Il Lombardia Catching Then at the Line

Diego Rosa (Astana) had launched yet another attack with just a couple hundred meters to race, it looked like he had both Columbians beat.  But alas, it was Johan Esteban Chaves (Orica-BikeExchange) who was able to launch his sprint from the back of the threesome and just nip Rosa at the line.  Chaves' victory was the first for any Columbian in the Il Lombardia.  Rosa held on for second, which given all of the work he had done earlier was rather impressive.  The race commentators were sure it would be Rigoberto Uran (Cannondale-Drapac) who would out sprint the other two, but he seemed not to have the legs and took third on the day.

This is the final race I will paint before the UCI Road World Championships in Doha, Qatar.  I may follow that up with Paris Tours, but that will be it until 2017.

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/Other%20Cycling%20Art/2860585-32-206768/PaintingCatching%20Them%20at%20the%20Line%20IL8-Greig-Leach.html#.V_HIyPArLIU

Il Lombardia: Tactical

The foursome, now a trio, had enough of a lead to start to play out some race tactics.  Diego Rosa (Astana) had tried to attack Rigoberto Uran (Cannondale-Drapac) and Johan Esteban Chaves (Orica-BikeExchange), but the two put him back into the fold on both occasions.  Rosa seemed to chat with Uran, perhaps trying to figure out how they could get rid of Uran's countryman, Chaves.  Chaves however was continuing his smart race, keeping his nose out of the wind and waiting for the right moment to attack.

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/Other%20Cycling%20Art/2860496-31-206768/PaintingTactical%20IL7-Greig-Leach.html#.V_HDNPArLIU

Il Lombardia: One of These Four

Diego Rosa (Astana) had been given free rein by his leader Fabio Aru.  Aru seemed not to have the legs for this long race at the end of the season and felt sure that his teammate could take the win for the team.  Rosa had managed to bridge across to the other three; Johan Esteban Chaves (Orica-BikeExchange), Romain Bardet (Ag2r), and Rigoberto Uran (Cannondale-Drapac).  With around a minute over those behind and just 29 kilometers to race, it was beginning to look like the winner of the race would come from the quartet.  Uran and Rosa had done quite a bit of effort to be out front, but both Bardet and Chaves had managed to keep their noses out of the wind.

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/Other%20Cycling%20Art/2860446-28-206768/PaintingOne%20of%20These%20Four%20IL4-Greig-Leach.html#.V_G3RvArLIU