Tour of California, Stage 2: With Seconds to Spare

On rare occasions the break away actually succeeds, today was one of those days.  Evan Huffman (Rally Cycling) opened up the sprint with about 500 meters left to race, but was unable to hold of the more experienced Ben King (Cannondale) who had the advantage of starting the sprint from behind Huffman.  The pair had wisely not played any cat and mouse games knowing full well that the peloton was in full flight just behind them and gaining on them all the way to the line.  In the end both would have a leader's jersey for their efforts of the day.  Huffman is now the King of the Mountain and King pulls on the Yellow Jersey of race leader.  You can just see the peloton sprinting a mere 8 seconds behind the winning Richmonder.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting measuring 4"x6" that was created live during the race using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art (and two cycling books) are 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-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2791616-9-223355/Painting.html#.VzqIz_krLIU

Tour of California, Stage 2: Topping Up

With just over 15 miles left to run to the finish line, the last two from the early break were beginning to think they might have a chance to hold off the charging peloton.  The pair seemed to have work out some sort of alliance over the final summit of the day.  Ben King (Cannondale) seemed to let Evan Huffman (Rally Cycling) claim the final King of the Mountain points, enough points to award him the Polka Dot Jersey at the end of the day.  King reached out to grab a couple of bottles and energy gels for the final assault on the finale of the stage.  At this point the duo had ridden William Barta (Axeon Hagens Berman).  Barta had either flatted or crashed on the final descent, but then managed to catch back up to these two.  However, it seems that the effort left his legs deadened for the final little climb of the day.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting measuring 4"x6" that was created live during the race using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art (and two cycling books) are 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-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2791586-8-223355/Painting.html#.VzqFm_krLIU