Tour Femmes '25, Stage 6: Blowing Kisses

As Maeva Squiban (UAE Team ADQ) rode alone to the line in Amberet she had plenty of time to celebrate with the local fans lining the barriers.  She blew kisses to those cheering her before waving her arms encouraging them all to cheer louder.  She finally did the more traditional two-armed salute as she crossed the line a full minute and nine seconds ahead of her countrywoman Juliette Labous (FDJ-Suez) who was another four seconds ahead of the Maillot Jaune - Kim Le Court.  Her third place added two more seconds to the four she picked up twelve kilometers ago.  As I was working on this painting, I was so happy with the asymmetrical composition that I thought it would be best to leave the red race director's car out of the painting.  Ah, the advantages of not being a photographer...

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.  

"Blowing Kisses TdFF25-35" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 8: Joie Francaise

Despite the attacks from behind, it was the last man left from the breakaway Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious) who raise his hands in joy at the end of the final stage of the Dauphine.  Despite his Spanish seeming name, he is French.  He took the stage by thirty-four seconds over Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar who went second and first in this Dauphine.  I am pretty sure this is the only stage that was won by a Frenchman, so the joy amongst the partisans was huge.

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.

"Joie Francaise CdD25-47" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 6: With All Her Heart

Cedrine Kerboal's (Ceratizit-WNT) joy was unmistakable as she soloed to victory in Morteau.  She had jumped away on the final climb and left everyone in awe as she flew down the other side of the Cote des Fris.  She may have known that she didn't have enough of a gap to take the lead in the general classification, but regardless, she took the time to savor and celebrate her stage win.  It is the first stage win for a Frenchwoman in this year's Tour de France Femmes.  She took the stage with a twenty-one second advantage and got another ten second time bonus, so she now sits just sixteen seconds off of the Maillot Jaune in second place overall.  She will need to be careful tomorrow, third is just three seconds back and forth is only three more seconds behind that.  This should set up for some exciting racing capped off by mountain top finishes for the last two stages of the race.

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.

"With All Her Heart TdFF24-32" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour, Stage 19: Celebrating the News

The winner of every stage faces a scrum of soigneurs, race personnel, press, interviewers and TV camera.  The scrum goes ballistic when the winner is a Frenchman taking a stage for his country with only three stages left to race.  Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale) knew he had delivered the stage for France, but he along with his team personnel and the French press were waiting to see just how far up the General Classification he had managed to get.  Bardet pumped his fist as they all learned that with his bonus seconds for the win, he is now in second place! Although he is over four minutes behind the Maillot Jaune of Chris Froome (Sky).  And yes he is pumping his fist in the air, not punching the personnel who is holding his arms wide.  He is keeping a very close eye on Bardet, who he will shortly take to the doping control tent.  Every stage winner is tested to make sure his win was clean.  With one stage where the race will be full on, it is doubtful that Bardet will be able to take over the lead.  But, Froome did crash, it will remain to be seen if there are any linger affects on his form in the final day in the French Alps.  The last day it is considered bad form to attack the jerseys.  It is a day for a promenade, until the sprinters take over racing for a stage victory on the Champs Elysees in the shadow of the l'Arc du Triomphe.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

Be sure to check out my second cycling art book, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships, available online or through your local book seller.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2827784-144-224974/PaintingCelebrating%20the%20News%20TdF145-Greig-Leach.html#.V5LSDbgrLIU