Omloop 2021 - Showing the Team Colors

 It was Davide Ballerini (Deceuninck-Quick Step) who took the victory at the line in Ninove.  As he crossed the line he saluted his team in his victory celebration.  The team has taken the name of "The Wolf Pack" for themselves and they truly hunt for victories together.  It was his teammate Julian Alaphilippe who had tried for a solo victory, and then he was the one to pull the race back together to set it all up for Ballerini.  Behind the celebrating Italian, it is Sep Vanmarcke (Israel Start Up Nation) who took third and Henrich Haussler (Bahrain-Victorious) who claimed fourth.  I apologize to Jake Steward (Groupama-FDJ) who took second, but did so off camera from this angle.

That is it for today's racing, but I plan to be back tomorrow for Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne that will feature many of the same competitors and types of roads.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow th edirect link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above.  Since ti is an original work of art, it is a first come first seved reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburth watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-2021/3796487-6-290150/Painting/showing-the-team-colors-ohn21-6.html

Tour Down UnderStage 4: Home Town Boy

The Australian riders in the Tour Down Under have now won three out of the four stages and have been the only racers to wear the Ochre Jersey of race leader.  Today it was Steele Von Hoff (UniSA-Australia) who was able to raise his arms in victory, taking the stage ahead of Daryl Impey (Orica-GreenEdge) and Wooter Wippert (Drapac).  Incidently, the top three finishers all ride for Australian teams, so it really has been a Tour for the local boys!

This is a small original water color and ink painting that is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  If you are enjoying reading about this Tour, please check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France" available online world wide.  Google the title to find out where you can purchase your copy without having to pay international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2500584---194179/Painting.html#.VMH9U9g5DIU

Tour Stage 15: One for the Sprinters

Even with the TV announcers and myself rooting for the two men of the break away, it turned out to be the day for the sprinters that all had expected it to be.  Alexandrer Kristoff (Katusha) had the legs to best the rest and claim his second stage win and the third for the team.  He beat out Henrich Haussler (IAM Cycling) and the perpetual bridesmaid, Peter Sagan (Cannondale).  The others that stormed by Jack Bauer (Garmin Sharp) also included, Mark Renshaw (OPQS) and Bryan Coquard (Europcar).  Bauer was so close to winning the stage ahead of the sprinters that he still managed tenth on the stage.  The poor guy collapse after crossing the line, dejected and exhausted for a long, long break that almost was.  Noticeably absent from the finale was the fast man for Giant Shimano, Marcel Kittel.  The painting will appear along with all of my 101st Tour de France paintings into my soon to be self published cycling art book, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your own copy, or to discover how you can become involved in bringing the 2014 Tour de France to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some fabulous incentives for those who choose to back this projects, rewards start at just $5 USD, and you can get an artist signed copy for only $25 USD, any amount contributed will get your name printed on the Special Thanks page of the book, even for just a $1 pledge.  If you would like to purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post, but you know you want a copy of this visual treasure of the Tour, too.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2405594---199992/Painting.html#.U8yPgsvD_IU