Tour Down Under Final Stage Every Sprint

Every sprint!  Caleb Ewan (Orica-Scott) has won all four flat (or sprint) stages of this year's Tour Down Under!  In fact only two riders have won stages this year Ewan taking the flat ones and the winner of the Tour Richie Porte (BMC) taking to two hill top finishes  Both race with Australian licenses so it was a shut out for the hometown boys  Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) finished second for the third time  It was Marko Kump (UAE Abu Dhabi) who claimed the third step of the podium in Adelaide and Danny Van Poppel (Sky) just missed out on the prizes on the final stage of the 2017 Tour Down Under

This is the end of my coverage of this event  Be sure to check back during the Spring Classics and Monuments to see what I can capture with pen and brush as the 2017 season unfolds

I apologize the punctuation gremlins have return to my computer leaving me with not periods commas or colons unless I use the follow cut and paste section

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2908901-133-194179/PaintingEvery%20Sprint%20TDU17-35.html#.WIUyYvkrLIU

Tour Down Under Final Stage Doing It Again

I believe that Jack Bauer (Quickstep) will become the new Jens Voigt (of Shut Up Legs fame)  He has gone on a break away attempt in the last three stages eventually becoming the sole rider of whatever group to be going it alone against the peloton  Today with just two laps to go he was off the front again trying to stay away with just nine kilometers left to race  With the final sprint to come and so many sprinters having yet to take a stage I can't see him pulling this off but stranger things have happened  I am sure he will be given the title of most competitive rider for the third straight day and for the entirety of the Tour  Chapeau!

I apologize the punctuation gremlins have return to my computer leaving me with not periods commas or colons unless I use the follow cut and paste section

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2908898-132-194179/PaintingDoing%20It%20Again%20TDU17-34.html#.WIUvAvkrLIU

Tour Down Under Final Stage Young Legs

Jhonatan Restrepo (Katusha) should wisdom beyond his years ahead of the second intermediate sprint today  With a small group up the road he knew that all of the bonus seconds would go to them and not to his close rivals on the GC so he and a teammate sprinted across the gap to join the escapees  He arrived in time to contest the sprint (which he won) ahead of Johannes Frohlinger (Team Sunweb)  The effort moved him up to tenth overall and ensured that he would claim the White Jersey of best young rider in the 2017 Tour Down Under  Francois Bidard (Ag2r La Mondiale) just watched the pair go (although he got third in the sprint) he was far more interested in making the break away stick  I should note that Restrepo sat up immediately after the sprint and rejoined the peloton - his goal achieved!

I apologize the punctuation gremlins have return to my computer leaving me with not periods commas or colons unless I use the follow cut and paste section

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2908844-131-194179/PaintingYoung%20Legs%20TDU17-33.html#.WIUsrfkrLIU

Tour Down Under Final Stage I've Got You!

Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal) had first gone on the attack way too early  He was caught by the peloton before the first intermediate sprint and I feared his bid to claim the King of the Mountains' Polka Dot Jersey were dashed  Instead as the pack approached the Montefiore Hill for the tenth time he pops out being lead by his teammate Adam Hansen  The duo broke clear and De Gendt was able to claim three KOM points thus securing the Polka Dot Jersey as his own for the 2017 Tour Down Under (assuming he is able to finish the stage)

I apologize the punctuation gremlins have return to my computer leaving me with not periods commas or colons unless I use the follow cut and paste section

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2908833-130-194179/PaintingI've%20Got%20You!%20TDU17-32.html#.WIUpv_krLIU

Tour Down Under Final Stage Quite the Pilot FIsh

It was quite a sight to see Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) leading out his young teammate Jay McCarthy at the first of two intermediate sprints on the streets of downtown Adelaide  Sagan's superb lead out enabled McCarthy to claim the three second bonus and the virtual third place in the Tour   Caleb Ewan (Orica-Scott) took third on the stage bascially making sure that he didn't lose too many points to Sagan in the sprint competition not that his jersey is in any danger

I apologize the punctuation gremlins have return to my computer leaving me with not periods commas or colons unless I use the follow cut and paste section

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2908827-129-194179/PaintingQuite%20the%20Pilot%20Fish%20TDC17-31.html#.WIUnI_krLIU

