The Art of Cycling: August 2024

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...

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.

"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)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 4: We Gonna' Ride?

Just like the previous climb (although it was only one woman the last time) these four got off the front as they raced for the top of the Cote de la Roche aux Faucons. It was Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck) who got the maximum Queen of the Mountains points, and is now the virtual queen. Going over the summit of the final climb with her is her teammate Pauliena Rooijakkers. They were joined by Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime) and Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon/SRAM). It is Niewiadoma who is looking over at Vollering trying to get the others to push on in hopes of vying for stage honors. In the final kilometers of the stage, the constant rollers were too much for Rooijakkers who was dropped by the others. The other three stayed off the front into Liege to fight for the stage and the time bonuses on the way and at the line.

"We Gonna' Ride? TdFF24-20" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 4: Slipped Away Over the Top

Justine Ghekiere (AG Insurance-Soudal) went for the Queen of the Mountain points over the top of the Cote des Forges. As she claimed the maximum points she realized that she had a gap on the peloton. As they looked at each other, she decided to see just how much time she could put into them in the closing kilometers of the stage. As she went under the 20 kilometers to go banner she had built up a twenty-two second lead on the group of favorites behind. She has one more Category 2 climb yet on the horizon, so she has a chance if those behind start looking at each other and don't chase. Unfortunately for her, the women behind decided each would try to drop the other and in so doing caught her on the final climb up the Cote de la Roche aux Faucons.

"Slipped Away Over the Top TdFF24-19" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 4: Almost Back

The seventh categorized climb of the day, the Cote de la Redoute, split the peloton into multiple groups leaving these nine women to chase down the leaders. On the back of the nine are Victoire Guilman (St. Michel-Mavic-Auber93), Silvia Perxico (UAE Team ADQ) along with Fem Van Empel (Visma-Lease a Bike), Blanka Vas (SD Worx-Protime) and Ane Santesteban (Laboral Kutxa-Fundacion Euskadi). Persico had been driving the pace all day and at this point is the virtual Queen of the Mountains. With three more tough climbs yet to go before Liege, she may not claim the Polka Dots at the end of the day. It is sure that someone new will pull on the Maillot a Pois on the podium this evening.

"Almost Back TdFF24-18" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 4: Sprinting in Green

Charlotte Kool (DSM-Firmenich-PostNL) continued to show just how strong of a sprinter she is this year. Already in the sprinters' Maillot Vert, she outsprinted both Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx) - again! - and Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) to take the maximum points still available at the intermediate sprint in Pepinster. Further back, Anniina Ahtusalo (Uno X-Mobility) in her Maillot Blanc decided against spending the extra energy for just a couple of points more or less. Despite that decision, she dropped out of the best young rider's jersey given who won today's stage. And the fact that she came in almost seventeen minutes after the stage winner didn't help her quest to stay in white. On the other hand she did move into fifth in the race for the Maillot Vert.

"Sprinting in Green TdFF24-17" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 4: Hard at Work

As I was waiting for a good image to paint Sara Martin (Movistar) who was off the front of the peloton with another sixty kilometers to race, I spotted this "Men at Work" sign. Clearly, Martin isn't a man but she is certainly hard at work trying to stay away. Oddly, she wasn't off the front when the Queen of the Mountain points were on offer, so she must have gone after the fourth climb of the day. The next prize on the road is the intermediate sprint. Perhaps she will be able to hold off the sprinters and get the maximum points and the cash prize, too. Side note: She did!

"Hard at Work TdFF24-16" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 3: Fighting to Keep Yellow

Charlotte Kool (DSM-Firmenich-PostNL) went for the full yellow kit for the second stage of the day perhaps fearing that it would be her last chance to don the Maillot Jaune. She fought valiantly to stay in yellow but just came up against some very strong women. Plus she had won the sprint in this morning's stage claiming her second stage and doing it in the Maillot Jaune. She finished thirty-third on the day dropping her to fifth overall, but she is still only five seconds off of the new leader's overall time.

"Fighting to Keep Yellow TdFF24-15" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 3: Equally Fast

The defending Tour de France Femmes champion, Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime) was on a hot ride in the individual time trial this afternoon. She matched the current leader's time at the split which is when I painted this piece. Yet, she gained another five seconds in the remaining three kilometers of the stage! That is stunning, she finished the day besting Chloe Dygert by just over five seconds. Not only did she claim the stage, she also claimed the Maillot Jaune of race leader. She holds that same five seconds over Dygert who is now in third on the general classification. It is her teammate Lorena Wiebes who is in second just three seconds off of her lead. Logically that moves her team into the team classification lead as well.

