The Art of Cycling: January 2023

Monday, January 23, 2023

Tour Down Under '23, Final Stage: The Stage but Not the Jersey

While Simon Yates (Jayco-Alula) was strong enough to win the stage atop Mount Lofty, he didn't have the legs to get rid of Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates) who stays in the Ochre Jersey as the winner of the Tour Down Under. I felt it was too fun not to play with the title that I used when Rohan Dennis (Jumbo-Visma) won stage two and pulled on the leader's jersey (The Stage and the Jersey). And then although I didn't use the reverse of this in stage three when Jay Vine came in third on the stage, but had enough time to claim his first Ochre Jersey of the race leader, it seemed this was the time to switch up the title a bit. Just peeping into the background are the legs of Ben O'Connor (Ag2r-Citroen) who finished third on the day moving himself up to sixth overall. The rest of the jersey went to Magnus Sheffield (Ineos-Grenadiers) as best young rider, Mikkel Honore (EF Education-EasyPost) as best climber, and Michael Matthews (Jayco-Alula) as best sprinter. Chapeau to all!

I will be back in about a month for Omloop fet Niewsblad, and then it will be a smattering of Spring Classics.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available.

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc. And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3929067-177-194179/Painting/the-stage-but-not-the-jersey-tdu22-31.html

Tour Down Under '23, Final Stage: Now or Never

With only two up hill kilometers left in the Tour Down Under, Simon Yates (Jayco-Alula) knew that if he was going to take back 15 seconds on the Ochre Jersey of Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates) he was going to have to go hard, and go now. He quickly got a gap on the peloton and was just as quickly joined by the Australian Ben O'Connor (Ag2r-Citroen), The question was, is there enough road to drop both Vine and the man he was tied for second place with, Pello Bilbao (Bahrain-Victorious). The answer was no to the first part, and yes to the second. Bilbao came in seventh on the stage, but remained in the top three of the 2023 Tour Down Under.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3929056-176-194179/Painting/now-or-never-tdu23-30.html

Tour Down Under '23, Final Stage: Chasing the Counter Move

Once he was caught, Maximilian Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) found he had to chase the counter move launched by Ewen Costiou (Arkea-Samsic). Mikias Arndt (Bahrain-Victorious) was able to get onto the wheel of his fellow countryman as they worked to catch the attack Frenchman. You can see the shadows of their erstwhile break away companions trying to catch back up to the fleeing trio.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3929043-175-194179/Painting/chasing-the-counter-move-tdu23-29.html

Tour Down Under '23, Final Stage: The Next to Try

First it took quite a few attacks to form the thirteen man break away, but that group wasn't able to get even a minute ahead of the peloton. So then it was time for some of those escapees to try and get away from the break away. After one went, it was Maximilian Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) who was the next to try to escape the grasps of both the break away and the peloton. Success won't mean that he becomes the new Ochre Jersey, but there is a stage win to be had.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3929037-174-194179/Painting/the-next-to-try-tdu23-28.html

Tour Down Under '23, Final Stage: No Time to Stop

The lead group had no time to stop and have a bite, the peloton wasn't giving them any leeway off the front. Francis Bidard (Cofidis) grabbed a bottle from his soigneur who seems to have been trying to match his rider calorie for calorie. Behind him Emils Liepins (Trek-Segafredo) held his bottle in his teeth while he looked to see what else was in his musette. On his other shoulder Paul Lapiera (Ag2r-Citroen) worked on getting his food sorted. To keep all of the riders fed in the this stage the soigneurs were able to position themselves just past the top of Mount Lofty since the peloton would ride by six times before the end of the race.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3929023-173-194179/Painting/no-time-to-stop-tdu23-27.html

Tour Down Under '23, Final Stage: These Points Are Mine

It took forever to get a break away started in today's final stage of the Tour Down Under. I suspect because there were several different goals for those getting away from the peloton. First was an early intermediate sprint and second the early King of the Mountains points. And then there is always the goal of sneaking away with a stage win, I imagine that was going to be a tall order today. It seemed that Michael Matthews (Jayco-Alula) was letting the trio of Michael Gogl (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Rueben Thompson (Groupama-FDJ) and Maximilian Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) know that he was the one already in the sprinter's jeresey and that they had best not try and out sprint him in about ten kilometers time. They didn't. With Matthews taking the three points towards the jersey in Urladia, he now will be the winner of the Tour Down Under's best sprinter jersey. The others would still have to strive to win the stage over the next 99 kilometers of racing.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3929003-172-194179/Painting/these-points-are-mine-tdu23-26.html

