Dauphine Stage 4: Along the Valley Road

Stage four featured the largest break away group thus far in the Dauphine.  After several different groups attempted to get away (all were pulled back because they were too high up on the GC) this group established itself with a maximum of almost four minutes on the peloton and the Yellow Jersey.  Some of those represented included the best placed on GC, Yury Trofimov (Katusha) along with Christian Meier (Orica GreenEdge), Andriy Grivko (Astana), Damiano Caruso (Cannondale) and Jan Bakelants (OPQS).  Once the group hit the road into Gap ahead of the final climb up the Col du Manse, the peloton ramped up its speed in order to position the favorites for the coming ascent.  This is an original small watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from the Jack Richeson Company, www.richesonart.com  Also this work is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post. 

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Dauphine Stage 3: The Throw for the Line

The final sprint between Kris Boeckmans (Lotto-Belisol) and Nikias Arnot (Giant Shimano) was so close that I nor the commentators could figure out who had taken the stage.  The only clue was Boeckmans pounding his handlebars after crossing the line.  It wasn't until the photo finish was shown that it was apparent that Arnot had managed to just hold off the charging Belguim.  I do mean just, the photo showed the margin of victory was the width (technically the height) of a racing tire.  Giant Shimano also picked up third on the stage, and FDJ could only manage seventh for Arnaud Demare.  Perhaps they had put too much energy into the chase to have the legs for the lead out at the end.  This is an original small watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Do hurry, the is only $50 USD and I ship anywhere in the world for roughly $2 USD.  Good luck.

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Dauphine Stage 3: Holding Them All Off

After the second break was caught by the peloton, it was Liuewe Westra (Astana) turn to have a go at the stage win.  Westra is a very formidable time trialist and he managed to hold off the angry peloton for roughly two kilometers, finally succumbing to their will just short of the flame rouge that marks the final kilometer of the stage.  This is an original small 4"x6"watercolor and ink painting that is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post. 

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Dauphine Stage 3: Full on After the Break

Jens Voigt (Trek Factory Racing) got a jump on the sprinters and their teams and got away with seven other compatriots, all in search of the surprise stage win.  FDJ, OPQS, Giant Shimano and Katusha all missed putting a man in the break, so they all went off in pursuit.  Even the French National Champion, Arther Vichot (FDJ) got into the act on the business end of the peloton.  It wasn't until nearly the entire team of Katusha got on the front that the break was finally caught with less than seven kilometers left to race.  This is an original small, 4"x6", watercolor and ink painting that is available for purchase through my website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post. 

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Dauphine Stage 3: Counter Attack

Once the peloton was all back together, Jens Voigt (Trek Factory Racing) - you know, the man of 'Shut Up Legs' fame - saw his chance to attack the peloton in the narrow twisting streets of this picturesque river town.  Voigt's attack came with 20 kilometers to go and another seven riders eventually bridged across to the elder statesman of pro cycling. Trek Factory Racing was hoping to get a stage victory with Jensie having had their designated sprinter crash out of the race early in the stage.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available through a quick three day auction on ebay.  To bid on this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

This painting is sold!

Dauphine Stage 3: Are They Here?

After not seeing the peloton for nearly 120 kilometers, the three man break looked back over their shoulders to see the Team Sky and Tinkoff Saxo led pack coming up behind them.  Cesare Benedetti (Netapp-Endura) considered giving it one more attack, but thought better of it, while Blel Kadri (AG2R) said his thank yous to Natnael Berhane (Europcar),  The three had rode well together sharing the work load equally, but three are no match to the peloton when the sprinters want to have their day.  This is an original small, 4 inch by 6 inch, watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website, www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post. 

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Dauphine Stage 3: Along the River's Edge

After climbing the Col de la Mure, the second of two Cat 2 climbs on today's stage, the peloton dropped down to speed along the edge of the Rhone River for a flat 39 kilometer all out run to Le Teil.  With that much distance from the final climb to the finishing line, it was likely to be a day for the sprinters.  Sadly for Trek Factory Racing, their sprinter, Giacomo Nizzoli, crashed out of the race before getting to contest a single sprint in the Dauphine.  He had the frustration earlier in the Giro d'Italia of always finishing second to other sprinters at the Italian finish lines.  This is an original small (4"x6") watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy on this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of the post to get this piece of art from the 66th installment of the Criterium du Dauphine.

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Dauphine Stage 3: Tete de la Course

The "Tete de la Course" or the head of the race, in this case a three man break away comprised of Natnael Berhane (Europcar), Blel Kadri (AG2R) and Cesare Benedetti (Netapp-Endura).  The three got away from the very first kilometer of the stage.  One of the hold overs from the days before race radios and GPS transponders, is the time keepers with the chalkboard.  The guys in the bright yellow of the LCL race sponsors go between each group on the road and the peloton informing them of the time gaps between each group of cyclist on the road.  This is an original small (4"x6") watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from the North American company, Jack Richeson and Company, www.richesonart.com.  In addition, this painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post for your chance to buy this piece of art from the 66th Criterium du Dauphine.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Dauphine%202014/2387202---199476/.html#.U6Iw-M_D_IU

Dauphine Stage 2: Two Out of Two

Chris Froome (Team Sky) proved today that he came to race.  After taking the opening Individual Time Trial Froome added to his lead and stage win tally on the top of Col du Beal.  The only rider who could hold the Sky rider's wheel was Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo), but Contador didn't have enough to get around the Malliot Jeune.  So it was that Contador took his second second place in a row to Froome's second first place in a row.  Naturally that is how the two stand on the General Classification, with Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Lotto Belisol), Wilco Kelderman (Belking Pro Cycling) and Andrew Talansky (Garmin Sharp) rounding out the top five.  This is an original small (4"x6")watercolor and ink painting that could be yours through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 66th Criterium du Dauphine.  Good luck, but don't delay.

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Dauphine Stage 2: Catch Them & Go

As if to prove what I was saying in the previous post, Andrew Talansky (Garmin Sharp) wasn't able to answer the speed of the climbers attacks, but just kept climbing.  He eventually road across the gap bringing Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) up to Chris Froome (Team Sky), Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Lotto-Belisol), Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) and Wilco Kelderman (Belkin Pro Cycling).  Once he got to the leading group, he realized he had enough to put in an attack, so he caught then and then went on up the road.  He was caught, but he went again.  But with his new Yellow Jersey on the line, Froome wasn't willing to let him go.  This is an original small (4"x6") watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to buy this piece of original art of the 66th Criterium du Dauphine.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Dauphine%202014/2387176---199476/.html#.U6Is4s_D_IU