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: Strong Climbers

In the valley between the Col du Tourmalet and the Hourquette d'Ancizan this five-man group came together off the front of the remnants of the breakaway.  As they started up the climb it was Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) leading them through the switch backs.  Healy had an incredible group of strong climbers on his wheel.  Right behind him is Michal Kwiatkowski (Ineos-Grenadiers), followed in turn by Louis Meintjes (Intermache-Wanty), Oier Lazkano (Movistar), and David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ).  This may well be the break that stays to the finale on the top of the Pla d'Adet.  That is IF the top of the general classification men don't decide to attack each other.  All of the top three would very much like to have the ten bonus seconds that come with winning the 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.

"Strong Climbers TdF24-80" (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 '24, Stage 4: Down to Four

As they climbed the infamous final climb of the day, the Col du Galibier, the early break was down to just four guys from the original seventeen.  Christopher Juul-Jensen (Jayco-Alula) kept dangling off the back and then regaining the others.  It was looking like Oier Lazkano (Movistar) may be stronger than the others. But David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) was motivated to gain another stage victory for the French now that the race was back on French soil.  And finally, Tobias Halland Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility) may have been there to soak up King of the Mountain points to defend his teammates lead in the competition to wear the Maillot a Pois.  His teammate kept the jersey for another day, but it really wasn't due to Johannessen's efforts.

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.

"Down to Four TdF24-18" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France 23, Stage 5: Looking for Help

Working in the moment means I didn't realize this is the third title from this stage that starts with the word, "looking."  Oh well, so it goes.

At the base of the Col de Marie Blanque the duo of Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) and his shadow, Sepp Kuss (Jumbo-Visma) were rejoined by an elite group of chasers.  Most importantly for Pogacar, his teammate in the Maillot Jaune, Adam Yates, was now here to help limit his losses to the fleeing Jonas Vingegaard.  Also riding for their own interests, that just so happened to coincide with those of the man in the Maillot Blance where the French Champion, Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ) and his team leader David Gaudu, along with Yates' twin brother Simon Yates (Jayco-Alula), Carlos Rodriquez (Ineos-Grenadiers) and Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek).  Three of these guys have teammates up the road, so Kuss, Rodriguez, and Skjelmose all won't be aiding in the chase.

It should be noted that the last time Adam Yates held the Maillot Jaune for four days he lost it on the stage that included the Col de Marie Blanque.  Unfortunatley for the co-leader of UAE Team Emirates, history did repeat itself today.  Not the best day for his team.  Both of the Yates brothers and Pogacar dropped four places on the general classification, but at least Pogacar held onto his lead in the Maillot Blanc by 16 seconds.

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-2023/3963885-28-297438/Painting/looking-for-help-tdf23-28.html

 

Paris Nice 23, Stage 8: Racing for Second

Each of this quartet had tried their best to out ride Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) on the Col d’Eze. Instead they found themselves racing each other for second place in the final stage of Paris Nice.  As long as this group stays together David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) will be taking the second step of the podium at the award ceremony on the waterside of Nice.  Just ahead of Gaudu now, is the man almost a minute behind him, Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma).  Joining those two lower steps of the podium are Simon Yates (Jayco-Alula) and the American Matteo Jorgenson (Movistar).  Jorgenson is racing in the Maillot Blanc of best young rider, but he sits in second in that competition, but is merely holding it for the man that will win three of the four jersey of Paris Nice, Tadej Pogacar.  It should be noted that the Maillot Vert is his due to the abandonment of Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo)).

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, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3939923-112-272742/Painting/racing-for-second-pn23-30.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 8: Nice Try

“Nice Try,” is what Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) seemed to say over his shoulder to David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ).  Gaudu had set out to gain some seconds using his teammate, Stefan Kung, but discovered that Pogacar still had his sprinting legs.  The Maillot Jaune had been picking up bonus seconds all Paris Nice long, in fact without them he wouldn’t be in yellow.  Gaudu did get second, so he only lost four seconds to the race leader.  The pair have another 35 kilometers to race after crossing sprinting swords in Eze.

