The Art of Cycling: 2024

Tuesday, October 8, 2024

UCI Worlds, Zurich 2024, Elite Men's Road Race: A Tip of the Crown

Perhaps this title needs a little explaining. In the world of professional cycling, the Triple Crown is winning the Giro d'Italia, the Tour de France, and the World Championship in the same season. Until today, only two men have managed the feat. The first was Eddy Merckx of Belgium who did it 50 years ago this week, and the second was Stephen Roche of Ireland who equaled Merckx thirteen years later. But now, a third name can be added to that list, Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia. In so doing he also broke his own record for longest breakaway win in a race. This year he went from eighty kilometers out to win Strade-Bianche. Today, he jumped free of the peloton with 100.7 kilometers to race. I don't think he was on his own until about 50 kilometers to go, but the records will say 100 K. He had plenty of time to think up a victory salute, but I think he might have been a bit emotional as he came to the finishing line alone, savoring the applause of the fans crowding the barriers and the roadway prior to the flame rouge. Behind him Ben O'Connor (Ireland) came alone for the silver medal, and the defending champion, Mathieu Van Der Poel (Netherlands) outsprinted the chasing six or seven to take the bronze.

This is truly the end of my cycling season. So I won't be back sharing my cycling art until the Tour Down Under in late January 2025.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"A Tip of the Crown Z24-14" (Original art by Greig Leach)

UCI Worlds, Zurich 2024, Elite Men's Road Race: Alone on the Bell Lap

Before the start of the final lap around the Zurich 2024 course, Tadej Pogacar (Slovenia) dropped the last of member of the UCI Road World Championship's Elite Men's start list on his way towards achieving his goal of winning the Rainbow Jersey of World Champion. With just under thirteen kilometers left to go he was still holding his forty second advantage on the various groupings of chasers behind. It was surprising to see just how many flags of Slovenia decorated the 27-kilometer course through Zurich.

"Alone on the Bell Lap Z24-13" (Original art by Greig Leach)

UCI Worlds, Zurich 2024, Elite Men's Road Race: Anyone Coming?

One of my favorites in the peloton, Toms Skujins (Latvia) had gotten away from the group of favorites along with Ben Healy (Ireland). They had already caught and dropped Tadej Pogacar's erstwhile companion Pavel Sivakov but still had to close another 38 seconds up to Pogacar. Skujins was looking over the support motorcycles of both Shimano neutral support and race marshals to make sure no one was closing on them from behind. In the Worlds, the riders don't have race radio, so figuring out what is happening on the road gets a bit tough to lay down a race strategy mid-race.

"Anyone Coming? Z24-12" (Original art by Greig Leach)

UCI Worlds, Zurich 2024, Elite Men's Road Worlds: Stretching Their Advantage

Both Tadej Pogacar (Slovenia) and Pavel Sivakov (France) both look over at the timekeeper's motorcycle to see just how far back the chaser are. With 73 kilometers the duo from UAE Team Emirates were stretching out their advantage to just shy of a minute over those closest behind them. Pogacar had waited for Sivakov at the top of a climb after they escaped the breakaway. He knew that despite his strength there was still too many kilometers to try and go it alone to the finish line. However, he eventually found the Slovenian's pace just too much to stay on his wheel.

"Stretching Their Advantage Z24-11" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Monday, October 7, 2024

UCI Worlds, Zurich 2024, Elite Men's Road Race: Going from the Break!

It only took about twenty kilometers for Tadej Pogacar (Slovenia) to get off the front of the peloton through the breakaway and off the front of the race. Many tried to hold onto his wheel again, but it was only his trade teammate, Pavel Sivakov (France) who could manage to stick with the defending Tour de France champion. Perhaps doing team training sessions together helped Sivakov to understand just how Pogacar rides. With 78 kilometers left to race, it was a bit early to try to go solo, but then Pogacar did go eighty kilometers alone this year at Strade Bianche. And this time he as a guy who will work with him, for the foreseeable future at least.

