to recover and two mountain top finishes before the finale in Roma, it seems unlikely that he will not win the 101st Giro d'Italia.  But, anything can happen, and anyone can have a bad day.  Not a bad position to be in for a debute appearance in the Giro.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/101st-Giro-dItalia/3166977-67-249297/PaintingSheer-Desire--G18-72.html

Giro, Stage 15: Pressing His Advantage

Again, I enjoy a good pun, or a title that leaves more than one interpretation about what is going on in the image.  Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) had the balls to attack when he did not need to on the final climb of stage 15.  The climb up to Sappada wasn't catagorized, but it was enough of an ascent to let the maglia rosa leave all of his competitors in the figurative dust.  Yates came to the line alone with time to pose for the dozens of press photographers huddled just across the finishing line.  Most often, we only see this moment from the cameras' point of view, so I appreciate the TV Moto staying with the shot long enough to afford us this glimpse into what a stage winner sees as he crosses the line.

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.

Apparently, my website has decided not to let me load images today.  If you are interested in this painting, please email me at greigsart@gmail.com.  All payments can be routed through PayPal for your security, and mine.

Giro, Stage 15: From the Front

As my wife said when I showed her this painting, "I am going to beat you."  Clearly this is Simon Yates' (Mitchelton-Scott) race to lose.  As the group of contenders had already swept up the remnants of the early break, they were poised to fight for stage honors on the Costalisso climb.  While riding on the front of the group containing Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana), Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ), Domenico Pozzovivo (Bahrain Merida) and Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb), Yates simply road away from all of those sitting behind him on the general classification.  As he went, none were able to go with the attack.  None.  Dumoulin, still sitting second overall, now almost two minutes behind, is opening to have a brilliant time trial on Tuesday, if he is to have any chance of repeating his Giro victory from last year.  The rest are just hoping that Yates will crack on the next day of racing.  Many riders have a bad day after the final rest day in a grand tour.

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.

Apparently, my website has decided not to let me load images today.  If you are interested in this painting, please email me at greigsart@gmail.com.  All payments can be routed through PayPal for your security, and mine.

Giro, Stage 15: Riding in the Rain

Nothing like a cold, wet day for a bike ride (or race in this case).  The peloton faces a number of catagorized climbs and some step ones that only showed on the profile today.  Joe Dombrowski (EF Education First) was one of his team that set a hard pace for most of the stage.  I, nor the commentators could quite figure out why they were riding so hard.  They even had a rider in the break up the road.  Spoiler alert, it didn't produce any discernable results.  Behind, the maglia rosa was being covered up by Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) as his teammates looked on.  Others close on the general classification like, Sergio Henao (Sky) and Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) were keeping a close eye on the young Brit in pink.

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.

Apparently, my website has decided not to let me load images today.  If you are interested in this painting, please email me at greigsart@gmail.com.  All payments can be routed through PayPal for your security, and mine.

Giro, Stage 14: Clearing Some Space

Chris Froome (Sky) has been having a less than stellar Giro thus far.  Today he hit the final climb with something to prove.  With just under 4 kilometers left to the summit of Monte Zoncolan, he went off the front of the shredded peloton.  Behind, race marshals worked to clear space between each splinter group racing to make their mark on the GC.  Trying to hold the wheel of Froome is the Maglia Rosa of Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott).  Yates had over three minutes in hand on Froome, but others behind had more to worry about.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/101st-Giro-dItalia/3165246-58-249297/PaintingClearing-Some-Space--G18-58.html

Giro, Stage 11: A Display of Power

Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) clad in the leader's Maglia Rosa, hit the climbs at full speed, showing that his lead is no fluke.  Attempting to join the leader, and hoping to over take him as well, is last year's winner, Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb).  As they approached the flame rouge denoting the final kilometer of the stage, you can see crowds lining the course and advertising inflatables.  Yates finished the stage in the lead, with Dumoulin taking second on the stage.  Each held their place on the GC, with Yates gaining just a couple more seconds on the day.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/101st-Giro-dItalia/3164943-52-249297/PaintingA-Display-of-Power--G18-52.html

Giro, Stage 10: Every Second

Two interpretations of this title here.  First riders must be aware every second of the stage because one's race can change in an instant.  As the peloton approached the second intermediate sprint (where bonus seconds are awarded to the first three riders across the line), Groupama-FDJ hit the front to lead out their man Thibaut Pinot.  As they neared the line, Sebastien Riechenbach (Groupama-FDJ) rolled off the front to let his man take maximum points.  However, Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) wasn't having any of it.  With the advantage of a rise to the line, Yates managed to out sprint the Frenchman and add another second to his over all lead.  Thibaut was extra motivated since a group far behind contained Esteban Chaves (Mitchelton-Scott) who had started the day in second place on the General Classification.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/101st-Giro-dItalia/3162999-42-249297/PaintingEvery-Second--G18-42.html

