Men's Tour Down Under '25, Stage 3: Not Only the Stage

With the title, you know that Javier Romo (Movistar) didn't just win the stage, but he also is the new Ochre Jersey in the Tour Down Under.  He had started the day sitting in 99th place but had the belief to attack in the closing kilometers.  Of course, he also had the legs to back up his faith in himself.  He held off the peloton, winning the stage by five seconds.  You can just see the rest of the reduced peloton just coming into view.  Along with those seconds, he also got a ten second time bonus for winning the stage.   He now has an eight second lead, but that is not much considering that the guy siding in 20th is just thirty seconds off the pace.

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.

"Not Only the Stage TDU25-31" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Men's Tour Down Under '25, Stage 3: Did I Lose Them?

Javier Romo (Movistar) got a great jump on the peloton in the closing kilometers.  Others tried to chase him down but just couldn't get themselves organized.  Perhaps they didn't want to go too deep into their reserves assuming that Romo would be back in the fold soon and then they would have the energy to launch their own winning move.  I feel the Romo must have been surprised to look back on this small rise to see open road when he glanced back with just four kilometers to race.  After this rise, it is all downhill to the line in Uraidla, so he definitely has a chance for the stage victory.

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.

"Did I Lose Them? TDU25-30" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Down Under, Stage 3: Well Done

As they crossed the line, separated by only the length of Peter Sagan's (Bora-Hansgrohe) wheel, it was Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana) who was the first of many to shake the former world champion's hand.  Sanchez had gone early, chasing first Michael Woods (EF Education First) and then Daryl Impey (Mitchelton-Scott), perhaps that is why he didn't quite have the legs to hold off Sagan.  Impey took third, being beat by Sagan for the second year running at the line in Uraidla.

Sagan's win wasn't quite enough to unseat Paddy Bevin (CCC) from the lead, but he now sits just one second behind New Zealander, with Sanchez in third and Impey (the defending champion) in fifth just eleven seconds back.

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/Tour-Down-Under/3285591-129-194179/PaintingWell-Done--TDU19-11.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 3: Digging Deep

With just two kilometers to race and less than 500 meters to climb, the attacks were bound to come.  It was Michael Woods (EF Education First) who went first hatching the final phase of the team's plan for the stage.  Woods was covered by the ever present Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana) with the rest of the peloton desparate to hold onto the Canadian's wheel.  With a bit of climbing and a quick one kilometer descent, it was going to be hard to get around whomever went over the top first.

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/Tour-Down-Under/3285583-128-194179/PaintingDigging-Deep--TDU19-10.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 3: Team Work

EF Education First was using some true team tactics today.  James Whelan had been out in the break all day.    Two guys jumped out of the peloton and bridged across to the original break, each had a teammate to join up with.  As the original group slowly fell apart, Whelan was able to press on helping his fresh legged teammate, Alberto Bettiol.  The duo put everything they had into the difficult final circuits around Uraidla.  The effort was most likely doomed, but it allowed the rest of the team to "rest" back in the chasing peloton.

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/Tour-Down-Under/3285582-127-194179/PaintingTeam-Work-TDU19-9.html