Paris-Nice Stage 4: Who Is Still There?

The final climb was narrow steep and being so close to the finish potential decisive so all of the players were out to make a move.  Romain Bardet hit the front for his AG2R teammate, Carlos Betancur trying to shuck the Yellow Jersey of John Degenkolb and any other of the highly placed sprinters.  Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) and Tom-Jeffe Slagter (Garmin Sharp) kept a close eye on the move and made sure the AG2R duo didn't get any gap on them.  The climb did prove it would shake out the GC with Slagter and Geraint Thomas (Team Sky) being the beneficiaries of the steep narrow climb through the vineyards of the Beaujolais region of France.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase by visiting my artist website, www.greigleach.com or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2327071---195767/Painting.html#.UyErBc_D_IU

Paris-Nice Stage 4: Following the Leader

Stage 4 was the first stage to feature some real climbs in the 2014 running of Paris Nice, and because of that the Polka Dot Jersey (awarded for being first over the most climbs) was destined to change hands today.  The early breakaway was set up to claim all of the available points and they seemed to have come to an agreement to let V. Agnoli of Astana grab all of the King of the Mountain points on the first climbs of the stage.  He gathered up enough points to don the Polka Dot Jersey at the finish of the stage.  Oddly, Team Bretagne missed this breakaway after having been represented in every break of every stage thus far.  Perhaps coincidently, each day's break has had the same number of riders as days in the race, so it was four today.  V. Agnoli of Astana, Jesus Herrada of Moviestar (and the National Champion of Spain), Laurent Didier of Trek Factory Racing and Perrig Quemeneur of Team Europcar were the riders to comprise today's effort.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase at my artist website, www.greigleach.com, or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2327069---195767/Painting.html#.UyEnjs_D_IU

Paris-Nice Stage 4: Picking Up the Pieces

Stage 4 of Paris Nice had the usual share of wheel touches and corner wipe outs, fortunately without much injury.  When there is a group pile up, the riders quickly assess themselves, then jump up and check out their bikes.  They will get on the radio with their team cars and let them know what they need, which is what the FDJ (in blue) rider is doing, calling for front or back wheels perhaps even a new bike.  The gentleman in red in the middle of this painting is from one of the neutral services motorcycles there to help out riders from any team.  This is an original watercolor and ink painting created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steven Quiller brushes gotten through www.richesonart.com  In addition this, and all of the works on this blog, are available for purchase through my artist web site, www.greigleach.com.  Or for this piece you can just follow the direct link at the end of the post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2327067---195767/Painting.html#.UyEjoc_D_IU

Paris-Nice Stage 3: Winning in Green

Perhaps the only thing better than winning a stage is winning a stage while wearing the sprinter's Green Jersey (the jersey of the most consistent sprinter).  With today's stage ending on a Formula One race track speed and room was the order of the finale.  So the best on the day went to John Degenkolb of Team Giant-Shimano follow closely by Jose Joaquin Rojas (Moviestar), Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma Quick Step), Matty Goss (Orica Greenedge) and Borut Bozic (Astana).  Just peaking in under Degenkolb's arm is the Yellow Jersey of race leader Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ).  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by visiting my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  Or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2326245---195767/Painting.html#.Ux_Pe8_D_IU

Paris-Nice Stage 3: Here They Are

With their break away companion having left them behind Feillu and Fouchard heard the whirring spokes of the charging peloton coming up behind.  The peloton rarely gets it wrong and today was no exception, but it never stops some daring riders to give it a go.  And then there is the small matter of getting TV air time for the teams' sponsors.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by visiting my artist website, www.greigleach.com.  Or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2326235---195767/Painting.html#.Ux_MYc_D_IU

Paris-Nice Stage 3: Lotto Has a Dig

Lars Bak and his Lotto-Belisol teammates decides that a little dig into the cross winds might liven up the peloton.  The peloton had almost put themselves to sleep keeping the three man break away out in front by just around two minutes.  With a break away out in front the sprinter's teams leave them out front to keep other attacks from going up the road, so the peloton sat up until Lars decided to light it up.  Astana, IAM Cycling and FDJ were not caught unaware and quickly jumped onto the big man's wheel.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by visiting my artist website at www.greigleach.com or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2326225---195767/Painting.html#.Ux_Jps_D_IU

Paris-Nice Stage 3: Swinging Out of Town

Team Bretagne put another rider into another break away, Romain Feillu was joined in the effort by Julien Fouchard (Cofidis) and Perrig Quemeneur (Europcar) in the gamble of trying to get one over on the peloton.  Unfortunately, the peloton showed its power in numbers and they made the catch within the last ten kilometers of the race.  With three riders away the only KOM points and sprint points were out of the competition for jersey today.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard created using watercolors and brushes from www.richesonart.com  In addition, this work (and all of my Paris Nice paintings) are available at my artist website, www.greigleach.com  Or for this painting you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2326213---195767/Painting.html#.Ux_Gts_D_IU

Paris-Nice Stage 2: Heads Down Legs Churning

The stage ended with a false flat climb up to the finishing line making the sprint just that much harder.  Add to that the bonus seconds for placing and it made for a very aggressive drive for the line that even the Yellow Jersey had to be part of.  While the stage went to the fast charging Moreno Hofland (Team Belkin), Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ) successfully defended his Maillot Jeune and John Degenkolb (Giant-Shimano) moved himself up into second overall.  The finish was so tight there was no time for the traditional arms in the air victory salute.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist website, www.greigleach.com or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2325515---195767/Painting.html#.Ux5qYs_D_IU

Paris-Nice Stage 2: Desperate Times

Like stage one, the end of stage two included a late crash that caught a number of sprinters out leaving them to chase back onto the fast moving peloton.  The referees will have something to say about Omega Pharma Quickstep and their rider, Gianni Meersman's use of the team car to pace him back.  He was eventually joined by Confidis rider, Julien Simon as they worked their way through the remaining vehicles in the following caravan.  Meersman was desperate to rejoin the peloton so that he could defend his borrowed Green Jersey of most consistent sprinter in the race.  Borrowed from the wearer of the Yellow Jersey, Nacer Bouhanni.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by visiting my artist website at www.greigleach.com or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2325487---195767/Painting.html#.Ux5nPs_D_IU

Paris-Nice Stage 2: Splits Are Starting to Form

Another hard day in the saddle with small crashes, flat open roads and some stiff cross wins.  This group is just slipping off of the back of the peloton that is storming after the two-man break.  Moments later, Taylor Phinney (BMC) decided he was having none of it and jumped out of this group to successful chase down the back of the disappearing peloton.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by visiting my artist website at www.greigleach.com or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2325483---195767/Painting.html#.Ux5kAs_D_IU