Paris Nice Stage 1 Demonstrative

Julian Alaphilippe (Quickstep) certainly had the jump on all of the leading group all except for his country man Arnaud Demare (FDJ)   The duo came into the finishing straight with Demare on the front and Alaphilippe in the perfect position to take out the sprint (and to pull on the first Yellow Jersey of the 75th running of Paris Nice)  While Alaphilippe did get the first jump on Demare the FDJ sprinter was able to come around and take the first stage of the race   And to claim the Yellow Jersey of race leader   He was quite demonstrative in his victory salute celebrating being the last sprinter standing on the day

I apologize for the lack of punctuation but the gremlins are still denying me periods commas semi-colons and question marks  Perhaps I will devise a work around before the race reaches the Mediterranean Sea

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be 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.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2929397-340-195767/PaintingDemonstrative%20PN17-5.html#.WLzuuvkrLIU

Paris Nice Stage 1 On the Attack

The final couple of kilometers of the day featured a small climb that was proving too much for some of the marquee sprinters  First to go was Bryan Coquard (Direct Energie) followed by John Degenkolb (Quickstep) and finally Andre Greipel (Lotto Soudal)  With his teammate off the back It was Julian Alaphilippe (Quickstep) who jumped free on a steep section of the approach surprising the ever dwindling lead group  The only one to catch the wheel of the fleeing Frenchman was Tony Gallopin (Lotto Soudal) also now free of working for his team's sprinter  Trying to cover the attack was Luke Rowe (Sky) but all of the work he had already put in on the front of this group left him without the legs to go with the move  With just over two kilometers left in the stage this may well prove to be the winning move

I apologize for the lack of punctuation but the gremlins are still denying me periods commas semi-colons and question marks  Perhaps I will devise a work around before the race reaches the Mediterranean Sea

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be 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.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2929395-339-195767/PaintingOn%20the%20Attack%20PN17-4.html#.WLzsQPkrLIU

Paris Nice Stage 1 Letting the Gap Go

The relentless pace of the teams of Quickstep and Lotto Soudal along with the strong crosswinds were having their toll on those trying to stay with the leaders  It just took a small rise and the gap opened in front of Grega Bole (Bahrain-Merida) and Olivier Le Gac (FDJ)  Le Gac had been working for others of his teammates that were still in the group so he can be pardoned for losing contact  Bole was just on the wrong wheel at the wrong time - although I doubt he had much left to give either

I apologize for the lack of punctuation but the gremlins are still denying me periods commas semi-colons and question marks  Perhaps I will devise a work around before the race reaches the Mediterranean Sea

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be 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.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2929394-338-195767/PaintingLetting%20the%20Gap%20Go%20PN17-3.html#.WLzo6_krLIU