Vuelta, Final Stage: Doomed from the Start

Alessandro de Marchi (BMC) and Rui Costa (Bahrain-Merida) were giving it yet another attempt at escaping the peloton for a stage victory.  With Quickstep hell bent on geting Matteo Trentin across the line in first place, this effort was even more doomed than their other efforts.  Joining the two seasoned campaigners was Nicholas Schultz (Caja Rural-Seguros), he was thrilled just to put himself off the front with a chance, no matter how bad the odds were for success.

As I said in the previous post, it was Trentin who took out the stage (his fourth) and Chris Froome (Sky) who claimed the overall.  It was his first Vuelta after three previous second place finishes.  And his second grand tour win in a row in 2017.

This is the end of my paintings of the 2017 Vuelta, sorry there isn't a painting of Trentin with his arms aloft, nor a champagne toast from Froome.  Next up will be some of the races from the Worlds in Bergen, Norway.

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/Vuelta-2017/3031965-56-239162/PaintingDoomed-from-the-Start-V-57.html

Vuelta, Final Stage: Sprinting for Green

It was a bit strange to see the Red Jersey of Chris Froome (Sky) along with his teammate, Ian Stannard mixing it up for an intermediate sprint on the final stage.  The way the math works, Matteo Trentin (Quickstep) had to win both the intermediate sprint - he did - and the stage - he did and Froome had to not place better than thirteenth at the finish for Trentin to win Green.  Trentin did his part with the help of his teammates, Niki Terpstra, Bob Jungels and Tim Declercq.  However, Froome was able to sprint to a tenth place across the finish line claiming Green, Red and White for himself.  He must have looked like the Italian flag when he tried to wear all three of his trophies from the Vuelta together.

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/Vuelta-2017/3031954-55-239162/PaintingSprinting-for-Green-V-56.html

Vuelta, Final Stage: Saying Fairwell

Admittedly, it was the Tour of Spain, but it was quite an honor for the peloton to allow Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo) to ride off the front on the first time across the finishing line in Madrid.  Contador is wearing the White Jersey of the combination competition, on loan from Chris Froome.  At the start of the day, Froome was the owner of all put the King of the Mountains jersey.

While this title is apt, it is also what I had titled my most popular post and painting thus far in this project of painting bike racing live.  In the other "Saying Fairwell" Contador is reaching out to pat his teammate fair well as he is about to get off of the bike after breaking his leg in the 2014 Tour de France.  That painting is part of my book, "Book de Tour: Art of the 101st Tour de France" available on my website and on Amazon.  It just seemed right to pay homage to the career of the Spanish champion in such a way.

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/Vuelta-2017/3031953-54-239162/PaintingSaying-Fairwell--V-57.html

Vuelta, Stage 20: Cabeza de Carrera

It seems only right that I should use a Spanish title for this painting.  Here is Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo) on his way to winning his final mountain stage of his racing career.  All along the course the Spanish police have been running along side of him, attempting to keep him safe from the screaming crowds all calling, "Vega, vega!"   In some cases, the police were more dangerous than the spectators, but at least they were trying to control the crowds.  With this display, Contador almost rode onto the final podium, coming up just 20 seconds short of overtaking the man now in third, Ilnur Zakarin.  Contador had started today in fifth, but he had been below 20th overall early in this Vuelta.

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/Vuelta-2017/3031650-53-239162/PaintingCabeza-de-Carrera-V-54.html

Vuelta, Stage 20: His Last Mountain

It was the last mountain that Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo) would ride up with a race number pinned to his jersey.  And he was going to make the most of it.  His teammate Jarlinson Pantano had ridden himself to exhaustion helping to pull the retiring Spaniard away from the peloton.  As Pantano swung off struggling to keep pedaling on the steep climb, it was Enrico Mas (Quickstep) who seemed to take over the pace making for Contador.  Well he should, it was Contador's foundation that funded Mas' development into becoming a member of the professional peloton.  What an honor it must have been to lead his hero up the final climb of his racing career.  The fans on the side of the road were equally excited to see this legend of the sport going out in style.

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/Vuelta-2017/3031645-52-239162/PaintingHis-Last-Mountain-V-54.html

Vuelta, Stage 20: A Climbing Sprinter

As the break away headed up the first of the catagorized climbs, all were surprised to see the sprinter, Soren Kragh Andersen (Team Sunweb) leading the true climbers up the mountain.  Andersen is new to the pro peloton, but may be discovering that he has the combined ablities of the now two time World Champion, Peter Sagan.  Andersen is looking over at Marc Soler (Movistar) to encourage the Spaniard to do a pull on the front of the group.  Behind him is Tomasz Marczynski (Lotto Soudal) and Jaime Roson (Caja Rural-Seguros).

Andersen rode brilliantly at the front of the race until he was called back to help his team leader, Wilco Kelderman defend his third place overall.  Andersen may not have won the stage (but he was in with a chance), but Kelderman wasn't able to hold onto third, either.

