Tour de France 23, Stage 13: Jumping the Break

With the break away unlikely to stay away until the summit of the Grand Colombier, those in the front group needed to get what prizes they could.  At least that seemed to be the thinking of Mike Teunissen (Intermache-Circus-Wanty).  While it appeared that Anthon Charming (Uno-X), Matej Mohoric (Bahrian-Victorious), and the rest of the large group of escapees, were happy to just roll through the intermediate sprint in Hauteville Lompnes, Teunisson went for the maximum points and prize.  He wasn't really challenged, but I guess it made him feel good to be on today's results list.

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.

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Tour de France 23, Stage 10: Victorious!

I swear, I couldn't resist.  Just as Phil Liggett so desperately wanted to call the Bilbao had one the opening stage in Bilbao, I just love playing off the name of the team that today's stage winner in Issoire rides for.  So yes, it was Pello Bilbao (Bahrian-Victorious) who had the legs to out sprint Georg Zimmerman (Intermache-Circus-Wanty) for the victory.  To you see the title right there in his team's name?  Just out of frame is Ben O'Connor (Ag2r-Citroen) unable to match the sprint of these two settling for third on the stage.  O'Connor had tried to get the jump on these guys, but they kept him close.  The guy who they had been forced to chase, Krists Neilands (Israel-Premier Tech) held on for fourth place on the day.  Well behind the general classification remained the same despite the aggression of the early kilometers of the stage.  Bilbao did move himself up to fifth overall.  O'Connor didn't move as far up the GC but he did pull back just shy of three minutes on the Maillot Jaune.

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.

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Tour de France 23, Stage 10: Catch Him, Try to Drop Them All

Ben O'Connor (Ag2r-Citroen) has come out of the rest day a new rider.  He admits that his first nine days of the Tour were awful, but today he was on fire.  He bridged up to the leaders on the road being the one who pulled back the lone escapee, Krists Neilands (Israel-Premier Tech).  As they got inside of the final two kilometers to go in the city of Issoire, he went hard to drop Esteban Chaves (EF Education-EasyPost), Georg Zimmermann (Intermache-Circus-Wanty) and Neilands.  He opened a bit of a gap, hoping that he wouldn't be forced to sprint against those he was trying to be rid of.

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.

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Tour de France 23, Stage 7: Not Yet Historical

We are all waiting to see if Mark Cavendish (Astana-Qazaqstan) is going to win that thus far elusive 35th Tour de France stage victory.  At 100 meters to go itt really looked like today was going to be the day.  But he faded just a bit and Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) was able to surge to the line for his third win in this edition of the Tour de France.  On another possible historic note, Biniam Girmay (Intermache-Circus-Wanty) almost became the first black African to win a Tour stage, but he was bested by the seasoned sprinting veteran and the Maillot Vert (naturally, the best sprinter in this Tour thus far).  Girmay was a bit frustrated and may have felt as though his sprint had been impeded by Philipsen getting through the others to claim victory.  Behind the green jersey was Luca Mozzato (Arkea-Samsic) in fourth and Jordi Meeus (Bora-Hansgrohe) in fifth.

Cav may have another chance to break the all time stage record tomorrow, but it will be another five days until the next stage that truly suits the sprinters.

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.

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Tour de France 23, Stage 7: A Dress Rehearsal

The intermediate sprint in Grignols was an opportunity for the sprinters to stretch their legs and see if they were feeling good for the finale.  Of course, there are points available in the competition to wear the Maillot Vert being sported by Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck).  Bryan Coquard (Cofidis) has been slowly gathering points in most every sprint, but today the best of the rest went to Biniam Girmay (Intermache-Circus-Wanty).  I say best of the rest, because the lone break away of Simon Gugleilmi (Arkea-Samsic) was still up the road.  A number of other sprinters gave it a go, but it was these three who got the maximum points still available.  Is this any hint for the end of the stage in Bordeaux?

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.

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Tour de France 23, Stage 1: Sprinting for Polka Dots

Neilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost) was just able to out sprint a frustrated Georg Zimmerman (Intermache-Circus-Wanty) to claim the five KOM points on offer at the top of the Cote de Vivero.  Given the climbs Cat 2 rating, it gave the American on the American team enough points to pull on the Maillot a Pois at the end of the opening stage of this year's Tour.  Zimmermann pounded his bars in disappointment, but then reached out and congratulated Powless on this sprint.  No sense making any enemies in the peloton on the first day of the Tour.

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. 

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Fleche Wallonne 23, Men’s Race: Down to Two

Soren Kragh Andersen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) attacked his erstwhile break away companions over the second climb of the Cote d’Ereffe.  Of the other seven in the original group, only Georg Zimmerman (Intermache-Circus-Wanty) was able to join the Dane on the front of the race.  They had another 46 kilometers to race but they were holding off the chasers and the peloton, for now.

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.

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Paris Nice 23, Stage 7: The Last Survivors

The early break of the day total nineteen at the onset of their escape from the clutches of the peloton.  However, by the time they reached the 11 kilometers to go it was just Kobe Gossens (Intermache-Circus-Wanty) and Javier Romo (Astana-Qazaqstan) were the only two still ahead of the peloton.  As they scaled the final climb of the day, the Col de la Couiollole, they had to know that their chances of making it to the finish ahead of the fast closing heads of state were extremely limited.  Still by now they simply had to see it through.  Just behind them, the Shimano neutral service car was trying to get pass them, a sure fire sign that those behind were almost upon them.

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.

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Paris Nice 23, Stage 5: Worthy of Celebration

With arms spread wide and fingers showing he was number one on the stage, Olav Kooij (Jumbo-Visma) celebrates a sprint victory into Saint Paul Trois Chateaux.  After the team’s disappointment of losing time against the new race leader, it was nice of their sprinter to give them something to celebrate.  Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo) was forced to start his sprint a bit too early, but held on to take second place on the stage.  That placing was enough to earn him the Maillot Vert outright.  While the color green changed, it still means that he is the most consistent sprinter in this year’s race.  Tim Merlier (Soudal-Quick Step) in his Belgium National Champion jersey closed quickly but ran out of road to finish third.  You can see Arne Marit (Intermache-Circus-Wanty) coming in eighth with his teammate just behind him.

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.

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Paris Nice 23, Stage 4: Hoping They’ll Catch Up

Pascal Eenkhoorn (Lotto Dstny) bedecked in his Dutch National Champion’s jersey, looked back over his shoulder on the way back down the Cote de Vernet.  He had opened up quite a gap on his former break away companions.  However, I am guessing he didn’t really want to ride the final 38 kilometers alone.  He could see Lilian Calmejane (Intermache-Circus-Wanty) coming across with a few others just behind the Frenchman.

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/3938779-94-272742/Painting/hoping-theyll-catch-up.-pn23-12.html