Giro Stage 16: Tifosi

Once Fabio Aru (Astana) knew that the big gamble attack didn't succeed, I think his heart's ability to suffer went away from him like the fleeing Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo).  He knew that his teammate, Mikel Landa, had been sitting in trying to help him.  Once he folded, he told Landa to go with Contador since Aru could not.  Andrey Amador (Movistar) joined the fading Aru and the pair did the best they could sloughing up the sometimes 18% climb and fighting their way through the over zealous fans.

Many cycling fans will spend the night to ensure a great position on the monumental climbs of the Grand Tours.  Unfortunately, there isn't much to do while they wait but drink.  So when the struggling racers arrive, the tifosi can be more of a hindrance than an encouragement as they run alongside in oft bizarre costumes, screaming in the ears of those on the limit of their abilities.  Other fans more interested in the photo op than the racers' being able to have a clear path, will jump into the road after the escorting motorcycles pass and snap pictures and selfies.  It may be a souvenir of the race, but it can also be a souvenir of their own arrogance or stupidity.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson and Company, www.richesonart.com.  The 4"x6" painting is available from my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular art work for $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2559990---184157/Painting.html#.VWUUSvlViko

Giro Stage 16: With Authority

First, I can't believe that BeIn Sports went to commercial just as Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) caught up to the Astana duo of Fabio Aru and Mikel Landa!  Who thought that was a good idea.  So I have know idea if the Maglia Rosa said anything about the attack in the valley.  But I do know that the Spaniard let his legs do the talking.  He didn't even slow when he caught his quarry.  Prior to Contador's arrival, Landa had obviously been holding back to keep his team leader on his wheel.  Aru was suffering.  As was Yury Trofimov (Katusha), it was his GC placement that set first Katusha on the offensive and prompt Astana to chase across the valley, so Contador had no interest in letting any of these guys catch his wheel.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson and Company, www.richesonart.com.  The 4"x6" painting is available from my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular art work for $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2559988---184157/Painting.html#.VWUQ8_lViko

Giro Stage 16: Left to Do It Himself

A rather pissed off Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) hit the bottom of the formidable Passo del Mortirolo without any teammates for support.  Tinkoff Saxo had burned through the entire team chasing the Astana led escapees.  The Maglia Rosa hit the climb a full minute down on Fabio Aru and Mikel Landa (Astana) and the pair seemed to be pulling away from the isolated Contador.  However they had not taken into account the effects of anger and adrenaline.  As I pointed out, it is considered bad form to attack the race leader when he has had a mechanical (or even a crash), so if Contador was able to catch the Astana duo, no quarter would be given.  Try as they might, Benat Intxausti (Movistar), Simon Clarke (Orica GreenEdge) and Darwin Atapuma (BMC) were not able to hold the wheel of the possessed Contador.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson and Company, www.richesonart.com.  The 4"x6" painting is available from my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular art work for $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2559984---184157/Painting.html#.VWUOlvlViko