Tour '24, Stage 19: Over the Top of the Tour

The Cime de la Bonette not only was a Haute Catagorie climb, it is also the highest point of this Tour de France.  With such a distinction, it also carried double King of the Mountain points to whomever went over first.  And a corresponding extra number of points for each following position over the top.  With Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) claiming the maximum points on this climb as well, he is now the virtual King of the Mountains.  He was followed over the top of the Tour by Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) and his teamate Wilco Kelderman.  Just tangling off of this trio is Cristian Rodriguez (Arkea-B&B Hotels).  They had dropped the main breakaway group of about another five guys.  Visma-Lease a Bike look like they have a plan to try and steal time back on the Maillot Jaune.  By putting these two guys off the front, their leader, Jonas Vingegaard has some helpers should he be able to get away from the peloton.  Will he attack on this climb?

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.  

"Over the Top of the Tour TdF24-118" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France, Stage 17: Cresting the Top of the Tour

Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) has ridden himself back into form and into the Tour as the race has progressed.  Today he was in the breakaway yet again.  He left his compatriots behind and went over the highest point of the 102nd Tour de France riding second on the road.  Unfortunately for the Frenchman who finished third overall last year, he is not the skilled descender of the rider ahead or those that are chasing him from behind.  Pinot is looking at a fast, narrow, technical descent off of the Col d'Allos that leads right into the final ascent of the day.

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, www.richesonart.com.  They are a small family run art supply company that really does have excellent art making materials.  This painting, and in fact all of my cycling artwork, 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.  Don't delay however, since it is an original painting, when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2583533-111-210122/Painting.html#.VbAGdflVikp

Tour de France, Stage 17: Going It Alone

While he is not known for being a great climber, Simon Geschke (Giant Alpecin) attack his fellow breakaway companions on the big climb up the Col d'Allos.  Perhaps because of his lack of a reputation as a climber, the German was allowed to ride away as the Tour climbed up to the highest point of this year's race.  I am amused at how much Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen make of bearded riders.  They seemed to take it as a personal affront to the aesthetics of cycling.  I am sure that the drag factor of the furry face was not much of a factor on the effort of climbing the Alps.

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, www.richesonart.com.  They are a small family run art supply company that really does have excellent art making materials.  This painting, and in fact all of my cycling artwork, 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.  Don't delay however, since it is an original painting, when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2582774-105-210122/Painting.html#.VbACPflVikr

Tour Stage Eight: The Top of the Tour

Nairo Quintana left everyone behind on his way up to the highest point of the 100th Tour de France, he crested the Col de Pailheres alone in a screaming crowd of cycling fanatics, many whom had been camping on the mountain top for days.  None too few of them had been drinking since they got there but the Gendarmes kept everything under control.  He set off back down the other side with about two minutes on Pierre Rolland who was riding to get back into his Polka Dot Jersey he would have succeed save for Chris Froome.  But then there are a lot of members of the peloton saying, "I would have ___ save for Chris Froome.  However, he will start the Stage 9 in polka dots since Froome will be decked out in yellow.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available in a quick 3 day auction on ebay.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to bid on original art of the 100th Tour de France.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251300708825