Tour Down Under, Stage 6: Leaving No Doubt

Much was made about how the final climb up Mount Lofty and the end of the stage might play out.  Stephen Williams (Israel-Premier Tech) had started the day tied with Oscar Onley (DSM-Firmenish-PostNL) and just a five second lead on Jhonatan Narvaez (Ineos-Grenadiers).  But as they sprinted for the line, Williams was able to get around Narvaez (and the rest of those looking to take either the stage or the jersey) to claim the stage, a ten second time bonus, and the 2024 Tour Down Under.  While Narvaez claimed second and a six second bonus it left him in second place overall.  Finishing the stage in third thus moving himself in third was a former wearer of the Ochre Jersey, Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates).  Bart Lemmen (Visma-Lease a Bike) finished in fourth on the day, and fifth in the Tour.  Just peeping in behind this group was the man who started the finale attacks, Laurence Pithie (Groupaman-FDJ).

This is the finale of the Tour Down Under.  I will be back painting some of the Spring Classics and Monuments over the coming months.  But now it is on to finishing a cycling art commission and then preparing for an exhibition of my large scale figurative works at the end of March in Richmond, VA.

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 $95 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.  

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3996273-205-194179/Painting/leaving-no-doubt.-tdu23-28.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 5: Anonymous No More!

I should explain the title.  The race director for DSM-Firmenich-PostNL had been frustrated with out absent his team had been in the first four stages, but with the stage win by Oscar Onley took care of that.  He is now on equal time with the new Ochre Jersey, and the new owner of the White Jersey of best young rider.  He is just barely behind the guy who was just behind him on the stage, Stephen Williams (Israel-Premier Tech). Jhonatan Narvaez (Ineos-Grenadiers) takes second on the stage moving himself into third overall in this Tour Down Under.  It was then Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal-Quick Step) who faded after putting a sprint in to get over the King of the Mountains line first.  I’m convinced he thought that was the finish line and not the line 400 meters up the road.  He did move himself into fifth overall, so not a bad day out for the two time world champion.  Shadowing the Frenchman was Bart Lemmen on the newly renamed Visma-Lease a Bike.  Who now sits just behind Alaphilippe on the general classification.

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 $95 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3996157-200-194179/Painting/anonymous-no-more-tdu24-23.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 5: Time to Climb

The sprinters have had four days to show off their skill sets, now it is time for the climbers to shine.  With the last member of the early break away caught at the base of Willunga Hill, it was time for the climbers and general classification riders to stake their claims for the final Ochre Jersey come tomorrow.  The first to truly go on the offensive was no surprise.  At the steepest part of the climb it was Simon Yates (Jayco-Alula) who dug deep to get away from the peloton.  He was joined in the effort first by Jhonatan Narvaez (Ineos-Grenadiers), followed by Bart Lemmon (Visma-Lease a Bike) rides side by side with Oscar Onley (DSM-Firmenich-PostNL).  I (and many other cycling fans) was thrilled to see Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal-Quick Step) matching the acceleration pedal stroke for pedal stroke.

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 $95 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3996143-199-194179/Painting/time-to-climb.-tdu24-22.html