Amgen ToC, Final Stage: Taking the Finale - Women's ToC

It has been frustrating how little coverage of the Women's Tour of California was broadcast this year.  The last time I painted the race, you could watch all of both races.  Today, the only reason so much (20 minutes) of the women's race was aired was because of satelite link difficulties for the men's race as it descended through the canyon back to Pasadena.  It was Elisa Balsamo (Valcar Cylance) who won the stage and the Green Jersey ahead of Arinis Sierra (Astana) and Chloe Dygert-Owen (Sho-Air Twenty20).  Anna Van Der Breggan was the overall winner of the three day women's race.

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%20of%20California/3333912-88-223355/Taking%20the%20Finale%20%20ToC19-33.html

Women's Tour of California, Final Stage: Claiming the Final One

In the end it was Hitec Products that got there sprinter, Kristen Wild, first.  As she spread her arms in victory, she was thrilled to have held off the closing Green Jersey of Marianne Vos (Boels-Dolmans) and Lisa Brennauer (Canyon SRAM).  Vos's teammate, Megan Gaurnier finished with the peloton so she successfully defended her Yellow Jersey of race leader.  The team of Boels-Dolmans managed to win two of the four leaders jerseys of the Women's Tour of California.  Chapeau!

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was painting using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company (www.richesonart.com).  This painting along with all of my cycling art, 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 at the website, be sure to check out my two cycling art books, "Book du Tour: Art of the 101st Tour de France" and, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships"

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2795696-56-223355/Painting.html#.V0PFVPkrLIU

Women's Tour of California, Final Stage: Leading Them Around

With the peloton all back together, yet again, it was time for the sprinters to wind up for the final assault.  Leading the entire group through the turn after the finishing straight was the Blue Jersey of Most Courageous Rider - Sarah Storey (Podium Ambition).  I believe she had claimed the jersey after her courageous ride in Stage 1. Riders from Twenty 16 and Hitec Products follow her high speed cornering in hopes that they would get the jump for their sprinters.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was painting using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company (www.richesonart.com).  This painting along with all of my cycling art, 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 at the website, be sure to check out my two cycling art books, "Book du Tour: Art of the 101st Tour de France" and, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships".

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2795693-55-223355/Painting.html#.V0PCCfkrLIU

Women's Tour of California, Final Stage: Riding Off the Front

The final stage of the Women's Tour of California featured a twenty lap circuit race through the streets of Sacramento. The course was the same as the final section of what the men would ride after their ride along the Sacramento River.  With a flat course and only six turns per lap, it was going to take an extreme effort to ride away from the peloton.  Perhaps it would take a miracle or a disaster to stay away.  One of the attempts to fly off the front was launched by Amber Neben (Bepink).  She did managed to prize out ten or twenty seconds, but like others before her, she was soon back with the ladies of the peloton.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was painting using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company (www.richesonart.com).  This painting along with all of my cycling art, 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 at the website, be sure to check out my two cycling art books, "Book du Tour: Art of the 101st Tour de France" and, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships".

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2795690-54-223355/Painting.html#.V0O_j_krLIU

Women's Tour of California, Stage 3: Back on Form

Marianne Vos (Rabo Liv) proved that she was back on form after a rough 2015 season.  And she should that just because she crashed in a sprint one month ago, doesn't mean she isn't up to mixing it up in a bunch sprint.  Although I will not that she held herself to the middle of the road.  Vos was able to get past Coryn Rivera (UnitedHealthcare) who had been the first to launch her sprint.  With Megan Guarnier (Boels Dolmans) finishing with the winners, the Yellow Jersey stayed firmly on her shoulders.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was painting using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company (www.richesonart.com).  This painting along with all of my cycling art, 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 at the website, be sure to check out my two cycling art books, "Book du Tour: Art of the 101st Tour de France" and, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships".

Coryn Rivera is on of the riders feature in my book on the Richmond 2015 races.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2795402-53-223355/Painting.html#.V0NKN_krLIU

Women's Tour of California, Stage 3: Stretching Her Legs

Chloe Dygert (Twenty 16-Ridebiker) bedecked in her rather attractive pink detailed Best Young Rider's Jersey, was the second rider to attempt to spoil the day of the sprinters.  Dygert used this very tactic to claim the Rainbow Jersey in her Junior Women's race in the 2015 UCI Road World Championships.  I imagine that there were some in the peloton who knew that this was one rider that they couldn't allow to escape their clutches.  She also claimed the Rainbow Jersey in the Junior Women's Individual Time Trial, so she is no stranger to riding fast on her own.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was painting using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company (www.richesonart.com).  This painting along with all of my cycling art, 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 at the website, be sure to check out my two cycling art books, "Book du Tour: Art of the 101st Tour de France" and, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships".

Naturally, Chloe Dygert features prominently in my book on the Richmond 2015 races.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2795396-52-223355/Painting.html#.V0NHp_krLIU

Women's Tour of California, Stage 3: More Points for the Queen

I guess it makes sense, but it seems odd to hear the climbers referred to as the Queens of the Mountains.  I did notice that the race organizers hadn't bother to make two different sets of climb markers (notice the KOM on the inflatable on the side of the road).  Mara Abbot (Wiggle High5) easliy claimed the maximum points on the hardest climb of the day up and over Harris Grade Road.  Her progress was closely monitor by the Yellow Jersey of Megan Guarnier (Boels Dolmans) and her teammate, Evelyn Stevens (who is in third on the General Classification.)  The climb featured a breath taking view of the Pacific Ocean and an escort from Wonder Woman herself.  That tifosi seemed most appropriate.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was painting using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company (www.richesonart.com).  This painting along with all of my cycling art, 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 at the website, be sure to check out my two cycling art books, "Book du Tour: Art of the 101st Tour de France" and, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships".

