Category: Vuelta a Espana
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La Vuelta a España -2017: Climbing to the blue
Hola! Today’s image is taken from Stage 5 and shows something that strikes me every time I see the Mediterranean coastline – the sky and sea are such amazing blues – so intense. The race took a route through these gorgeous colours finishing on a very sharp climb which pushed even the best to their […]
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La Vuelta a España -2018: Stage 1 – Malaga, Bathed in gold
Hola! This year’s Tour of Spain got underway in the south, with an individual time trial in the late afternoon. This first sketch shows Team Sky’s Michal Kwiatowski setting out on his ride, against the setting sun. The sun was low in the sky, bathing the city in a golden light – even the sea […]
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Steep descent – red earth
Hello! This picture taken from this year’s Vuelta a España. I was really taken with the colour of the trees and earth. It’s great to be reminded of warm sunshine on a December day. Have a great weekend 🙂 All the paintings are for sale (unless marked SOLD) and are priced at £250, (unless marked […]
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La Vuelta a España -2017: Climbing to the blue
Hola! Today’s image is taken from Stage 5 and shows something that strikes me every time I see the Mediterranean coastline – the sky and sea are such amazing blues – so intense. The race took a route through these gorgeous colours finishing on a very sharp climb which pushed even the best to their […]
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La Vuelta 2015 – Impressions
Hola! I’ve had time out recently which has meant that I have not been able to follow La Vuelta and the Tour of Britain day by day as I would normally. However, I have been catching up with both races and thought it would be fun to make random posts from various stages, which I’ll feature over the next […]
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La Vuelta 2015 – Impressions from week 1
Hola! What a week it’s been for cyclists and fans alike! Stage 1 saw the team time-trial take place on 14 different road surfaces, an horrendous crash in Stage 2 – one of the biggest stars disqualified… the list goes on! Speaking personally, the gremlins have hit me somewhat this week… a few mechanicals, so […]
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La Vuelta 2015… getting ready!
Hello! What a summer of cycling it’s been! Some amazing moments in France and Italy, now we’re heading for the last Grand Tour of this year, La Vuelta a España, which explores the dramatic country of Spain. I’ve followed this event for two years, so it will be interesting to see how the race goes; […]
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La Vuelta Ciclista a España…. hasta luego!
Hola! This is a last post to round up this year’s wonderful Vuelta a Espana. Riding through the beautiful region of Galicia. In the end, Contador was victorious and Froome took a fantastic second place – an amazing achievement after both men sustained dreadful injuries only a few weeks ago. Time for little rest! Hasta luego! […]
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La Vuelta 2014: Stage 17, Ortigueira to A Coruña
Hola! After the rest day, the last part of La Vuelta a Espana moves into Galicia where the crosswinds and high-kick roads continue to characterise this great race. Today’s course began on the coast and then turned inland working through towns and villages. The breakaway was led by Daniel Teklehaimanot of MTN-Qhubeka, the first African team to […]
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La Vuelta 2014: Stage 16, San Martín del Rey Aurelio to La Farrapona
Hola! The third day in the mountains. Better weather than yesterday revealed the mountains in their glory, not to mention a great stage for Contador and Froome, battling it out uphill, while Cancellara showed how to handle a descent! Here are my drawings:
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La Vuelta 2014: Stage 15, Oviedo to Lagos de Covadonga
Hola! The second of three days in the northern mountain ranges. Beautiful course through with amazing camber to the roads, made worse by the mist and rain. Incredible stage. Here are my drawings:
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La Vuelta 2014: Stage 14, Santander to La Camperona. Valle de Sabero
Hola! Up to the top of Spain and the wonderful landscapes of the Picos – but very tough climbing for the riders! Again, they amaze with their tenacity. From a British fan’s perspective this was a great day for Team Sky, who have gradually made their way up the standings. Chris Froome pulled out all […]
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La Vuelta 2014: Stage 12 and 13, Logroño and Belorado to Obregón
Hola! Still playing catch up so I’ve combined highlights from Stage 12 and Stage 13, with your forgiveness! Stage 12 was a sprinters’ stage, riding long circuits of the terracotta city of Logroño, which was won by John Degenkolb, whereas Stage 13 set out into the hills again riding through beautiful green fields that reminded me of Yorkshire in […]
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La Vuelta 2014: Stage 11, Pamplona to Santuario de San Miguel de Aralar
Hola! So good to be back after some unforeseen interruptions and technical hitches I’ve had the past few days. The peloton definitely left me behind, you might say! Stage 11 took a searing course through the Navarro mountains. Hot and steep, the riders hauled their way to the top. Sadly, there was another crash for Quintana […]
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La Vuelta 2014: Stage 10, Real Monasterio de Santa María de Veruela to Borja
Hola! Stage 10 saw an elaborate start to the second time trial, weaving through the terracotta walls of the monastery. From there, the course travelled through the province of Zaragossa to Borja in sunshine. Quintana began his first day in red well but suffered a dreadful crash on a bend. He recovered well enough to complete but […]
