The Art of Cycling: March 2023

Monday, March 27, 2023

Gent-Wevelgem 23, Women's Race: Showing Her Colors

Ever the professional, Marlen Reusser (SD Worx) had the wherewithal to unzip her rain jacket so her team's rather brightly colored jersey would be visible to fans and photographers alike. Equaling her professional finale was the way she was not only able to hold off the chasing peloton, but she continued to build on her lead. When she saluted the crowd at the finish she had to wait almost three minutes to see who would be joining her on the podium at the award ceremony.

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, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3942741-66-207546/Painting/showing-her-colors-gw23-12.html

Gent-Wevelgem 23, Women's Race: Can They Catch Her?

It would seem that a group of seven should be able to chase down a single escapee in the final 30 kilometers, but instead partially due to the leader's teammate, Christine Majerus (SD Worx) the gap just kept growing. These seven including Majerus and Shirin Van Anrooij (Trek-Segafredo), Elinor Barker (Uno-X), Eugenia Bujak (UAE Team ADQ), Pfeiffer Georgi (DSM), Shari Bossuyt (Canyon SRAM) and Anna Hendersen (Jumbo-Visma) seemed unable to close the widening gap. If they aren't careful, they will find that the rest of the peloton will be able to catch them instead. If they do, then these women will have even less of a chance of getting onto the podium in Wevelgem.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3942738-65-207546/Painting/can-they-catch-her-gw23-11.html

Gent-Wevelgem 23, Women's Race: Solo Over the Kemmelberg

I suspect that the rather elite chasing peloton thought they would be able to catch Marlen Reusser (SD Worx) on the final trip up the Kemmelberg. Instead, as she went up the fabled cobble climb, she opened up another handful of seconds. It was beginning to look like she might not be caught at all. By now she had a minute and seven seconds on the chasers with another 35 kilometers left to go.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3942704-64-207546/Painting/solo-over-the-kemmelberg-gw23-10.html

Gent-Wevelgem 23, Women's Race: Using Her Skill Set

Marlen Reusser (SD Worx) was able to get away from the peloton on the final climb of the Baneberg. She opened up a few seconds on the chasers but then used the time trial skills that won her the European Time Trial Gold Medal back in 2019. She uses those same skills to chase down breaks and set a tough pace in service of her teammates. Today, she was able to use those same skills on her own behalf. By the time she turned onto the main road back towards the Kemmelberg she had already put a minute into those behind.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3942695-63-207546/Painting/using-her-skill-set-gw23-9.html

Gent-Wevelgem 23, Women's Race: Jump On!

Today's race has been marred by crashes and bad luck, seemingly most of it befalling Marta Bastianelli (UAE Team Emirates). In the most recent one she wasn't as damaged as much as others. They were able to get back going as well, at least Katia Ragusa (Liv Racing Teq Find) and Katarzyna Miewadoma (Canyon-SRAM) were able to get up and chase the now diminshed peloton. As Ragusa speed past the struggling Bastianelli she seemed to call to her to jump onto their express train. With 42 kilometers to go, it seemed as though they won't have too much problem getting back on terms.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3942691-62-207546/Painting/jump-on-gw23-8.html

Gent-Wevelgem 23, Women's Race: Opening Up a Gap

This trio of stars of the women's peloton used the first trip up the Kemmelberg to open up a bit of a gap on those still in the peloton. It was Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) who seemed to glide up the cobbles with both Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM) and Anna Hendersen (Jumbo-Visma) struggling to hold onto the Belgium's wheel. With 52 kilometers to race it might be the move that wins the race. Then again, the peloton might just get itself organized on the way back down the other side.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3942659-61-207546/Painting/opening-up-a-gap-gw23-7.html

Sunday, March 26, 2023

Gent-Wevelgem 23, Men's Race: Winning Together

With 35 kilometers to race it was clear that Christophe Laporte (Jumbo-Visma) and his teammate Wout Van Aert were going to take first and second in this edition of Gent-Wevelgem, the only question was who would win and who would take second. It was clear leading up to the final meters that the two had been having quite the conversation. I am sure it was part celebration and part how shall we come to the line in Wevelgem. They each gestured to the other in respect and admiration. They then clasped hands in a combined victory salute as they rolled to victory with the rest of the peloton almost two minutes behind. It seems like they had decided between them that since Van Aert had won last weekend, this one should go to Laporte. While the Belgium fans would have prefered a Belgium had one, it had been 25 years since a Frenchman had won, until today! Chapeau!