Saturday, January 21, 2023

Tour Down Under '23, Stage 4: No One Near

The Tour Down Under marks the first race for Cofidis as a ProTour team. And today's stage marks Bryan Coquard's (Cofidis) first win as a ProTour sprinter. Chapeau! He did it with power and panache leaving everyone off his wheel as he came to the rising finish line. I was surprised that the field was given the same time as the French sprinter since, as you can see, there was no one in camera when I paused the video to paint this watercolor. Nevertheless, he now has a win he himself said he has been waiting ten years for. Most of the leader's jersey stayed put, with the exception of the King of the Mountains jersey changing from being on loan to Mikkel Honore (EF Education-EasyPost) to being his outright.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3928413-171-194179/Painting/no-one-near-tdu23-25.html

Tour Down Under '23, Stage 4: On to Main Street

As the lead peloton swung on to the main road of Willunga, the could see the finish line up the rise. This is the first time I can remember the Tour Down Under not riding out of town and up Willunga Hill. I am sure all of the sprinters were quite happy to finish before hitting that climb. Alexis Renard (Cofidis) lead a rider from Israel-Premier Tech, Emils Liepins (Trek-Segafredo) and the front half of all of those still left in the Tour. I am sorry I wasn't able to figure out who the Israel-Premier Tech rider was, the image was rather pixelated. He soon swung off to let his sprinter, Corbin Strong do what he could on the day.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3928411-170-194179/Painting/on-to-main-street-tdu23-24.html

Tour Down Under '23, Stage 4: Safely in the Front Group

The directors of the broadcast used the helicopter shots to figure out just who was in what echelon out on the road. As they check out the front of the front group it was easy to spot the Ochre Jersey of the race leader, Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates). He was being led through the rotation into the wind by his teammate. They were accompanied by two riders for Movistar, Johan Jacobs and Ivan Romeo along with Alex Baudin (Ag2r-Citroen). This group was just the tip of the roughly fifty riders who had managed to get away from another eighty riders on the straight roads into the town of Willunga. Barring distaster, it seemed that Vine had ensured that he would wear the leader's jersey into the final stage of the Tour Down Under tomorrow. Will he still be wearing it at the end of the final stage of the race? He does have 15 seconds on Simon Yates (Jayco-Alula) and Pello Bilbao (Bahrain-Victorious) who are now tied for second place.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3928403-169-194179/Painting/safely-in-the-front-group-tdu23-23.html

Tour Down Under '23, Stage 4: Echelons in Australia

Once the strong costal winds started to blow from left to right on the long straight roads through the vineyards of the McLaren Valley, Jayco-Alula went to the front of the peloton and put the hammer down. The result was that this large group lost the wheels of the group and front, losing almost a minute on those ahead. A few of the hopefuls got caught off guard including the former race leader, Rohan Dennis (Jumbo-Visma). He is one of that group of yellow jersey about half way down this line. Try as they might, these guys never got closer than twenty seconds behind the group containing the Ochre Jersey. Unfortunately for them, that was just as the peloton hit the same point where the race split apart originially.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3928395-168-194179/Painting/echelons-in-australia-tdu23-22.html

Tour Down Under '23, Stage 4: The Two that Got Away

After multiple break away attempts, each pulled back by the peloton, this was the break that got away from the peloton. It seemed a bit risky to let someone like Daryl Impey (Israel-Premier Tech) get away. He was joined by Jonas Rutsch (EF Education-EasyPost). The two could have used a few more if they had any true hope of staying away from a peloton that was planning on using the impending crosswinds to split the race apart. The two did build up just under four minutes on those behind before the speed that comes from a peloton looking to position its team leaders reeled them back into the pack. Not long after they were caught, Impey could be found back on the front working for his teammates.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3928394-167-194179/Painting/the-two-that-got-away-tdu23-21.html

