Milano Sanremo: Using the Descent

After multiple attacks from the those expected to vie for the win on the Via Roma in Sanremo on the way up the Poggio di Sanremo the peloton crested the climb all together.  So that is when Matej Mohoric (Bahrain-Victorious) launched the surprise move that seemingly no one expected.  Everyone thought it would be about the climb of the Poggio, but instead the Slovenian champion proved it was more about the descent of that fabled climb.  He quickly opened a gap while those behind looked to each other to take up the chase.  If they didn't decide to work together, it was clear that their chance of winning was going up the road.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes 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-/3873554-469-195767/Painting/using-the-descent-ms22-6.html

Milano-Sanremo 2021 - He Has the Gap

 If a rider wants to avoid a sprint and still win Milano-Sanremo he has four choices.  Go away on the Cipressa, yet no one could today.  Go away on the climb of Poggio, again no one was able to drop enough of the peloton to avoid a sprint.  Ride off the front on the tricky descent of the Poggio, and despite Pidcock's best efforts, no one was able to pull away from the equally skilled group behind him.  So the final method is to catch everyone napping at the base of the descent and attack off the front.  That is exactly what Jasper Stuyven (Trek-Segafredo) was able to do with just two kilometers left to race.  It is a tall order to make this kind of effort against the best in the world after racing for over 290 kilometers, but the Belgium seemed to have the legs to pull it off.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow th edirect 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-2021/3801739-17-290150/Painting/he-has-the-gap-ms21-6.html

Milano-Sanremo, Half a Bike

After 305 kilometers, it was thalf the length of a race bike that decided the 2020 edition of Milano-Sanremo!  The duo of Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Vismo) and Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step) came together on the fast descent of the Poggio di Sanremo.  They joined forces in a successful attempt to hold off the chasing peloton.  In the end, Van Aert had the sprint to take the victory over the defending winner, Alaphilippe.  Van Aert added today's victory to his solo win in Strade-Bianche last Saturday, a feat that was accomplished by Alaphilippe in 2019.  It leaves me wondering what the delayed 2020 Tour de France will be like. 

I most likely will not be painting cycling until the start of the Tour de France, but with being furloughed from my night work who knows what I will paint next?  I do always enjoy watching the Dauphine, so one never knows.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2020-Bike-Racing-Revised-Season/3632998-17-280747/Painting/half-a-bike-ms20-6.html

Milano Sanremo: Out of the Fog

Daniel Loyd, announcing the race for BeIn Sports, referred to John Degenkolb's (Giant Alpecin) victory, as if he had emerged as if he had came out of the fog.  Degenkolb did start from quite away back, tucked onto the wheel of the powerful Spartacus, Fabian Canellara (Trek Factory Racing).  It was unusual not to see the very skilled lead out train of Giant Alpecin leaving their sprinter to freelance his sprint to the line in Sanremo.  The German sprinter managed to get around Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) and hold off the charging Michael Matthews (Orica GreenEdge).  The pair finishing third and second respectfully.  Cancellara ended up in seventh place continuing his very long streak of finishing in the top ten of the longest of the Spring Classics.  It should be a very exciting clash on the cobbles in April.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting 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.  The painting is only $50 USD and international shipping is available.

If you are enjoying reading about bike racing this way with the accompanying artwork please check out my recently published Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France.  The book is available through virtually every online bookseller.  So google the title to discover where you can get a copy and avoid international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2531068---195767/Painting.html#.VRDYSvnF-xU

Milano Sanremo: Winding It Up

All of the valiant efforts to surprise the sprinters and their teams, yet again, came to naught.  As the peloton swung through the final turn having gone under the flame rouge, it was Katusha who hit the front for their sprinter, Alexander Kristoff.  Tucked onto the Norwegian's wheel were many of the other contenders including, Michael Matthews (Orica GreenEdge), Fabian Cancellara (Trek Factory Racing) and John Debenkolb (Giant Alpecin).  It seemed like it was going to be Kristoff's day with about 300 meters left of a very, very long day.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting 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.  The painting is only $50 USD and international shipping is available.

If you are enjoying reading about bike racing this way with the accompanying artwork please check out my recently published Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France.  The book is available through virtually every online bookseller.  So google the title to discover where you can get a copy and avoid international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2531066---195767/Painting.html#.VRDVi_nF-xU