Dauphine Final Stage: Raining on Sky's Parade

When Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) counter the Team Sky attack, the former holder of the Malliot Jeune, Chris Froome (Team Sky) wasn't able to answer the Spaniard's acceleration, even with the help of his faithful lieutenants, Richie Porte and David Lopez.  Today was the first and only day of rain that fell on the peloton it somehow seem apropos to what was being played out on the roads up to Courchevel.  By this point, Contador had already gained a minute on Froome, but an even bigger story was playing out further up the road.  This is an original watercolor and ink small painting that is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

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Dauphine Final Stage: Attack & Cover

Shortly after the broadcast came on air, Team Sky played their second card, the first being putting two guys into the early break, more about that break shortly.  The second was to attack the peloton and more importantly Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) just at the start of the penultimate climb of the day and the race.  For a couple of minutes it looked like Sky had the measure of Contador who had been left isolated without any teammates.  Simon Geraints and Richie Porte were their to try and pull there man back into the Malliot Jeune.  As to the break away, it is beyond me why Team Sky and Tinkoff Saxo let a break form that contained most of the other GC riders.  They let 3rd through 7th places amongst others get a 2 minute head start up the Cote de Montagny.  Was it over confidence or was it exhaustion?  I image the post race interviews will provide the answer.  This is an original watercolor and ink painting measuring 4"x6" and is available to purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Shipping is available internationally.

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Dauphine Final Stage: A Gentleman's Sport

Each multi stage race lines up the holders of the leader's jerseys at the start line of each stage.  The Criterium du Dauphine is no different.  There was an excellent moment before the roll out when Chris Froome (Team Sky) leaned over and shook the hand of Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo).  Contador had successfully taken the Maillot Jeune off of the back of Froome on the penultimate stage after the Brit had worn it from day one of the race.  With the hand shake it appeared that it would be a race for hopeful stage winners with the GC to be left alone.  I couldn't have been more wrong about how the coming stage to Courchevel was going to play out.  Wow, is all I can say about the racing that was about to unfold.  This is an original small watercolor and ink painting (4"x6" or 10cm x 15cm) that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson and Company, www.richesonart.com.  In addition, this painting could be yours through a visit to my artist website at www.greigleach.com .  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 66th Criterium du Dauphine.  I do ship anywhere in the world.

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Dauphine Stage 5: Dancing Away

On the descent of the Col de la Morte, Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) sitting second on GC, surprised Team Sky, Chris Froome (Team Sky) and the whole of the peloton by attacking.  Contador is not only an excellent climber, but he is equally skill going down the mountain as well.  By the time he was well up the final climb on the Cote de Laffrey, he had put a minute into Froome's Malliot Jeune becoming the virtual leader on the road.  Team Sky, much to the annoyance of their competitors, have the resolve to raise the pace and slowly ride back onto the wheels of most anyone who tries to get away.  So while it look like a winning move, Contador was shortly back into the Sky led peloton and soon to have his position on GC threatened by Wilco Kelderman (Belkin Pro Cycling).  This is an original small watercolor and ink painting, 4"x6", that could be yours through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.   To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

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Dauphine Stage 2: Two Out of Two

Chris Froome (Team Sky) proved today that he came to race.  After taking the opening Individual Time Trial Froome added to his lead and stage win tally on the top of Col du Beal.  The only rider who could hold the Sky rider's wheel was Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo), but Contador didn't have enough to get around the Malliot Jeune.  So it was that Contador took his second second place in a row to Froome's second first place in a row.  Naturally that is how the two stand on the General Classification, with Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Lotto Belisol), Wilco Kelderman (Belking Pro Cycling) and Andrew Talansky (Garmin Sharp) rounding out the top five.  This is an original small (4"x6")watercolor and ink painting that could be yours through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 66th Criterium du Dauphine.  Good luck, but don't delay.

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Dauphine Stage 2: All Up to the Team Leaders

Once Geraint Thomas (Team Sky) swung off the front, it was up to his team leader, Chris Froome (Team Sky) to do what he could to win the stage and hold the Maillot Jeune.  Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) was ready for the attack he knew was coming from the African born Brit.  The first attack, easily covered by the Spaniard, proved to put Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) into difficulty.  The rest of the peloton did not fare much better against the aggressiveness the purer climbers.  However, those that just kept pushing were able to catch the wheel of the wearers of the Yellow and Green jerseys.  This is an original small (4"x6") watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by visiting my artist website, www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting of Stage 2 just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Good luck and don't delay.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Dauphine%202014/2387174---199476/Painting.html#.U6IrMc_D_IU