It does remind me of their three man victory salute at the opening of the Tour de France either last year or the year prior.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3942464-513-195767/Painting/winning-together-gw23-6.html

Gent-Wevelgem 23, Men's Race: Long Chase, Short Road

All during the race I have had trouble identifying which rider was whom, I am quite sure I wasn't the only one struggling with the race numbers hidden under various jackets and rain capes. So I can't say which of the Israel Premier Tech riders was leading the chase (unsuccessfully) of the escapeing duo, but he was being aided by Daniel McLay (Arkea Samsic), Alexis Renard (Cofidis) and Rasmus Tiller (Uno-X). It was awful nice of Uno-X to give Tiller Norwegian Champion's jacket and vest along with his champion's jersey. I don't know which of the Bora-Hansgrohe riders is looking back to see if any help was forth coming. With 14 kilometers left to race, it is very unlikely the couple of seconds they were pulling back were going to get them to the leaders in time, thus the title, "Long Chase, Short Road."

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3942463-512-195767/Painting/long-chase-short-road-gw23-5.html

Gent-Wevelgem 23, Men's Race: Riding Away

Having gotten a gap on the way up the Kimmelberg, Christophe Laporte (Jumbo-Visma) and his teammate, Wout Van Aert pushed on whilst going down the other side of the climb. The two quickly opened up just over a minute on the disorganized peloton unable to get back on terms behind. The peloton was being frustrated by two more of this duo's teammates. With this situation, Jumbo-Visma was in an enviable position, should Laporte and Van Aert stay away, they will win. Should they be caught, then Nathan Van Hooydonck and Olav Kooij will be well rested and more than capable of mounting a very strong sprint for victory. Whether this was by design or good fortune, it was sure to be a winning strategy.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3942462-511-195767/Painting/riding-away-gw23-4.html

Gent=Wevelgem 23, Men's Race: You Game?

With the peloton all back together having just caught Anthony Turgis (Total Energies), it was Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) using the second time up the Kimmelberg to push the pace in hopes of dropping as many as possible. As he looked back he found his teammate, Christophe Laporte, the only one staying with him on the slick cobbles of the fabled hill. Surprisingly, it was the sprinter Caleb Ewan (Lotto Dstny) who was the best of the rest. It did seem as though Ewan had a bit of trouble getting around the fading Turgis which may explain why he couldn't go with the yellow clad duo. As I restarted the race -after painting this I began to realize that I had just painted the winning move of this edition of Gent-Wevelgem.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3942459-510-195767/Painting/you-game-gw23-3.html

Gent-Wevelgem 23, Men's Race: Each Chasing the Others

On the "climb" of hill 63 (a whooping 63 kilometers above sea level) Fabio Jakobsen (Soudal-Quick Step) bedecked in his European Champion's jersey could see his prey just up the road. He was trying to bridge across to the five man group who had managed to ride away from the peloton. They in turn were chasing the early break away who were just about to summit the climb. Everyone has spent long miles racing in the cold, wet, breezy roads of Flanders all in search of cycling glory. Jakobsen never did make the juncture. And once caught by the peloton again, soon found himself off the back thanks to this effort. Still, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3942439-509-195767/Painting/each-chasing-the-others-gw23-2.html

Gent-Wevelgem 23, Men's Race: Sneaking Off the Front

As the peloton got within a minute of the early break away this group of four managed to slide off of the fornt in hopes of bridging across the gap. Kim Heiduk (Ineos-Grenadiers) looks back over his shoulder to find that he, Nathan Van Hooydonck (Jumbo-Visma), Florian Vermeersch (Lotto-Dstny) and Matej Mohoric (Bahrain-Victorious) have gotten about a four second gap on those behind. If they are able to bridge across to those ahead their added numbers should be able to open up a more sustaintial on those behind losing touch behind them.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3942423-508-195767/Painting/sneaking-off-the-front-gw23-1.html

Monday, March 13, 2023

Paris Nice 23, Stage 8: Taking a Bow

Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) must have had plenty of time to think about his victory celebration as he rode down the Avenue d’Anglais and around the wharf to the end of Paris Nice. He had treated us to a show of cycling prowess, strength, and well executed strategy through the seven days of racing. Perhaps the one day that was canceled helped him, but I doubt by anymore than it helped the rest of the peloton. It does leave questions about what everyone else will be able to do to out ride this Slovenian in the Tour, or just how will he be able to maintain (or rebuilt) this level of form come July 1st. But today, he left in no doubt who was the strongest rider to start (and finish) the “Race to the Sun.”

