The Art of Cycling: June 2021

Wednesday, June 30, 2021

TDF, Stage 5 ITT: Not What He Wanted

Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step) learned the opposite side of the power of the Maillot Jaune. Two years ago it was his Yellow Jersey that allowed him to successfully time trial fast enough to keep his jersey for a bit longer in 2019. Today, without the jersey, he just didn't have the legs to regain his jersey from Stage 1. He started the day eight seconds off of Van Der Poel's lead but now is 48 seconds back and sitting in fourth overall. Not a complete disaster by any means (others faired much worse) but it surely wasn't what he wanted to do today. I am sure we will see him jump out of the peloton on the next hilly stage this weekend.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since ti is an original work of art, it is a first come first seved reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburth watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3821275-32-291436/Painting/not-what-he-wanted-tdf21-31.html

TDF, Stage 5 ITT: Can He Do It Again?

Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) was hoping he had the legs to trade in his Maillot Blanc for a Maillot Jaune today. He did managed to make that swap at the end of the 2020 Tour de France, and on the last "competitive" stage of the Tour. That is the reason his bib number is 1. Today he had enough to win the stage, his first of this Tour, but he couldn't quite out ride Mathieu Van Der Poel coming up just 8 seconds short of pulling on the next leader's jersey. Too bad there aren't bonus seconds in time trials. As I write this I don't know if he actually had a false start, or if he faced any time penalty for what appeared to be a little bit of an early start out of the gate in Change.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3821266-31-291436/Painting/can-he-do-it-again-tdf21-30.html

TDF, Stage 5 ITT: Does He Have the Golden Wings?

It is said that the Maillot Jaune gives you wings. That implys that seeing the leader's jersey on your shoulders gives you the motivation to go that much deeper to hold onto the coveted leader's jersey. It seemed to work just enough for Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix) to ride just fast enough to keep the lead for at least one more day. With another flat stage tomorrow it most likely means at least two more days in yellow, tripling his own father's record and honoring his grandfather's memory just that much more. While he only manged fifth on the day, it was enough to hold off a charging Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) by eight seconds.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3821257-30-291436/Painting/does-he-have-the-golden-wings-tdf21-29.html

TDF, Stage 5 ITT: Is It Enough?

That had to be the question in the European Time Trial Champion's mind as he came to the final corners of today's individual time trial. Stefan Kung (Groupama-FDJ) had set the best time at the two previous check points, but it is the final line that matters. He did have the best time by almost 45 seconds when he got there. But alas, it wasn't quite enough to end the day as the winner of the stage. He did managed to do well enough to hold second in the first time trial of the 2021 Tour de France.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3821232-29-291436/Painting/is-it-enough-tdf21-28.html

TDF, Stage 5 ITT: Catching One

Stefan Bissegger (EF Education-Nippo) catches Christian Rodriguez (TotalEnergies) who had started a minute and a half earlier. Bissegger was on a storming ride (and yet the rain seemed to leave him alone). He was one of three riders for his team to hold the top four positions at the finish for a period of time. The hard part for my painting the time trial is guessing who's ride is going to be a part of the story at the end of the day and who will be a statistic somewhere down the leader board. Not that is final standing on the day negates the quality of the ride he put in.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3821229-28-291436/Painting/catching-one-tdf21-27.html

TDF, Stage 5 ITT, He Might Be Best

Mikkel Bjerg (UAE Team Emirates) was burning up the course to Laval Espace Mayene. He was setting best times all of the way and despite the sprinkles of rain in the last kilometer was the new best time at the line. His time of 33 minutes and one and a half seconds would stand until the top riders of the Tour began to finish their day, knocking the Dane out of the top five on the stage.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3821225-27-291436/Painting/he-might-be-best-tdf21-26.html

TDF, Stage 5 ITT: What Is His Form?

