Doha 2016, Elite Men's Road Race: I'm Still Here!

In all of the drama of the peloton splitting apart in the crosswinds out on the desert.  Along with trying to figure out who was in what group, plus trying to decide if an of those not in the first group would ever see the front of the race again, it seems everyone forgot about the original break away.  The foursome of Anas Ait El Abdia (Morocco), Ryan Roth (Canada), Natnael Berhane (Eritrea) and Nick Dougall (South Africa) from the original break managed to hang onto the wheels of the very elite group being driven by the Belgium team. Ait El Abdia looked over to his team car seemingly saying, "Can you believe I am still here!?"  Not to cast doubts on the entire Moroccan cycling community, but for him and the others to be able to hold the wheels of this group was a huge accomplishment.  Behind him, some very respected racers were continuing to lose more and more time as they did the five laps of The Pearl circuit.

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/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2866436-62-227958/Painting#.WAUGT-ArLIU

Doha 2016: Elite Men's Road Race: Getting Established

Yes, I realize now that I didn't write the title correctly.  Believe me I am far more interested in making the image work than I am about grammar and spelling.  In my defense, it was already late when I got started watching and painting the men's race, so I hope you can forgive me.

The peloton was facing over 257 kilometers, many of which would be raced in the open desert, so they didn't exactly fly off of the line today.  At roughly ten kilometers into the day, a group of seven guys managed to pry a bit of a gap off the front of the peloton.  The South African, Nick Dougall, takes a quick peek over his shoulder to see what their advantage has become.  Behind him, Ryan Roth (Canada), Natnael Berhane (Eritrea), Sergiy Lagkuti (Ukraine) Brayan Stiven Ramirez (Colombia) and Anas Ait El Abdia (Morocco) tuck in and work to grow their advantage.

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/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2866397-57-227958/PaintingGetting%20Established%20Doha57-Greig-Leach.html#.WATxSeArLIU

Ruta del Sol Stage 2: I Know They're Coming

Most often a break away is caught by the peloton, and today was going to be no exception.  With just about 20 kilometers left to race, Pirim Lang (IAM Cycling) swung out of the pace line to look back for the charging peloton.  The original group of five were now down to four, the others being, Nick Dougall (MTN-Qhubeka), Sjorea Van Ginneken (ROO) and Adrian Honkisz (CCC Polkowice).  While getting into the break faces all most certain failure, it still is better odds of winning a stage than hanging out in the peloton.  Plus it gives valuable air time to the team sponsors.

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 for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  International shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Other%202015%20Cycling%20Art/2514040---206768/Painting.html#.VOg429g5DIU

Ruta del Sol Stage 2: Way Off the Front

Stage 2 of the Ruta del Sol saw a five man break away gain over 6 minutes on the peloton.  It was a long stage of 195 kilometers with a category 3 climb at the end, so the peloton was happy to let this group try their luck.  The break was comprised of only one ProTour team and included: Pirim Lang (IAM Cycling), Nick Dougall (MTN-Qhubeka), Alexsandr Komin (RussVelo), Sjoera Van Genneken (sorry all I got was ROO for his team) and Adrian Honkisz (CCC Poklowice).  At this point all of these men were virtual leaders on the road.  Although they still have 80 kilometers to the end of their day, and I don't see Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) giving up his leaders jersey that easily.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  They are an excellent family run art supply company based in the Midwest of the United States.  This painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  International shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Other%202015%20Cycling%20Art/2514038-4-0-206768/Painting/Sports.html#.VOg2mtg5DIU