#michaelvalenti

Saint Michel Original Cycling Art

Tour de France, Leaving Saint Michel

The start of the 2016 Tour de France will be a day for the sprinters as the peloton races away from Mont Saint Michel and finishes in Utah Beach. This drawing is how I see the day kicking off with all the big teams and big men out to grab the first yellow jersey of the Tour.

This very special original pen and ink artwork will arrive carefully packaged and tracked to be sure it arrives in perfect condition for you to display proudly. Vive le Tour!

Tour de France Dreams       

by Michael Valenti

Dreams can come true. My latest dream drawing "Tour de France Dreams" – an Eiffel Tower made of bicycles. I think that's what the original designers really wanted to do.

In just a few days the 2016 Tour de France will start – some dreams will come true and many will not. I for one am looking forward to watching every day and drawing as many pictures as I can while each stage plays out.

Will Nairo Quintana’s dream of victory finally come true? Will Alberto Contador find a place on the podium? Or will Team Sky and Chris Froome crush the hopes and dreams of them all with their calculated and powerful tactics.

With every turn in the road I’ll be looking to capture images and ideas in my drawings and share them with you all.

It’s my dream to someday follow the Tour de France from the side of the road. But until then, I’ll work from the studio with Phil and Paul poetically calling the race and patiently waiting for Phil to say “He’s dancing on his pedals” as Nairo Quintana explodes up Mont Ventoux on Bastille Day.

This drawing is titled “Tour de France Dreams” and is available for purchase at this link TDF DREAMS

Chasing the Peloton                                                               

Peter Sagan. Rainbow in the Rain.      

by Michael Valenti                                         

World Champion Peter Sagan roars like thunder as he sprints for the line in the rain to win Stage-3 Tour of Switzerland, leaving a rainbow in his wake. With his never give up attitude of a champion, Sagan held off multiple attacks as he stormed to the finish line in Rheinfel.

What I love about drawing Peter Sagan is the drama around his all wins. Something always happens and he’s always entertaining whenever he gets on his machine.

Green Fist Pump!      

 by Michael Valenti

With a victorious fist pump Edvald Boasson Hagen, Team Dimension Data, brings home the sprint win on Stage Four of this year’s Dauphiné. BH made his move early and kept the pressure on like the Hulk pounding the pavement. Boasson Hagen and Team DiData is having a great year so far, I’m looking forward to the Tour de France.

And wouldn’t it be cool if Team DiData made these big foam “Fist” things? I do, give them out at races, just my two-cents.

Framed Giro d'Italia art print from Michael Valenti - Veloist

Don Vincenzo Nibali   by Michael Valenti

Don Vincenzo Nibali on the eve of the 2016 Giro d’Italia.

We see Nibali here deep in thought as he prepares his assault on the field in this year’s Giro d’Italia.

“There are many things my father taught me here in this room.” he says. “He taught me: keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.”

Good advice because this year Nibali will find himself surrounded by the likes of Rigoberto Uran, Alejandro Valverde and Tom Dumoulin to name a few of his rivals he’ll want to keep close.

Like Michael Corleone once said “It’s not personal, Vincenzo. It’s strictly business.” Well Vincenzo, it’s time to get down to business this May at the Giro d’Italia.