That is the constant question about Chris Froome (Israel Start Up Nation). Today he left the start house much earlier than would be normal prior to his awful crash two years back before the Tour de France. It was the kind of crash that would end most careers and keep most cyclist from ever being able to get back on a bike. While he isn't his former self, he is back riding at a level that means he can compete in the biggest bike race in the world. No one, including Froome himself, things he will win his fifth Tour this year, but that doesn't mean he won't do it eventually.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3821223-26-291436/Painting/what-is-his-form-tdf21-25.html

Tuesday, June 29, 2021

TDF, Stage 4: You Can Turn Back Time

I amused myself with this title. And now I have Cher's "If I Could Turn Back Time" stuck in my head. But it is worth it just to see Cav take another stage in the Tour de France. Apparently, Mark Cavendish's (Alpecin-Fenix) dress rehearsal in the intermediate was a good omen for the end of the stage. Cav last one a stage in the Tour three years ago, and on this very finishing straight six years ago. Chapeau to one of the good guys. It was a treat to watch most of the peloton congratulate the new Maillot Vert as they came across the line (if they could fight their way through the press scrum surrounding the stage winner). As in the intermediate sprint, it is Nacer Bouhanni (Arkea-Samsic) taking second with Michael Matthews (BikeExchange) in third. Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) is still on the outside looking in, but he is there or there's about.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3820942-25-291436/Painting/you-can-turn-back-time-tdf21-25.html

TDF, Stage 4: Going Alone

Sensing the peloton closing in and the fading power of his break away companion, Brent Van Moer (Lotto Soudal) decided to go off on his own, perhaps hoping that lightening could indeed strike twice. With just eight kilometers left to race, he still has about a minute on the wide awake peloton. The normal formula for the time it takes to catch the break has him pulling this surprise off. I doubt it will succeed, but this is a bit of an odd Tour already.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3820904-24-291436/Painting/going-alone-tdf21-24.html

TDF, STage 4: Dress Rehearsal

It was a sprint dress rehearsal for the following peloton as they came into Vitre. In my days in theatre the superstition was that a bad dress rehearsal meant you would have a great opening night. Hopefully the converse of the superstition won't be true for Mark Cavendish (Deceuninck-Quick Step) who won the intermediate sprint. His leadout man, Michael Morkov (you can just see his shoulder in this painting) took second, denying points to Nacer Bouhanni (Arkea-Samsic) in the race for the Maillot Vert. Michael Matthews (BikeExchange) was also in the mix. Behind you can see Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain-Victorious). I am beginning to worry that Sagan's bout with Covid-19 may have taken the edge off of the seven time Maillot Vert and three time World Champion. I hope he will break through before this Tour is over.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3820888-23-291436/Painting/dress-rehearsal-tdf21-23.html

TDF, Stage 4: And Now We Race

With the peloton having made its point, it was time to race. As expected it was both Cofidis and Lotto Soudal who sent someone up the road. This being a sprint stage, it was vey unlikely that the break would succeed, but all things are possible until they aren't. With Lotto Soudal having lost their sprinter, Caleb Ewan in a sprint crash yesterday, the team's hope for stage victories lay in the break aways. The first to enact the plan was Brent Van Moer who had succeed in just such an effort in the opening stage of this year's Dauphine. Joining in the most likely doomed effort is Pierre-Luc Perichon (Cofidis). At this moment they are being shown with an old fashion chalkboard that they have roughly a minute a half on the following peloton.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3820878-22-291436/Painting/and-now-we-race-tdf21-22.html

TDF, Stage 4: Stand Down

The dangers and crashes of the first three days of the Tour let to a riders' protest at the start of today's stage. Frustrated that they don't have a voice and the UCI (Union Cyliste International) seems to be a rubber stamp for race orgainizers, the peloton though a visual exclaimation point was needed. I hope this gets a couple of pro riders the right to review course long before the race is staged and get the veto power to back up their concerns.

