Milano Sanremo: Willing to Lose, Managing to Win

 I have heard a saying in cycling, "You have to be willing to lose in order to win."  Today's bold move by Matej Mohoric (Bahrain-Victorious) was prove of that adage.  Mohoric went all in on his one shot to drop the peloton.  And his descent down the Poggio was a frightening thing to watch.  He was brushing the walls on nearly every turn trying to keep his speed up.  It seemed as though he might crash at every turn, but that kind of effort was what it was going to take to hold off those trying to get back on terms with the Slovenian champion.  As they came into the finishing straight on the Via Roma, it looked like Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies) might just catch the wheel of the bold Mohoric.  Yet it was Mohoric who beat his chest and pointed to his team's name on his jersey as Turgis pounded on his handlebars in frustration of missing out on victory.  The French sprinter had gotten clear of some of the early favorites who were just behind him including Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix), Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma), and Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo).  Pedersen was my prediction for victory today, but that shows why I am not a betting man.

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-/3873555-470-195767/Painting/willing-to-lose-managing-to-win-ms22-7.html

Milano-Sanremo 2021 - Surprising Them All

 The title of this painting says it all.  Jasper Stuyven (Trek-Segafredo) surprised the peloton for a solo run to the finish on the Via Roma in Sanremo.  He left it all out on the road. His lobsided victory salute shows just how completely spent he was from the effort.  After crossing the line, he collapsed into his soigneurs' arms, eventually laying on the ground still clipped into his bike.  Behind it was Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal) winning the sprint of the peloton for second place followed by Wout Van Aert (Jumbo Visma), a resurging Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix) rounding out the top five.  Peter Sagan was diagnosed with Covid-19 at the start of 2021 and has clearly now re-found his racing legs.  I, and I will assume you, am very relieved he has recovered so well.

This is the last for Milano Sanremo.  I will be painting Ronde Van Vlaanderen (hopefully both the men and the women) followed by Paris Roubaix (also hoping to be able to paint both the men and the women).  The current plan is then to paint the Dauphine and the Tour de France.

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-2021/3801746-18-290150/Painting/surprising-them-all-ms21-7.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