Women's Tour Down Under '25, Stage 3: Third Is Enough

It may not have been absolutely necessary, but finishing third in Stirling gave Noemi Ruegg (EF Education-Oatley) three extra bonus seconds ensuring her final victory of the 25th Women's Tour Down Under.  Her nearest competitor, Silke Smulders (Liv-Alula-Jayco) was trying to sprint for the win on the stage, but came second.  While that position gave her six bonus seconds and she managed to finish one second ahead of this sprinting trio, it still allowed Ruegg to win the race by thirteen seconds.  Ruegg proved she could climb yesterday with the win on Willunga Hill, but she put up a fierce sprint to best Ruth Edwards (Human Powered Health) and Sarah Van Dam (Ceratizit) to get third on the day.  

It was a great three days of racing!  I'll be back in a couple of days to paint the six days of the men's Tour Down Under.

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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Third Is Enough TDU25-16" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Women's Tour Down Under '25, Stage 3: A Sterling Sprint

I couldn't resist the pun for the title of this painting.  First off, it was truly a sterling solo attack that carried Chloe Dygert (Canyon/SRAM-Zondacrypto) to the stage victory in Stirling.  But I had to go for the play with the name of the town that the peloton began and ended the final stage of the 25th Women's Tour Down Under, Stirling.  Dygert was chased by the woman sitting second in the general classification, Silke Smulders (Liv-Alula-Jayco), but showed a clean set of wheels by the time she crossed the line.  Smulders was hoping to score enough bonus seconds and real seconds to take over the Ochre Jersey, but it didn't quite work out.  She did pull within thirteen seconds of the Tour Down Under Victory but will have to content herself with second place.

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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"A Sterling Sprint TDU25-15" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Down Under, Stage 2: Unexpected

Every commentator, and most teammates, didn't think Caleb Ewan (Mitchelton-Scott) had a chance of taking the stage up to Stirling.  They were wrong.  And Ewan was followed across the line by his teammate, Daryl Impey.  Third place was taken by Jay McCarthy (Bora-Hansgrohe), who was aided by none other than his teammate, the UCI Road World Champion, Peter Sagan.  Sagn finished the day in fourth.

In winning the stage, Ewan also pulls on the Ochre Jersey of race leader.  Sagan's finish was enough to move him into second overall.  Unfortunately for the virtual Ochre Jersey of William Clarke (EF Education First-Drapac) the positions of Ewan and Sagan, leave Clarke in third overall.  I suspect we will seem him in the break again tomorrow.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. To purchase this artwork, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3098505-103-194179/PaintingUnexpected-TDU18-10.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 2: Winding It Up

Having gone under the red kite marking the final kilometer of the stage, it was time to wind up the uphill sprint.  Robert Gesnik (Lotto NL Jumbo) led the peloton around the final bend with just 500 meters to go.  Two of those tucked onto his wheel were Rui Costa (UAE United Emirates) and Jay McCarthy (Bora-Hansgrohe).  Sorry that I wasn't able to get the names of the EF Education First-Drapac and FDJ riders.  A little futher back are Daryl Impey and Caleb Ewan (Mitchelton-Scott) trying to make sure a gap doesn't open up.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com  To purchase this artwork, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3098448-102-194179/PaintingWinding-It-Up-TDU18-9.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 2: Up the Final Climb

The peloton pulled back in the final break away rider with about 14 kilometers left to race.  Now it was time to play a game of rolling chess.  With the bonus seconds William Clarke (EF Education First-Drapac) had won early in the stage, if the three podium finishers did not place, or Clarke took the stage, he would pull on the next Ochre Jersey of the 2018 Tour Down Under.  So it was that Mitchell Docker and two other members of Clarke's team hit the front with just seven kilometers of climbing left to go to the finish.  Keeping an eye on the pink clad train were, Elia Viviani (Quick Step) and Maciej Bodnar (Bora-Hansgrohe).  It should be noted that Andre Greipel (Lotto Soudal) had lost contact with the peloton, but the other two from Stage 1, Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Caleb Ewan (Mitchelton-Scott) were just behind this leading group.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com  To purchase this artwork, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3098427-101-194179/PaintingUp-the-Final-Climb-TDU18-8.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 2: The Lone Leader

Once the final sprint points on the stage were taken by William Clarke (EF Education First-Drapac), only Jaime Castrillo (Movistar) pressed on with the break away.  The trio had built up a six minute lead, but with the hilly circuit around Stirling, it would be a tall order for Castrillo to hold off an eager peloton.  On the other hand, Castrillo is the former under 23 time trial national champion of  Spain.  Conversely, he still has 51 kilometers to defend his solo lead.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com  To purchase this artwork, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3098416-100-194179/PaintingThe-Lone-Leader-TDU18-7.html

Tour Down Under Stage 2: Trying to Come Back

Flying down from the town of Stirling was this group containing one of the GC contenders for Team Sky, Sergio Henao.  Henao either crashed or had a mechanical, so he was being paced back on the descent by his brother Sebastien Henao and another teammate.who was a last minute replacement to the team roster.  Paolo Tiralongo (Astana) and Ben Bastauer (Ag2r La Mondiale) were more than happy to let the Sky boys do all of the work.  Sergio Henao did make it back to the peloton before the final climb, but most likely spent far too much energy in the effort.