This is the a view of the back of the peloton as they stood on the side of the road for a full minute after the offical start of the stage. You can see one of the race photographers in the middle lifting his/her camera to get a shot of the riders standing around. You can see Michael Woods (Israel Start Up Nation) and Ben O'Connor (Ag2r-Citroen) with several Qhubeka riders, but clearly it was the complete peloton standing in resistance to the dangers that they can be placed in without a chance to effect change. For those who say why wasn't something said earlier, it works best when the cameras are on you. Then you have a voice and power.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3820873-21-291436/Painting/stand-down-tdf21-21.html

Monday, June 28, 2021

TDF, Stage 3: No Less of a Victory

Some may discredit Tim Merlier's (Alpecin-Fenix) win today since two of the biggest names in sprinting were laying on the ground behind. I am not one of those. If he had not already been ahead of those two he would have crashed as well, so it may be true that he was going to take the stage regardless. Behind his victory salute, his teammate Jasper Philipsen was looking to make sure that Nacer Bouhanni (Arkea-Samsic) didn't get a bike lunge victory while his sprinter was celebrating. Behind the top three finishers came Davide Ballerini (Deceuninck-Quick Step), Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain-Victorious), Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix) and then Julian Alphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step).

This was the first day were none of the leaders' jerseys changed hands, however due to multiple crashes many slipped down (and some up) the leader board in the quest for overall victory in Paris.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3820782-20-291436/Painting/no-less-of-a-victory-tdf21-20.html

TDF, Stage 3: In the Final Meters

Here I am breaking one of my own rules (they are meant to be broken), yet I am hoping no one else is breaking anything. I had a viseral reaction as I watched Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal) go down while in the perfect position to open his closing sprint in Pontivy. Sprints are high speed with riders so close togther. Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) had chosen Ewan's wheel as the one to follow in hopes of being able to jump out of the Aussie's slipstream for the win, alas that meant the Slovakian had no chance of not going down with him. As I write this I don't know how bad Caleb Ewan was hurt, but he did spend a long time laying on the ground.

I was quite impressed that both Nacer Bouhani (Arkea Samsic) and Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain-Victorious) were able to swerve around the crash with Bouhani finishing in third on the day. Tim Merlier & Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Fenix) were able to keep going despite was happening behind them.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3820773-19-291436/Painting/in-the-final-meters-tdf21-19.html

TDF, Stage 3: A Yellow Lead Out

Oft times those that are designated as a race leader on a team will find a chance to pay back their teammates in any way they can. I am sure that was part of what Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix) was up to when he hit the front of the peloton with just two kilometers left to race. He was trying to act as lead out man for his team's sprinter, Tim Merlier. Clearly he was a little too fast out of the final corner finding only two Ineos-Grenadiers riders behind when he looked for his teammates. Was he going to go ahead and try for another stage win?

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3820770-18-291436/Painting/a-yellow-lead-out-tdf21-18.html

TDF, Stage 3: Forced to Chase

I don't know if Bruno Armirail (Groupama-FDJ) had gone down with Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma), but he did have the advantage of getting pulled back to the peloton with the boys of Jumbo Visma. Roglic looks to have lost quite a bit of skin but I am sure at this point he was running on pure adrenaline since it was just 10 kilometers left in the stage and he was in danger of losing time in the GC hunt. Joining the guy who finished second in the Tour last year were Tony Martin and Jonas Vingegaard. Tony was the first guy to hit the now infamous sign holder in stage on of the Tour. Not that he, nor any other pro cyclists, isn't use to crashing at race speed.

It surprising me just how much the first crash of this Tour has capture the news cycle and everyone who knows that I am an avid Tour fan. I just heard a big story on NPR about that crash told as if this was something new or different. Those of us who have been watching for decades know that this is the usual story of the first stages of any Tour.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3820767-17-291436/Painting/forced-to-chase-tdf21-17.html

