Paris Roubaix: A Monumental Win

You know I wasn't going to paint a whole race without slipping at least on pun in a title...

With the chasers unable to close the space between themselves and this duo of Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Silvan Dillier (Ag2r La Mondiale), it was not a surprise to see Sagan out sprint the last member of the days early break.  Immediately after this victory salure, Sagan reached out to congratulate Dillier and to thank him.  Had it not been for Dillier's efforts, it is certain that Sagan would have been caught.  This is the first time the wearer of the Rainbow Jersey has won Paris Roubaix since Miguel Indurain did it in 1981.  Let's hope that Sagan will continue to build on Indurain's achievements.  Chapeau!

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.

This painting is sold!

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3141719-413-195767/PaintingA-Monumental-Win--PR18-10.html

Paris Roubaix: On to the Velodrome

Down to just two riders, it was the more experienced Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) that got to the back as Silvan Dillier (Ag2r La Mondiale) let them onto the Velodrome.  With less than a kilometer to go Dillier has now been off the front of the peloton for over 200 kilometers.  Regardless of the finale, it would be a long shot if he were to out sprint Sagan, he has ridden a brilliant Paris Roubaix.  The roar of the crowd as one of cycling's favorites road into the arena was near deafening.  It is now clear that the chasers just didn't have the legs to bring back the World Champion.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3141716-412-195767/PaintingOn-to-the-Velodrome--PR18-9.html

Paris Roubaix; Still a Chance

Using the normal formula that helps determine if the break will be caught, defending Paris Roubaix champion Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) should still be able to catch the leadering duo of Peter Sagan and Silvan Dillier.  Greg Van Avermaet is trying to encourage his fellow chasers, Jasper Stuyven (Trek-Segafredo), Niki Terpstra (Quickstep) - he, too, has won in Roubaix before - and Sep Vanmarcke (EF Education First-Drapac) to work together. At this point there are 11 kilometers left before the showers, and the leaders have only a 52 second advantage.  Close, but doable.  Their efforts are being closely watched by the TV moto riding behind.  Obviously, we are seeing this image by the leading TV Moto.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3141710-411-195767/PaintingStill-a-Chance--PR18-8.html

Paris Roubaix: With the Leaders

Now with just 36 kilometers left to race, the early break away had dropped to just two riders, Jelle Wallays (Lotto Soudal) and Silvan Dillier (Ag2r La Mondiale).  However, they have now been joined by the Rainbow Jersey of Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe).  This trio was now adding to its advantage over the chasing peloton.  With only a minute's advantage, it seems likely that they won't be arriving on the velodrome without the others, but this is Paris Roubaix, and there are still some very rough sections of pave to traverse.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3141704-410-195767/PaintingGo,-Go,-Go!--PR18-6.html

Paris Roubaix: Go, Go, Go!

Only one cyclist from the United States took to the start in Compiegne.  Taylor Phinney in his new colors of EF Education First-Drapac decided to be sure we all knew he was there.  After Gilbert and Teunissen had been pulled back, it was Phinney to go on the offensive.  He was joined by a rider from Ag2r La Mondiale (sorry I wasn't able to get his name) who seemed to be yelling for Phinney to go hard.  I guess it should be, "Allez, allez, allez!" instead.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3141704-410-195767/PaintingGo,-Go,-Go!--PR18-6.html

Paris Roubaix: Do We Keep Going?

First it was Mike Teunissen (Sunweb) who launched a counter attack to catch the ever dwindling break away up the road.  His move was quickly covered by Philippe Gilbert (Quickstep).  Quickstep was playing a numbers game covering all of the moves and boasting two former winners of Paris Roubaix at the start of the day.  The famed Tom Boonen, who has won this race four times, is a former member of the team as well.  They know how to get this done.  One snag with today, however, they have let Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) slip up the road to join the remanents of the early break.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3141697-409-195767/PaintingDo-We-Keep-Going?--PR18-5.html

Paris-Roubaix: Into the Arenberg

Both Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) and his teammate, Marcus Burghardt, led the peloton on to the most famous, and difficult section of pave through the forest of Arenberg.  Riding tight on the wheel of the German National Champion are riders from Trek-Segafredo, EF Education First and Bahrain-Merida.  The entire course is now line with thousand of screaming fans of cycling and of the hell that is Paris-Roubaix.  For the hearty, they have already seen a junior's version and the professional women's peloton ahead of the main event.  With still another 93 kilometers to race, about 25 kilometers of pave, it is still most anyone's race.  I must say though, that Bora-Hansgrohe seems to be setting it up for the World Champion, Peter Sagan.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3141647-408-195767/PaintingInto-the-Arenberg-PR18-4.html

Paris-Roubaix: Piling Up

Unfortunately, a big part of Paris Roubaix is the crashes.  Today seem to have a large share even before the riders hit the pave.  Here the crash happened near the front of the peloton, leaving riders plowing into those already on the ground or riding out into the grass (and the spectators) in hopes of staying in contact with the front end of the peloton.  Ignatas Knonvalovas (Groupama-FDJ), the Champion of Lithuania was one of those who went off of the bike, but other than his bike needing a little attention he was good to go.  Both Hector Carretero (Movistar) and Boy Von Poppel (Trek-Segafredo) were able to get stopped, but others riding for both Mitchelton-Scott and Bahrain-Merida, weren't so fortunate.  I don't make it a point to focus on the crashes, I would rather celebrate the athletism and grit of the race.  It may be that I have raced and I know just how much it hurts to bounce off of the pavement.  Fortunately for me, I have never crashed on a rough section of pave!

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3141643-407-195767/PaintingPiling-Up-PR18-3.html

Paris-Roubaix: Here We Go!

"Here we go!" cried Paul Sherwen as the peloton hit Pave Section #29.  The sections of rough cobble stones are numbered in reverse order, counting it down for the riders as they near the velodrome in Roubaix.  With the peloton reaching this section in Troisvilles about six minutes behind the break, it was time for the serious racing to get underway.  Three teams were vying for control of the peloton (and the best sight lines across the pave) including Bora-Hangrohe, Team Sky, and EF Education First - Drapac p/b Cannondale (that is the last time I will be using their full name).

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3141637-406-195767/PaintingHere-We-Go!-PR18-2.html

Paris-Roubaix: Hoping to Get There First

If it is racing, it is an early break away.  Today it was a group that swelled to nine riders that build up an eight and a half minute lead on the rather relaxed peloton.  That would all change as soon as the first of the 29 sections of pave were reached in Troisvilles just another nine kilometers up the road.  A couple of those at the back of the group included the Swiss National Champion, Silvan Dillier (Ag2r La Mondiale), Marc Soler (Movistar), Jay Thomson (Dimension Data) and Ludovic Robeet along with his teammate JImmy Duquenny (WB Aqua Protect).  With a single day race, the rules of thumb go out the window when it comes to a break's success or eventual failure.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3141631-405-195767/PaintingHoping-to-Get-There-First-PR18-1.html