Paris Nice, Stage 7: In Pursuit

This trio comprised of Cyril Gautier (Ag2r La Mondiale), Quentin Pacher (Delko Marseille Provence KTM) and Diego Ulissi (UAE Abu Dhabi) were trying to chase down the lone Frenchman who was just up the road.  The three certainly had the advantage of numbers now that the four had reached the valley roads ahead of the final climb up the Col de la Couillole.  Unfortunately for them, the peloton wasn't far behind, and all of the General Classification were looking to use the mountain top finish to put time into their rivals.

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/Spring%20Classics%20/2932577-368-195767/PaintingIn%20Pursuit%20PN17-32.html

Paris Nice, Stage 7: Looking Through the Turn

Lilian Calmejane (Direct Energie) was on a brilliant ride for the Queen's Stage of the 75th Paris Nice.  He had gotten himself into the early break and took maximum points on all of the climbs.  By the time he got to the top of the penultimate climb of the day up the Col Saint Martin, he was on his own having dropped all of his break away companions.  All he had to do was stay upright to the finish and he would become the next to wear the Polka Dot Jersey of the King of the Mountains.  Part of staying up right is looking through the turns so that you can pick the best line that will hold the highest speed through the corner.  Since this was an intersection, there was no banking to help keep him on course.  Fortunately he made it through easily.  Now could he keep a small gap across the valley floor and up to the summit of the Col de la Couillole?

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/Spring%20Classics%20/2932574-367-195767/PaintingLooking%20Through%20the%20Turn%20PN17-31.html

Paris Nice, Stage 7: Testing the Legs

Today has been dubbed the Queen Stage, the next to last stage of this year's Paris Nice.  And it was a doosey of a stage, too.  The peloton faced three category 1 climbs and a category 2 along the way, the third category one summit was the end of the stage atop the Col de la Couillole.  On the penultimate climb of the day, Jakob Fulgsang (Astana) decided he would have a stretch of his legs and see just how much of a gab he could open up on the following peloton.  Too many in the group behind knew of Fulgsang's strength, so there was no letting the Dane go.

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/Spring%20Classics%20/2932573-366-195767/PaintingTesting%20the%20Legs%20Pn17-30.html

Paris Nice, Stage 6: For the Cameras

Obviously, Simon Yates (Orica Scott) was delighted with his stage victory in Fayence.  He was giving jubilant shouts and enthusiastic gestures to the crowd all caught by the hordes of press photographers seemingly sitting in formation.  I was struck by how similar the press core's positioning reminded me of the gun battle formations used by British soldiers in the American Revolutionary War.  I know, I have silly things rolling around in my head that sometime sneaks onto my computer screen.  Never the less, well done Simon!

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/Spring%20Classics%20/2932293-365-195767/PaintingFor%20the%20Cameras%20%20PN17-29.html

Paris Nice, Stage 6: Good News!

The method of delivering the time gaps may be a bit archaic, but seeing the chalkboard telling Simon Yates (Orica-Scott) telling him that the peloton was 55 seconds behind had to lift the young Brits spirits.  Then to see both the time gap and the red kite signifying that there was only one kilometer left to race, had to give him all the energy he needed to claim the stage.  Behind, the peloton was sparring with each other trying to gain just a few seconds on each other.  Ultimately, those behind didn't really change their race standings much at 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/Spring%20Classics%20/2932292-364-195767/PaintingGood%20News!%20%20PN17-28.html

Paris Nice, Stage 6: On the Move

The pace setting by Mikel Neive for his team leader Sergio Henao (Sky) wasn't enough to either shake the Maillot Jaune of Julian Alaphilippe (Quickstep) nor stop the attacks of stage hopefuls.  One of those who was able to jump out of the small peloton containing the Yellow Jersey was Simon Yates (Orica Scott).  Yates is wearing the Maillot Blanc of the Best Young Rider of the race.  Actually, the jersey belongs to Alaphilippe, but since he is already wearing the yellow, Yates wears it as the second best young rider in this Paris Nice.  Yates was over two minutes down on the race lead, so no one was all that eager to chase after his 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/Spring%20Classics%20/2932288-363-195767/PaintingOn%20the%20Move%20PN17-27.html

Paris Nice, Stage 6: Damn, They're Here!

Eduardo Sepulveda (Fortuneo-Vital Concept) must have been disappointed when he looked back over his shoulder and saw the closing Sky led peloton.  Alessandro Di Marchi (BMC) seemed more resigned to the inevitable capture so didn't seem to find the need to look over his shoulder.  With the last of the break now cauight, it was only a matter of time before the attacks for stage victory or placing on the general classification.

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/Spring%20Classics%20/2932282-362-195767/PaintingDamn,%20They're%20Here!%20PN17-26.html

Paris Nice, Stage 6: On to the Climb

For the first time in the 75th Paris Nice, the familiar sight of a peloton being lead by the boys in black of  Team Sky.  By this point it was Sebastian Henao (Sky) followed by his cousin and Colombian National Champion, Sergio Henao.  Waiting in the wings to take over for Sebastian on the front was Mikel Nieve.  Just a  guy or two back you can  just see the Yellow Jersey on the back of the young Frenchman, Julian Alaphilippe (Quickstep).

The peloton was now climbing up to the end of the stage before heading back out for another lap around the countryside near Fayence.  They were just 30 seconds behind the last two members of the early morning break.

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/Spring%20Classics%20/2932277-361-195767/PaintingOn%20to%20the%20Climb%20PN17-25.html

Paris Nice, Stage 6: An Attacking Duo

As this duo of Eduardo Sepulveda (Fortuneo Vital Concept) and Alessandro De Marchi (BMC) went up the slopes of Col de Bourigallle, they were all that was left of the early break away.  Just behind the two attackers was the neutral service moto, ready to provide a quick wheel change for either rider given how far back their team cars are.  The other moto is one belonging to race officials, keeping an eye on just what the pair were up to.  Early in this year's Paris Nice, Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale) was pulled out of the race for getting to much assistance from his team car.  He was holding on to the car while bogus repairs were being "made" as he was dragged back into the race.  Today, everything was on the up and up.

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/Spring%20Classics%20/2932259-360-195767/PaintingAn%20Attacking%20Duo%20PN17-24.html

Paris Nice, Stage 5: Embracing His Victory

The Gorilla, also known as Andre Greipel (Lotto Soudal), through his arms wide as he cross the line first iin Bourg de Peage.  Greipel has been close a couple of times thus far, but he must feel truly relieved to have his stage win before the road starts getting lumpy tomorrow.  In the shadow of his outstretched arms were Arnaud Demare (FDJ), Dylan Groenwegen (LottoNL-Jumbo) and John Degenkolb (Trek Segafredo).  Demare's second place on the day earned him the outright ownership of the Maillot Vert of most consistent sprinter.  It is now unlikely that either Degenkolb nor Groenwegen, let alone Marcel Kittel (Quickstep) will get a stage win in the 75th Paris Nice.

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/Spring%20Classics%20/2932251-359-195767/PaintingEmbracing%20His%20Victory%20PN17-23.html