Volta Catalunya Final Stage: Going Home Alone

For most stages I make sure that I get the classic image of the stage winner crossing the finishing line with his arms raised in jubilant triumph.  However for the final stage to be raced in the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya I felt that Lieuwe Westra's (Astana) response to Voeckler's attack on this climb and his subsequent aggressive rides up the hill was where he actually won the final stage into Barcelona.  I have always marveled at how hard it must be to keep your concentration with hundreds of crazed cycling fans screaming at you as you are climbing at he very edge of your physical endurance and capabilities.  So with the final climb up, Westra secured his and his team's stage win.  However, his victory and the second place finish of Marcus Burghardt (BMC) and the third of Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) did nothing to change the final podium placings of the overall.  So today the overall goes to Roaquim Rodriquez (Katusha) with Alberto Contrador (Tinkoff Saxo) settling for second, even though he tried one last attack on this same climb, and third going to TeJay Van Garderen (BMC).  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by being the first to visit my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  So, chapeau to Rodriquez and Westra, and for all of those that competed.

Be sure to check back here for Paris Roubaiz in two weeks.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2338125---195767/Painting.html#.UzjtpM_D_IU

Volta Catalunya Final Stage: Losing the Dead Wood

The original break consisted of nine riders, not all of whom were or possible could continue to contribute to the success of the break, so Marcus Burghardt (BMC) was the first to attack the break hoping to shed himself of the passengers and weaker riders.  The aggressiveness of his attack was covered by Marciej Paterski (CCC-Polstat Polkowice), Lieuwe Westra (Astana) and Cedric Pineau (FDJ).  Moments later, as they started up the climb, Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) bridged across, leaving the other four that included the winner of Stage 6, Stef Clement (Belkin Pro Cycling).  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by being the first to visit 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/Spring%20Classics%202014/2338111---195767/Painting.html#.Uzjjc8_D_IU

Volta Catalunya Final Stage: Riding for Rodriquez

Team Katusha had a very simple task for the day, don't let anyone get far enough up the road to take away Joaquim Rodriquez's White and Green Leader's Jersey.  The job may have even been simpler with the large break up the road that was grabbing all of the bonus seconds in the intermediate sprints and if they stayed away to the end, even those at the finishing line.  They did have to worry about two strong climbers (TeJay Van Garderen - BMC and Alberto Contrador - Tinkoff Saxo) that were a combination of seven seconds down and the course included eight short steep climbs, the final topping out with just two and a half kilometers to the line.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by being the first to visit my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this painting follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2338107---195767/Painting.html#.Uzjge8_D_IU

Volta Catalunya Final Stage: Headed Downtown

For the second time in as many days a large group of nine riders got away from the peloton and were just over three minutes to the good as they road down the highway to the finishing circuit in downtown Barcelona.  With all of the GC men in the peloton and the closest man in the break over four minutes down, there was no real reason for those behind to put in a real hard chase.  And like yesterday seven different teams were represented in the break including the teams that had yet to win a stage in this running of the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  In addition, this painting and all of my cycling art is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this particular piece you can follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2338093---195767/Painting.html#.UzjdVM_D_IU