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, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3939902-110-272742/Painting/nice-try-pn23-28.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 7: Repeat Performance

The only other mountain top finish in this year’s Paris Nice saw Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) able to out sprint David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) for the stage victory.  Then it was enough to put Pogacar into the Maillot Jaune and Gaudu in to second place.  Today it just underscored that those are their rightful positions in this race.  Pogacar increase his lead by a few seconds over Gaudu, while the Frenchman increased his lead over the man in third place, Jonas Vingegaard by at least 10 seconds.  With just one more day of racing out of Nice and back in, it seems that these two will be the top two steps of the podium unless disaster strikes.

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, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3939757-107-272742/Painting/repeat-performance.-pn23-25.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 7: “There Goes Tadej”

Despite all of the effort by both the team of Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) and David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ), Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) still had the legs to launch an attack on the closing kilometers of the climb up the Col de la Couiollole.  The pair would get back up to the Maillot Jaune, perhaps even go on an attack themselves, only to be dropped yet again.  It does seem appropriate that the top three positions on the general classification were fighting it out on the highest point of this year’s Paris Nice.  It didn’t seem like Vingegaard was going to be pulling back 45 seconds on either of the other two.  The only question was, “Is Gaudu going to be able to pull back six seconds of Pogacar?”

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, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3939752-106-272742/Painting/there-goes-tadej.-pn23-24.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 5: Bonus

David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) flipped the script on Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates).  Pogacar had been sucking up all of the bonus sprint seconds throughout this Paris Nice, but today it was Gaudu being led out by his team’s sprinter, Arnaud Demare.  Gaudu was able to take the maximum bonus with his teammate picking up the next largest bonus.  Pogacar did manage third so he only lost four seconds to the main sitting just behind him on the general classification.  The American, Matteo Jorgenson (Movistar) tried to mixed it with the others taking fourth on the sprint, but that came without a bonus.  Jorgenson sits second in the young riders competition but has the Maillot Blanc on loan from the Maillot Jaune clad Pogacar.

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, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3938958-99-272742/Painting/bonus.-pn23-17.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 4: With Authority

David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) may have left the favorites, but Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) wasn’t having it.  He attacked at about two kilometers to go, leaving everyone behind and quickly catching the Frenchman.  Gaudu held onto the Slovenian’s wheel until the final 200 meters, but just didn’t have the legs to stay with the soon to be crowned Maillot Jaune.  I avoided the chance to entitled the painting, “The Stage and the Jersey,” but I imagine I have painted him with that title far too many times.  He may have started the day without the Maillot Blanc, but he will now have a matched set of white and yellow.

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, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3938807-97-272742/Painting/with-authority.-pn23-15.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 4: A Strong Counter Move

After the two favorites for over all victory had traded attacks, David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) went on the counter move.  He quickly opened up a 15 second gap on those still in the peloton.  As he went pass the three kilometers to go banner, it was beginning to look like he might hava a chance to pull of the upset.  No matter what happens he is clearly building on the hard work of his team in yesterday’s team time trial.

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, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3938795-96-272742/Painting/a-strong-counter-move.-pn23-14.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 3: Keeping Gaudu Close

Not traditional known as a team time trial specialist team, Groupama-FDJ had an incredible ride today.  They finished fourth on the day mainly due to the strength of Stefan Kung who finished with his team leader, David Gaudu, glued to his wheel.  Every time the camera got the team out on the road, Gaudu was always on the back of his teammates wheels.  I can’t say if he ever took a pull, I just never saw it happened.  But it is a team’s job to ride for their team leader, and they did it in spades today!  Gaudu sits equal on time with Kung, both just two seconds off the pace of Pogacar and not more than eight seconds off of the best placed of the favorites, Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma).  Chapeau!