TDF, Stage 3: Needing More

While Ide Schelling (Bora'Hansgrohe) may be wearing the Maillot a Pois he is actually in second place in the King of the Mountains competition. The leader is Mathieu Van Der Poel who is also in the Maillot Jaune which will always take precedence over any other jersey. Thus Schelling was out in his third break away in as many days in order to claim just a single point to make his borrowed jersey his. Joining the Dutchman in the escape were Maxime Chevalier and Cyril Barthe (B&B Hotels) along with Jelle Wallays (Cofidis) and Michael Schar (Ag2r-Citroen). After Schelling took the single point on the first climb, the Cote de Cadoudel, he dropped back to the peloton in the knowledege that he will hold the jersey for two more days. The next stages are a flat stage void of any climbs, followed by an Individual Time Trial.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3820754-16-291436/Painting/needing-more-tdf21-16.html

TDF, Stage 3: Looking a Little Better

At first Ineos-Grenadiers didn't send anyone to help Geraint Thomas chase back to the peloton. I later learned that he had dislocated his shoulder in the crash. The doctors put it back where it belonged and then he was up and riding again (!!!!!!!). I think the team didn't want to jeopardize the classification standings of the rest of the team until they knew Thomas was going to be able to finish the stage. Has he began to feel better more and more teammates appeared to help with the chase. It fell to Luke Rowe, Johathan Castroviejo and Richie Porte to come back, while the others stayed up with their now sole team leader, Richard Carapaz.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3820641-15-291436/Painting/looking-a-little-better-tdf21-15.html

TDF, Stage 3: Not Giving Up

When Geraint Thomas (Ineos-Grenadiers) crashed at about a 100 kilometers left to race in stage 3, I was about to break my own rule and paint him on the ground in pain. I stopped myself. I understand that the photographers need to shoot the moments that tell the story of the race and naturally a crash of a GC contender is news. But it has always felt ghoulish to me. So I waited to see if he was going to get back on the bike. I think to everyone watching it was a relief when he waved off the ambulance and got on his spare bike. These guys in the pro peloton are some really tough spirits!

This painting's time lapse video was aired during NBC Sports Network's broadcast of this stage of the Tour. https://twitter.com/ArtofCycling/status/1409530766095175680

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3820622-14-291436/Painting/not-giving-up-tdf21-14.html

TDF, Stage 2: Respect

As Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Fennix) sat on the ground desparately trying to catch his breath aftet such a massive effort on the Mur de Bretagne, it was the now former Maillot Jaune, Julian Alaphilippe who was the first rider to congratulate the new leader of the 2021 Tour de France. You could tell the Dutchman truly appreciated the sporty gesture even if he wasn't back in his body after the effort it took to claim Alaphilippe's jersey. This may have made me become an even bigger fan of the Frenchman. Yes, I have favorites... but I try to tell the story of the racing despite my personal feelings. That being said, I will never, or almost never, paint the crashes of the Tour.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3820472-13-291436/Painting/respect-tdf21-13.html

TDF, Stage 2: This Is for You!

While he had hoped to win while wearing the special kit that honored his grandfather, Raymond Poulidor, Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Fennix) pointed skyward as he took the stage, and the Maillot Jaune atop the Mur de Bretagne. As you can see the Dutchman had dropped the entire peloton on his second trip of the "Mont Ventoux of Brittany" which along with the 10 second time bonus for the win and the eight seconds for being first over the top earlier, he now has the lead by eight seconds over the now former Maillot Jaune, Julian Alaphilippe.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3820471-12-291436/Painting/this-is-for-you-tdf21-12.html

TDF, Stage 2: A Cheeky Move

I have been listening to Phil Liggett anounce the Tour de France on my TV since Lance Armstrong first road the Tour de France. For me, he is the voice of the Tour (or at least the English speaking one). One of his constant expressions is "cheeky." This time he was refering to Mathieu Van Der Poel's attack on the first trip up the Mur de Bretagne. At the top of the climb were eight bonus seconds on offer for the man who summited first. The Dutch rider was only 18 seconds off the Maillot Jaune, so with this attack, a win at the line on the next trip up and any gap on the current leader he will pull on yellow. For Van Der Poel and the French it would be a fulfillment of the desparate dream of his grandfather, Raymond Poulidor who twice came in second in the Tour but never wore the coveted Maillot Jaune.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3820470-11-291436/Painting/a-cheeky-move-tdf21-11.html

