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 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, 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 6: Dictating the Pace

As the peloton started up the final climb of the day, the category 4 Fuscaldo, Quickstep put themselves on the front of the peloton to control the pace.  The now four guys up the road weren't a thread to the Maglia Rosa of their man, Bob Jungels, so they were more interested in keeping the other GC hopefuls at bay.  Quickstep also held the Maglia Ciclamino jersey usually refered to as the sprinter's jersy, but it wasn't going to be the day for Fernando Gaviria (or any other sprinters) to add to their point totals.  Apparently, all of the other teams were happy to go with the status quo until a bigger test on Saturday (Stage 13).

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/2965078-39-235247/PaintingDictating-the-Pace-G17-40.html

Giro, Stage 2: He Likes Pink

With all of the sprinters' teams vying to lead their men to the line, it was a surprise to see Lukas Postlberger (Bora-Hansgrohe) clad in pink being led up to the front of affairs.  Postlberger knew that he had a slim lead over the other sprinters that were around him.  Postlberger was bumping shoulders with Caleb Ewan's (Orica-Scott) lead out man while Andre Greipel's (Lotto Soudal) man held a strong line with over a hundred speedy bikes behind them all.

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/2962973-15-235247/PaintingHe-Likes-Pink-G17-15.html

Giro Final Stage: Taking a Bow

While they were still in the neutral start section of the final stage of the 98th Giro d'Italia, Tinkoff Saxo clasped arms with the Maglia Rosa of Alberto Contador and took a bow for all of the press photographers astride their motorcycles.  As far as I could tell, the team eschewed the traditional sharing of the Prosecco, but not the re-taping of the handlebars with bright pink .  Contador went a step further with Specialized sending him a new bright pink bike.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from the small family run art supply company, Jack Richeson and Company.  There website is www.richesonart.com.  Plus, this painting is available through my artist website for only $50 USD, plus shipping (international is available) at www.greigleach.com.  To get this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post, but don't delay.  This is an original work of art, so when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2561840---184157/Painting.html#.VWu1X89Viko

Giro Stage 20: More Than Enough

Chapeau, Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo)!  Contador has held the Maglia Rosa for thirteen stage of the 98th Giro d'Italia and had paid honor to the Giro everyday.  These last two days the Astana duo of Aru and Landa, have sorely tested Contador.  Today, he came very close to actually cracking on the penultimate climb, but as he so often does, manage to recover.  He climbed within himself on the Colle Delle Finestre once he had been dropped, and did not take any unnecessary risks on the following descent.  He never panic, remembering that he had a very sizable time gap on those further up the road.  As he crossed the line over two minutes after the victorious Aru, he allowed himself a celebratory fist pumb, knowing that he had secured his second Grand Tour victory in a row.  Tomorrow he need only arrive safely with the peloton.  He can let the sprinters have their day, but he will be the one having the glory (and the prosecco).

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.  In addition, this painting is available for purchase from my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But be advised, this is a one of a kind painting, so don't delay, when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2561512---184157/Painting.html#.VWq3ic9Viko

Giro Stage 19: Under Control

Astana obviously had a plan for the end of the stage today.  Virtually the entire team could be seen driving the pace on the front of the ever diminishing peloton.  The goal seemed to be to zap the legs of everyone else in the race, hoover up all of the early breakaway and then launch someone or some two guys off of the front for a stage victory.  The hope of taking the Maglia Rosa off of the shoulders of the uber talented Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) had certainly taken flight out the window, but a stage victory and a two, three on the podium was all but certain.

Every vigilante, you can see the Pink Jersey, dancing on the pedals and keeping a sharp eye on the boys in blue.  By this point in the stage, Contador was down to just his two most talented lieutenants, Roman Kreuziger and Mick Rogers.  Contador, however, has proven he can do a stellar job defending the jersey on his own.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson and Company.  They are a small family run art supply company out of Wisconsin with really great art products.  You can learn more about them at www.richesonart.com.  This painting is also available through my artist website for only $50 USD, plus shipping.  The website is www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

Apparently, my website has decided it doesn't want to share my paintings today.  If you are interested in purchasing the painting, please email me at greigsart@gmail.com.