Tour Down Under Final Stage Leaving Nothing to Chance

Richie Porte (BMC) had done everything he needed to do to win the Tour Down Under in yesterday's stage but he could still lose it today  So his team kept him on the front of the peloton all day mainly being shepherded by this teammate Francisco Ventoso  While Porte's lead was unsurmountable those further down on the podium were separated by just seconds  That is why Gregor Muhlberger (Bora Hansgrohe) and his teammate Lukas Postleberger were chasing the two escapees up the road  With a three second time bonus on offer at the first intermediate sprint their man Jay McCarthy could jump into third overall

I apologize the punctuation gremlins have return to my computer leaving me with not periods commas or colons unless I use the follow cut and paste section

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2908818-128-194179/PaintingLeaving%20Nothing%20to%20Chance%20TDU17-30.html#.WIUjqfkrLIU

Tour Down Under Final Stage There Is Work to Be Done

The final stage of the Tour Down Under was a relatively short circuit race through the downtown streets of Adelaide  The course feature a small climb that would figure two times in the King of the Mountains competition and two intermediate sprints that included bonus seconds for overall General Classification  The course was just a quick four and a half kilometers giving every rider a chance to become very familiar with every hill turn and bump in the road  With just one lap covered Gianluca Brambilla (Quickstep) and Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal) went off the front  De Gendt may have been staying off the front until the tenth lap to pick up maximum KOM points to win the Polka Dot Jersey outright but that is a pick task

I apologize the punctuation gremlins have return to my computer leaving me with not periods commas or colons unless I use the follow cut and paste section

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2908815-127-194179/PaintingThere%20Is%20Work%20to%20Be%20Done%20TDU17-29.html#.WIUgQvkrLIU

Tour Down Under Stage 5 Leaving Them All Behind

Richie Porte (BMC) did what he has done three time previously on Willunga Hill, he rode absolutely everyone off of his wheel.  The difference for Porte today was that he was already in the Ochre Jersey of race leader.  His fourth victory on the top of Willunga Hill all but guarantees his overall victory.  In addition he keeps himself even on KOM points with Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal).  Behind Porte and fading rather quickly are Sergio Henao (Sky), Esteban Chaves (Orica-Scott) and Rafael Valls (Lotto Soudal), none of whom could hold the wheel of the very motivated leader of BMC.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2908185-126-194179/PaintingLeaving%20Them%20All%20Behind%20TDU17-28.html#.WIOm8vkrLIU

Tour Down Under Stage 5 Racing to the Bottom

Yet again the peloton caught the break with less than six kilometers left to race   Now it was time to fly to the bottom of Willunga Hill in hopes that one's respective team leader would be able to grab victory at the summit  Luke Durbridge (Orica-Scott) looks back over his shoulder to see how his teammate Damien Howson and the rest of the "Orica boys" were doing   Ready to take over the pace making duties is Geraint Thomas (Team Sky)  Try as the two teams might they were unable to split apart the peloton as they crossed the flat lands before the final ascent

Sorry the gremlins don't like punctuation and the keyboard has fallen to their whims

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2908179-125-194179/PaintingRacing%20to%20the%20Bottom%20TDU17-27.html#.WIOkHfkrLIU

Tour Down Under Stage 5: Full Speed

The now three member strong break away heads back down the back side of Willunga Hill reaching speeds of over 90 kilometers per hour, Will Clarke (Cannondale-Drapac) was dropped on the way up.  It is Jack Bauer (Quickstep) in the rather dangerous aero tuck who is leading the virtual King of the Mountains, Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal) and Jeremy Maison (FDJ) down into the McLaren Vale before turning left to head back up Willunga Hill for the final big ascent of the 2017 Tour Down Under.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2908169-124-194179/PaintingFull%20Speed%20TDU17-26.html#.WIOhs_krLIU

Tour Down Under Stage 5 Slipping Off the Front

On the first ascent of Willunga Hill attacks starting jumping out of the peloton  The first to give it a go was Chris Hamilton (Sunweb) with Giovanni Visconti (Bahrain-Merida) trying to catch the youngster from Austalia  Up the road the now three member break was clearing the top of the climb with Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal) mobbing up the KOM points (his sole objective of getting into the early break)  This trip was a rehearsal for the show that would be the final ascent to the finish line at the top in twenty kilometers  The winner on that stage has a high likelihood of being the victor of the Tour Down Under and the King of the Mountains