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La Vuelta 2014: Stage 9, Carboneras de Guadazaón to Aramón Valdelinares
Hola! Stage 9 was a climbing stage through the hills of Aragon. The surprise was the transformation in the weather – the rain poured! Team Sky began well but Lampre Merida’s Winner Anacona led from the front and took the win, but a great battle behind for the red jersey. Contador was close but Quintana took that […]
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La Vuelta 2014: Stage 8, Baeza to Albacete
Hola! Stage 8 was the longest stage so far and left Andalucia for La Mancha. Long, straight roads through rolling plains meant crosswinds and speedier teams were ready to take advantage. Sky performed really well all day but the sprint to the finish saw a great battle with Nacer Bouhanni pounding through to victory! Here are my […]
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La Vuelta 2014: Stage 7, Alhendín to Alcaudete
Hola! Stage 7 was another stage in Andalucia and what a stage it was. Long and bumpy course past fields of olive trees growing from red earth. The stage was ridden fast with strong breakaways and a peloton in hot pursuit. However, this pace caused several riders to fall – even as the peloton approached the winning […]
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La Vuelta 2014: Stage 6, Benalmádena to La Zubia
Hola! Stage 6 continued through the heat of Andalucia. Something in the back of my mind thinks that this area is known as ‘the frying pan of Spain’. I’m sure someone can confirm this – certainly it must feel like it to the 198 riders who have survived so far. A long stage on the flat, […]
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La Vuelta 2014: Stage 5, Priego de Córdoba to Ronda
Hola! Stage 5 was a slower stage for the most part, travelling a meandering course inland to Ronda. All looked hot but relaxed and the stage progressed without incident until a sudden change of wind brought about a break from team Tinkoff Saxo. Then it all kicked off with a phenomenal sprint finish and a second win for John […]
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La Vuelta 2014: Stage 4, Mairena del Alcor to Córdoba
Hola! Stage 4 saw the course continue inland, starting flat but with two climbs. The weather was ridiculously hot again, calling into question the safety of the event by some riders. In spite of this, the cyclists performed brilliantly with astonishingly fast descents that took my breath away! A burst to the finish saw the win […]
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La Vuelta 2014: Stage 3, Cádiz to Arcos de la Frontera
Hola! Stage 3 began on the coast of Cadiz and wove a course inland that saw the first climbs of this year’s race. Travelling through sizzling countryside in sweltering temperatures, riders ground uphill and flew down at breakneck speed. A hard day all round! Here are my drawings:
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La Vuelta 2014: Stage 2, Algeciras to San Fernando
Hola! Stage 2 was a stage for the sprinters, being mostly flat.The course travelled across the extreme south of the country, passing through industrial zones and salt flats. It was hot and windy. There was a crazed dash for the line with a fantastic win for French FDJ team rider Nacer Bouhanni, one of cycling’s exciting new […]
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La Vuelta 2014: Stage 1, Jerez de la Frontera
Hola! So good to be back to cycling for the last Grand Tour of the season, which takes us round beautiful Spain. Stage 1 took the form of a team time trial around the southern city of Jerez de la Frontera – a lovely evening stage showing all the teams to great advantage. and whetting the appetites of fans […]
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La Vuelta 2013: Stage 21 – Leganés to Madrid
Hola! Stage 21 of La Vuelta comes to the Capital and home! The last stage unusually flat, and saw a great sprint around the streets of Madrid. Chris Horner was confirmed as overall winner, the oldest man to complete the Vuelta and the oldest man to win a Grand Tour. He’ll probably tire of hearing […]
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La Vuelta 2013: Stage 20 – Avilés to Alto de L’Angliru
Hola! Stage 20 of La Vuelta was the crunch stage! This is the one that decided the race. The course wasn’t for the fainthearted, with three tough climbs, but the toughest of them all, Alto de L’Angliru coming right at the end. Riders toiled through the mist and fog on one of the steepest climbs […]
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La Vuelta 2013: Stage 19 – San Vicente de la Barquera to Oviedo
Hola! Stage 19 of La Vuelta saw a return to the coast and yet another steep climb to finish. Another gorgeous rural landscape leading through pretty villages to Oviedo. The race was exciting. Joaquim Rodriguez took the stage win, but the big news was that the red jersey became the property of American Chris Horner. Olé! Here […]
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La Vuelta 2013: Stage 18 – Burgos to Peña Cabarga
Hola! Stage 18 of La Vuelta explored the hills and pastoral landscape from Burgos towards the north coast. The stage had a sharp and steep climb to finish but took in lovely countryside along the way. There was a feeling of a step back in time. The race was very close, especially between the leaders […]
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La Vuelta 2013: Stage 17 – Calahorra to Burgos
Hola! Stage 17 of La Vuelta was the first of the last five stages building towards the goal of Madrid. A gentler course than the Pyrenees, but there were still some climbs, with a sprint finish into Burgos. It seemed to be a day of varying shades of pink, from the fields, villages and towns […]
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La Vuelta 2013: Stage 16 – Graus to Sallent De Gállego
Hola! Stage 16 of La Vuelta was the last Pyrenean stage and most would be glad of that! However, the sun returned and shone on a beautiful mountain landscape cloaked in pine trees and green pasture. New star Warren Baguil led the way alongside Sky’s Rigoberto Uran both diving for the line together. The Frenchman won […]
Maxine Dodd 