"Going from the Break! Z24-10" (Original art by Greig Leach)

UCI Worlds, Zurich 2024, Elite Men's Road Race: Trying to Cover Pogacar

Knowing that the real race was up the road, Tadej Pogacar (Slovenia) attacked the peloton on Witikon Climb. The first to attack was Quinn Simmons (USA) but when the Slovenian superstar came up to him, he just couldn't stay on the wheel of the lime green express train. Michael Matthews (Australia) was fading away just as quickly as the American. With 100 kilometers to go, I don't think anyone really expected him to launch so early, but it wasn't like the Slovenian teammates didn't telegraph the impending attack. However, knowing Tadej is going to go, and being able to go with him are two entirely different things.

"Trying to Cover Pogacar Z24-9" (Original art by Greig Leach)

UCI Worlds, Zurich 2024, Elite Men's Road Race: Coming Across

It was a large group of ten guys that got away from the peloton and went of in search of the six-man breakaway. As they crested the short steep climb of Witikon, they were a minute behind the break and two minutes ahead of the peloton. Most were there to help their team leaders later like Jan Tratnik (Slovenia), Laurens De Plus (Belgium), Florian Lipowitz (Germany), and Kevin Vermaerke (USA). However, it can be argued that Magnus Cort (Demark), Johannes Stamne-Mittlet (Norway), Mattia Cattaneo (Italy), Pavel Sivakov (France), and Jay Vine (Australia) were here for themselves. If these men managed to join with the leading group, it is highly likely that they will be in with a chance to win a medal today. They do still have another 117 kilometers to race and some very big names (and teams) are in the peloton behind.

"Coming Across Z24-8" (Original art by Greig Leach)

UCI Worlds, Zurich 2024, Elite Men's Road Race: Checking Everyone Out

As the home team rider, Silvan Dillier (Switzerland) swings off the front of the breakaway, he looks at each of his five companions in turn. He had been chatting quite a bit with the second guy in line, Rui Oliveira (Portugal) for a number of kilometers. I do think he was trying to judge if Oliviera, along with Luc Wirtgen (Luxembourg), Tobias Foss (Norway), Simon Geschke (Germany) and Piotr Pekala (Poland) have the legs to take this break deep into the race. At this point they do have three minutes on the peloton, but they have 213 kilometers left to race. They haven't gotten to the start of the seven-lap circuit in and around Zurich yet. But as Dillier and Geschke both know, you have got to roll the dice and go in the break to have any chance of winning the day against the favorites of the men's peloton.

"Checking Everyone Out Z24-7" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Saturday, October 5, 2024

UCI Road World Championships, Zurich 2024, Elite Women's Road Race: Doubling Up!

Despite everyone gunning for her, Lotte Kopecky (Belgium) still out sprinted the pack of seven women to claim her second World Championships in a row. While Elisa Longo Borghini (Italy) being the one to start the sprint, she was swamped by Kopecky, Liane Lippert (Germany) and Chloe Dygert (USA). To her credit she fought back just catching the German to claim the third step of the podium. Dygert was a full bike length behind Kopecky, but roughly another bike ahead of the Italian. It is worth remembering that Dygert had to chase down the leaders, so it may have been that effort that burned just enough of her legs to blunt her sprint to the line. It will be nice painting Kopecky in the Rainbow Jersey for another year.

"Doubling Up Z24-6" (Original art by Greig Leach)

UCI Road World Championships, Zurich 2024, Elite Women's Road Race: Four Women Two K

Just two more kilometers to race and it seems as though the podium would be decided between these women. Ever cautious, Lotte Kopecky (Belgium) looks back to check and see just how close those chasing behind might be. Right behind her is Demi Vollering (Netherlands) who is a prolific racer who has yet to win the World Championships. Behind her is Liane Lippert (Germany) and it is Elisa Longo-Borghini (Italy) riding shotgun. The Italian is best positioned to launch a surprise attack in hopes of out sprinting the others.

