Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 3: Oh, Snap!

Ivan Romeo (Movistar) had ridden all of his breakaway companions off of his wheel to take a solo victory in Charantonnay.  It shouldn't have come as too much of a surprise, he is a former U-23 World Time Trial Champion.  However, he didn't quite have his victory celebration down as this is his first ever World Tour victory.  First, he held his head in disbelief, then shook out his right hand in what I saw as a "snap" gesture, and then finally remembered that he should spread his arms out wide as he crossed the line.  With this stage win, he becomes the third competitor to wear the Maillot Jaune in this Dauphine.  Given his age, he is now the holder of the Maillot Blanc as well, also the third to hold that honor. He now has a seventeen second lead in the race, and over a minute's advantage on the race favorites.  Tomorrow is a individual time trial, so he should be fine, unless he went too deep to pull off today's victory.

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

"Oh, Snap! CdD25-16" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Dauphine, Stage 4: Cornering for Home

With just meters left to race the entire peloton was elbowing their way through the final corner.  Once they straighten up from this hard lean, it was time to sprint in earnest.  Leading them through the corner was the strong man from BMC, Greg Van Avermaet,  Rubbing shoulders with the Belgium on the Swiss team was Daryl Impey (Orica-GreenEdge) and next to him, the Norwegian Champion, Edvald Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data).  Tucked in behind Van Avermaet was the fast man from Giant-Alpecin, John Degenkolb.  From here it looked like it was going to be the man from BMC at the line.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2805694-62-185083/Painting.html#.V1pDE_krLIU

Dauphine, Stage 1: Peddling Through Town

The first stage on the open road featured the requiste break away.  The duo of Mitch Docker (Orica-GreenEdge) and Frederik Backaert (Wanty-Groupe Gobert).  The two had managed to build up to five minutes on the peloton.  But by the time they road through the town of Peyzieu the teammates of the sprinters had reeled back two minutes on the escapees.  One of the treats of watching cycling throughout the world, is the chance to see areas of great beauty and charm.  I often wonder how much the riders really get to enjoy the scenery.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2804035-41-185083/Painting.html#.V1Y7gJErLIU

Dauphine Stage Eight: A Winning Tempo

Team Sky fooled the peloton and the commentators, while appearing to simply be riding tempo to ensure Chris Froome's securing the Malliot Jeune for the 2013 Criterium du Dauphine, they were actually preparing an attack to benefit Richie Porte, hopefully giving him a stage win to go with his second place on GC.  The plan would have worked except for Di Marchi being too strong to catch and a late attack by Andrew Talansky of Garmin Sharp that forced Froome to leave Richie Porte behind and race to the line just getting the better of Talansky.  Not that it was in much doubt, but the second place finish sealed Froome's victory in the overall, and sent a clear message that he is ready to contend for the overall in the Tour de France.  This is the last painting for this series of the Dauphine, the next race I plan to paint will be the historic 100th edition of the Tour de France.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2162049---185083/Painting.html#.UbvYHc_D_IU

Dauphine Stage Eight: Stripping Down

As the break away prepared to make the ascent to the finish line they shed their rain coats, capes and gloves figuring the effort of the climb would be more than enough to keep them warm.  Plus the mountain top finish removes the need to be worried about how cold it will be going down the back side of the mountain.  The peloton did the same thing, many just dropping their gear on the road figuring they would be able to pick it up again as they rode back down to their hotel rooms for the night.  And knowing that they didn't have to get up and race again in the morning probably reduce the worry of catching a cold in the rain.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase at my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2162047---185083/Painting.html#.UbvWq8_D_IU

Dauphine Stage Eight: French Fans Over the Top

Even in the pouring rain these French fans came out to the penultimate climb of the day to cheer the racers over the top.  At this point the morning break has been scattered all over the climb with Alessandro Di Marchi and Meyer ahead of everyone on the Col de Vars.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available through my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post. 

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2162045---185083/Painting.html#.UbvVPc_D_IU

Dauphine Stage Eight: Attacking in the Rain

Alejandro Valverde made a move on the penultimate climb hoping to use his descending skills to pull a move on Team Sky.  The conditions were perfect to run away on a descent because it was so wet.  With the Tour de France coming up no one wanted to risk a bad crash and put themselves out of the Tour, so it made for a slower more cautious downhill.  Alas for Valverde, he didn't have the legs to stay away on the final climb to the finish.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and it is available through my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2162043---185083/Painting.html#.UbvTHc_D_IU

Dauphine Stage Seven: Making Sure

Sammy Sanchez was raising his hands in a victory salute when he thought, "I'd better make sure he isn't going to jump me at the line."  He takes a quick look behind him just to make sure the victory is his to celebrate.  This is a wise move, it has happened that a victory salute taken too early has allowed another charging competitor to snag the win.  A little bit nasty of a thing to do, but then all is fair in love and bike racing (although I hope we can now excluding doping from what is considered fair).  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available through my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post, but act quickly, I am sure there are a lot of Sanchez fans out there that will want this.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2162041---185083/Painting.html#.UbvSEc_D_IU

Dauphine Stage Seven: Contrador Leads Then Up

The peloton has been reduced to a very select group on the last climb of stage 7, and it is a mountain top finish the riders are headed towards.  Alberto Contrador is on the front using his climbing strengths to help his teammate Mick Rogers gain time on those just ahead of him on GC.  Chris Froome, wearing the Malliot Jeune, is keeping a close eye on the proceedings while Rodriquez seems poised to attack.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2162037---185083/Painting.html#.UbvQ_c_D_IU

Dauphine Stage Seven: Twenty to Go

Sylvain Chavanel and De Marchi jumped out from the leading break away with a vain attempt to make a long run to the finish ahead of the Malliot Jeune group.  As the rest of the morning break was absorbed by the peloton, these two dangled at about a minute and a half ahead of the rest, until they started the final climb towards the finish.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours through my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2162035---185083/Painting.html#.UbvPgs_D_IU

