Tour '26, Stage 10: The Last Guy

The day was marked by multiple attempts to form a breakaway all inspired by the Frenchmen in the peloton.  The French always hope to win on Bastille Day, but it wasn't in the cards or in their legs today.  The last guy from the breakaway was the Spaniard Javier Romo riding for the Spanish team Movistar.  That didn't stop the French fans from waving their flags and cheering on the lone rider as he started down the Cote de Murat.  I should point out that a French man was able to claim third on the stage, Paul Seixas, who is continuing to live up to all of the faith the French public has put in the 19 year old.

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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "The Last Guy TdF26-68" (Original art by Greig Leach)

 Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

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Tour de France 23, Stage 13: Leading on Bastille Day

Today is Bastille Day so it is no surprise that the French are eager to do well on the climb up the Grand Colombier.  Quentin Pacher (Groupama-FDJ) on a French team had an eight second advantage over those closest to him and another three and three quarter minutes on the peloton.  The French cycling fans (many shirtless in the heat) were thrilled to see one of their own first on the early slopes of this Hellish climb.  With another fourteen kilometers seemingly straight up, it was going to take something special to stay off the front, but nothing ventured, nothing gained.

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-2023/3965434-79-297438/Painting/leading-on-bastille-day-tdf23-78.html

Tour de France 23, Stage 13: Quick Change

Very early into the stage the French Champion, Valentin Madouas (Grouipama-FDJ) had a problem with his bike.  Since the peloton was flying up the road trying to prevent anyone getting into a break away, it seem prudent to simply swap out his bike.  Bastille Day is the single most important day for a Frenchman to win a stage of the Tour, and how much more special would it be for the national champion to raise his arms in victory in the tricolore jersey.  Given the one Haute Catagorie climb to the finish line, it was going to take some special legs to claim such an honor for anyone.  And sadly I just haven't seen that kind of prowess on the mountains that today is going to require.  Plus it could well be a day that the leaders of the Tour fight it out to gain time one on the other.

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-2023/3965427-76-297438/Painting/quick-change-tdf23-76.html

Tour, Stage 9: Watching the Tour with Dad

The crowds along nearly every kilometer of the Tour have been both huge and orderly.  I just loved this father holding his son so that he could get a good look at the peloton as it climbed by.  Today is Bastille Day (celebrating French Independence) and I am sure Dad wanted to show his son a Frenchman wearing the Maillot Jaune (the last time that happened was in 2011).  Michael Morkov, Enric Mas and Dries Devenyns were escorting their leader (and race leader) Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step) along the race course on a relative day off.  A large break was up the road that didn't threaten his lead even slightly.

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

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202019/3359805-45-263530/Watching%20the%20Tour%20with%20Dad%20%20TDF19-45.html

Tour, Stage 8: Leading the Parade

Today is Bastille Day and the French in (and out of) the peloton all hope to win on their national holiday.  Regardless of the slim chance that a break away will succeed on a preceived sprint stage, Fabien Grellier (Direct Energie) went out to lead the race and inspire the fans to hope for the elusive French victory on their equivalent of July 4th in the USA.  Joining Grellier was the Dutchman, Marco Minnaard (Wanty-Groupe Gobert).  Both teams are continuing their record of getting into every break in every road stage thus far.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2018/3187345-38-251072/PaintingLeading-the-Parade--T18-38.html