Tour Down Under, Stage 2: Unexpected

Every commentator, and most teammates, didn't think Caleb Ewan (Mitchelton-Scott) had a chance of taking the stage up to Stirling.  They were wrong.  And Ewan was followed across the line by his teammate, Daryl Impey.  Third place was taken by Jay McCarthy (Bora-Hansgrohe), who was aided by none other than his teammate, the UCI Road World Champion, Peter Sagan.  Sagn finished the day in fourth.

In winning the stage, Ewan also pulls on the Ochre Jersey of race leader.  Sagan's finish was enough to move him into second overall.  Unfortunately for the virtual Ochre Jersey of William Clarke (EF Education First-Drapac) the positions of Ewan and Sagan, leave Clarke in third overall.  I suspect we will seem him in the break again tomorrow.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. To purchase this artwork, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3098505-103-194179/PaintingUnexpected-TDU18-10.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 2: Winding It Up

Having gone under the red kite marking the final kilometer of the stage, it was time to wind up the uphill sprint.  Robert Gesnik (Lotto NL Jumbo) led the peloton around the final bend with just 500 meters to go.  Two of those tucked onto his wheel were Rui Costa (UAE United Emirates) and Jay McCarthy (Bora-Hansgrohe).  Sorry that I wasn't able to get the names of the EF Education First-Drapac and FDJ riders.  A little futher back are Daryl Impey and Caleb Ewan (Mitchelton-Scott) trying to make sure a gap doesn't open up.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com  To purchase this artwork, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3098448-102-194179/PaintingWinding-It-Up-TDU18-9.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 2: Up the Final Climb

The peloton pulled back in the final break away rider with about 14 kilometers left to race.  Now it was time to play a game of rolling chess.  With the bonus seconds William Clarke (EF Education First-Drapac) had won early in the stage, if the three podium finishers did not place, or Clarke took the stage, he would pull on the next Ochre Jersey of the 2018 Tour Down Under.  So it was that Mitchell Docker and two other members of Clarke's team hit the front with just seven kilometers of climbing left to go to the finish.  Keeping an eye on the pink clad train were, Elia Viviani (Quick Step) and Maciej Bodnar (Bora-Hansgrohe).  It should be noted that Andre Greipel (Lotto Soudal) had lost contact with the peloton, but the other two from Stage 1, Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Caleb Ewan (Mitchelton-Scott) were just behind this leading group.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com  To purchase this artwork, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3098427-101-194179/PaintingUp-the-Final-Climb-TDU18-8.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 2: The Lone Leader

Once the final sprint points on the stage were taken by William Clarke (EF Education First-Drapac), only Jaime Castrillo (Movistar) pressed on with the break away.  The trio had built up a six minute lead, but with the hilly circuit around Stirling, it would be a tall order for Castrillo to hold off an eager peloton.  On the other hand, Castrillo is the former under 23 time trial national champion of  Spain.  Conversely, he still has 51 kilometers to defend his solo lead.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com  To purchase this artwork, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3098416-100-194179/PaintingThe-Lone-Leader-TDU18-7.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 2: A Long Day Again

Stage 2 of the Tour Down Under was marked by yet another break away.  Earlier (before TV coverage started) Nicholas Dlamini (Dimension Data) was with these three, but once he had grabbed the King of the Mountain points he dropped back the the peloton.  Sporting the red numbers of "most combative rider," William Clarke (EF Education First-Drapac) was on the attack again.  He was joined by his countryman, Scott Bowden (UniSA-Australia) and another first year pro, Jamie Castrillo (Movistar).  I was rather surprised at the change in Movistar's kit for 2018, please, but surprised.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com  To purchase this artwork, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3098404-99-194179/PaintingA-Long-Day-Again-TDU18-6.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 1: Back, and Winning

It was Andre Greipel (Lotto Soudal) who punched the air in victory at the line in Lyndoch.  It has been a few years since the "Gorilla" has may the trip to Austraila for the opening tour of the season, but he now has 17 stage victories over his career on the streets of South Australia.  Closing quickly was the three time World Champion, Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe), but he couldn't quite get around Caleb Ewan (Michelton-Scott).  So tomorrow, Greipel will start the day in the Ochre Jersey of race leader with Ewan, Sagan and Elia Viviani (Quick Step) nipping at his heals.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com  To purchase this artwork, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3098237-98-194179/PaintingBack,-and-Winning-TDU18-5.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 1: Can I Do It?

Looking over his shoulder with just 12 K left to race, William Clarke (EF Education First-Drapac) must have been pleased to see an empty road.  Clarke had been off the front since kilometer three, making it a 130 kilometer effort at this point with nearly 30 kilometers on his own.  Clarke is a very capable time trialist, but this was going to take a Herculean effort.  Sprinters don't take lightly to having the plans spoiled by a break away.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com  To purchase this artwork, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3098233-97-194179/PaintingCan-I-Do-It?-TDU18-4.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 1: Your Turn

Another new team, formerly Orica-Scott, is now racing under the name Michelton Scott.  The job of pulling back the lone leader fell to the Australian (on the Australian team), Damien Howson.  At this point, with just 15 kilometers left on the day, Howson swung off to let Maciej Bodnar (Bora Hansgrohe) have a turn.  Waiting on his wheel is Eros Capecchi (Quickstep) ready to do his part to get his sprinter in a position to take the stage.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com  To purchase this artwork, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3098225-96-194179/PaintingYour-Turn-TDU18-3.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 1: Getting Ready

With the peloton closing in on the lone leader, it was time to get ready for the finale.  Admittedly, it was still another 49 kilometers to the final line in Lyndoch, but preparations must be made.  Ramunas Navardouskas (Bahrain Merida) made sure his sprinter, Domenico Pozzovivo, had enough to eat out of the musette.  He on the other hand seemed to be taking energy from a small can of Coke, while trying to stay as cool as possible in the heat of the Australian summer.  Tucked onto the wheels of Bahrain Merida, were the newly kitted men of Lotto Soudal.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com  To purchase this artwork, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3098221-95-194179/PaintingGetting-Ready-TDU18-2.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 1: New Colors, New Season

There are many reasons to love the Tour Down Under, many indeed.  One is a chance to see the new kits (and new team names) for the start of the World Tour season.  One of the newly named teams, and one that almost went belly up, is EF Education First - Drapac, once known as Cannondale - Drapac.  I must say I am happy to see some bright pink back in the peloton.  Showning of the colors is William Clarke, one of a two man early break that included neophyte, Nicholas Dlamini (Dimension Data).  Dlamini claimed the only mountain points on the opening stage, so his break away efforts paid big dividends.  The duo built up a 4 minute advantage, but the peloton was seeing the ride into Lyndoch as a day for the sprinters.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com  To purchase this artwork, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3098214-94-194179/PaintingNew-Colors,-New-Season-TDU18-1.html