If they get too cute trying to out fox each other, the two or three behind could catch back on and spoil the party. Two out of the three are known to be great sprinters.

"Four Women Two K Z24-5" (Original art by Greig Leach)

UCI Road World Championships, Zurich 2024, Elite Women 's Road Race: Chasing on Her Own

Dropped on the final big climb of the course, and the descent, Chloe Dygert (USA) used her time trial skills to chase down the leading foursome on her own. Behind her the defending champion, Lotte Kopecky (Belgium) was working with the other dropped Dutch woman Riejane Markus. At this point, Dygert was gaining on those ahead, and putting time into the rest behind her. With just over fifteen kilometers left to race, it was now or never if she wants to compete in the finale for the Rainbow Jersey.

"Chasing on Her Own Z24-4" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Friday, October 4, 2024

UCI Road World Championships, Zurich 2024, Elite Women's Road Race: Holding a Minute

As in every UCI Worlds the Dutch fans were out in force all along the 154-kilometer course in and around Zurich with ever wilder fan costumes, flags, and banners. Just as noticeable are their orange clad racers setting the pace off the front of the peloton. One the wheel of her teammate Reijane Markus, Marianne Vos (Netherlands) helps pull the quartet in their effort to stay away from some of the other favorites for the day. On Vos' wheel is Justine Ghekiere (Belgium). Looking back to see just how close the chasers are is the Australian, Ruby Roseman-Gannon. The foursome had built a lead of just over a minute, but as they rode by the large painted Dutch flag the gap had dropped to fifty seconds.

"Holding a Minute Z24-3" (Original art by Greig Leach)

UCI Road World Championships, Zurich 2024, Elite Women's Road Race: Tagged onto the Back

As the peloton was about to start another lap around Zurich the cold and wet was seeping into the bones of many hoping to factor in the race for the Rainbow Jersey. The Italian Gaia Realini (Italy) found herself just getting tagged off of the wheel of the recently crowned Olympic Road Race Champion, Kristen Faulkner (USA). They were losing the wheels along with a rider I couldn't identify due to so much rain gear and warm jackets, arm-warmers and soggy socks. I did manage to figure out that the local rider, Elena Hartmann (Switzerland) was another that was finding the multiple trips up the steep climbs and wet scary descents becoming a bit too much.

"Tagged onto the Back Z24-2" (Original art by Greig Leach)

UCI Worlds, Zurich 2024, Women's Elite Road Race: Attacking in the Rain

For a wide number of reasons, it has taken me quite some time to finish painting the UCI Road World Championships in Zurich. In fact, I've had to limit myself to just the women's and men's road races. My wife had shoulder replacement surgery the day before the races started and recovery has been tough. I had the pleasure of serving has her nursemaid, so painting wasn't really an option. And then there has been lots of administrative issues on top of that. Nevertheless, here we are.

The weather was horrible for the elite women's race, but despite the slick roads and biting cold, it was an aggressive and exciting race. With 71 kilometers to race the aggressions were started by Riejane Markus (Netherlands) use one of the seven trips around Zurich to launch an attack. First to respond to the Dutch woman was Niamh Fisher-Black (New Zealand). They were marked in turn by Mie Bjorndal Offestad (Norway) and Chloe Dygert (USA). Behind these four, the leading peloton struggle to get on terms with Markus' move.

"Attacking in the Rain Z24-1" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Monday, August 19, 2024

Tour de France Femmes '24, Final Stage: The Sprint of Her Life!

Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon/SRAM) had to sprint hard to the line atop the Alpe d'Huez if she wanted to save her Maillot Jaune. She was coming to the line with some time to spare, but not much, not much at all. To make matters a little finer, she was beaten to the line by Evita Muzic (FDJ-Suez) who grabbed the last bonus four bonus seconds on offer by taking third place in the stage. In the end, it was just enough for Niewiadoma to finally win the Maillot Jaune in the Tour de France Femmes. She has finished third in the first two editions of this incarnation of the women's Tour and had she been eleven seconds slower she would have been third for the third time. Muzic managed to finish fourth on the general classification, but since fifth was just shy of a minute behind her, she really didn't need to try and out sprint Niewiadoma. But then to paraphrase the use of an old saying goes, "no harm no foul."

