Tour '24, Stage 14: Dropping the Last Guy

With just ten kilometers to the summit of the Pla d'Adet and the finish line of stage 14, Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) was able to drop David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ).  Gaudu was the last of the early breakaway that was still with the Irishman in pink.  The crowds were thick and crowded the roadway two and three people deep.  Happily, with the exception of some setting of flares, they didn't actually impede the progress of the race.  

Spoiler alert - Both of these guys were caught by the chasing group of the yellow jersey, so a stage win wasn't in the cards for either man.  Healy did get the award for the most Combative Rider in today's stage.  I haven't seen one yet, but he will be wearing a red bib number to show that he was the most aggressive in the previous stage.

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.

"Dropping the Last Guy TdF24-81" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 14: Nearing the Top of the Tourmalet

With twenty KOM points, a big cash prize, bragging rights, and the chance to go for a long solo run for stage victory, David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) makes a move off the front.  His attack was covered by the Spaniard Oier Lazkano (Movistar).  With the border into Spain just down the other side of the mountain, it was logical that Lazkano wanted to make an impression on the Basque fans and the Tour.  Naturally, the Frenchman Gaudu had much the same desire for his compatriots along the route waving the tri-colore of France.  It was Lazkano who went over the top of the Col du Tourmalet first, but both garnered enough points to feature into the top five on the quest for the final Maillot a Pois.

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. 

"Nearing the Top of the Tourmalet TdF24-79" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France 23, Stage 3: Last Climb in Spain

Today did not go as planned for Neilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost), it went a whole lot better!  It was cleared that he and the team thought he would only be able to gain points on the first two climbs of the day, but instead the peloton decided that they were only going to race for stage honors.  That meant that he was able to go over the top of every climb on the stage first, thanks in part to an agreement with his break away companion, Laurent Pichon (Arkea-Samsic).  Pichon didn't vie for the climbs, and Powless didn't vie for the intermediate sprint.  Once over this climb, Powless sat up to save energy on the rest of the way to the finish.  Pichon carried on thus earning himself the most agressive rider of the stage prize.  You'll notice that Powless' bib number is a pale yellow, that denotes that he won that prize for his efforts in Stage 2.

All along the roads of the three stages in the Spanish Basque countryside, the fans have been out in droves.  They made sure they were there to see the Tour over the last climb in Spain in droves.  Seemingly, every single person had their own Basque flag.

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 painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra. 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2023/3963461-16-297438/Painting/last-climb-in-spain-tdf23-16.html

Tour '22, Stage 18: It's All You Now

 On the final climb of the day, and the Tour for that matter, Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ) had done everything he could to pull his team captain up the climb and the general classification.  As he swung off the front he almost came to a complete stop such was his effort on behalf of David Gaudu.  He was helped by some of the Basque fans who gave him a push until he could get going again.  That is technically illegal, but since he didn't gain a real advantage the referee in the car behind him won't care.  He can be pleased to know that is effort wasn't in vain.  Gaudu finished fifth on the day and moved up to fourth on the GC.

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 painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g  

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Tour, Stage 8: Just a Small Gap

Again, another title with more than one interpretation.  As Enric Mas (Movistar) and Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) neared the top of the final climb, the Col de Peyresoule, a small gap opened between them and those ahead, ahead both on the road and on the general classification.  Both Phil Liggett and Bob Roll were amazed and delighted to see just how many fans were lining the road to cheer on the Tour.  I was pleased to see that virtually everyone was wearing a mask.  Although I did notice that the guy on the right in the red stripe shirt holding the Spanish flag was doing the ridiculous classic.  He was wearing a mask, but had it pulled down below his nose and mouth.  I oft want to ask those who do this, just exactly what protection they think that provides?  But his actions didn't seem to dampen the enthusiasm of the Basque supports cheering on the race.

But I digress, the other small gap was what the cheering tifosi were allowing for the race to pass by.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2020/3693249-52-282744/Painting/just-a-small-gap-tdf20-47.html

Tour, Stage 14: Atop the Tourmalet

Wow! Has this ever been a great Tour for the French!  Today the Frenchman, Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step) added to his lead in the Maillot Jaune.  The stage went to another countryman of the Tour, Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ)/  I believe that is the second stage for the home team as it were, but it is also the tenth day in Yellow for the host country of the Tour.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

Be sure to check out my daily videos on You Tube.  If you enjoy what you see on the channel, please subscribe.  I need to get over a hundred subscribers so I can name the channel, "Art of Cycling"

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