Criterium International Stage 3: Embracing the Victory

Jean-Christophe Peraud's (AG2R) gambling attack paid off, and paid off big.  Not only did he take the stage victory on the summit of the Col d'Ospedale, but his time gap was enough to give him the overall victory and the Maillot Jaune for winning the Criterium International.  Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) finished just behind him on the general classification, just as he did in the 2014 Tour de France.  This time, however, they were both one step higher on the podium.  This is a good sign for French cycling and the coming Tour de France.  Chapeau, Jean-Christophe!

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this painting, for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post, and yes, international shipping is available.  Enjoying reading about professional cycling with this accompanying art?  Then be sure to check out my recently publish book on the 2014 Tour de France, just google the title, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France" to discover where you can order a copy from your local online book seller.

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Criterium International Stage 3: Another Go

Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) was desperate to chase down the fleeing Jean-Christophe Peraud (AG2R) but wasn't getting any help form Pinot's teammates Alexis Villermoz and Jan Bakelants.  Pierrick Fedrigo (Bretagne Seche) was happy to sit in and let the Frenchman do the work.  Given the lack of help, Pinot looked back and then gave another acceleration to rid himself of the wheel suckers.  With just under a kilometer left to race, Peraud had a tall order to make up 22 seconds on his countryman and adversary up the Col.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this painting, for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post, and yes, international shipping is available.  Enjoying reading about professional cycling with this accompanying art?  Then be sure to check out my recently publish book on the 2014 Tour de France, just google the title, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France" to discover where you can order a copy from your local online book seller.

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Criterium International Stage 3: Riding Away

FDJ had ridden hard for their man, Thibaut Pinot, who finished third in the 2014 Tour de France.  However it was the man who finished second overall in the Tour, Jean-Christophe Peraud (AG2R) that took advantage of his FDJ's efforts.  With six kilometers left to climb to the summit and the finishing line, Peraud put in a blistering attack that none of the remaining peloton was able to answer.  Would it be enough for both the stage and the Maillot Jaune?

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this painting, for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post, and yes, international shipping is available.  Enjoying reading about professional cycling with this accompanying art?  Then be sure to check out my recently publish book on the 2014 Tour de France, just google the title, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France" to discover where you can order a copy from your local online book seller.

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Criterium International Stage 3: Popping Off the Back

Alas, Ben King (Cannondale Garmin) could quite handle the pace that was being dished out by FDJ.  As the road went up he slide further and further down through the dwindling peloton.  Finally the Richmond boy popped off the back of the group.  A few moments later he dropped his head knowing that the Maillot Jaune would not be on his shoulders at the end of the day.  With 10 kilometers left to go, he would be hoping to finish on the podium, but that will depend on just how much he has gone into the red on the climb.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this painting, for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post, and yes, international shipping is available.  Enjoying reading about professional cycling with this accompanying art?  Then be sure to check out my recently publish book on the 2014 Tour de France, just google the title, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France" to discover where you can order a copy from your local online book seller.

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Criterium International Stage 3: Dishing It Out

FDJ had plans for the finale up the Col d'Ospedale, going to the front and dishing out a hard pace for their man, Thibaut Pinot.  Jeremy Roy and Steve Morabito (FDJ) pushed the pace as riders for Cannondale Garmin and Trek Factory Racing looked on, waiting of the attack that was sure to come.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this painting, for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post, and yes, international shipping is available.  Enjoying reading about professional cycling with this accompanying art?  Then be sure to check out my recently publish book on the 2014 Tour de France, just google the title, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France" to discover where you can order a copy from your local online book seller.

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Criterium International Stage 3: Down to Two

Chad Haga (Giant Alpecin) and Romain Feillu (Bretagne Seche) managed to ride away from their other three break away companions as they headed into Porto Vecchio.  With an intermediate sprint just ahead, Feillu convinced Haga to let him have the sprint bonus.  In a break, riders will often work out deals and alliances so that they can reach mutual benefits from their efforts.  The pair were also hoping to hit the final climb up the Col d'Ospedale with a couple of minutes advantage.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this painting, for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post, and yes, international shipping is available.  Enjoying reading about professional cycling with this accompanying art?  Then be sure to check out my recently publish book on the 2014 Tour de France, just google the title, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France" to discover where you can order a copy from your local online book seller.

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Criterium International Stage 3: Riding for Ben

I was very excited to see Ben King (Cannondale Garmin) riding in the Maillot Jaune!  King is a hometown boy, he is from Richmond, Virginia, where I call home.  I never thought I would see a rider from Richmond wearing a Yellow Jersey in a professional bike race back when I was racing on the club level in the same city.  Cannondale Garmin put all of the team into pulling back the break away before the final climb up the Col d'Ospedale.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this painting, for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post, and yes, international shipping is available.  Enjoying reading about professional cycling with this accompanying art?  Then be sure to check out my recently publish book on the 2014 Tour de France, just google the title, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France" to discover where you can order a copy from your local online book seller.

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Criterium International Stage 3: Chatting

I was unable to access the first two stages of the Criterium International, both of which were held on Saturday, March 28th.  Ben King (Cannondale Garmin) won the first stage and road well enough in the second stage time trial to start stage 3 in the Maillot Jaune of race leader.  There, now you are caught up.  As per usual, a small break away got off the front of the peloton.  Marco Canola (UnitedHealthcare) seemed relaxed as he chatted away with the American, Chad Alpecin (Giant Alpecin).  Tucked in behind the pair is Christian Mager (Cult Energy), ahead are two more riders, Romain Feillu (Bretagne Seche) and Romain Guillemois (Europcar).

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steven Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company, www.richesonart.com.  The painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this painting, for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Enjoying reading about professional cycling with this accompanying art?  Then be sure to check out my recently publish book on the 2014 Tour de France, just google the title, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France" to discover where you can order a copy from your local online book seller.

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Gent-Wevelgem: Making His Move

Luca Paolini (Katusha) was another rider who's sprinter was left out of contention in the climbs and crosswinds of Gent-Wevelgem.  Paolini almost lost out on the last climb up the Kemmelberg, but managed to catch back up to his breakaway companions shortly after the descent.  While the others in the break look for attacks from Geraint Thomas (Team Sky) or the riders that had teammates in the group, Paolini dug deep and sprung away from the others with about six more kilometers of racing.  Those behind each looked to the other to do the chasing of the fleeing Italian.  Unfortunately for them, they spent a little too much time thinking the others would do the work.  That enable Paolini to get an uncloseable gap allowing him to claim the race as the tender young age of 38.  Chapeau!  An encouragement to all of us old guys.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

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Gent-Wevelgem: Help Me Out

With rider after rider attacking the group and the others leaving it to Geraint Thomas (Sky) to chase them all down, the Brit looks back over his shoulder, trying to get a little help.  He knows he needs to bring back Luca Paolini (Katusha) and Niki Terpstra (Etixx-Quickstep) back or there is no chance for victory.  Jurgen Roelandts (Lotto Soudal) doesn't have much gas left after his solo attempt and Stijn Vandenbergh (Etixx-Quickstep) isn't going to help chase down his teammate.  Apparently, Sep Vanmarck (LottoNL Jumbo) wasn't in the mood to help out either.  Thomas may be a victim of his own success and that of his team in the early races of this season.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

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