This TdFF has had many things I have never seen before, but a four second differential on an eight day stage race is a first for me!

This does mark the end of my painting the 2024 Cycling Season, as far as I know... I might be back for the UCI World Road Championships in September, or not...

"The Sprint of Her Life! TdFF24-46" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Final Stage: Winning Atop d'Huez!

Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime) had done what she could to win today. She definitely won the stage, and by dropping Pauliena Rooijakkers (Fenix-Deceuninck) in the final meters to the line, she had set herself up to win the third Tour de France Femmes as well. She just now has to wait and see just how much time she put into Katarzyna Niewiadoma. That is what will determine who is the final Maillot Jaune this year. Spoiler, she did not win the overall, but she finished second with the woman behind her in this painting rounding out the final step of the Tour de France Femmes podium.

"Winning Atop d'Huez TdFF24-45" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Final Stage: Fighting to Keep Yellow

It wasn't until I saved this painting to my computer that I discovered that I had already used this title. That was a different woman in the yellow jersey that time. But how else could I describe the burst of speed that Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon/SRAM) put in when she went under the flame rouge, just as Demi Vollering had done almost a minute earlier. I don't doubt that her director sportif had told her she would need to do the same if she was going to keep the gap under a minute to the pair that were sure to win the stage. On the Maillot Jaune's wheel is the Frenchwoman Evita Muzic (FDJ-Suez) who is hoping to move up the general classification although it is unlikely she will be able to get onto the final podium.

"Fighting to Keep Yellow TdFF24-44" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Sunday, August 18, 2024

Tour de France Femmes '24, Final Stage: The Hope of the Stage & the Tour

With seven kilometers left of climbing up the Alpe d'Huez and the Tour de France Femmes Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime) and Pauliena Rooijakkers (Fenix-Deceuninck) were desperate to increase their advantage over the chasing group with the race leader. The pair currently have one minute and eleven seconds lead, but need another ten seconds and the time bonus at the finish to win the final Maillot Jaune. The pair sit just two seconds apart, so which ever woman wins the race will win the third Tour de France Femmes, assuming that Katarzyna Niewiadoma loses much more time to them.

"The Hope of the Stage & the Tour TdFF24-43" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Final Stage: Having to Chase

With the two up the road flirting with the virtual Maillot Jaune, the current Maillot Jaune on the shoulders of Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon/SRAM). She was getting some help from those with her each with their own ambitions for the stage and the Tour. On the back of the group is Lucinda Brand (Lidl-Trek) with her teammate Gaia Realini beside her. Trying to slow the chase is Demi Vollering's teammate Niamh Fisher-Black (SD Worx-Protime). Also in this chase group is Evita Muzic (FDJ-Suez). While it is Niewiadoma's race lead that is being threaten, all of these women have a vested interest in the chase, even if Fisher-Black's interest is to make it not succeed.

"Having to Chase TdFF24-42" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Final Stage: Wardrobe!

My wife, Bridget Gethins, works in film, so the title comes from the call on set for someone from the wardrobe department, "Wardrobe!" As Demi Vollering (SD Work-Protime) prepared to drop down off the summit of the Col du Glandon, her soigneur held out her jacket so that Vollering could slide her arm in the sleeve as she road by. Her soigneur deftly does the jacket over her shoulder in one flawless motion. I have never seen that done in a race before. It does remind me of a fast costume change that goes on backstage in a play. On Vollering's other side is Valentina Cavallar (Arkea-B&B Hotels) who had gone over the climb first with the others on her wheel.

