US Pro Challenge Stage 3: Taking It All

The pair that came together to the line on Monarch Mountain, had been the protected riders for their respective teams, both hit the front hard and sprinted together for the summit.  However the day and the stage were to go to the celebratory Tejay van Garderen (BMC), he had gotten enough separation to take over the lead in the race and had garnered enough KOM points to take the jersey from Ben Jacques0Magnes (Jamis).  Rafal Majka (Tinkoff Saxo) did not gain any jersey or stage wins to add to his palmares, but he did move himself into second place in the overall with Tejay's teammate, Ben Hermans just a second behind him.  Tom Danielson (Garmin Sharp) lost time but still managed to hold fourth place overall.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But while you are at the website, why not take the time to look at all of the cycling art that is on offer.  There is quite a few paintings from the 2014 ProTour season still available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/US%20Pro%20Challenge%202014/2423144---201508/Painting.html#.U_a5_c_D_IU

US Pro Challenge Stage 3: Sprinting for Stage or Jersey

Once everyone had tried attacking Tejay van Garderen (BMC), he used the last attack to launch his own acceleration under the one kilometer to go banner.  The only rider who could stay with the attacking Coloradan was the Polish climbing phenon, Rafal Majka (Tinkoff Saxo).  The pair had rid themselves of all of the others and sprinter the final meters up the final section of the climb.  They were racing for the stage, and van Garderen would almost surely take over the Yellow Jersey, with double points for the King of the Mountain competition on offer, he could end up holding three jersey; the yellow of race leader, the polka dots of King of the Mountians and the royal blue of best place Coloradan.  This pair also displayed that the form they had shown in the Tour de France had not yet faded away.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is 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. 

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/US%20Pro%20Challenge%202014/2423134-16-12-201508/Painting/Sports.html#.U_a2Mc_D_IU

US Pro Challenge Stage 3: One After the Other

Every rider aspiring to wear the Yellow Jersey knew that they had to attack the defending champion, Tejay van Garderen (BMC) if they wanted to have a chance to still be in the lead after the uphill time trial to Vail on Saturday.  First it was Mick Rodgers (Tinkoff Saxo), then the Colombian pair, followed by another Tinkoff Saxo man, Bruno Pires.  Finally, Tom Danielson (Garmin Sharp) decided he had to be aggressive to get the better of the man currently in the royal blue jersey of the best place Colorado native, van Garderen.  The BMC leader was fortunate to have such a strong teammate to do the quick chasing in the form of Ben Hermans, not that Tejay was having any problems pulling the attackers back.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/US%20Pro%20Challenge%202014/2423132---201508/Painting.html#.U_a2r8_D_IU

US Pro Challenge Stage 3: Off Go the Colombians

In the last couple of years you can be sure that when the road points up there will be a Colombian rider on the front of the race.  Today these two countrymen from opposing teams seemed to chat at the back of the small, select peloton before jumping out of the back of the group.  David Alexander Jaramilo (Jamis) and Janier Alexis Acevedo (Garmin Sharp) had waited for the steepest section of the course they could fine hoping their hard acceleration and combined attack would be enough to win the day for one of them.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Do hurry though, it is a first come first served kind of a thing. 

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/US%20Pro%20Challenge%202014/2423130---201508/Painting.html#.U_avSM_D_IU

US Pro Challenge Stage 3: Pushing on Alone

On the final climb of the day, up the Monarch Mountain, Mick Rodgers (Tinkoff Saxo) went off hoping to repeat his mountain top stage win in the Pyrenees in this year's Tour de France.  He had bested Tejay van Garderen (BMC) on that stage, and figured he would have no problem achieving that feat again.  With Rodgers up the road, Tinkoff Saxo had another card to play back in the select peloton with the winner of the King of the Mountains of the Tour, and the winner of the Tour of Poland, Rafal Majka.  As the Australian toiled up the long 6% climb he had only the neutral service moto and the race escorts for company on the wide open roads of Colorado.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this painting for only $50 USD (+ shipping) just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/US%20Pro%20Challenge%202014/2423124---201508/Painting.html#.U_ap3M_D_IU