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/Vuelta-2017/3031636-50-239162/PaintingA-Climbing-Sprinter-V-51.html

Vuelta, Stage 20: Making Their Intentions Known

With a small break off the front, Trek-Segafredo hit the front of the peloton en masse at the base of the first catagorized climb of the final mountain stage of the Vuelta.  Their team leader, Alberto Contador, has been the most agressive rider for the second half of this Vuelta.  He certainly wants to go out of the sport a fighter, just as he as raced throughout his career.  Today is his last mountain stage, I'm sure he would love to finish his career with a mountain top stage win.  Clearly, his team was willing to do their part to make it happen.

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/Vuelta-2017/3031630-49-239162/PaintingMaking-Their-Intentions-Known-V-50.html

Vuelta, Stage 19: Finally!

Thomas de Gendt (Lotto Soudal) has been in multiple breaks in this Vuelta and finally he got his stage victory.  It was a bit heartbreaking for Ivan Garcia (Bahrain-Merida), the stage ended in his home town.  Garcia had attacked the rest of the break with twenty kilometers left to race.  It kept looking like he would be able to solo to the line for his first Grand Tour stage win, and doing it on roads he had ridden has a kid.  He jumped first, but de Gendt had the power to get around the local boy, who finished the day in third.  Still given that he is a neo-phyte, it was some big name company that he crossed the line with.  It was the former World Champion, Rui Costa (UAE) who tooked second on the day.

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/Vuelta-2017/3031013-48-239162/PaintingFinally!-V-49.html

Vuelta, Stage 19: Teaming Up, Again

For the second time in this Vuelta, Edward Theuns (Trek-Segafredo) has dropped out of the early break to wait for an attacking Alberto Contador.  Today he had to wait over fifteen minutes for his team leader, there was just that much time between the break and the peloton.  In stage 12, this duo gained minutes, today Team Sky, wasn't about to let that happen.  Sky was aided by Team Sunweb since Contador was threatening the third place of Wilco Kelderman.  By the time they reached the streets of Gijon, Contador were back in the fold.  Nothing ventured, nothing gained.  I am sure we will see the Spaniard give it another go on the final mountain stage of the Vuelta tomorrow.

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/Vuelta-2017/3031006-47-239162/PaintingTeaming-Up,-Again-V-48.html

Vuelta, Stage 19: Rough Working Conditions

It isn't just the men on the bikes that can have it rather rough and dangerous conditions during the race.  Rui Costa (United Arab Emirates) had a puncture earlier and then managed to chase back onto the leading group.  However, something wasn't right with the bike which prompted the mechanic to lean out of the car to try and fix the rear brake calliber.  This was also done under the close watch of the race commissare.  Apparently, he believed it was a legitmate repair and not just a chance to rest while being held by the team car.

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/Vuelta-2017/3031005-46-239162/PaintingRough-Working-Conditions-V-47.html

Vuelta, Stage 19: Lantern Rouge

The "Lantern Rouge" is the designation for the rider in last place on the general classification.  That honor is being held by the tallest main in the peloton, Conor Dunne (Aqua Blue Sport).  Dunne is riding for his team, not for a high finish.  He was largely responsible for their climber, Stephan Denifi getting into the break the lead to his stage win.  As proof of the value the team places in the Irishman, he is being assisted up the climb by his teammate, Peter Koning.  For such a big man, he is doing well to hold onto the Team Sky lead peloton as it makes climb after climb on the 156 kilometer day of racing.

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/Vuelta-2017/3031002-45-239162/PaintingLantern-Rouge-V-46.html

Vuelta, Stage 19: Hoping to Sew It Up

Davide Villella (Cannondale-Drapac) was hoping to make the polka dots of the King of the Mountains his, and out of reach of any other.  He had taken the first climb with its ten points and clained the three on the second summit of the day.  Yet he wouldn't necessarily ensure his victory today even with maximum points on the remaining three summits of the day.  On the bright side, he only has one other member of the peloton who can take the polka dots from him.  That makes the defense so much easier.

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/Vuelta-2017/3030997-44-239162/PaintingHoping-to-Sew-It-Up-V-45.html

Vuelta, Stage 18: Something to Chase

While the attack of Contador had been pulled back in, it was Fabio Aru (Astana) who's escape plan worked.  As they all headed across the valley to the final climb of the day, Aru was building upwards of a minute and a half on Froome and the rest of the peloton.  The Italian Champion had lost time on the climb yesterday and hoped to pull back that and more on his GC rivals.  Of course, one thing that led me to paint this image was the combination of his tricolore jersey and the red and white sections of the construction barrier to his right.  It is still about making art, after all.

