Giro Stage 20: More Than Enough

Chapeau, Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo)!  Contador has held the Maglia Rosa for thirteen stage of the 98th Giro d'Italia and had paid honor to the Giro everyday.  These last two days the Astana duo of Aru and Landa, have sorely tested Contador.  Today, he came very close to actually cracking on the penultimate climb, but as he so often does, manage to recover.  He climbed within himself on the Colle Delle Finestre once he had been dropped, and did not take any unnecessary risks on the following descent.  He never panic, remembering that he had a very sizable time gap on those further up the road.  As he crossed the line over two minutes after the victorious Aru, he allowed himself a celebratory fist pumb, knowing that he had secured his second Grand Tour victory in a row.  Tomorrow he need only arrive safely with the peloton.  He can let the sprinters have their day, but he will be the one having the glory (and the prosecco).

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.  In addition, this painting is available for purchase from my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But be advised, this is a one of a kind painting, so don't delay, when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2561512---184157/Painting.html#.VWq3ic9Viko

Giro Stage 20: Something to Fight For

This group had managed to drop Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) along with some others whose absence would effect the general classification for most of this very select quintet.  Fabio Aru (Astana) with his teammate on his wheel were over four minutes behind the Maglia Rosa, so while they were gaining time on Contador, it was unrealistic to think that one of them might actually reclaim the coveted Pink Fleece.  For Ryder Hesjedal (Cannondale Garmin) this group meant that he now has a very real chance of finishing in the top five, two minutes more and he might even make the top four.  For the yellow clad Steven Kruijswijk (LottoNL Soudal) he was looking for that elusive stage win, and even had a long shot at reclaiming his Maglia Azzurro.  Finally, Rigoberto Uran (Etixx Quickstep) was reclaiming his honor, health, and had the strongest sprint of the group and could therefore honestly hope for the first stage win for himself and his team.

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.  In addition, this painting is available for purchase from my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But be advised, this is a one of a kind painting, so don't delay, when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2561508---184157/Painting.html#.VWqxvs9Viko