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/Tour%20Down%20Under/2905773-106-194179/PaintingTrying%20to%20Come%20Back%20TDU17-8.html#.WH8H2fkrLIU

Tour Down Under Stage 2: Stretching Their Legs

With the breaks pulled back into the fold, it was time for a few flurries of attacks to go off the front before the final climb of the day.  Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal) launched a move that was quickly covered by Amael Moinard (BMC).  The two opened a gap that stretched a bit, but was ultimately pulled back by the Team Sky led peloton.  As the peloton approached the drop down across the valley floor, each team was trying to get their leaders into the best possible position for the final ascent.

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/Tour%20Down%20Under/2905767-105-194179/PaintingStretching%20Their%20Legs%20TDU17-7.html#.WH8FS_krLIU

Tour Down Under Stage 2: Setting a Good Rhythm

Stage two featured another long solo effort, this time be Jasha Sutterlin (Movistar).  It ended with the same rather predictable results after a nearly 100 kilometer effort.  With the stage ending with a climb up to Paracombe all of the GC contenders would be looking to put time into their rivals.  Their teams weren't about to let a single rider spoil the party.

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/Tour%20Down%20Under/2905763-104-194179/PaintingSetting%20a%20Good%20Rhythm%20TDU17-6.html#.WH8DB_krLIU

Tour Down Under Stage 2: Time to Celebrate

I was beginning to think that Movistar had decided not to show up in South Australia having not seen their distinctive kit for two days of racing, but as it is with all good sprinters, they only stick their noses into the wind when it really matters.  Juan Jose Lobato (Movistar) jumped from 12 places back to win the stage on the uphill sprint to the line in Stirling.  His margin of victory was so big that he had time to effect a phone call pose for his victory salute.  Behind him, his teammate, Gorka Izaguirre Insausti just missed getting around Daryl Impey (Orica-GreenEdge) to make it a one, two of Movistar.  Bobridge finished with the main group to keep his Ochre Jersey, and Cadel Evans (BMC)was just outside of the bonus seconds, finishing in 4th place on the stage.  Cadel says he will be retiring from racing at the end of the Tour Down Under, his home Tour.  This is a small 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.

If you love this kind of artistic coverage of cycling, please consider my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France" available world wide online.  Just google the title to discover where you can order a copy without having to pay international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2499494---194179/Painting.html#.VL_WDE05DIU

Tour Down Under Stage 2: Showing the New Colors

The new team of Cannondale-Garmin hit the front of the peloton in force on the final lap around Stirling showing off their new colors and looking for a stage victory to announce their presence in the 2015 ProTour peloton.  The green is certainly bright enough to ensure they won't be missed in the coming months.  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, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  While you are there, why not browse all of the artwork on offer, cycling themed and otherwise. 

If you are enjoying discovering the story of this race through these paintings, be sure to discover my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France" available online world wide.  Just google the title to discover where you can order your copy free of international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2499484---194179/Painting.html#.VL_S5k05DIU

Tour Down Under Stage 2: They're Here

Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal) had already slipped back to the comfort of the bunch, thus helping to ensure that Jack Bobridge (UniSA-Australia) would get to keep the leader's Ochre Jersey for another day.  So it was with a small show of defiance that the remaining two soldiered on off the front of the rather serious peloton.  Campbell Flakemore (BMC) looks back over his shoulder to confirm that his and Cameron Meyer's (Orica-GreenEdge) efforts were truly doomed to failure.  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. 

If you are enjoying discovering the story of this race through these paintings, be sure to discover my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France" available online world wide.  Just google the title to discover where you can order your copy free of international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2499474---194179/Jewelry.html#.VL_Qq005DIU

Tour Down Under Stage 2: Climbing Pass the Fans

The three man break away hit the climb and the beginning of a three lap circuit with almost two and a half minutes on the chasing peloton.  The fans lining what will eventually be the finishing strait were going to be treated to the flashing colors of the fast moving cyclist several times before knowing who would take the stage.  These three, Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal), who has one the Tour Down Under before, along with Cameron Meyer (Orica-GreenEdge) and Campbell Flakemore (BMC) were hoping the GC men were going to make another mistake.  De Gendt, by virtue of his two intermediate sprint wins, was in a good position to take away the Ochre Jersey from Jack Bobridge (UniSA-Australia).  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com for only $50 USD.  Yes, international shipping is available.  For this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

If you enjoy this kind of visual cycling story telling, check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France"  Ask your local bookseller, or google the title to find out where you can purchase a copy worldwide.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2499470---194179/Painting.html#.VL_OT005DIU