TDF, Stage 2: Fighting Each Other

Apparently sick of the sprint and stall battles between those vying to wear the Maillot a Pois tomorrow, Ed Theuns (Trek-Segafredo) attack his now former break away companions with around 20 kilometers to go. He was quickly joined by Jeremy Cabot (TotalEnergies). The two traded attacks multiple times before the inevitable catch by the motivated peloton. For Perez and Schelling, they surrendered their hostilities with Schelling holding on to his jersey for another day (at least).

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3820469-10-291436/Painting/fighting-each-other-tdf21-10.html

TDF, Stage 2: Watching Each Other

Anthony Perez (Cofidis) was keeping a very sharp eye on Ide Schelling (Bora-Hansgrohe) as the two traded sprints for King of the Mountain points. As the duo neared the summit of the Cote de Pordic the two were even on points. Behind Jonas Koch (Intermache-Wanty Gobert) was taking full advantage of the speed the other two were building. Their efforts were helping him and the rest of the break away to stay clear of the following peloton. Schelling was able to get the better of Perez which ended up ensuring that he would hold the Maillot a Pois for a second day in his first Tour de France.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3820468-9-291436/Painting/watching-each-other-tdf21-9.html

TDF, Stage 2: I Asked First

With a small break away up the road theMaillot a Pois seemed to ask permission of the peloton if he can go up the road to join the other five. It seemed that Ide Schelling (Bora-Hansgrohe) was set free to go defend his lead in the King of the Mountains competition. But just a few kilometers later, the peloton was pack on his wheel. He looked back with quite a bit of gesturing and not a small bit of anger and frustration. Up the road was the guy in second in the race for Polka Dots, and needed to be there if he want to hold onto this leader's jersey.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3820467-8-291436/Painting/i-asked-first-tdf21-8.html

Saturday, June 26, 2021

TDF, Stage 1: No Curse for this Jersey

Traditionally, it is believed that the Rainbow Jersey carries a curse for the wearer, leaving them winless during the season it is on the rider's back. That hasn't been the case for Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step). The other notable un-cursed wearer of the Rainbow Jersey is also in this Tour, Peter Sagan, even over the three years he wore the jersey. Today though, Alaphilippe will gladly trade in his champion's jersey for the Maillot Jaune that will come his way with this victory. His move was similar to the one that put him in the jersey for almost two weeks two years ago. It remains to be seen how long he will hold the leader's jersey in this Tour. He now has an eighteen second lead over Matthew Michaels (BikeExchange) and another six seconds on the 2020 second place finisher, Primoz Roglic (Jumbo Visma).

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3820259-7-291436/Painting/no-curse-for-this-jersey-tdf21-7.html

This painting is sold

TDF, Stage 1: Away with 2 K

True to form, Julian Alaphilippe (Decenunick-Quick Step) went for a bold attack with three kilometers of steep climbing left to race. It seemed unlikely to succeed, but it was a bold move from a truly bold rider. However, the UCI Road World Champion continued to open up a gap on those behind. The only one who was able to follow the Frenchman's attack was Pierre Latour (TotalEnergies). With now just two kilometers to the line, it was looking like Alaphilippe was going to be able to trade in his rainbow jersey for a yellow one. It seems appropiate that he made his move on the Cote de la Fosse aux Loops (the den of the wolves) as his team's nickname (and riding style) is the Wolf Pack.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3820249-6-291436/Painting/away-with-2-k-tdf21-6.html

TDF, Stage 1: Something to Celebrate

Maybe it was the enthusiasm of his first stage of his first Tour de France, on more likely it was that he knew he just claimed the first Maillot a Pois of the 2021 Tour. Nevertheless, Ide Schelling (Bora-Hasgrohe) shook his fist in celebration as he crested the Cote de Saint Rivoal about a minute ahead of the closing peloton. Not bad claiming a leader's jersey in your first day out on the biggest cycling event of the year. Chapeau!