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3939928-113-272742/Painting/taking-a-bow-pn23-31.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 8: Racing for Second

Each of this quartet had tried their best to out ride Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) on the Col d’Eze. Instead they found themselves racing each other for second place in the final stage of Paris Nice. As long as this group stays together David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) will be taking the second step of the podium at the award ceremony on the waterside of Nice. Just ahead of Gaudu now, is the man almost a minute behind him, Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma). Joining those two lower steps of the podium are Simon Yates (Jayco-Alula) and the American Matteo Jorgenson (Movistar). Jorgenson is racing in the Maillot Blanc of best young rider, but he sits in second in that competition, but is merely holding it for the man that will win three of the four jersey of Paris Nice, Tadej Pogacar. It should be noted that the Maillot Vert is his due to the abandonment of Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo)).

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3939923-112-272742/Painting/racing-for-second-pn23-30.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 8: Going to Nice Alone

Simon Yates (Jayco-Alula) may have been the first to attack, but it was Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) whose attack stuck. On the final climb of Paris Nice, the Col d’Eze, the Maillot Jaune counter the attacks by those just behind them in the general classifications. He opened up a forty second gap on them in an amazingly short amount of time. He looked back as he neared the summit, but I doubt he could see anyone such was his advantage on the others. As he said in his post race interview, the best defense is a strong offense.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3939910-111-272742/Painting/going-to-nice-alone-pn23-29.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 8: Nice Try

“Nice Try,” is what Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) seemed to say over his shoulder to David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ). Gaudu had set out to gain some seconds using his teammate, Stefan Kung, but discovered that Pogacar still had his sprinting legs. The Maillot Jaune had been picking up bonus seconds all Paris Nice long, in fact without them he wouldn’t be in yellow. Gaudu did get second, so he only lost four seconds to the race leader. The pair have another 35 kilometers to race after crossing sprinting swords in Eze.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3939902-110-272742/Painting/nice-try-pn23-28.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 8: Caught Them, Dropped Them

Wout Poels jumped out of the peloton at the base of the category one climb of the Cote de Peille. He quickly crossed the forty five second gap to the lead group. Just as quickly the drops them as well. The only one of the early break that was able to stay with Dutchman was Oliver Naesen (Ag2r-Citroen), but even he was dropped by Poels after a couple of switch backs on the way to the summit. Poels would have had a better go of it had at least a couple of riders been able to hold onto his wheel. That and the fact that the day started with only a twelve second gap between the riders in first and second place meant that the racing was going to be intense behind.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3939879-109-272742/Painting/caught-them-dropped-them-pn23-27.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 8: “The Jersey Is Ours”

From the beginning of my painting Paris Nice this year, Jonas Gregaard (Uno-X) has been off the front of the peloton in search of King of the Mountain points. Today was no different. Today however, as he went over the third climb of the day first, he radioed back to his team car to let them know that he had won the Polka Dot Jersey of the best climber in the race. Yes, there are two more climbs to go, but even if Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) goes over them both first, he still couldn’t catch Gregaard. He was followed over the Cote de Berre les Alpes by Clement Champoussin (Arkea-Samsic) and David de la Cruz (Astana-Qazaqstan). Just peeking around the corner is Oliver Naesen (Ag2r-Citroen) and the rest of the early break away.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3939757-107-272742/Painting/repeat-performance.-pn23-25.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 7: Repeat Performance

The only other mountain top finish in this year’s Paris Nice saw Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) able to out sprint David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) for the stage victory. Then it was enough to put Pogacar into the Maillot Jaune and Gaudu in to second place. Today it just underscored that those are their rightful positions in this race. Pogacar increase his lead by a few seconds over Gaudu, while the Frenchman increased his lead over the man in third place, Jonas Vingegaard by at least 10 seconds. With just one more day of racing out of Nice and back in, it seems that these two will be the top two steps of the podium unless disaster strikes.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3939757-107-272742/Painting/repeat-performance.-pn23-25.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 7: “There Goes Tadej”

Despite all of the effort by both the team of Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) and David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ), Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) still had the legs to launch an attack on the closing kilometers of the climb up the Col de la Couiollole. The pair would get back up to the Maillot Jaune, perhaps even go on an attack themselves, only to be dropped yet again. It does seem appropriate that the top three positions on the general classification were fighting it out on the highest point of this year’s Paris Nice. It didn’t seem like Vingegaard was going to be pulling back 45 seconds on either of the other two. The only question was, “Is Gaudu going to be able to pull back six seconds of Pogacar?”