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, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3938703-91-272742/Painting/keeping-gaudu-close-pn23-9.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  

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3895207-120-294403/Painting/its-all-you-now-tdf22-121.html

Tour '22, Stage 16: Coming Back Together

 For the longest time I had to self imposed rules that on retrospect didn't really make any sense.  The first was not to use helicopter shots which went back to when I hoped to paint from a motorcycle in the Giro d'Italia a few years back.  The second was to only use a horizontal formate.  That at least was necessary when I was creating one of my two cycling books and needed some page design uniformity.  Clearly, I have now broken both rules in the 2022 Tour de France.  Tadej Pogacar's (UAE Team Emirates) attacks had split the peloton of contenders.  Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) -and his teammate Sepp Kuss along with Nairo Quintana (Arkea-Samsic) were able to go with the attacks right away, but it took the Ineos-Grenadiers duo of Simon Yates and Geraint Thomas a bit longer to tag back on.  David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) was a bit stronger than the Brits coming back into contention.  Quintana and Gaudu were able to move up into the top five with their efforts today.  Thomas stayed were he was in third.  And, of course, first and second stayed the same with no change in the time gaps either.

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.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3894716-100-294403/Painting/coming-back-together-tdf22-101.html

Tour '22, Stage 11: Taking Advantage

So the plan of Jumbo-Visma worked, finally.  On the Col du Granon the unflappable Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) finally cracked.  Perhaps he shouldn't have gone so deep on the last two stages to add to his time gaps over those behind him on GC.  At this point it was looking like Jonas Vingegaard was all the way up the road for the stage win (and looking like a Yellow Jersey, too).  Nairo Quintana (Arkea-Samsic) was away, as was Geraint Thomas (Ineos-Grenadiers).  Now it was David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) going away with Adam Yates (Ineos-Grenadiers) trying to match the young French riders acceleration.  At his limit all Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) could do was hang his yellow helmet and try to limit his loses.  He didn't hold onto the Maillot Jaune, but he will still be in the Maillot Blance of best young rider tomorrow.

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. 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3893546-67-294403/Painting/taking-advantage-tdf22-67.html

Tour '22, Stage 6: Trading White for Yellow

Well, technically he will still have White too.  Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) out sprinted Michael Mathews (BikeExchange-Jayco) and David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) to win the stage and take over the lead in this Tour de France.  Since he had opened up four seconds on the peloton and got a ten second bonus he is now the leader of the Tour, leading the American Neilson Powless by four seconds.  Had he not won the day, we would have seen the first American in yellow in a very long time.  It does seem a bit early for the Slovenian to take over the race lead, so Powless may have a chance to take it back tomorrow.  Although, Pogacar is such a competitive racer I can't imagine him ever not racing to win.  That being said (or typed) it is still a very long lumpy two weeks to Paris.

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.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3892518-33-294403/Painting/trading-white-for-yellow-tdf22-33.html

TDF, Stage 18: First One Down the Mountain

David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) may not have been the first over the top of the Col du Tourmalet, but he was the first back down the other side.  As he flew the town, he showed just how far he was willing to lean his bike over to carry maximum speed through the corners.  That might just be why he was the first one off the mountain.  Gaudu was hoping to have a big enough gap from the chasing peloton to stay away on the climb up the Luz Ardiden.  He wasn caught on the final climb yesterday so he was hoping to do a bit better today.

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 from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3824250-120-291436/Painting/first-down-the-mountain-tdf21-119.html

TDF, Stage 17: Climbing Again

I enjoy the chance to use a title that may have more than one meaning.  In this case, David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) was literally climbing again, as in up the Col du Portet.  As he passed the four kilometers to go banner, the mountain seemed to disappear into the mist of the low clouds hugging the mountain top.  But he was also climbing back up the general classification, or so I thought.  Actually, he held his eleventh position on the general classification, but narrowed the gap to tenth place.  He also held his third place in the best young rider's competition, but he did solidify his third place in the race for the Maillot Blanc.  

And then he did finish in fourth on the stage, delighting the French fans along the road and watching around the world.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.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 from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3824087-112-291436/Painting/climbing-again-tdf21-111.html

TDF, Stage 16: Two Left Chasing

With one guy up the road, it was left to these two to chase.  David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) and Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain-Victorious) had left the larger chase group in hopes of better there placing in their respective competitions.  Riding along with the pair is one of the several TV cameramen who bring the shots of the racing from the back of a motorcycle.  This was captured by one of the two TV camera helicopters who hover above the race all stage long.  I do think the camera guys delight in catching each other on air.  The competitors on the bicycles are not the only ones needing to be the best at what they do in the Grand Boucle.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.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 from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available. 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3823767-103-291436/Painting/two-left-chasing-tdf21-102.html