"Wardrobe! TdFF24-41" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Final Stage: Her Opening Move

Done by over a minute Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime) couldn't wait until the final climb of the day to attack the Maillot Jaune. Once her teammate Niamh Fisher-Black swung off, she launched with just over two kilometers left to climb of the Col du Glandon. She dropped everyone except Pauliena Rooijmakkers (Fenix-Deceuninck). The two Dutch women were gaining time very quickly as they chased down the lone leader on the road, Valentina Cavallar (Arkea-B&B Hotels). The two were just two seconds apart on the general classification with Rooijmakkers in seventh and Vollering in eighth. They are around a minute and a half behind the Maillot Jaune on the general classification, but this was looking like the move that will give one of them the final yellow jersey.

"Her Opening Move TdFF24-40" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Final Stage: Bridging Up to the Leaders

Roughly half way up the Col du Glandon Valentina Cavallar (Arkea-B&B Hotels) jumps clear of the peloton to go searching for the leaders on the road. According to the GPS she has another seventeen seconds to catch the seven ahead, but she has already put eighteen seconds into the group she left behind. With another six kilometers of climbing on the penultimate climb of this Tour, she was putting herself in a great position for the final climb to the top of the Alpe d'Huez.

"Bridging Up to the Leaders TdFF24-39" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes, Final Stage: In the Alps

The Tour de France Femmes has been in the Alps since yesterday, but this image just captured the vibe of riding and racing in the French alps for me. This group of seven has just broken clear of the much larger early break as they started up the Col du Glandon. On the tail of this group is Alice Maria Arzuffi (Ceratizit-WNT) just ahead of her is Liane Lippert (Movistar) along with Lucinda Brand (Lidl-Trek) and Katrine Aalerud (Uno X-Mobility) to mention a few of those that I can make out in this painting. They have already built up almost a minute and a half on their erstwhile companions with another 62 kilometers to ride. The next eleven of those kilometers are up to the top of the mountain.

"In the Alps TdFF24-38" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Saturday, August 17, 2024

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 7: Better than Planned!

Justine Ghekiere (AG Insurance-Soudal) had planned on building on her lead in the Queen of the Mountains competition, I don't think she thought she would take the stage as well. In fact, in her post race interview she had said, "I must still be dreaming." An added bonus for her ride today is that she has moved herself into the top ten (10th) in the general classification in addition to her solid lead for her Maillot a Pois. She still will have to be off the front for the final stage tomorrow but at least she will be on her polka dotted bike at the start in Le Grand Bonnand. Not a bad day out at all.

"Better than Planned TdFF24-37" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 7: Sticking to the Plan

In her pre-race interview Justine Ghekiere (AG Insurance-Soudal) was asked about her plan for the day after she gleefully showed off her full polka dot kit for today's stage. She also revealed that her team had promised her a new bike with a polka dot paint job if she still held the jersey at the end of the day. So, her response to the question was, "I'll get into the breakaway and gain as many QOM points as I can." She was still off the front having spent the whole stage in the breakaway collecting the maximum points on every climb thus far with the exception with the first one of the day. (She was second over that one) Perhaps she had decided that she should go over the final climb first as well. She was now on her own just going under the flame rouge that signifies that she now has just one kilometer left to race. At this point she still has a minute and a half on the lone chaser and a little more to the group containing the Maillot Jaune. I don't think her plan had included winning the stage, but she did want to collect as many QOM points towards her Maillot a Pois as she could.

"Sticking to the Plan TdFF24-36" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 7: Dictating the Pace

With today's coverage I'm listening to the 'voice of cycling' Phil Liggett. He seemed as confused as most of us as to why Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon/SRAM) was setting the pace up the Le Grand Bornand with just three kilometers to race. All of her challengers were behind her and it was up to them to attack her. Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime) was glued to her wheel but seemed unable to attack due to the pace the Maillot Jaune was setting. Likewise, Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck) was also only able to follow the two marquee riders of the Tour de France Femmes. Much has been made about whether Puck would be able to climb or have the endurance for an eight-stage race. This is her first pro tour stage race. She has had quite an auspicious start at this level of racing having already won a stage and is wearing one of the leaders' jerseys having held two early in the race.