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3820247-5-291436/Painting/something-to-celebrate-tdf21-5.html

TDF, Stage 1: Showing Their Legs

Perhaps the prospect of an steep uphill finish led the sprints to decide that their best hopes for points towards the Green Jersey was the intermediate sprint in Basparts. It was Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal) who showed off a great pair of legs besting Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Michael Matthews (BikeExchange) in a best of the rest sprint. Ide Schelling, Sagan's teammate, had already gone through two minutes before the peloton arrived.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3820234-4-291436/Painting/showing-their-legs-tdf21-4.html

This painting is sold

TDF, STage 1: Leaving the Others

Ide Shelling (Bora-Hansgrohe) felt that his erstwhile break away companions weren't doing enough to stay away from the closing peloton. So off he went on his own. I doubt he believe he could hold off the chasers, but with a Maillot Jaune dangling for whomever won the stage, it was worth the effort. Plus he already has one point in the best climber competition, and there are two more climbs (one being at the finish line of the stage.)

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3820232-3-291436/Painting/leaving-the-others-tdf21-3.html

This painting is sold

TDF, Stage 1: Special Colors

Many members of the peloton have a long history with the Tour de France either on their own or through generations of their family. So it is with Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix). It was his grandfather who while never winning the Tour (he had to race second to the great Eddy Merckx) he won the hearts of the cycling fans of France. Poulidor raced for Mercier who rode in a yellow and purple kit for most of his career. To honor Van Der Poel and "PouPou" Alpecin-Fenix was allowed to change its normal kit for a signal day in the same colors. Personally, I feel it is a far superior kit to their usual one.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3820219-2-291436/Painting/special-colors-tdf21-2.html

This painting is sold

TDF, Stage 1: The First Points of the Tour

And here we go! Alas, at this point while I had planned to paint La Course, I couldn't pause the live feed and those in power have decided not to provide a replay of the race. Stranger still, there wasn't even a recap during the stage 1 broadcast.

Okay, enough about that... Victor Campenarts (Qhubeka-NextHash) was the first to grap king of the mountain points for his newly renamed team atop the Cote de Trebeolin. The peloton wasn't far behind, and this did not become the early break away of the day.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3820209-1-291436/Painting/the-first-points-of-the-tour-tdf21-1.html

Sunday, June 13, 2021

Dauphine, Final Stage: When You Know, You Know

With one last peek over his shoulder just to make sure, Mark Padun (Bahrain-Victorious) had a whole kilometer to celebrate his second stage victory in a row. He shook his fist in collaborative celebration with his team car behind as he build on his lead of over a minute and a half from the pursuing duo behind. The group containing the Maillot Jaune was a just over two minutes back, so he had no worries about losing time waving to the crowd as he neared the final finish line of this Dauphine in Les Gets. Chapeau! While the stage was his, it was Richie Porte taking first in the race, with Alexey Lutsenko in second and Geraint Thomas taking the third step of the podium.

This is the last painting of the Dauphine. While there are a race or two before the start of the Tour de France, that is the race I will be painitng next. So be sure to come back and see all of the artwork of the 2021 Tour and La Course.

Thursday, June 10, 2021

Dauphine, Final Stage: Giving It Another Shot

Ben O'Connor (Ag2r-Citroen) had tried several times to escape from the group with the Yellow Jersey (and the rest of the top positions on the general classification). Undaunted, he went again with just 3 kilometers to the end of the stage, and the race. This time it worked. While he wasn't going to be able to catch the three up the road, he was going to be able to move himself up a couple of positions finishing the Dauphine in eighth place. In the distance you can see Alexey Lutsenko (Astana-Premier Tech), who finished in second, looking back at the Maillot Jaune of Richie Porte (Ineos-Grenadiers), perhaps trying to decide if he should go after O'Connor in hopes of overtaking Porte. Geraint Thomas, Porte's teammate, simply wasn't going to let that happen.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium-du-Dauphine/3816654-128-185083/Painting/giving-it-another-shot-cd21-44.html