Giro Stage 18: Quick Fix on the Fly

When a rider's luck is in, it is truly a fun thing to watch.  The day Contador had the ill timed flat, he ended up widening his advantage on the General Classification.  Today, having dropped everyone who tried to hold the Maglia Rosa's wheel, Contador dropped his chain when shifting to the smaller front chain ring.  He was lucky enough to be able to reach down and re-thread his chain and get back to the task at hand.  He was able to do this without having to stop.  His team car had pulled up behind with his mechanic jumping out while the car was still moving.  The mechanic first reached for a replacement bike, then realized that the problem had been fixed by the team leader on his own.  The mechanic barely had time to run up to Contador to give him a push before the Maglia Rosa was back to his distinctive, and effective, dancing on the pedals.

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 lovely family run art supply business with some really fine products.  This painting is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  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/2560832---184157/Painting.html#.VWfZls_BzGc

Giro Stage 14: Driving Back into Pink

Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) must not have been happy about how he lost his Maglia Rosa on Stage 13.  The Spaniard has always been great against the clock, so it came as no surprise that he was able to reclaim pink from the less time trial capable Fabio Aru (Astana).  But the erstwhile wear of pink finished just 14 seconds behind the winner of the stage, Vasil Kiryienka (Sky).  The ride definitely put the Tinkoff Saxo team leader back in pink, but also left him over two minutes ahead of the Italian, Aru.

This is an original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company, www.richesonart.com.  This painting is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  International shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2558900---184157/Painting.html#.VWF4oflViko

Giro Stage 14: Starting His Defense

Fabio Aru (Astana) was the final racer to roll down the start ramp in Treviso.  Due to his Maglia Rosa, he was the last competitor to attack the 59.4 kilometer race of truth.  Today's time trial was the longest in the Giro in nearly a decade and was a combination of a long flat course and a dominantly uphill finish.  Aru is not known for his abilities in the race of truth, but hoped for the 'power of the pink'.  It is well documented that holding the leader's jersey in a Grand Tour enables riders to turn in miraculous rides that far exceed their previous achievements.  Aru was unable to pull out the upset and retain the overall lead, but his ride brought respect to the Maglia Rosa.

Each rider is follow by both a team car and a race official.  Those that are of interest to Italian television are also followed on the ground by a TV Moto and in the air by one of the helicopter mounted cameras.

This is an original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company, www.richesonart.com.  This painting is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  International shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2558892---184157/Painting.html#.VWFyj_lViko

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 7: Proving He's Okay

Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) was one of those who went down in the crash 500 meters from the line in Stage 6.  He apparently dislocated his shoulder.  He was unable to put on the Maglia Rosa nor open the Procesca on the podium yesterday evening.  So I was a little surprised to see him take the start, I'm sure there were many members of the peloton who felt the same.  Tinkoff Saxo made a point of showing that Contador was ready to ride, even pushing the pace on the penultimate climb of the day.  While the Spaniard winced as he did his signature dance up the climb, he seemed very capable of pushing the pace and putting the sprinters into difficulty.  He was certainly relying on the strength of Roman Kreuziger, Michael Rogers and Ivan Basso to show how strong he and his team were.

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.  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.  And yes, international shipping is available.  Do act quickly to get your own piece of the 98th Giro d'Italia.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2554770---184157/Painting.html#.VVbt5CFViko

Giro Stage 5: Launching an Attack

Dan Lloyd and Carlton Kirby providing commentary for BeIn Sports in the United States were sure that none of the General Classification contenders would try to put time into their rivals.  No sooner had they offered that opinion on the final climb of the day than Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo)  launched an attack that caught everyone napping.  Fabio Aru (Astrana) was the first to set off after the talented Spaniard.  Contador's attack did not catch some of those still up the road, nor did he lose Aru or Richie Porte (Team Sky), but his efforts were enough to drop all of the other hopefuls and to put him into the Pink of race leader.  Chapeau, Alberto!