Tour Down Under '23, Stage 3: Mutual Respect

After crossing the line while coasting to a stop, Simon Yates (Jayco-Alula) reaches out to congratulate Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates) on becoming the next to wear the Ochre Jersey of the leader of the Tour Down Under. The stage winner, Pello Bilbao (Bahrain-Victorious) looks on clearly sharing the respect that Yates was expressing to Vine. Bilbao is now in second just 15 seconds behind and Yates is in third only one second behind the Bahrain-Victorious team leader. Sitting fourth is still the young American Magnus Sheffield (Ineos-Grenadiers) which leaves him in the White Jersey of best young rider.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3928211-166-194179/Painting/mutual-respect-tdu23-20.html

Tour Down Under '23, Stage 3: The Dash to the Line

While it may have been Jay Vine (UAE Team Emeriates) who opened the attack that was quickly covered by Simon Yates (Jayco-Alula), it was the third man to join the escape at the summit of the Corkscrew, Pello Bilbao (Bahrain-Victorious) who had the legs to mount the most aggresive sprint in the final kilometer. The duo of Yates and Bilbao were around twenty seconds down on the general classification from Jay Vine, so all Vine had to do was keep them close as they race to the line in Campbelltown.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3928210-165-194179/Painting/the-dash-to-the-line-tdu23-19.html

Tour Down Under '23, Stage 3: The Same Duo

Just as it happened yesterday on Nettle Hill, it was Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates) attacking the peloton on the final climb. As he opened a gap on the others only Simon Yates (Jayco-Alula) was able to get onto the wheel of the current King of the Mountains. Should he be first over the Corkscrew, he will hold the jersey for another day.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3928208-164-194179/Painting/the-same-duo-tdu23-18.html

Friday, January 20, 2023

Tour Down Under '23, Stage 3: Brought Back by a Star

After a crash Corbin Strong (Israel-Premier Tech) was first helped out by the four time Tour de France winner (and teammate) Chris Froome. Then as the two were back underway, it was Froome doing the work to get Strong back into the peloton. After all Strong was the best place member of the general classification on the team. I use to not be a fan of Froome, but his time with his new team has earned my respect. That and just how are he has worked to get back to the elite level after his crash in Paris Nice a few years back.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3928152-163-194179/Painting/brought-back-by-a-star-tdu23-17.html

Tour Down Under '23, Stage 3: Uncontested

The early break away of Fabio Felline (Astana-Qazaqstan) and Mikkel Honore (EF Education-EasyPost) seemed to have reached a deal as they rode off the front of the peloton. Honore had taken the first of the King of the Mountain climbs, and left it to Felline to take each of the two intermediate sprints out on the road. So as the pair came through the Williamstown, the few fans on the side of the road didn't actually get to see them sprint it out. However, there was a real effort for the final bonus second when the peloton came through about three and a half minutes later.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3928149-162-194179/Painting/uncontested-tdu23-16.html

Tour Down Under '23, Stage 2: The Stage and the Jersey

As I said, Rohan Dennis (Jumbo-Visma) was looking like he was about to attack in the previous painting. And he had enough power left to get away from his breakaway companions. He just managed to have time to celebrate even as Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates) tried as hard as he could to catch the Australian. On his wheel and hidden by him is Mauro Schmid (Soudal-Quickstep) finishing in third. Simon Yates (Jayco-AlUla) and Jai Hindley (Bora-Hansgrohe) finished out the placings just a mere eleven seconds ahead of the fast closing peloton lead home by Caleb Ewan (UniSA-Australia). With the ten second time bonus Dennis will be pulling on the next Ochre Jersey with a lead of just three seconds over Vine, a second less than the time bonus difference between first and second place on the stage.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3928093-161-194179/Painting/the-stage-and-the-jersey-tdu23-15.html

Tour Down Under '23, Stage 2: Lining It Up

As this quintet hit the one kilometer to go Jai Hindley (Bora-Hansgrohe) looked back to find that Rohan Dennis (Jumbo-Visma) had caught back onto his wheel bringing Mauro Schmid (Soudal-Quickstep), Simon Yates (Jayco-AlUla) and Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates) along with him. As I was painting this it seemed to me that Dennis was looking a bit twitchy, like he was about to pull something. Sure enough, as soon as I hid play Dennis jumped away from the others making a quick dash for the line. He opened up a gap quickly but there were some powerful legs working to get back onto terms with the Australian.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3928092-160-194179/Painting/lining-it-up-tdu23-14.html