Giro, Stage 9: Opening Up the Sprint

As I just wrote (previous post) Domenico Pozzovivo (Bahrain Merida) and Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) were trading attacks as the finish line approached.  Neither could shake the other, although they had managed to dropped all of the Colombians, as well as most of the pre-race favorites.  The one they didn't drop was Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott).  His final sprint to the line showed that his Maglia Rosa was no fluke.  Simon Yates now has a stage victory and a few more seconds in the lead of the 101st Giro d'Italia.  Pinot took second on the stage but remains in fourth place on the general classification.  Pozzovivo finished the day in fourth, he did managed to move up on the GC.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/101st-Giro-dItalia/3162426-41-249297/PaintingOpening-Up-the-Sprint--G18-41.html

Giro, Stage 6: Stage for One, Jersey for the Other

The title tells the story.  It was exciting to watch Jhoan Chaves (Mitchelton-Scott) attack the leading group and get away on the final kilometers of the Etna climb. It was strange to watch his teammate, Simon Yates go on the attack from the peloton (or what was left of it).  Normally, a teammate would not risk pulling adversaries up to his man up the road.  Yates, however, was able to go so hard, that no one could catch his wheel.  The Mitchelton-Scott came to the line together, both celebrating.  Chaves made the sign of the cross and Yates raised his arms, seemingly celebrating his teammates stage victory.  But he became the new owner of the Maglia Rosa of race leader and his teammate took the stage.  There will be champagne at the Mitchelton-Scott dinner table tonight!  Chapeau!

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/101st-Giro-dItalia/3161036-30-249297/PaintingStage-for-One,-Jersey-for-the-Other--G18-30.html

Giro, Stage 6: All Who Matter

This vastly reduced peloton was chasing the even more drastically reduced break away up the final kilometers of the Etna climb.  At this point all of the big names (and GC contenders) were still together, including the Maglia Blanco of Maximilian Schachman (Quick Step), my hometown boy, Ben King (Dimension Data), the Maglia Rosa of Rohan Dennis (BMC) and Fabio Aru (UAE Team Emirates) in his Italian National Champion jersey.  The big M is on the back of Richard Carapaz (Movistar).  The others who are odds on favorites are leading this group, but not really readable in this painting.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/101st-Giro-dItalia/3161026-28-249297/PaintingAll-Who-Matter--G18-28.html

Giro d'Italia, Stage 1: What He Does Best

When Rohan Dennis (BMC), bedecked in his Australian Time Trial Champion jersey, crossed the line he was the one with the new best time.  He would have to wait quite some time to see if it would be enough to win the stage (and the first Maglia Rosa of the 101st Giro).  In fact it would be until the final rider of the day came to the finish before he would know the anwser.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/101st-Giro-dItalia/3157921-2-249297/PaintingWhat-He-Does-Best-G18-2.html

Giro, Final Stage: As Fast as Possible

Nairo Quintana (Movistar) was going to have the best time trial of his life if he wanted to keep his Maglia Rosa.  While he did ride one of his best ever, it still wasn't enough to withstand the ride of Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb).  Quintana had done his best to open up as big a gap as possible on the last road stage in hopes of doing enough to hold onto the pink today.  I have enjoyed the racing in this Giro and found it interesting that the final stage was a time trial instead of a road stage.  Normally, the final stage is a promenade with champagne toasts along the way winding up with a made sprint for the fastmen of the sport.  Instead, the Maglia Rosa and the Maglia Bianca wouldn't be decided until the last man crossed the line in Milan.

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/2974390-147-235247/PaintingFast-as-Possible-G17-155.html

Giro, Stage 20: They Need Time

Once Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida) had gone on the offensive, it forced everyone else to respond.  Quickly joining the Italian was Thibaut Pinot (FDJ).  His attack brought the Maglia Rosa of Nairo Quintana (Movistar) out of the gruppa to join the effort.  Behind them, Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) was struggling just a bit, so this trio was hoping to put as much time into the Dutchman as possible.  Everyone was made aware of Dumoulin's time trialing prowess on stage 15, so none wanted to cede the race to him on the final stage tomorrow.  Then of course their was a stage victory and podium positions to ride for today, as well.

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/2974150-139-235247/PaintingThey-Need-Time-G17-147.html

Giro, Stage 20: All Who Matter

It may be their climbing domestiques who are on the front of the peloton, but it is all of the riders who figure in the overall general classification who are together as they scale the penultimate climb of this Giro.  Starting the day with less than a minute between the top four places, no one could afford to be inattentive, or worse, have bad legs today.  Nairo Quintana (Movistar) decked out in matching pink gloves, helmet and even sunglasses, kept a close eyes on all those behind him on GC and the road.  While all of the hopefuls are here, it is only Domenico Pozzovivo (Ag2r La Mondiale) who you can see popping out from the group a few riders back.

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/2974139-136-235247/PaintingAll-Who-Matter-G17-144.html