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/2553662---184157/Painting.html#.VVQBxiFViko

Giro Stage 3: Tickled Pink

Winning a stage in one of the three Grand Tours is a rare moment in any professional cyclist career. To win one while wearing the Tour's leader's jersey is a special moment indeed.  So it was for Michael Matthews (Orica GreenEdge) as he threw his arms wide in the pure joy of the accomplishment.  Matthews held off Fabio Felline (Trek Factory Racing) and Philippe Gilbert (BMC).  Gilbert had been collecting points and bonus seconds along the road apparently targeting the  Giro's Sprinter's Jersey (although he didn't make it into this painting).  Just missing the podium in Sestri Levante is Francesco Gavazzi (Southeast).

This is an original small watercolor and ink painting that is available for purchase through my artists website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 98th Giro d'Italia.  International shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2553050---184157/Painting.html#.VVGNWiHBzGc

Giro d'Italia Stage 15: Pierre Lights It Up

Pierre Rolland (Europcar) was the next to decide the peloton was too busy watching each other and head out on his own.  However, the Maglia Rosa, Rigoberto Uran (OPQS) and Cadel Evans (BMC) thought that the Frenchman should be followed and stood up to catch the fast accelerating Rolland.  Perhaps unknowlingly, he set the attacks alight, but was able to stay out ahead of those fighting for position on the General Classification.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that measure 4"x6" and is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2369744---198213/Painting.html#.U4LAi8_D_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 9: Maglia Rosa

Cadel Evans (BMC) may think he got into the Maglia Rosa a little too early in the Giro, but he showed no signs of wanting to led it go onto the shoulders of anyone else.  As the peloton crested the biggest climb of the stage about 40 kilometers from the finish line, he brought his team to the front to tear down the rather beautiful but technical descent.  It was a good chance to show why he was a World Cup mountain biker before making the switch to road racing.  So for those along the side of the road, they got to see a very, very brief flash of pink as he was hitting speeds of 70 kph on the straight ways that connected the hair pin turns on the back side of Sant Antonio.  His descending but some rather large gaps in the peloton, that left some rivals scrambling to get back on across the valley floor.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting, please follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2365395---198213/Painting.html#.U3kZ7s_D_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 8: Slipping Off the Back & Out of Pink

Orica GreenEdge and Michael Matthews have already had their most successful Grand Tour thus far into the 2014 Giro d'Italia.  The team one the right to carry the pink jersey on the first stage of the race where it rested on the shoulders of Svein Tufts and it then past  to Micheal Matthews. Were it stayed until the end of Stage 8.  While I am sure he was disappointed not to be able to hang tuff on the big climbs of the Giro, he obviously felt honored to have had this recognition that so very few men in the pro peloton will ever know.  So as the TV moto caught images of him losing contact with the peloton, he smiled and waved to the camera and to his fans through Australia and the world.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting please follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But while you are there, why not take the time to browse around and see all of the art that is on offer?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2365129---198213/Painting.html#.U3hqSc_D_IU

Giro Day Twenty Two: Attacking in Pink

I paint in awe of Vincenzo Nibali!  He has over four minutes on his nearest competitors and is climbing the last mountain of the 2013 Giro d'Italia, he is cold snow covered and is in is 12th day of wearing pink, and yet he collects all of the break aways up the road, and then goes clear to solo to victory in the Maglia Rosa.  Understand he had no real reason to attack, but then a competitor always competes.  I am sure he didn't make a lot of friends within the peleton, but he earned everyone's respect.  He had sealed his victory with his time trial, today, he cast it in stone.   This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and is available through my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post, but hurry, you know everyone wants this image of the 2013 Giro!

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2154185---184157/Painting.html#.Uaagr8vD_IU