"Equally Fast TdFF24-14" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 3: Really Close!

When I stopped the video to paint (and title) this, I didn't know yet if Chloe Dygert (Canyon/SRAM) had posted the new best time or not. She had. The World Champion in the Women's Individual Time Trial had managed to claim the lead when she finished by the slimmest of margins, a mere 0.019 seconds over Loes Adegeest (FDJ-Suez). But a win is a win, or so she thought until one more rider cross the line. This ride gave her second on the day and moved her into third on the general classification. She certainly honored the Rainbow Stripes.

"Really Close! TdFF24-13" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tuesday, August 13, 2024

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 3: Riding Around Town

This title is a bit of an understatement. While it is true that today's second stage was an individual time trial around the downtown streets of Rotterdam, it wasn't remotely a calm noodling around a city center. The newly crowned Olympic Road Race Gold Medalist, Kristen Faulkner (EF-Oatley-Cannondale) was flying around the course just barely missing the hot seat by less than three quarters of a second. Her finish time was enough for her to hold onto fifth place on the second stage of the day. I should note that she also won a gold medal in the Olympic Track Cycling Team Pursuit. She is here with two others from that gold medal winning team, but neither are on her trade team today.

"Riding Around Town TdFF24-12" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 3: Head Down & Go!

With the time check just on the other side of this bridge, it was time for Ellen Van Dijk (Lidl-Trek) to put her head down and go as fast as she can. She was on a good ride. She came in just one second of the best time as she finished her individual time trial. She did drop to sixth place for the stage, the second of the day, after everyone had their go around the streets of Rotterdam. She was only 6 3/4 seconds off of the stage winner's time over the six kilometer course.

"Head Down & Go! TdFF24-11" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 2: Winning in Yellow

As expected the short flat sixty-nine kilometer stage ended in a bunch sprint in downtown Rotterdam. Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) looked like she had the sprint in the bag as she held of Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) in the Maillot Vert. But both were surprised when Charlotte Kool (DSM-Firmenich-PostNL) jumped out from behind them both and flew to the line. When she was interviewed after the opening stage she had said that she had to goals. One she had achieved, winning the Yellow Jersey. The other was to win a stage wearing the Maillot Jaune. It could be argued that no matter what else happens, she has already had her dream Tour de France Femmes. Behind that trio it was Lotta Henttala (EF-Oatley-Cannondale) in fourth and Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek) rounding out the top five of the stage.

"Winning in Yellow TdFF24-10" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 2: You Okay?

There are many reasons that I love women's cycling, but mainly I love it because of the compassion that the riders feel for each other. And that they take the opportunity to show it to each other. Admittedly, this was inside of the final three kilometers that there was a pile up of riders as they crossed one of the many bridges in downtown Rotterdam so there was no risk of losing time. Nevertheless, it was nice to see Josie Talbot (Cofidis) reach down to check on Amber Pate (Liv-Alula-Jayco) before getting back to racing. Pate seemed to appreciate the gesture, claimed she was fine, and found her mechanic and a new bike fairly quickly. All of the riders who went down, got up and finished the stage. Unfortunately for them, they have an individual time trial in just a few hours time.

"You Okay? TdFF24-9" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 2: Losing the Tail

With another eleven kilometers to race back into Rotterdam it was Nafosat Kozieva (Tashkent City Women's Pro Cycling) losing contact with the peloton. Never a good feeling to watch the Shimano Neutral Service vehicle leave you behind. She should finish the stage still with the following caravan of team cars. It has been a rough race for her team with four of her teammates not finishing the first stage of this Tour de France Femmes. Perhaps this Continental level team is a bit out of their class for this race.

"Losing the Tail TdFF24-8" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 2: Going It Alone

With no intermediate sprints nor queen of the mountain points out on course, there wasn't much reason to be off the front in today's short road stage. Well, there is that most combative rider award, and since Audrey de Keersmaeker (Lotto Dstny) was the only one to escape the peloton at all, it is clearly going to be hers for Stage 2. She built up almost twenty seconds on those behind but with another thirty-three kilometers left to race they have already pulled her back to fourteen seconds advantage. With a mass sprint on offer, she isn't going to be off the front for too much longer.

"Going It Alone TdFF24-7" (Original art by Greig Leach)