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

And learn about Leach's published books at The Art of Cycling: Cycling Books by Greig Leach

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Paris Olympics 2024, Women's Mountain Biking: Off on Her Own

Pauline Ferrand Prevot (France) wasn't messing around today!  She went off on her own towards the end of the first lap in today's Cross Country race.  I am struck that course was built over a defunct quarry and landfill.  The States could take a page out of this book, it was a beautiful wooded course with rather large old trees.  Pauline rode around all of the race on her own to the thrill of the French fans all along the course.  They chanted "Pauline, Pauline, Pauline!" as she went by.  She did win the Gold Medal in her home Olympics by over three minutes.  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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Off on Her Own PO24-16" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes 23, Stage 8: Finishing Strong

Finishing strong is the perfect description of the last two days for Juliette Labous (DSM-firmenich).  Yesterday she started the day in tenth place moving herself up to sixth with her attacking ride on the Col du Tourmalet.  Today she still had the legs to finish sixth on the day which put her up into the top five of the second edition of the Tour de France Femmes.  Her French fans along the final kilometer were thrilled to see one of their countrywomen placing so high in their home race.  They also have another countrywoman finishing the race in the White Jersey of the best young rider.  French cycling is looking good for the future, at least in the women's peloton.

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-2023/3969067-195-297438/Painting/finishing-strong-tdff23-51.html 

TDF, Stage 17: Flying the Flag

On the Col de Val Lauron Azet Anthony Peres (Cofidis) was looking to carry the flag for the French, and his French team.  While it has been since 2017 that a Frenchman was able to claim a stage victory on Bastille Day, it has been an additional nine years since his team has taken a stage win in the Tour.  The French fans were out in force on all of the climbs of the day, many waving the tri-colore of France for everyone in the peloton.  But they were especially excited to see one of their own off the front on the second big climb of the day.

Spoiler alert... Perez stayed off the front until the final three kilometers of the stage, so the French and Cofidis will have to wait another year. Well Cofidis still has three stages to claim a stage win in the 2021 Tour de France.

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/3824051-108-291436/Painting/flying-the-flag-tdf21-107.html