Dauphine, Final Stage: When You Know, You Know

With one last peek over his shoulder just to make sure, Mark Padun (Bahrain-Victorious) had a whole kilometer to celebrate his second stage victory in a row.  He shook his fist in collaborative celebration with his team car behind as he build on his lead of over a minute and a half from the pursuing duo behind.  The group containing the Maillot Jaune was a just over two minutes back, so he had no worries about losing time waving to the crowd as he neared the final finish line of this Dauphine in Les Gets.  Chapeau!  While the stage was his, it was Richie Porte taking first in the race, with Alexey Lutsenko in second and Geraint Thomas taking the third step of the podium.

This is the last painting of the Dauphine.  While there are a race or two before the start of the Tour de France, that is the race I will be painitng next.  So be sure to come back and see all of the artwork of the 2021 Tour and La Course.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct 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.

Dauphine, Final Stage: Trying It Again

This edition of the Criterium du Dauphine seems to have been all about the break away with a solo attack out of the break at the end of the stage. Mark Padun (Bahrain Victorious) had been in the break yesterday and attacked the small group on the final climb of the day.  The only difference today was that the break was the largest of the race.  But off he went again, riding away from everyone else on the Haute Catagorie climb of the Col de Joux Plane.  If he was over the top of this climb first, he would take the lead in the King of the Mountains competition.  While a worthwhile prize, I think his larger goal was a second stage victory.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct 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/Criterium-du-Dauphine/3816652-127-185083/Painting/trying-it-again-cd21-43.html

Dauphine, Stage 7: Celebrating Alone

He did it!  Mark Padun (Bahrain-Merida) was able to stay off the front to take the stage up to La Palgne.  His win marks the third stage taken by a solo break away with no other riders in sight.  If you include Geraint Thomas' (Ineos-Grenadiers) late solo ride to victory with a closing peloton just missing the catch, four out of seven stages of this years Criterium du Dauphine was one by a solo break.  That must be some sort of record.  Behind Richie Porte (Ineos-Grenadiers) took second which with the gap on the others and a six second time bonus moved him into the overall race lead by 17 seconds over the erstwhile leader, Alexey Lutsenko (Astana-Premier Tech).  He also jumped back over his teammate Geraint Thomas on the team by just shy of half of a minute.  One more mountain top finish to go and there are still 17 riders within two minutes of Porte, so the final stage will be hard fought.  But, Porte has the edge over them all.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct 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/Criterium-du-Dauphine/3815714-123-185083/Painting/celebrating-alone-cd21-39.html

Dauphine, Stage 7: Hoping to Go It Alone

With so many stage of this Dauphine being one by a guy going solo to the line, Mark Padun (Bahrain-Victorious) was hoping he would be another to add his name to that tally.  He was able to drop the American climber, Sepp Kuss (Jumbo-Visma) and every other guy in the race on the 11% gradient of the final climb of the day.  The NBC announcers were sure that Kuss would come back, and were equally surprised that Padun was off on his own.  But then, the riders know their own legs (and their own will to succeed) better than anyone else.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct 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/Criterium-du-Dauphine/3815712-122-185083/Painting/hoping-to-go-it-alone-cd21-38.html

Dauphine, Stage 7: Who Is Where?

Richie Porte (Ineos-Grenadiers) was the first of the GC riders to go on the offensive on the final climb of the day.  Porte's attack was covered by Enric Mas (Movistar), the American Sepp Kuss (Jumbo-Visma), and Mark Padun (Bahrain-Victorious).  Porte looked back on a sharp turned to see what was happening behind.  His teammate and team leader, Geraint Thomas, wasn't coming along for the ride.  I think he, and everyone else, thought this was part one of a two part plan by Ineos.  It may have been, but only Porte had the legs to do his part of the plan.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct 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/Criterium-du-Dauphine/3815698-121-185083/Painting/who-is-where-cd21-37.html

LBL Men: Are We There Yet?"

"Are we there yet?" seemed to be what Harm Vanhoucke (Lotto Soudal) was asking Mark Padun (Bahrain-Victorious).  They, along with Mark Donovan (Team DSM), were trying to bridge across to the six man breakaway up the road.  They didn't seem to be making any progress towards those up the road.  Perhaps they were beginning to realize that this effort may not be worth the energy they were putting into it.  Spoiler: they never did get across to the break, but then again, they were only caught a few more minutes ahead of the others by the peloton.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct 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-2021/3808133-37-290150/Painting/are-we-there-yet-lbl21-2.html