Sorry that my computer is back to thinking punctuation is unimportant

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2908166-123-194179/PaintingSlipping%20Off%20the%20Front%20TDU17-24.html#.WIOcUPkrLIU

Tour Down Under Stage 5: Down by the Shore

This stage always offers quite a bit of variety in scenery for the riders to work too hard to see  The route takes the peloton through the vineyards of Snapper Point out to the coast and then up one of the longest climbs near Adelaide  As the four man break swings down along the coastal road the helicopter was showing shots of a large pod of dolphins playing in the bright blue waters of the Southern Ocean  Jack Bauer (Quickstep) is sporting the red bib numbers of the most competitive rider from his efforts in yesterday's stage.  He was given the honor again today for this effort  He is being lead along the coast by Jeremy Maison (FDJ) - just out of frame - Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal) and Will Clarke (Cannondale-Drapac)  I wonder if a dip in the cool waters crossed any of their minds

Sorry that my computer is back to thinking punctuation is unimportant

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2908161-122-194179/PaintingDown%20by%20the%20Shore%20TDU17-24.html#.WIOZovkrLIU

Tour Down Under Stage 5 Adding One More

The threesome of Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal) Will Clarke (Cannondale-Drapac) and Jack Bauer (Quickstep) decided it was best to wait for the young Frenchman Jeremy Maison (FDJ) who was trying to bridge across to them.  Deciding that four pairs of legs was better than three Bauer dropped back an actually helped pace Maison into the group  As they arrived up to the other two Bauer reached back to welcome Maison into the fold and Maison tapped his thank yous onto Bauer's back (butt)

Sorry that my computer is back to thinking punctuation is unimportant

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2908152-121-194179/PaintingAdding%20One%20More%20TDU17-23.html#.WIOWwfkrLIU

Tour Down Under Stage 5: Getting Established

From the drop of the flag that got the Queen stage of the Tour Down Under underway, it was Will Clarke (Cannondale-Drapac) who went on the attack.  Perhaps he wanted to counter his bad luck from yesterday's stage.  Bridging across to the Australian was Julien Berard (Ag2r La Mondiale).  The duo were hoping to establish the break away that would leave the peloton behind.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2908146-120-194179/PaintingGetting%20Established%20TDU17-22.html#.WIOTFfkrLIU

Tour Down Under Stage 4: Three Out of Four

Caleb Ewan (Orica-Scott) came to this Tour to race!  He held off the charging Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Danny Van Poppel (Sky) to claim his third stage - out of four possible ones.  Sagan has finished second twice now and this is Van Poppel's first time on the podium in the 2017 Tour Down Under.  Ewan seems to be embracing the sprinter's red jersey and his team as he celebrates crossing the line in Campbelltown.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2907651-119-194179/PaintingThree%20Out%20of%20Four%20TDU17-21.html#.WII_6PkrLIU

Tour Down Under Stage 4: The Last One Away

Jack Bauer (Quickstep) knows more than most the possible heart break of a break away effort  He was one of two riders in the 2014 Tour de France who had ridden a 200 kilometer plus break only to be caught 20 meters from the line in the city of Nimes  It left him in tears but not without the heart to try and try again  With just 15 kilometers left to go he dropped his final break companion and raced down Cuddle Creek gorge in hopes of not repeating history  Alas he was not to erase the taste of 2014 but was going to be swallow whole by the sprinters with just 3 kilometers left to race  At least he couldn't see the finish line when he was caught this time

For the record - my computer has decided that I don't really need periods on commas anymore

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2907645-118-194179/PaintingThe%20Last%20One%20Away%20TDU17-20.html#.WII9T_krLIU

Tour Down Under Stage 4: Bad Luck

With two riders still up the road, Will Clarke (Cannondale Drapac) was one of the three riders to jump free of the peloton in hopes of bridging across to the leaders  The other two were Lars Bak (Lotto Soudal) and Michael Valgren (Astana)  Just as the trio were opening up a thirty second gap on the peloton Clarke had the misfortune of getting a rear flat tire   The neutral service vehicles gave him a quick change but the time lost was too much to continue to stay off of the front  He could take some solace in knowing that Bak nor Valgren made it up to the leaders so his ill fortune did not take him out of a chance to win the stage into Campbelltown

For the record - my computer has decided that I don't really need periods on commas anymore