Tour Down Under '23, Stage 2: The Cream Is Rising

Just as the peloton regrouped at the base of Nettle Hill, Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates) went off the front seemingly in search of the King of the Mountains Jersey. His move was quickly covered by Simon Yates (Jayco-AlUla) and that caught the attention of Rohan Dennis (Jumbo-Visma) and Jai Hindley (Bora-Hansgrohe). While Vine was the first over the Category 1 climb (and the new leader in the KOM competiton), all four and one more slipped away from the peloton as they went over the top. The five would open up a 45 second gap on the main peloton on the fast descent down to Victor Harbor. It was looking like this group would contain the next Ochre Jersey since Alberto Bettiol was cramping up on the lower slopes. As his muscles seized he lost his grip on the race lead. He finished the day over two minutes behind the stage winner.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3928091-159-194179/Painting/the-cream-is-rising-tdu23-13.html

Tour Down Under '23, Stage 2: Bringing Their Man Back

Victor Lafay (Cofidis) had an ill-timed mechanical. With just 25 kilometers to race nearly his whole team came back to help pull him back up to the tail of the peloton. Davide Cimolai had just swung off having done what he could, leaving the effort to Andre Carvalho (and the team car). On Lafay's wheel is Harrison Wood holding himself in reserve for the final effort to get Cofidis' best general classification hope back into the front group. They did get there in the end finishing with the main peloton just 11 seconds off of the time of the stage winner.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3928090-158-194179/Painting/bringing-their-man-back-tdu23-12.html

Tour Down Under '23, Stage 2: Swapping Bottles and Turns

Johan Jacobs (Movistar) reached into his team car to pass of a bottle as another was passed out to him (hopefully from the back seat, since I am seeing two hands come out of the driver's window). Jacobs had been sharing turns off the front with Manuele Boaro (Astana-Qazaqstan). The duo had built up a five minute gap on the following peloton before those behind decide enough was enough. At this point 105 kilometers left to race the gap had dropped to just under four minutes.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3928089-157-194179/Painting/swapping-bottles-and-turns-tdu23-11.html

Thursday, January 19, 2023

Tour Down Under '23, Stage 1: The Throw to the Line

It was quite a close sprint to the line into Tanunda that compeleted the first road stage of the Tour Down Under. It was Phil Bauhaus (Bahrain-Victorious) that got the best of Caleb Ewan (UniSA-Australia) and Michael Matthews (Jayco-AlUla). Matthews needed to win the stage to claim the Ochre Jersey of race leader, but he has move much closer to the lead of Alberto Bettiol (EF Education-EasyPost). While I was painting this I noticed that Ewan's bike throw had him off the seat almost sitting on his rear wheel. While aggressive, the move was almost enough to gain him the first open road stage win of the 2023 Tour Down Under.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3928014-156-194179/Painting/the-throw-to-the-line-tdu23-10.html

Tour Down Under '23, Stage 1: Holding onto the Tail of the Peloton

With the finish line just ten kilometers away, the speed was truly up. Having just come down Menglers Hill at nearly 90 kph, the peloton was truly stretched out. It seems that the UniSA-Australia rider was asking his fellow stuggling Movistar rider just how hard is this pace? I am sorry I wasn't able to catch their bib numbers and therefore their names. But then, perhaps they would prefer to remain anonymous in their mutual suffering.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3928012-155-194179/Painting/holding-onto-the-tail-of-peloton-tdu23-9.html

Tour Down Under '23, Stage 1: Sprinting to the Top

Nans Peters (Ag2r-Citroen) tried to attack early on the final climb up Menglers Hill, but was soon caught by his closest rival in the King of the Mountains competition, Luke Plapp (Ineos-Grenadier). However, Plapp attacked after catching Peters while bedecked in his brand new Australian National Champion's jersey. Yet, it was Alessandro Covi (UAE Team Emirates) who got over the top first. But Plapp's second place over both categorized climbs of the Menglers Hill was enough for him to be the one to pull on the Polka Dot Jersey on the podium at the end of the stage.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3928011-154-194179/Painting/sprinting-to-the-top-tdu23-8.html