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3939752-106-272742/Painting/there-goes-tadej.-pn23-24.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 7: The Last Survivors

The early break of the day total nineteen at the onset of their escape from the clutches of the peloton. However, by the time they reached the 11 kilometers to go it was just Kobe Gossens (Intermache-Circus-Wanty) and Javier Romo (Astana-Qazaqstan) were the only two still ahead of the peloton. As they scaled the final climb of the day, the Col de la Couiollole, they had to know that their chances of making it to the finish ahead of the fast closing heads of state were extremely limited. Still by now they simply had to see it through. Just behind them, the Shimano neutral service car was trying to get pass them, a sure fire sign that those behind were almost upon them.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3939751-105-272742/Painting/the-last-survivors.-pn23-23.html

Sunday, March 12, 2023

Paris Nice 23, Stage 7: Looking Around at the Front

Javier Romo (Astana) seemed to have the better legs of his own teammate in the early break away. He is one of five who slipped away from the other dozen as they got ready to climb the Col de la Couiollole. Both Nils Politt (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Pascal Eenkhoorn (Lotto-Dstny) seemed to have a lot to say to Romo and Jeremy Cabot (Total Energies). As I painted this, I noticed that Eenkhoorn had his bottle in his hand, and was gesturing to his team car (off to the left as you view this) that he needed another bid on before he started the final climb of the day.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3939677-104-272742/Painting/looking-around-at-the-front.-pn23-22.html

Paris Nice 23, Solving His Own Problem

Florian Senechal (Soudal-Quick Step) reaches down to get his chain back onto his front chain ring while on a long descent. It was funny listening to Christian VandeVelde (former racer commenting on the race for NBC’s streaming service, Peacock) tell viewers to “not try this at home” for fear that we would all get our fingers caught in the sprocket, or crash while twisting and turning on a mountain descent. I don’t most of us could do what any of the riders in the pro tour are capable of doing. Just ahead of Senechal is his countryman, Pierre Latour (Total Energies) who is not the greatest of descenders in the peloton. They all were able to get back to the front before starting up to the last mountain top finish of this Paris Nice.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3939671-103-272742/Painting/solving-his-own-problems.-pn23-21.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 7: Quick Change

Pulling the title from my time working in the theatre, Romain Bardet (DSM) has a quick bike change at the rear of the peloton with another 48 kilometers to race. While it is never great to have a mechanical problem, it was as good as possible since it came twenty kilometers before the final climb of the day. I should mention that there was no Stage 6, so that is why it isn’t appearing in this blog. It was a day of dangerous high winds. I tell my own story of riding it high winds while filming one of my YouTube post of today’s stage. Bardet was able to rejoin the peloton and factor in the finish of the stage.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3939661-102-272742/Painting/quick-change.-pn23-20.html

Friday, March 10, 2023

Paris Nice 23, Stage 5: Worthy of Celebration

With arms spread wide and fingers showing he was number one on the stage, Olav Kooij (Jumbo-Visma) celebrates a sprint victory into Saint Paul Trois Chateaux. After the team’s disappointment of losing time against the new race leader, it was nice of their sprinter to give them something to celebrate. Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo) was forced to start his sprint a bit too early, but held on to take second place on the stage. That placing was enough to earn him the Maillot Vert outright. While the color green changed, it still means that he is the most consistent sprinter in this year’s race. Tim Merlier (Soudal-Quick Step) in his Belgium National Champion jersey closed quickly but ran out of road to finish third. You can see Arne Marit (Intermache-Circus-Wanty) coming in eighth with his teammate just behind him.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3939025-101-272742/Painting/worthy-of-celebration.-pn23-19.html