Later Vollering was able to drop Niewiadoma, but didn't gain any time with the exception of the four bonus seconds for taking third to Niewiadoma's fourth at the summit of the climb that marked the end of the stage.

"Dictating the Pace TdFF24-35" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 7: Watching & Waiting

With the exception of the women up the road, all of those that mattered were keeping a close eye on each other as they climbed the Col de Saint Jean de Sixt. Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon/SRAM) in here long sought after Maillot Jaune was keeping a very close watch on the wheel of Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime). Vollering was over a minute behind the yellow jersey, but her climbing prowess made her a dangerous challenge to Niewiadoma's lead in the Tour de France Femmes. On the jersey's wheel was Shirin Van Anrooij (Lidl-Trek) who is just of the lead in the race for the Maillot Blanc currently held by the woman just behind her, Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck). Pieterse was being aided by her teammate Pauliena Rooijakkers. We all expected multiple attacks with just thirteen kilometers to race, but at this point they were all just watching other. Meanwhile, two riders were flirting with both the stage win and the virtual yellow jersey.

"Watching & Waiting TdFF24-34" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 7: We Can Do This!

Both Justine Ghekiere (AG Insurance-Soudal) and Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) had gotten into the early breakaway both in search of adding to the point totals in their respective jerseys. I'm guessing that the peloton let them go thinking both would come back to the peloton after they achieved their jersey goals. They forgot that it was Marianne Vos they let go. The escape group was about eight strong but with forty-two kilometers to go the pair of jerseys and Ruth Edwards (Human Powered Health) on a move off the front. Vos seemed to look back and encourage the others to keep going believing that they had a chance of staying away from the peloton. After all they had around five minutes advantage with just over forty k to go. The regular formula is that the peloton can pull back a minute every ten kilometers, so the math says they have a chance. The caveat is that formula applies to flat stages, and the end of this one was anything but flat.

"We Can Do This! TdFF24-33" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 6: With All Her Heart

Cedrine Kerboal's (Ceratizit-WNT) joy was unmistakable as she soloed to victory in Morteau. She had jumped away on the final climb and left everyone in awe as she flew down the other side of the Cote des Fris. She may have known that she didn't have enough of a gap to take the lead in the general classification, but regardless, she took the time to savor and celebrate her stage win. It is the first stage win for a Frenchwoman in this year's Tour de France Femmes. She took the stage with a twenty-one second advantage and got another ten second time bonus, so she now sits just sixteen seconds off of the Maillot Jaune in second place overall. She will need to be careful tomorrow, third is just three seconds back and forth is only three more seconds behind that. This should set up for some exciting racing capped off by mountain top finishes for the last two stages of the race.

"With All Her Heart TdFF24-32" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 6: High Risk = High Reward

I will admit that I was scared by the way Cedrine Kerbaol (Ceratizit-WNT) flew off the top of the /cote des Fris. Not because she was bad at it. No. She was incredibly good at it, and incredibly fast, too. Once she attacked the others, she quickly built a twenty-nine second lead on the others. One woman went on the attack with her but couldn't keep up on the descent. In fact, she went back into the peloton less than halfway down the cote. With just seven kilometers left to race all she had to do was not crash and she should win the stage. If she can pull out another couple of seconds along with the stage win, she will also take over the Maillot Jaune.

"High Risk = High Reward TdFF24-31" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 6: Knowing When to Go

All along the side of the road today fans have been waving signs, create yard art, and generally cheering on one of their own, Juliette Labous (DSM-Firmenich-PostNL). Once the peloton had caught the last of the women in the early breakaway, the French Champion used her knowledge of her local roads to launch an attack on the Cote des Fris. Her move was covered by Mavi Garcia (Liv-Alula-Jayco) and another Frenchwoman Cedrine Kerbaol (Ceratizit-WNT). The trio got a bit of a gap, but they were all to high up in the general classification to be allowed much of a gap.