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2907642-117-194179/PaintingBad%20Luck%20TDU17-19.html#.WII65vkrLIU

Tour Down Under Stage 4: Is He Gone

Almost to script Cameron Meyer (UniSA-Australia) launched an attack against his other two break away companions  Jack Bauer (Quickstep) was able to counter and eventually pull back up to the wheel of the Australian rider however Ondrej Cink (Bahrain Merida) wasn't able to hold the wheels of his erstwhile companions.  As Bauer caught up with Meyer the pair had a quick chat and decided to press on in hopes that the peloton would be happy to have Cink back and would let them ride for the stage victory.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2907539-116-194179/PaintingIs%20He%20Gone?%20TDU17-18.html#.WIG7__krLIU

Tour Down Under Stage 4: A 10% Chance

The race commentators, Paul Sherwen, Phil Ligget and Robbie McEwan all gave these three break away riders about a ten percent chance of succeeding in staying off the front of the peloton.  Part of the problem is that Ondrej Cink (Bahrain-Merida) is only 57 seconds off of the race lead, so the BMC led peloton wasn't about to let him or Cameron Meyer (UniSA-Australia) nor Jack Bauer (Quickstep) get too much of a gap.  Perhaps if Cink wasn't with them the percentage chance of success might go up

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2907524-115-194179/PaintingA%2010%20%20Chance%20TDU17-17.html#.WIG5xPkrLIU

Tour Down Under Stage 3: Claiming Another

Although it was the sponsor of Peter Sagan's team Hansgrohe, who sponsored the third stage of the Tour Down Under, it was the wee but fierce Caleb Ewan (Orica-Scott) who raised his arms in victory at the line.  Sagan looked to have the sprint in hand but then got boxed out of the best line, although the World Champion did hold on for second on the stage.  Ewan added to his point total in the Sprint competition securing the Red Jersey outright (off of the shoulders of Richie Porte - BMC).  Rounding out the top three was the sprinter from another new Pro Tour team, Niccolo Bonifazio riding for Bahrain-Merida.  So Ewan has now won two of the three stages of the 2017 Tour Down Under.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2906703-114-194179/PaintingClaiming%20Another%20TDU17-16.html#.WIDygPkrLIU

Tour Down Under Stage 3: Hoping to Stay Away

Vegard Laengen (UAE-Abu Dhabi) must have felt the combined sensations of his break away companions loosing steam and the approaching peloton about to swallow them up  He used a small rise on the finishing circuit to jump clear of his erstwhile companions in a potentially vain attempt to take a solo victory ahead of the sprinters.  It certainly falls into the 'nothing ventured nothing gained' category, but it was a long shot to be sure (12 kilometers long to be exact).  Behind the Norwegian you can see the race director standing up (and popping out of the sun roof) keeping a close eye on all of the motos around the rider.  He is just making sure that the motorcycles don't provide a slipstream to help Laengen (or the peloton) gain an unfair advantage.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2906684-113-194179/PaintingHoping%20to%20Stay%20Away%20TDU17-15.html#.WIDvl_krLIU

Tour Down Under Stage 3: Your Turn

The peloton's chase of the four man break was starting to make real progress particularly because the teams of the sprinters have joined the chase as the finish line draws ever closer.  Gregor Nuhlberger (Bora Hansgrohe) looks back over his shoulder as he swings off the front seemingly telling Miles Scotson (BMC) that it is his turned to pull everyone along.  Not that Scotson would have any trouble figuring that out on his own after all he has been out there most of the day already.  Joining in the effort is Damien Howson (Orica-Scott) and just peeking into the frame is the Ochre Jersey on the back of Richie Porte (BMC).

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2906666-112-194179/PaintingYour%20Turn%20TDU17-14.html#.WIDtKfkrLIU

Tour Down Under Stage 3: Little Help?

The Frenchman, Jeremy Maison (FDJ) holds out his arm to call his team car forward.  He does have radio, but it is just easier to talk directly to the team director through the window, plus you can get a bidon and a bite to eat at the same time  On Clement's wheel is Vegard Laengen riding for one of the new teams on the Pro Tour, UAE-Abu Dhabi.  They are joined in the break away by Clement Chevrier (Ag2r) and Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal).  De Gendt went out in search of KOM points in hopes of pulling on the Polka Dot jersey at the end of the day.  He achieved that goal by tying the score of race leader, Richie Porte (BMC) who will still be in the Ochre Jersey of race leader tomorrow (should nothing unexpected happen on the run in to the finish).

