Giro, Stage 1: Getting Close

The title does not refer to how close these two riders were together as they came to the line.  But rather, just how close Jose Goncalves (Katusha-Aplecin) came to taking over the lead from Rohan Dennis (BMC).  Goncalves was just 12 seconds off of the Australian champion's pace, as he caught Dennis' teammate (who had started a minute earlier) on the climb up to the finish line.  In the end, Goncalves was fourth overall, just off of the podium, a respectable day out none the less.

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/3157931-3-249297/PaintingGetting-Close-G18-3.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, Stage 1: Racing at Home

The 101st Giro d'Italia has done something that no grand tour has done before, it has started outstide of Europe.  198 riders went to Jerusalem, Israel for three days of racing around the country before heading back to Italy for the remaining 18 stages.  So it is fitting that the first painting of the race is of the Israeli National Time Trial Champion, Guy Sagiv (Israel Cycling Academy).  Sagiv had to be super motivated to put in a great showing, but he was up against the world, including the European Champion and the World Champion in this discipline. 

Part of the reason I decided to paint this year's Giro d'Italia is that it is starting in Jerusalem and ending in Roma near the steps of the Vatican.

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/3157915-1-249297/PaintingRacing-at-Home-G17-1.html

Kyo Gallery Grand Opening

I am pleased to be part of this exhibition in a new gallery space just outside of Washington, DC.  I will be exhibiting on of my large scale Shiva Paintstik on paper works.  It does not involved cycling, but it is a perfect selection for the theme of this exhibition.

This is the painting that I will be exhibiting.  It is 52"x72" on 100% rag paper.   It was created using Shiva Paintstiks (learn more about them at www.richesonart.com)  And you can learn more about my artwork at www.greigleach.com

I hope to see you, and/or meet you on the 25th of May.

Liege Bastogne Liege: Worth the Effort

It may not have been the team's or even Bob Jungels' (Quick-Step) intention to solo to victory today.  But when the opportunity presented itself, he had the legs and heart to make it happen.  In the post race interview, Jungels said he was countering the attacks on the Cote de la Roche aux Faucons to put his teammate Julien Alaphilippe in a good position.  At the summit, the peloton just seemed to let the Luxembourg champion go.  At that point, it fell to Alaphilippe to cover any counter attacks and to keep the peloton from chasing Jungels down.  Quick-Step now has 27 wins this season, and are truly racing for each other, not just for themselves.  With that attitude, they will continue to rack up victories all season long.  Alaphilippe finished fourth on the day, with Michael Woods (EF Education First-Drapac) taking 2nd and Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale) claiming third on the day.  Both coming in 37 seconds behind Jungels.

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/Spring-Classics-/3151267-429-195767/PaintingWorth-the-Effort--LBL18-9.html

Liege Bastogne Liege: No Luck for the Irish

Clearly this title is a play on the expression, "the luck of the Irish."  Dan Martin (UAE Team Emirates) - an Irish racer - had his team doing all of the chasing in hopes of a dramatic finish on the day.  On the final climb he kept attacking to bridge across to the lone escapee, only to be pulled back by the rest of the select group.  To add insult to that injury, he had a poorly timed flat front tire that required help from the Mavic neutral service vehicle.  While the mechanic was quite fast, with just eight kilometers left, it was clear to Martin, that it wasn't going to be his day again.  At one point during the wheel change, you could see him pound his helmet in frustration (not at the mechanic) knowing that his team's hard work would come to naught.

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/Spring-Classics-/3151258-428-195767/PaintingNo-Luck-for-the-Irish--LBL18-8.html

Liege Bastogne Liege: Move & Counter

With the final member of the early break caught, it was time for the attacks to come from the peloton.  The Cote de la Roche aux Faucons provided the perfect launch pad.  First to attack was Philippe Gilbert (Quick-Step) who was countered by Sergio Henao (Sky).  Quick-Step has been able to use its strength in numbers to great affect this season, so it was that Bob Jungels (Quick-Step) that was able to counter the counter attack by Henao.  Striving to hold onto the Luxembourg Champion's wheel was one of two Canadians in the race, Michael Woods (EF Education First-Drapac).  With just twenty kilometers left to race, it was the time to try a split the peloton apart, and that is exactly what was taking place on the penultimate climb of 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/Spring-Classics-/3151254-427-195767/PaintingMove-&-Counter-LBL18-7.html

Liege Bastogne Liege: Damn, They're Here!

I am sure that in his heart of hearts Jerome Baugnies (Wanty Groupe-Gobert) didn't honestly believe he would hold off the entire peloton. However, I am sure he was disappointed to see the Bahrain-Merida led peloton catch him at the bottom of the Cote de la Roche aux Faucons. I am assuming that Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida) put his team on the front in hopes of launching an attack on the fast approaching climb. Pulling back the last man of the break away was just an added advantage.
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/Spring-Classics-/3151252-426-195767/PaintingDamn,-They're-Here!--LBL18-6.html

Liege Bastogne Liege: Speeding Through Town

The next member of the early break to try and escape was Jerome Baugnies (Wanty Groupe-Gobert).  He was able to build a minute on the peloton and roughly a half minute on his erstwhile companions.  With 33 kilometers (and two catagorized climbs to go) it was unlikely that his move would succeed, but it was still a valiant effort just the same.  At least he got his team's sponsors names some air time and that is certainly of value.  Some riders will refer to these efforts as a "TV Break Away" with the sole purpose of advertizing their sponsors, in this case I feel like Baugnies was genuine in his hopes to steal the show.

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/Spring-Classics-/3151241-425-195767/PaintingSpeeding-Through-Town--LBL18-5.html

Liege Bastogne LIege: The Chase Is On

With just 37 kilometers left to race, it was time for the peloton to use the Cote de la Redoute to start the chase in earnest.  Enric Mas and Julian Alaphilippe (Quick-Step) hit the front and drove the pace in hopes of shedding some of their rivals.  Tucked on to Alaphilippe's wheel was the strong man for Team Sky, Geraint Thomas.  Thomas was marked in turned by Jose Rojas (Movistar) and so it went on down the long line of competitors, teammates and domestiques. 

Fans will line the route of every race, many flying flags of teams, countries on regions from their camp sites and campers along the sides of every climb.  Cycling is about the only sport were fans can get close to their heros and not have to buy a ticket for the honor.

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/Spring-Classics-/3151239-424-195767/PaintingThe-Chase-Is-On--LBL18-4.html