Thursday, March 9, 2023

Paris Nice 23, Stage 5: Every Point on Offer

Even though he is hanging his head, Jonas Gregaard (Uno-X) had to be thrilled to give over the final climb of the day, as he did every other climb in the stage, first. He has now built up a lead in the King of the Mountains competition that is two and a half times more KOM points than his nearest competitor. Since the guy in second is in the Maillot Jaune of race leader, I think he will be more focused on keeping that one, not on trying to catch Gregaard. There is still a lot of climbing in the remaining three days of racing so it still remains to be seen if he will still be in the Maillot a Pois when he gets to Nice.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3938960-100-272742/Painting/every-point-on-offer.-pn23-18.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 5: Bonus

David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) flipped the script on Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates). Pogacar had been sucking up all of the bonus sprint seconds throughout this Paris Nice, but today it was Gaudu being led out by his team’s sprinter, Arnaud Demare. Gaudu was able to take the maximum bonus with his teammate picking up the next largest bonus. Pogacar did manage third so he only lost four seconds to the main sitting just behind him on the general classification. The American, Matteo Jorgenson (Movistar) tried to mixed it with the others taking fourth on the sprint, but that came without a bonus. Jorgenson sits second in the young riders competition but has the Maillot Blanc on loan from the Maillot Jaune clad Pogacar.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3938958-99-272742/Painting/bonus.-pn23-17.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 5: A Natural Return

With the pace off in the peloton, a number of riders had dropped back for what is euphemistically called a “nature break”. Clearly that is why Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) was drafting off of his teammate Nathan Van Hooydonck, who was in turn drafting off of the team car on their way back up to the main group. Van Hooydonck seemed to be having a bit of a conversation with his countryman (and Champion of his country, the Netherlands), Pascal Eenkhoorn (Lotto-Dstny). The Lotto rider was more than happy to tack onto the Jumbo-Visma car to make the chase back just that much easier. Most times the race referee will turn a blind eye to this minor rule violation, but had it been due to an inability to hold the pace, it can get the riders disqualified.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3938946-98-272742/Painting/a-natural-return.-pn23-16.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 4: With Authority

David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) may have left the favorites, but Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) wasn’t having it. He attacked at about two kilometers to go, leaving everyone behind and quickly catching the Frenchman. Gaudu held onto the Slovenian’s wheel until the final 200 meters, but just didn’t have the legs to stay with the soon to be crowned Maillot Jaune. I avoided the chance to entitled the painting, “The Stage and the Jersey,” but I imagine I have painted him with that title far too many times. He may have started the day without the Maillot Blanc, but he will now have a matched set of white and yellow.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3938807-97-272742/Painting/with-authority.-pn23-15.html

Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Paris Nice 23, Stage 4: A Strong Counter Move

After the two favorites for over all victory had traded attacks, David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) went on the counter move. He quickly opened up a 15 second gap on those still in the peloton. As he went pass the three kilometers to go banner, it was beginning to look like he might hava a chance to pull of the upset. No matter what happens he is clearly building on the hard work of his team in yesterday’s team time trial.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3938795-96-272742/Painting/a-strong-counter-move.-pn23-14.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 4: Saying Goodbye

As the pace heated up on the final climb of the day, La Loge does Gardes, Magnus Cort (EF Education-EasyPost) gestured with a little wave as he pulled out of the line. His wave alerted both Bob Jungels (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Lucas Hamilton (Jayco-Alula) that he was about to swerve towards the other side of the road. But it does seem he is also waving good-bye to the Maillot Jaune as well. Cort had sprinted to the line in the team time trial to take the leader’s jersey, but in the pre-race interview, he had little confidence he would be able to hold it on the final climb to the finish of the stage. With his departure from the peloton, it does mean there will be a new leader of Paris Nice in another five kilometers.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3938782-95-272742/Painting/saying-goodbye.-pn23-13.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 4: Hoping They’ll Catch Up

Pascal Eenkhoorn (Lotto Dstny) bedecked in his Dutch National Champion’s jersey, looked back over his shoulder on the way back down the Cote de Vernet. He had opened up quite a gap on his former break away companions. However, I am guessing he didn’t really want to ride the final 38 kilometers alone. He could see Lilian Calmejane (Intermache-Circus-Wanty) coming across with a few others just behind the Frenchman.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3938779-94-272742/Painting/hoping-theyll-catch-up.-pn23-12.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 4: Positioning Himself