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2906654-111-194179/PaintingLittle%20Help?%20TDU17-13.html#.WIDqkvkrLIU

Tour Down Under Stage 3: On Open Roads

The title of this piece might be construed as a misnomer, while the road is wide open ahead of these four in the early break, Clement Chevrier (Ag2r), Jeremey Maison (FDJ), Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal) and Vegard Laengen (UAE Abu Dhabi), the roads, in fact, are closed to all but the racers and the support vehicles.  Unlike previous stages, when Maison went on the attack, he was joined by three other riders thus creating the first multiple racer break of this year's Tour Down Under.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2906646-110-194179/PaintingOn%20Open%20Roads%20TDU17-12.html#.WIDnYfkrLIU

Tour Down Under Stage 3: Doing the Work

With the leader's Ochre Jersey on the back of their team leader, Richie Porte, it was time for BMC to do the work of pulling back the break.  Doing the lion share of the effort was the neo-pro Miles Scotson who is also the brand new Australian national champion.  Joining him in the effort are two of his teammates, Francisco Ventoso and Danilo Wyss  The last time I remember painting Scotson was when he was on the ground after crashing in the Under 23 Road World Championships in 2015 in Richmond Virginia.  Scotson had crashed on the same piece of road that has bitten off some of my skin in the past.

The painting of Scotson along with all of the action of the 2015 UCI Road World Championships are available in my book Art of Cycling:  Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships available at www.artofcycling.bike

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2906639-109-194179/PaintingDoing%20the%20Work%20TDU17-11.html#.WIDkdfkrLIU

Tour Down Under Stage 2: All Alone

It was Richie Porte (BMC) who left everyone else behind on the short steep blast up to Paracombe.  Porte has yet to win the Tour Down Under despite multiple attempts.  In the past he has played it a bit to cagey on the climbs, never just going for the win and the bonus seconds.  Today he had the legs to be the attacking rider who left everyone else behind.  Gorka Izaguirre (Movistar) came to the line almost 15 seconds later follow closely by Esteban Chaves (Orica-Scott).  So that makes up the top three on GC.  Porte also leads the King of the Mountains and the Sprint Classification as well.  However, I am quite sure it is the Ochre Jersey of race leader that he will want to be wearing when the race is over in Adelaide this coming Sunday.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2905781-108-194179/PaintingAll%20Alone%20TDU17-10.html#.WH8NbvkrLIU

Tour Down Under Stage 2: Leading Them Up

None other than the two time World Champion, Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe), who hit the bottom of the final climb on the front of the peloton.  Sagan was either riding for himself or for his teammate sitting in third overall, Jay McCarthy.  Trying to hold the wheel of the Slovakian was Nathan Haas (Dimension Data) followed by Richie Porte (BMC).  The climb proved too steep for Sagan, but he was the one to open up the attacks on the final summit.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2905775-107-194179/PaintingLeading%20Them%20Up%20TDU17-9.html#.WH8KhvkrLIU

Tour Down Under Stage 2: Trying to Come Back

Flying down from the town of Stirling was this group containing one of the GC contenders for Team Sky, Sergio Henao.  Henao either crashed or had a mechanical, so he was being paced back on the descent by his brother Sebastien Henao and another teammate.who was a last minute replacement to the team roster.  Paolo Tiralongo (Astana) and Ben Bastauer (Ag2r La Mondiale) were more than happy to let the Sky boys do all of the work.  Sergio Henao did make it back to the peloton before the final climb, but most likely spent far too much energy in the effort.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2905773-106-194179/PaintingTrying%20to%20Come%20Back%20TDU17-8.html#.WH8H2fkrLIU

Tour Down Under Stage 2: Stretching Their Legs

With the breaks pulled back into the fold, it was time for a few flurries of attacks to go off the front before the final climb of the day.  Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal) launched a move that was quickly covered by Amael Moinard (BMC).  The two opened a gap that stretched a bit, but was ultimately pulled back by the Team Sky led peloton.  As the peloton approached the drop down across the valley floor, each team was trying to get their leaders into the best possible position for the final ascent.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2905767-105-194179/PaintingStretching%20Their%20Legs%20TDU17-7.html#.WH8FS_krLIU