"Knowing When to Go TdFF24-30" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 6: Leaving the Others Behind

Using the climb of the Core de la Rouche du Pretre, these six women jumped clear of the breakaway that they had been with most of the day. Leading the escapees is Sheyla Gutierrez (Movistar) followed in turned by the Olympic Time Trial Gold Mealist Grace Brown (FDJ-Suez), Justine Ghekiere (AG Insurance-Soudal), Soraya Paladin (Canyon/SRAM). It is Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) bringing up the rear of the group. Ghekiere has been grabbing Queen of the Mountain points all day and is now the virtual owner of the Maillot a Pois. She is also the current virtual Maillot Jaune too, but that isn't likely to stand. She did become the new Queen of the Mountains at the end of the day, conversely, she lost placings in the general classification.

"Leaving the Others Behind TdFF24-29" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Friday, August 16, 2024

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 6: Losing Contact

Traditionally sprinters don't like it when the road goes up. So it was when Charlotte Kool (DSM-Firmenich-PostNL) started climbing the Cote De Laviron. Her teammate Rachele Barieri looks back to make sure she can help get the Maillot Vert over the climb. The problem for Kool is that Marianne Vos, who has now pulled even in sprint points, is still off the front of the peloton and showing no fear of the remaining climbs of the day. Ahead of these two are Barbara Guarischi (SD Worx-Protime) and the Australian Ruby Roseman-Gannon (Liv-Alula-Jayco). They can see the tail of the peloton rounding the corner ahead, but it is always a bad sign when the Shimano Neutral Service car goes by. She did catch back on about 24 kilometers later but was off again on the final climb of the day.

"Losing Contact TdFF24-28" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 6: She Wants Green Back

Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) hasn't made it a secret that she wants to win the Maillot Vert this year. She wore it for two days and then lost it in the true sprint stages in Belgium. Today, she went into the early break for this moment. She jumped clear of the break to take the maximum points in the intermediate sprint in Sancey. With this win she pulled even with Charlotte Kool. Vos will need to score at least one point at the end of the stage to take over the sprinter's jersey. Spoiler, she took second on the stage, but she had to work hard for it. Behind her the former wearer of the Maillot Blanc of best young rider Anniina Ahtosalo pushed the veteran Vos but wasn't able to stay on her wheel when they got to the line. Ahtosalo is the current national champion of Finland thus the white jersey with the big blue cross.

"She Wants Green Back TdFF24-27" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Thursday, August 15, 2024

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 5: It's Me

I first encountered Blanka Vas (Visma-Lease a Bike) in this year's Paris Olympics, when she and her pro team teammate Marianne Vos were off the front of the women's road race with less than ten kilometers to race. She ended up getting out sprinted by Vos and Lotte Kopecky (who isn't in this race). All three had been out maneuvered by Kristen Faulkner (EF-Oatley-Cannondale) who won the Gold. Vas knew what Faulkner had done just two weeks ago, so she wasn't going to lose to the American Champion again. Today Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon/SRAM) waited to sprint but was still beaten by the Hungarian champion. She dropped her head in disappointment with not winning the stage, only to learn later that she had taken over the Maillot Jaune, a long searched for accomplishment. Taking third on the day was Liane Lippert (Movistar). Faulkner was equally disappointed to miss the podium for this stage, but it did work out that she now sits second in the general classification just nineteen seconds behind Niewiadoma. All of these new GC positions were created by a crash with just over five kilometers left to race. The crash took down the Maillot Jaune. While she was able to finish, Demi Vollering (Visma-Lease a Bike) lost almost two minutes. The race also ended the Tour for three; Spela Kern (Cofidis), Magdaleine Valleries (EF-Oatley-Cannondale), and Pfeiffer Georgi (DSM-Firmenich-PostNL). Let's all hope that their injuries aren't too severe and that they will recover quickly.