Jonas Gregaard (Uno-X) had managed to get himself into the break away yet again. He as making sure he would have a chance to go for the maximum points to add to his King of the Mountain points on at least the next two climbs. Just ahead of the Maillot a Pois was Maurice Ballerstedt (Alpecin-Deceuninck). Off to the side is the American in the break away Larry Warbasse (Ag2r-Citroen) apparently sliding to the back of the seven man break having done his turn on the front. With 51 kilometers to race they had four minutes on the peloton, but the group behind was closing fast as they approached this base of the climb.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3938774-93-272742/Painting/positioning-himself.-pn23-11.html

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

Paris Nice 23, Stage 3: Getting It Done with Four

While they were expected to do very well in today’s team time trial, it was still a treat to watch Jumbo-Visma out on course. They seemed to even have a plan on when they would jettison each rider after they had given their all. As this foursome came to the line, it was clear they would win the stage, the only question was by how much. The answer, not by as much as they had hoped, nor by enough to put one of the team into the Maillot Jaune (even though technically they are already in yellow jerseys). With Tobias Foss (the reigning TT World Champion) on the front for one last pull, the foursome would soon be three. Jan Tratnik took up the pace with Nathan Van Hooydonck the man designated to take Jonas Vingegaard across the line. By so doing the three are now close to the lead, but not in it to start the stage four. Vingegaard now has between a three and fourteen second buffer over the rest of the field of contenders.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3938709-92-272742/Painting/getting-it-done-with-four.-pn23-10.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 3: Keeping Gaudu Close

Not traditional known as a team time trial specialist team, Groupama-FDJ had an incredible ride today. They finished fourth on the day mainly due to the strength of Stefan Kung who finished with his team leader, David Gaudu, glued to his wheel. Every time the camera got the team out on the road, Gaudu was always on the back of his teammates wheels. I can’t say if he ever took a pull, I just never saw it happened. But it is a team’s job to ride for their team leader, and they did it in spades today! Gaudu sits equal on time with Kung, both just two seconds off the pace of Pogacar and not more than eight seconds off of the best placed of the favorites, Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma). Chapeau!

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3938703-91-272742/Painting/keeping-gaudu-close-pn23-9.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 3: Leading Them Home

Nils Politt (Bora-Hansgrohe) drove hard all of the way through the finish line keeping as many seconds to the team’s advantage as possible. Behind the big German, his countryman and team leader, Maximilian Schachmann was pulling faces just to stay on his wheel. The duo gapped Marco Haller and another teammate in the final meters of the team time trial course. They finished 29 seconds off of the best time, leaving Schachmann 28 seconds out of first place going into the mountain top finish stage tomorrow.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3938701-90-272742/Painting/leading-them-home.-pn23-8.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 3: “How Are We Doing?”

It seemed like UAE Team Emirates was struggling to keep their leader, Tadej Pogacar in contention. As Matteo Trentin slid back from his pull on the from of the now four man group, he seemed to be asking how they were doing. Or perhaps, just checking in with Tadej to make sure the pace was right for him. Mikkel Berg was setting the pace now, with Felix Grosschartner waiting to take his turn in the wind. Groacchartner had lost the wheels in the first kilometer or two, but was able to get back on and finish strong, dropping Bjerg and Pogacar off with just two kilometers to go. Pogacar finished just 18 seconds off of the best time of the day. He did lose a bit to two of his main rivals but still well within striking distance. He also lost ownership of the Maillot Blanc, the jersey awarded to the best young rider. The white tunic will now go over to Kellan O’Brien (Jayco-Alula).

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3938700-89-272742/Painting/how-are-we-doing-pn23-7.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 3: Off the Front and Out the Back

Today’s stage was a team time trial, the first in almost sixty years contested in the Paris Nice race. Jayco-Alula went out hot and seemed to keep building speed as they went around the 32 kilometer course. The discipline has each teammates spending time on the front pushing through the wind as those behind get a bit of a break until it is their turn to put their nose into the wind. This is the first time each rider will be given their actual finish time, and the team’s time will be taken by the first rider to cross the line. Usually, the clock stops on the fourth or fifth rider to cross the line, and that is the time given to each member of the team. Lucas Hamilton had just finished his turned on the front, but it was all he had to give. As he swung away, he simply drifted on past his teammates; Chris Harper, Matteo Sobrero, Simon Yates, Luke Durbridge, and Kellan O’Brien. Their sprinter, Michael Matthews had already been dropped by the group setting new best times all along the course.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3938693-88-272742/Painting/off-the-front-out-the-back.-pn23-6.html