For most stages I make sure that I get the classic image of the stage winner crossing the finishing line with his arms raised in jubilant triumph. However for the final stage to be raced in the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya I felt that Lieuwe Westra's (Astana) response to Voeckler's attack on this climb and his subsequent aggressive rides up the hill was where he actually won the final stage into Barcelona. I have always marveled at how hard it must be to keep your concentration with hundreds of crazed cycling fans screaming at you as you are climbing at he very edge of your physical endurance and capabilities. So with the final climb up, Westra secured his and his team's stage win. However, his victory and the second place finish of Marcus Burghardt (BMC) and the third of Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) did nothing to change the final podium placings of the overall. So today the overall goes to Roaquim Rodriquez (Katusha) with Alberto Contrador (Tinkoff Saxo) settling for second, even though he tried one last attack on this same climb, and third going to TeJay Van Garderen (BMC). This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by being the first to visit my artist website at
www.greigleach.com. For this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post. So, chapeau to Rodriquez and Westra, and for all of those that competed.
Be sure to check back here for Paris Roubaiz in two weeks.
http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2338125---195767/Painting.html#.UzjtpM_D_IU
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