"It's Me TdFF24-26" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 5: She Tried

The race commissare on the back of the motorcycle was making sure that no cars or motorbikes were between Maeva Squiban (Arkea-B&B Hotels) and the peloton. Since she was slowly being reeled in by the group behind, he didn't want them to get any extra advantage in their chase by catching a draft off any of the press or support vehicles. Squiban had gone off on her own in hopes of bridging up to the three leaders but it just didn't work out for her. At least she tried. It wasn't a day for just sitting in the peloton and hoping you could outsprint everyone else, particularly if you aren't known for your sprinting prowess.

"She Tried TdFF24-25" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 5: Building Their Advantage

Twenty-four kilometers later Loes Adegeest (FDJ-Suez) was joined by Julie Van de Velde (AG Insurance-Soudal) and Fem Van Empel (Visma-Lease a Bike). Once the two women arrived, the trio started building on their lead over the peloton. They were able to stretch out a two minute lead on the peloton before it started to chase them in earnest. With forty-nine kilometers to race, they have a slim chance of making it all of the way to the finish in Amneville. While they ended up not taking the stage, Adegeest was awarded the most combative rider of the stage. Tomorrow we will find her with a green bib number as a marker for her guts today.

"Building Their Advantage TdFF24-24" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 5: You Take Mine

Erica Magnaldi (UAE Team ADQ) went down on her own in a corner about halfway down the peloton. It seemed odd, she simply lost her rear wheel and slide out on a left-hand bend. Her teammate Mikayla Harvey stopped to help her pace back to the peloton. Magnaldi wasn't able to get her chain sorted so Harvey passed her bike over. Harvey would then wait for a replacement bike and catch up her protected rider. One small problem, no pun intended, Harvey's bike was too big for the diminutive Italian. Magnaldi wasn't able to sit on the saddle and pedal her teammates bike. So in the end, she had to keep riding standing up until her team car got Harvey on her spare, and then caught up to give Magnaldi her spare bike. Just a case of making a quick decision that actually cost time rather than saving it. Fortunately, there was still fifty-one kilometers left in the stage, so at least Magnaldi was able to rejoin the peloton long before the end of the stage.

"You Take Mine TdFF24-23" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 5: One for the Road

Loes Adegeest (FDJ-Suez) went off the front of the peloton on her own. As she built up a seventeen second lead on the peloton she found one of her soigneurs waiting to pass her a bidon. The bidon most likely had a gel attached to give her some extra energy for the task ahead. She has another 76 kilometers to race yet. I believe she is exactly halfway through the stage. I'm sure she is hoping that some others will come join her in the effort. Holding her off the peloton for the next two and a half hours on her own is a rather tall order. However, it should be noted that she led the time trial for almost the entire day until the final ten riders came home to knock her out of the hot seat. It is clear from that she can ride well on her own.

"One for the Road TdFF24-22" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Wednesday, August 14, 2024

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 4: Photo Finish

Just before she attacked the announcer, I am listenting to, Anthony McCrossan, said "She needs to wait, but she thinks she needs to attack early..." Predictably, Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon/SRAM) was caught, and dropped after her attempt to surprise Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck) and Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime) failed in the final kilometer. Next to try was Pieterse who got the jump on the fading Niewiadoma and the patient Maillot Jaune. As she went, Vollering waited a beat and then did her best to catch the young neophyte. The two reached the line together in Liege. Neither celebrated nor did either know have any idea which one of them had won the stage. They stood together surrounded by a scrum of photographers, tv cameras, and reporters as they waited for over four minutes before it was announced that Pieterse had held on for the win. She had quite the stage, first she won a stage in the Tour de France Femmes in her first pro tour race, next she is now the leader of the Queen of the Mountains jersey, and finally, she is now the best young rider in the Tour. Not a bad day out. I admit I don't remember which of those two jerseys is considered the more important so I don't know which one she will be wearing at the start of stage 5 in Bastogne tomorrow.

"Photo Finish TdFF24-21" (Original art by Greig Leach)