Dauphine, Final Stage: Trying It Again

This edition of the Criterium du Dauphine seems to have been all about the break away with a solo attack out of the break at the end of the stage. Mark Padun (Bahrain Victorious) had been in the break yesterday and attacked the small group on the final climb of the day. The only difference today was that the break was the largest of the race. But off he went again, riding away from everyone else on the Haute Catagorie climb of the Col de Joux Plane. If he was over the top of this climb first, he would take the lead in the King of the Mountains competition. While a worthwhile prize, I think his larger goal was a second stage victory.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium-du-Dauphine/3816652-127-185083/Painting/trying-it-again-cd21-43.html

Wednesday, June 9, 2021

Dauphine, Final Stage: Rolling Off the Front

Nils Politt (Bora-Hansgrohe) was one of those in the rather large break on the final stage of the Criterium du Dauphine. As they neared the final climb of the day (and therefore the race) he injected a little more pace perhaps to try and break up the large group. Or he simply just went a bit too hard and roled away from everyone else. He eased up once realizing no one else was on his wheel.

I am usually the guy rolling off the back.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium-du-Dauphine/3816475-126-185083/Painting/rolling-off-the-front-cd21-42.html

Dauphine, Final Stage: Can He Keep It?

Lawson Craddock (EF Education-Nippo) had spent the last two days off the front of the peloton collecting King of the Mountain points so that he could start the final stage in this Maillot a Pois. I seemed to remember the Dauphine using the reverse of the Tour KOM jersey, red spots on a white background. I like the Easter egg quality of the light blue, with the deep blue-purple shorts and the hot pink gloves, helmet accents, and team logo. Just ahead of the American are the two top placed riders on Bora-Hansgrohe, Wilco Kelderman and Patrick Konrad. Without being in the break today, it is unlikely he will hold the jersey at the end of the day or the Criterium du Dauphine. Still to wear a leader's jersey for even one day is something most of those who started the race did not achieve.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium-du-Dauphine/3816429-125-185083/Painting/can-he-keep-it-cd21-41.html

Dauphine, Final Stage: Bike Change

Not quite sure why, but Richie Porte (Ineos-Grenadiers) had a quick bike change at 50 kilometers to go. It was just before the climbing got going in ernest. There didn't seem to be a mechanical so it could have been that he wanted to change to a lighter climbing bike with a different gearing then the bike set up for the early part of the stage. Given how calm and fast the change was, it seemed more planned than a mechanical emergency. Porte did a beautiful job defending his Maillot Jaune that he claimed in stage 7. Spoiler alert, he took the overall win at the end of this stage, with his teammate Geraint Thomas taking the final step of the podium. Alexey Lutsenko (Astana-Premier Tech) finished second overall, a position he held on the general classication since the stage 3 time trial.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium-du-Dauphine/3816426-124-185083/Painting/bike-change-cd21-40.html

Sunday, June 6, 2021

Dauphine, Stage 7: Celebrating Alone

He did it! Mark Padun (Bahrain-Merida) was able to stay off the front to take the stage up to La Palgne. His win marks the third stage taken by a solo break away with no other riders in sight. If you include Geraint Thomas' (Ineos-Grenadiers) late solo ride to victory with a closing peloton just missing the catch, four out of seven stages of this years Criterium du Dauphine was one by a solo break. That must be some sort of record. Behind Richie Porte (Ineos-Grenadiers) took second which with the gap on the others and a six second time bonus moved him into the overall race lead by 17 seconds over the erstwhile leader, Alexey Lutsenko (Astana-Premier Tech). He also jumped back over his teammate Geraint Thomas on the team by just shy of half of a minute. One more mountain top finish to go and there are still 17 riders within two minutes of Porte, so the final stage will be hard fought. But, Porte has the edge over them all.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium-du-Dauphine/3815714-123-185083/Painting/celebrating-alone-cd21-39.html