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

Tour Down Under '23, Stage 1: All About Seconds

Once the peloton had caught the lone rider up the road, all of the bonus seconds were on offer at the second intermediate sprint as they rode through Tanunda. Michael Matthews (Jayco-AlUla) managed to take a second second place taking four seconds off is total time thus far. Corbin Strong (Israel-Premier Tech) took first. Ethan Hayter (Ineos-Grenadiers) looked to his left and sat up knowing he had been beaten, but that allowed Matthews to just get pass him to claim second. Alberto Bettiol (EF Education-EasyPost) tried to prevent either Hayter or Matthews from gaining any time on him, but just missed out on the bonus seconds coming in fourth. Now he has to hop that Matthews doesn't win the stage. Should he do so, then it will be Matthews in the Ochre Jersey of race leader tomorrow.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3928004-153-194179/Painting/all-about-seconds-tdu23-7.html

Tour Down Under '23, Stage 1: A Solo Effort

Nans Peters (Ag2r-Citroen) went off the front shortly after the 149 kilometer first road stage of the Tour Down Under got underway. Being solo off the front he had all of the virtual jersey while the stage was underway (except the White Jersey of best young rider). However, with another 72 kilometers to go, his just shy of two minute advantage wasn't going to be enough to hold off the peloton for much longer. He was hoping to get over the Menglers Hill for the final King of the Mountains points before he got caught. It was unfortunate for the Frenchman that he was the only one that got away from the grip of the peloton. He certainly could have used some help.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3928002-152-194179/Painting/a-solo-effort-tdu23-6.html

Tuesday, January 17, 2023

Tour Down Under '23, Prologue: Into the Final Corner

I was looking forward to watching Rohan Dennis (Jumbo-Visma) ride a blistering time trial through downtown Adelaide. Unfortunatley, the rain prevent me and the fans along the side of the road from seeing the former Time Trial World Champion show his stuff against the clock. He did break into the top ten, but finished the day in 15th overall. I suspect he will now go looking for stage victories, however given the number one on his jersey I wonder if the team will be riding for him all week. Fortunately for him, the Adelaide hills aren't as tough as the Alps so he is still in with a chance for over all victory.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3927879-151-194179/Painting/into-the-final-corner-tdu23-5.html

Tour Down Under '23, Prologue: Attacking the Corners

Michael Matthews (Jayco-Alula) had some drier roads and made sure to take full advantage. With the better road surface he was able to push harder through the corners with less fear of losing his rear wheel while carrying as much speed as possible. When he crossed the line he posted the best time of those who had to negotiate the rain soaked roads of Adelaide. With the roads continuing to dry as others started the time trial, he eventually dropped to 10th over all, just 14 seconds off the lead.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3927872-150-194179/Painting/attacking-the-corner-tdu23-4.html

Tour Down Under '23, Prologue: Wet Roads

With a rare rain falling during the prologue of the Tour Down Under many faced wet roads and dangerous corners as they raced against the clock in the opening individual time trial. Pello Bilbao (Bahrain-Victorious) was one of those who went later in the day, and thus had to go considerably slower than those not splashing throught the streets of Adelaide. He finished 25th on the day, but that is only 20 seconds behind the first Ochre Jersey of the race.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3927868-149-194179/Painting/wet-roads-tdu23-3.html

Tour Down Under '23, Prologue: Fair Warning

With the roads getting wetter and wetter, riders like Caleb Ewan (UniSA-Australia) had to slow way down to make it around the corners upright. The final chicane proved to be the undoing of at least five riders. Ewan made it through safely, but it moved him way down the over all. But then the individual time trial is not his forte. He is here to win bunch sprints so his placement in the overall classification means virtually nothing.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3927867-148-194179/Painting/fair-warning-tdu23-2.html

Tour Down Under '23: Checking His Own Time

Alberto Bettiol (EF Education-EasyPost) had the foresight to go early in the opening prologue of the Tour Down Under. With rain in the forecast, he chose an early start. While not knowing what times he needed to beat, he did have the advantage of dry roads on the short five and a half kilometer individual time trial. That advantage proved to be the winning edge for the Italian. He will go into the first road stage of the return of the Tour Down Under since the start of the Covid pandemic, wearing the Ochre Jersey of race leader. He has an eight second lead over the American Magnus Sheffield and up to forty seconds over most of his main rivals. In a tour that is usually decided by less than ten seconds, he may have won the race before the first road stage. However, there are three hill top finishes this year.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3927865-147-194179/Painting/checking-his-own-time-tdu23-1.html