Dauphine Stage Seven: Riding Towards the Hills

I am trying to include some of the beautiful vistas that the helicopter cameras manage to catch during these beautiful alpine stages.  The peloton is starting the lower slopes of what will be a mountain top finish in today's stage.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and it is available for purchase through my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2162033---185083/Painting.html#.UbvD_M_D_IU

Dauphine Stage Seven: Saying Thank You

Damuseau of Argos-Shimano wearing the Polka Dot Jersey, pats his teammate on the back to thank him for all of the hard work thus far in the stage.  I am guessing his teammate has just blown and can't keep the pace anymore and imagine he is getting a "don't worry about it" hug.  Or maybe Damuseau is just a touchy-feely guy, I did see him with his hand on the back of an Astana rider just a few minutes later.  The Europcar rider right behind these two is David Veilleaux, the first wearer of the Malliot Jeune.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2162029---185083/Painting.html#.UbvCfc_D_IU

Dauphine Stage Seven: Good to Go

Francais du Jour's team mechanic jumped out to make a quick change for his rider.  The quickest way to change a flat is to switch out the wheel.  The rider will have radioed the team car to let the mechanic know which wheel is flat and then stops on the side of the road and starts pulling the wheel with the flat off of the bike.  When the mechanic arrives with the replacement, he will finish pulling the wheel and then put on the new wheel while his rider holds the bike.  After his rider is good to go he will pick up the flat and then give his man a push to get rolling again.  This all should happen in about 15 seconds.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and like all of the works in this series it has been created using cake watercolors, brushes and paper from www.richesonart.com   They have a wonderful wide variety of quality art supplies based in the United States.  Also, this work is available through my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2162025---185083/Painting.html#.UbvA48_D_IU

Dauphine Stage Six: Putting His Head Down

After reducing the morning break to just four riders that came together to the line, Astana must be kicking itself that they got to riders to the finishing kilometer together an still couldn't out fox the sly veteran French rider, Thomas Voeckler.  Any rider that has held a national champion's jersey is forever able to wear the nation's colors on the cuffs of the arms. You can see the "Bleu, Blanche and Rouge tri-color of the French flag.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and can be yours by visiting my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2162023---185083/Painting.html#.Ubu_ks_D_IU

Dauphine Stage Six: Looking Around

Most of the time I get the feeling that the racers don't really even know where they are, let alone how beautiful their surroundings can be.  Here I seem to have caught them looking about, either checking to see how the other riders are faring, or to see the beautiful vista to their right.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by visiting my artist website.  Why not look around at all of the other art while you are there.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2162021---185083/Painting.html#.Ubu-Q8_D_IU

Dauphine Stage Six: Cooling Shower

On a long hard climb of the Dauphine, Thomas Voekler dumps a water bottle on the back of his neck in an effort to cool back down.  I have enjoyed Voekler ever since he held the Yellow Jersey for 10 days in the Tour de France, finally surrendering it to Lance Armstrong on the third day in the Ppyrennes.  The break away has lost some of its numbers, but still contains Voekler, Herrada and Wellens.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by going to my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2162019---185083/Painting.html#.Ubu9Fs_D_IU

Dauphine Stage Six: Sharing At the Top

I don't think I have seen this before.  While it is now custom to have team helpers stand at the top of climbs to pass out water bottles to the riders before they descend, I don't think I have ever seen a bottle passed to a non-team member rider.  Chapeau, BMC!  This is another rather large break, we are only seeing just the first three to go over the mountain top.  The large inflatable with the red polka dots show the line where the climbing points will be awarded.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and was created using cake watercolors, brushes and paper from www.richesonart.com  In addition, this work is available for purchase through my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2162017---185083/Painting.html#.Ubu7Z8_D_IU

Dauphine Stage Five: Riding Everyone Off

Busche the last member of the morning break away was caught with just 300 meters left to race. He most likely would have made it except for the attack by Alberto Contrador and the counter by Chris Froome.  I think that Froome wanted to pay back all of the work Team Sky had done on the climb by taking the stage win.  The stage win also was enough to put Froome into the Malliot Jeune.  All in all a great day for Froome and for Team Sky.  Contrador showed that he is coming into form after is miserable showing in the time trial.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase through my artist website.   Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigN leach.com/large-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2162015---185083/Painting.html#.Ubu6H8_D_IU

Dauphine Stage Five: Tete de la Course

Tete de la Course, which literally translates to "head of the race" and is how the race TV coverage lets you know where you are in the race.  On mountain stages, the racers end up all over the course with break aways, the group containing the yellow jersey, or the contenders and the riders who are attacking or being dropped from one group or another.  It becomes difficult to understand who is where.  This is Wellens riding for Lotto, taking a drink and pushing on up the mountain.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase at my artist website.   Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2162013-21-18-185083/Painting/Sports.html#.Ubu47s_D_IU

Dauphine Stage Five: Watching Sky

Rohan Dennis, who took over the Malliot Jeune in the time trial is keeping a close eye on Chris Froome and Team Sky as they head up the final climb of the day.  Peaking over everyone's shoulders is Alberto Contrador, now riding for Team Saxo Tinkoff.  Sky is in the enviable position of having two riders at the front who are within striking distance of the overall lead, Richie Porte and Chris Froome.  For Dennis it was not the climb he wanted it to be, he was dropped after one attack after another was launched against the Malliot Jeune Group.  For some reason, he did the whole climb in his large chain ring, the harder set of gears.  I would hate to think that he is no longer in yellow because his derailleur decided to stop working.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours through my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2161527---185083/Painting.html#.Ubp6-svD_IU