Giro d'Italia Stage 16: Slipping Away in the Snow

Dario Cataldo (Team Sky) and a few others were finally allowed to slip off of the front of the peloton, Cataldo took full advantage.  With the rain having changed over to snow, not many were happy in the race and concern started growing about the safety of the descent down the back side of the Stelvio.  At one point, I received a tweet that the race organizers had decided to neutralize the drop down the other side.  The idea being that the times of each rider would be taken at the summit, this would allow the riders to take there time going down, hopefully staying safe on the icy twisting hairpins down to the valley floor.  At the bottom, the peloton would stop, starting back off in the time order that was established at the summit.  Confusion reigned as it became apparent that the decision to neutralize had been rescinded.  As of this writing, I don't know the results of the arguments that were sure to follow.  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%202014/2370802---198213/Painting.html#.U4Uovs_D_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 16: Into the Snow Line

With three big mountains to climb in today's stage from Ponte di Legno  139 kilometers to Val Martello/Martellal, you knew some Colombian climbers would figure into the day's drama, but the weather wasn't in the mood to play second fiddle.  True to form, Robinson Chalapud from Team Colombia was the first to head out from the peloton on the first climb up the Gavia Pass.  The ride up was cold and drizzley with snow along the sides of the road, but at least the temperature stayed above freezing.  With so much to play for behind, Chalapud never got more than 20 seconds on the attentive peloton.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard measuring 4 inches by 6 inches and created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com for only $50.00 USD.  For this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  While you are there, why not take the time to browse around and see all of the artwork on offer?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%27Italia%202014/2370772-95-90-198213/Painting/Sports.html#.U4Ue18_D_IU

Giro Day Twenty Two: Plowing the Way

Often times the phrase "plowing the way" is a figurative reference to the act of plowing snow out of the following groups way.  Today, it was as close to literal as I have ever seen in a Grand Tour.  These three, Cappecchi, Brambelli and Weening, have ridden away from the Maglia Rosa group hoping to win the stage while the contenders are willing to protect their positions and only race against each other.  Alas, for these attackers, they didn't count on Nibali wanting to stamp his authority on the race with back to back stage wins.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by going to my artist website and adding this an many others to your shopping cart.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2154179---184157/Painting.html#.Uaafl8vD_IU

Giro Day Twenty Two: Getting the Shot

The peleton has gotten up into the snow line of today's climb and I am not the only one who thought this was a great image.  The Giro is extensively covered by the world press, sporting and otherwise, not only are there five TV Moto, but there is a calavary of photographers riding on motorcycles getting thousands of still photos for magazines, newspapers and direct distribution.  I can't tell you who this is, but I do agree with his taste in imagery.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by following the link at the end of this post to my artist website. 

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2154159---184157/Painting.html#.UaabW8vD_IU

Giro Day Twenty One: No Racing Just Snow

This Giro has given me a couple of first in my decades of watching cycling and the Grand Tours, a cancelation.  Stage 20 was first modified to avoid the high climbs citing fears of ice on the descents of the high passes, but early this morning the decision was made to cancel the stage altogether due to snow.  While I am disappointed to have no race to watch or paint, I applaud the decision that keeps the riders safe and healthy, as well as considers the health of the cycling fans that line the route every day, every stage.  Speaking of disappointments Danielo DiLuca becomes the second competitor to be removed from the Giro due to doping charges.  His comes from a positive test taken 5 days before the start of the Giro, but is another smear on his career of highs and doping lows.  I have been impressed with his gusty attacks throughout the 2013 Giro d'Italia and am hurt to find out now how he was able to launch the attacks.  Sadly, the attacks didn't work, and now he is probably out of cycling.  As is Director Sportif said in an interview,
         
          "It's true," Scinto said in a quiet, sad voice. "He's mad, he's a cretino, he needs treatment.    There's nothing else to say. We gave him a second chance and the sponsors put their faith in him and this is how he pays us back. It's crazy that a rider thinks they can get away with it like that." -Cyclingnews.com

Hopefully, the clean peleton will be back to racing tomorrow.

Giro Day Sixteen: Climbing Into the Clouds

The break away is just heading into the cloud bank full of snow on the top of the Galibier, the tifosi have been standing along the side of the road all day to see their heroes ride past.  I did see one fool running beside the climbers wearing boots, a hat and his underwear.  Once the riders had passed him by he stood there looking cold and confused, I sure hope he found his clothes again.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and it can be yours by going to my artist website, Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to buy some great cycling art.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2153245---184157/Painting.html#.UaU8Z8_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 Sixteen: This Is May?

That has to be the question amongst the peleton given the weather of the last two days.  This is the rear of the peleton riding up the Col du Mont Ceno (I think) across the Italian border into France.  And yes, that is snow along side the riders, and not the unmelted snow bank left from last winter but new snow from the last 36 hours.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and like all of the works in this series, it was created using cake watercolors, brushes and paper from www.richesonart.com   Also, all of these works are available for purchase, first through a brief auction on ebay, just follow the link at the end of this post.  Or later, I will be adding the works to my artist website and you will be able to buy the works there (ebay will be the better deal).

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251277781335