Tour '24, Stage 17: Off the Back, But Still Here

With little chance of figuring in any of the remaining stages and not showing up on the race for the Maillot Vert it is a bit of surprise to see that Mark Cavendish (Astana-Qazaqstan) is still in the Tour.  As the peloton started up the first of three categorized climbs, he slipped off the back with his ever-faithful teammate Cees Pol.  Jarrad Drizners (Lotto-Dstny) was another of those that found the pace too stiff on the way up the Col Bayard.  The pace had been hot all day with most teams trying to get a guy into the breakaway.  Every time a group got off the front, the teams not represented chased it down.  So, it has been a very, very hard day and they have just gotten to the climbing section of the stage.  Most of the sprinters are dropping out of the Tour, the question is, will Cav stay?  I now suspect he wants to finish what will almost definitely be his last Tour de France.

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.

"Off the Back, But Still Here TdF24-103" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France, Stage 18: Taking the Day Off

Peter Sagan (Tinkoff Saxo) has been in virtually every single break away in this year's Tour.  Mainly to amass as many sprint points in search of the Maillot Vert.  He now has over a 100 point lead in the competition, so with none of his rivals ahead of him, he decided he could afford to take the day off.  Well as much of a day off as one can when the stage has a total of seven categorized climbs and covers over 186 kilometers.  As the Tour nears its conclusion in just three more stages, it looks as though all but the Maillot a Pois has been decided.  But anyone can have a bad day in a Grand Tour.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Co., www.richesonart.com.  They are a small US based family run art supply company that has really wonderful products for art making.  This painting, and all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Be aware that because it is an original one of a kind work, once it has sold it is gone. So, don't delay.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2583992-118-210122/Painting.html#.VbFB4vlViko

Tour de France, Stage 18: Making the Polka Dots His

Even though Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) has been wearing the Maillot a Pois, he has only had it on loan from Chris Froome (Team Sky).  With Froome's ownership of the Maillot Jaune, the wearing of the next jersey in importance goes to the rider in second position in that competition.  Today, Rodriguez put himself into the early break going over the early climb of the Col Bayard first with Serge Pauwels (MTN-Qhubeka) just off of his wheel.  With the five points on offer, the Polka Dot Jersey of the King of the Mountains was now his by rights (on the road).  It does remain to be seen if he can out score any off the others in the break with him.  The second stage in the Alps still has 180 kilometers and six more categorized climbs to go.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Co., www.richesonart.com.  They are a small US based family run art supply company that has really wonderful products for art making.  This painting, and all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Be aware that because it is an original one of a kind work, once it has sold it is gone. So, don't delay.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2583577-115-210122/Painting.html#.VbE_wflVikr