Dauphine, Stage 7: Hoping to Go It Alone

With so many stage of this Dauphine being one by a guy going solo to the line, Mark Padun (Bahrain-Victorious) was hoping he would be another to add his name to that tally. He was able to drop the American climber, Sepp Kuss (Jumbo-Visma) and every other guy in the race on the 11% gradient of the final climb of the day. The NBC announcers were sure that Kuss would come back, and were equally surprised that Padun was off on his own. But then, the riders know their own legs (and their own will to succeed) better than anyone else.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium-du-Dauphine/3815712-122-185083/Painting/hoping-to-go-it-alone-cd21-38.html

Dauphine, Stage 7: Who Is Where?

Richie Porte (Ineos-Grenadiers) was the first of the GC riders to go on the offensive on the final climb of the day. Porte's attack was covered by Enric Mas (Movistar), the American Sepp Kuss (Jumbo-Visma), and Mark Padun (Bahrain-Victorious). Porte looked back on a sharp turned to see what was happening behind. His teammate and team leader, Geraint Thomas, wasn't coming along for the ride. I think he, and everyone else, thought this was part one of a two part plan by Ineos. It may have been, but only Porte had the legs to do his part of the plan.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium-du-Dauphine/3815698-121-185083/Painting/who-is-where-cd21-37.html

Dauphine, Stage 7: We Tried

Pierre Rolland (B&B Hotels) reached out to salute his erstwhile break away companion, Kenny Elissonde (Trek-Segafredo). The pair fist bumped as the peloton close in. You may be able to just make out the Movistar lead reduced peloton just around the corner. While in the break alliances are made, and later broken, but this one seems to have stood the test of kilometers. They had managed to stay away until the final eleven kilometers to the summit in La Plagne.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium-du-Dauphine/3815691-120-185083/Painting/we-tried-cd21-36.html

Dauphine, Stage 7: Job Done

For some team members it is the goal to win the stage, or perhaps the stage race, but for most it is to help others achieve those goals. For the guys who work tirelessly to achieve the wins for others, the title of domestique is theirs. The Costa Rican, Andrey Amado (Ineos-Grenadiers) had done all he could do for the team on the climb of La Plagne. With 15 kilometers left to race, he dropped of the front and rode to the line as best he could. Ahead of him was the neutral support vehicle provided by Shimano with Marco Haller (Bahrain-Victorious) joining others that were sliding off the back of the ever shrinking peloton.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium-du-Dauphine/3815690-119-185083/Painting/job-done-cd21-35.html

Dauphine, Stage 7: Off Loading

Jorge Arcas (Movistar) used the flat lands to off load his jacket now that he was done the final descent of the day. Ahead his break away companions were getting ready for the final ascent of the day. Two of thos with the Spaniard on the Spanish team were Martijn Tusveld (Team DSM) and Michael Valgren (EF Eduation-Nippo). With just under 25 kilometers to go (although most were uphill) it was looking like these members of the break might have a chance to take the stage. It would be stunning to see yet another stage of this Dauphine go to the break rather than the peloton.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium-du-Dauphine/3815689-118-185083/Painting/off-loading-cd21-34.html

Dauphine, Stage 7: Now We Know Why

I have been wondering why Lawson Craddock (EF Education-Nippo) has been going off on his own these last three stages. After each attack he gets got and drops back through the peloton. Now I know why. Today, Craddock had his teammate and team leader helping him get to the summit of the Cormet de Roseland. As he went over, Bob Roll let us know that he was now the leader virtuale in the King of the Mountains competition. Benefiting from the efforts of Craddock and Michael Valgren, were Kenny Elisonde (Trek-Segafredo) and Martijn Tusveld (DSM) who were able to keep off the front of the chasing peloton.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium-du-Dauphine/3815688-117-185083/Painting/now-we-know-why-cd21-33.html