Tour '25, Stage 20: Alone with 5K to Go

Not wanting to leave it to a sprint, Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck) timed his attack on his two breakaway companions perfectly.  As he went, they looked each to the other to do the chase.  That was all the hesitation that the Australian needed to fly to the finish alone.  As he went under the 5K banner, he had forty-seven seconds on the lone chaser and a minute and ten seconds to a group of eight more.  Given how he is going I doubt anyone will see him until the podium presentations in Pontarlier.  The peloton containing all of the leaders' jerseys was over six minutes back down the soggy road playing it safe.  

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 work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.  

"Alone with 5K to Go TdF25-137" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Giro Stage 3: Looking for the Peloton

Pavel Kochetkov (Katusha) was caught on the descent off of the Barbagelata by Simon Clarke (Orica GreenEdge), Adam Hansen (Lotto Soudal) and Maciej Paterski (CCC Sprandi).  The foursome could feel the charging peloton as they approached the 5 K to go banner.  Paterski took the opportunity to look back as he swung off the front of the group.  Hansen was hoping to mark his birthday by giving himself a stage victory in the Giro d'Italia.  The peloton didn't seem to be in a generous mood as it hunted down the escapees.

This is an original small watercolor and ink painting that is available for purchase through my artists website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 98th Giro d'Italia.  International shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2553048---184157/Painting.html#.VVGKmiHBzGc

Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne: Surprising Them All

Philippe Gilbert (BMC) is the king of last minute solo runs to the line.  He is a former UCI World Road Racing Champion because of a late attack just like the one he launched today with just 5 kilometers left to race.  One has to be a very strong rider to pull this move off.  It requires being able to ride away from the lead out trains of the sprinters' teams, who are riding as fast as possible to prevent just such an attack.  Gilbert made is move sliding past Team Sky's train as they were concentrating on the lead out trains of Etixx-Quickstep and Katusha.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  If you enjoy reading about cycling with this accompanying artwork, be sure to discover my recently publish book on the Tour de France, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France"  It is available worldwide through most online book retailers.  Just google the title to discover where you can get your copy, often without international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2519542---195767/Painting.html#.VPSqNPnF-xU

Giro d'Italia Stage 8: One More to Catch

With two or three members left from the original break, it was Pierre Rolland (Europcar) that attacked the GC group and went off in search of a stage win.  With his team mate Perriq Quemeneur up the road to act as a bridge and then offer some drafting, Rolland was able to chase down the lone leader up the road.  It was a truly Herculean effort that would have given the French their third Giro stage win and the second in as many days.  At this 5 K banner, he was only 40 seconds behind Johan Davi Arredondo (Trek Factory Racing).  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2365133---198213/Painting.html#.U3hxC8_D_IU