Both Megan Gaurnier and Evelyn Stevens feature in my book on the Richmond 2015 races.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2795387-51-223355/Painting.html#.V0NExvkrLIU

Women's Tour of California, Stage 3: The Counter Attack

The penultimate stage of the Women's Tour of California featured the peloton not letting any of the breaks succeed.  After each attempted was reeled back in by the attentive main body of the race another would jump free and gain a small gap before being reeled back in again.  This attempt was Valentina Scandolara (Cylance Pro Cycling), but she too, found the women in the peloton indisposed to letting her escape their clutches.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was painting using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company (www.richesonart.com).  This painting along with all of my cycling art, 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 at the website, be sure to check out my two cycling art books, "Book du Tour: Art of the 101st Tour de France" and, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships".

Scandolara is one of the riders featured in my book on the Richmond 2015 races.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2795378-50-223355/Painting.html#.V0NCUPkrLIU

Women's Tour of California, Stage 2, Double Checking

Ever the experience racer, Kristen Armstrong (Twenty 16-Ridebiker) looks back over her shoulder to make sure that she has brought the necessary number of teammates to the line.  In a Team Time Trial, the time for all of the riders is taken when a predetermined number of riders cross the finishing line.  In this case the magic number was four.  The young start of the Richmond UCI Road World Championships, Chloe Dygert, was the fourth and the one to stop the clock for the winning time for her team.  Chloe Dygert won both her classes' time trial and road race claiming the rainbow jersey for both victories.

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.  This painting along with my book, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI World Road Racing Championships," 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.  Remember, it is a one of a kind piece, so once it is sold, it is no longer available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2794409-39-223355/Painting.html#.V0FHFfkrLIU

Women's Tour of California, Stage 2: The End Is in Sight

The down side of watching highlights of races is you don't get to see how the story unfolded for yourself.  Someday soon, I hope, women's cycling will get the same attention (and pay scale) as the men.  Until then, I will have to make do with what I can get.  It was a treat to see the winner of the Elite Women's Time Trial World Championships leading her team across the line.  LInda Villmusen (UnitedHealthcare) wasn't wearing her rainbow jersey of World Champion, I am not exactly sure why.  As with each of the previous clips, this became the new best time as the five members still together crossed the line.  Just like the others, they had to wait and see if their time would stand.  Spoiler alert... It didn't.

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.  This painting along with my book, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI World Road Racing Championships," 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.  Remember, it is a one of a kind piece, so once it is sold, it is no longer available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2794406-38-223355/Painting.html#.V0FEOfkrLIU

Women's Tour of California, Stage 2: Through the Curves

Sorry, I couldn't resist the pun...  While I am thrilled that Amgen Tour of California is hosting a women's race, I am a little disappointed with the accessibility of video of these incredibly talent racers showing just how good they are.  What I was able to find was through the UCI Women's YouTube channel - Amgen TOC is suppose to replaying the videos, but alas, they aren't up to date.  So while I am forced to use highlights of the day's racing, it is certainly better than nothing.  So this is the second team I got to watch race, and they have now posted the new best time.  Rabo Liv Women's Cycling did  well to move Maranne Vos into striking distance on the GC.

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.  This painting along with my book, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI World Road Racing Championships," 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.  Remember, it is a one of a kind piece, so once it is sold, it is no longer available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2794160-37-223355/Painting.html#.V0DECPkrLIU

Women's Tour of California, Stage 2: Just Underway

The defending Women's Elite Women's Team Time Trial Champions were the first team that I got to see getting underway in the Team Time Trial that was Stage 2 of the Women's Amgen Tour of California.  The team of Canyon-SRAM rolled out with all six of their members including the renowned Lisa Brennauer.  As expected, they finished with the early best time, but there were still quite a number of teams to take on the 20 mile course.

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.  This painting along with my book, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI World Road Racing Championships," 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.  Remember, it is a one of a kind piece, so once it is sold, it is no longer available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2794139-36-223355/Painting.html#.V0DB9vkrLIU

Women's Tour of California, Stage 1: Home Girl Victory

Although she rides for a Dutch team, Megan Guarnier (Boels Dolmans) is the USA Road Champion.  Bedecked in her stars and stripes jersey, she raised her arm in a victory celebration as she crossed the line in the first UCI Women's race on American soil.  Guarnier had followed the wheel of her teammate, Chantel Blaak on the final ascent to the line, and then jumped around her fading Dutch teammate as Mara Abbot (Wiggle High5) tried to sprint for the victory.  Guarnier was able to put 8 seconds between herself and Abbot, with the next group coming in another two seconds later.  Guarnier's victory was enough for her to trade in her stars and stripes for the Yellow Jersey of the first leader of the Women's Tour of California.

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.  This painting and in fact, all of my cycling art, 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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2793806-29-223355/Painting.html#.Vz9kivmDGko

Women's Tour of California, Stage 1: Feeling the Peloton's Return

Sarah Storey (Podium Ambition) used her time trialing skills (she just missed setting a one hour record early this year) to stay off of the front for most of the stage.  Alas, as she road up one of the last (uncatagorized) climbs she could feel the peloton just around the corner.  Her effort may not have gotten her onto the podium, nor the yellow jersey, but it did earn her the first blue jersey of the most courageous rider of the day.

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.  This painting and in fact, all of my cycling art, 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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2793785-28-223355/Painting.html#.Vz9h8_mDGko