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/Vuelta-2017/3030461-42-239162/PaintingSomething-to-Chase-V-43.html

Vuelta, Stage 18: Causing a Reaction

It is not just the Spanish crowds that react when Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo) goes on the attack.  As the peloton, which was over ten minutes behind the early break away, started up the penultimate climb of the Collada de la Hoz, it was Contador who jumped free of the Sky lead group.  Quickly on to the Spaniard's wheel were Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha-Alpecin) and Miquel Angel Lopez (Astana).  Lopez is wearing the white jersey of the leader of the combination jersey (I believe it is on loan from Chris Froome (Team Sky)).   It was interesting to watch the snake like swing of the peloton to catch Contador's wheel, but it was a snake that was quickly beheaded by his 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/Vuelta-2017/3030456-41-239162/PaintingCausing-a-Reaction-V-42.html

Vuelta, Stage 18: "I Should Do What?"

"I should do what?" seemed to be the question that Jeremy Maison (FDJ) was yelling back to his team director as the break started up the Collada de Ozalba.  Maison had just attack the group on the way down the previous climb and I imagine he was a bit gassed from the effort.  With everyone bac on, it seemed a bit much to be planning another attack.  Just ahead of the Frenchman were Stephane Rossetto (Cofidis) and Clement Chevrier (Ag2r La Mondiale).  The group still had over 40 kilometers to the top of the final climb of the day, so perhaps now was a bit early for another attack.

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/Vuelta-2017/3030454-40-239162/Painting

Vuelta, Stage 17: Through the Crowd

Stefan Denifi (Aqua Blue Sport), the Austrian climber on the Irish team, salutes the crowd as he takes the stage on the summit of Los Machucos.  This climb was a brutal monster with sections that were near 30%, so steep that the builders of the road was had lateral grooves in the road surface to help vehicles keep traction on the way up the twisting hairpin turns.  Denifi was able to hold off the charging Alberto Contador, to take the first stage for his team, or any non-Pro Tour team in this year's Vuelta.

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/Vuelta-2017/3030111-39-239162/PaintingThrough-the-Crowd-V-40.html

Vuelta, Stage 17: He Wants This

Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo) has been most agressive in his final race of his professional career.  He had some rough days at the start of the race, but has been on the attack ever since.  Today he rode free of the peloton and one by one was picking off all of the other attackers and the remnants of the early break on the way up the final climb.  His very loyal Spanish (and other) fans cheered him all of the way up the mountain.  Further up the road, just one rider was holding off the Spaniard who was dancing on his pedals up the climb.  I'm sure Stefan Denifi (Aqua Blue Sport) could hear the roar of the crowd that marked just how quickly Contador was closing in on him.

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/Vuelta-2017/3030098-38-239162/PaintingHe-Wants-This-V-39.html

Vuelta, Stage 17: I Flicked My Elbow

I should explain the title.  When a rider is either ready to pull off of the front, or is trying to encourage those behind to take over the pace making, he will flip his elbow out to the side as a signal for those behind to move forward.  When I am on group rides I will usual tap my butt to indicate the same intention, but the pro peloton is moving a lot quicker and sometimes it is unwise to remove a hand from the handlebars.  Stefan Denifi (Aqua Blue Sport) has just swung off of the front on the first of the two climbs of the day, and seems a bit displeased with how long it is taking Daniel Moreno (Movistar) to take over the pace making.  On the Spaniard's wheel is Julian Alaphilippe (Quickstep), Alessandro de Marchi (BMC) and finally, Magnus Cort (Orica Scott).

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/Vuelta-2017/3030088-37-239162/PaintingI-Flicked-My-Elbow-V-38.html

Vuelta, Stage 17: Grupo Perseguidor

The rest of my paintings and writings on La Vuelta a Espana will have to fit into the better late than never catagory.  I have had work, medical issues, and a mural project that have put me behind in watching and painting the race.  Shhh, don't tell me any of the results, I will continue to approach the stages as though they are live.  I don't want knowledge of how it all ends to influence what I choose to paint.  I have my guesses, but I don't want them confirmed.

With two big climbs at the end of the stage, and four guys up the road, Davide Villella (Cannondale-Drapac) and Julian Alaphilippe (Quickstep) jumped clear of the peloton in hopes of bridging across to the front group.  It looked like the Sky lead peloton was going to sit back a bit today, so a break seemed to have a good chance of succeeding for stage honors.  Plus, Villella is doing all he can to keep his polka dot jersey all of the way to Madrid.

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/Vuelta-2017/3030078-36-239162/PaintingGrupo-Perseguidor-V-37.html

Vuelta, Stage 16: A Winning Ride

Chris Froome (Sky) may well have closed the deal on this year's Vuelta.  With a very solid win of the individual time trial with a 30 second advantage over his nearest competitor on the stage and now a nearly two minute advantage over his closest rival on GC, it seems likely that he will hold the lead all of the way to Madrid.  But then, the Vuelta as been known to change hands on the last day or two before.  Froome certainly went all out today, I did catch a short piece of video of him throwing up shortly after finishing the ride today.  With another mountain top finish tomorrow, it remains to be seen if he went too deep to fully recover over night.

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/Vuelta-2017/3027530-35-239162/PaintingA-Winning-Ride-V-36.html