Giro Stage 16: Embracing the Victory

Make that two wins in a row for Mikel Landa (Astana).  Admittedly there was a rest day inbetween, but that only makes the back to back mountain top solo wins all the more significant.  Landa had spent the majority of the penultimate climb holding himself back in support of his team leader, Fabio Aru.  However, Aru's valiant sufferfest left the wearer of the Maglia Blanco finishing almost three minutes behind his teammate.  That time gap means that Landa moves ahead of his teammate into second overall.  However, that second place is just over four minutes behind the incredible Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo).  Contador his so far ahead of Landa, that he could afford to be generous to Steven Kruijswijk (LottoNL Jumbo) in thanks for the Dutchman's assistance in putting time into everyone else behind him on GC (excepting Landa, of course).

Now the question for Astana, is Landa now the team leader or do they continue to work for Aru?  Furthermore, do they have any chance of unseating the outstanding Spaniard?

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson and Company, www.richesonart.com.  The 4"x6" painting is available from my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular art work for $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2559996---184157/Painting.html#.VWUaJflViko

Giro Stage 16: Trading Blows

Steven Kruijswijk (LottoNL Jumbo) has been in numerous breakaways that have made it to the finish ahead of the peloton, but has yet to get the elusive Grand Tour stage victory.  Today he was the only one who could hang with the Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) and Mikel Landa (Astana) duo.  In fact, he led the trio over the crest of the Passo del Mortirolo to pull himself into second in the King of the Mountains competition.  As they climbed toward the finale in Aprica, first Contador, then Kruijswijk attacked the others.  But it was the attack by Mikel Landa that stuck leaving the others struggling to catch his fast disappearing wheel.  I admit that I am jumping ahead, but in thanks for all of the work that the Dutchman had done on the last two climbs, Contador let the Kruijswijk claim second at the line.  With the second place finish on a mountain top finish, the Dutchman had amassed enough KOM points on the day to pull on the Maglia Azure of the King of the Mountains.  Contador had now put another two minutes into the Maglia Blanco of Fabio Aru (Astana).

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson and Company, www.richesonart.com.  The 4"x6" painting is available from my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular art work for $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2559992---184157/Painting.html#.VWUXQflViko

Giro Stage 16: Off on His Own

Ryder Hesjedal (Cannondale Garmin) used his descending skills to leave his breakaway companions and head off on his own.  The Canadian but two minutes between himself and the rest of those on the road as he climbed up to Aprica for the first time.  The course took the peloton through the early ski town before swinging back down to the valley and up the biggest climb of the Giro.  The competitors would then drop back off of the Passo del Mortirolo before climbing back up to Aprica for the second time.  This time their long day of five categorized would be over.  Along the road various race sponsors will set up inflatable advertisements like this one celebrating the bike saddle company, Selle Italia.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson and Company, www.richesonart.com.  The 4"x6" painting is available from my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular art work for $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2559962---184157/Painting.html#.VWUG7_lViko