Tour '24, Stage 19: Catch Me If You Can

With his teammates just about cooked on the way up the climb of Isola 2000, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) did the only thing he seems to know how to do.  He attacked.  As he stood up to ride away, he looked back over his shoulder as if to say, "Catch me if you can!"  At first, Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step) was able to match the attack along with Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike), but the soon saw the Maillot Jaune ride off.  Pogacar must have felt that since neither the Maillot Blanc nor the Maillot a Pois attacked on the previous climb, they must not have the legs.  Apparently, he was right, and apparently, he did.  The two never saw that speeding bolt of yellow again, but instead rode together to the summit. They gave away no time to each other, but conceded almost two minutes to the leader of the Tour.  The two shook hands as they finished the stage.  I believe they have resigned themselves to the fact that they won't win this Tour de France.

I am sure that the Danish fans festooned in the Danish flag were hoping to see this attack go another way.

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. 

"Catch Me If You Can TdF24-123" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 19: The Ones He Left Behind

With his teammate up the road looking to win the stage Wilco Kelderman (Visma-Lease a Bike) was doing his best to disrupt the chase of Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) and Simon Yates (Jayco-Alula).  Kelderman wouldn't pull through, but he chased anyone who tried to launch an attack.  Should the others manage to bridge up to Matteo Jorgenson, then Kelderman would be the freshest and able to still get a win for the team.  Both men had been in the break to function as support for their leader, Jonas Vingegaard, when he went on the attack.  Since that didn't happen, they were free to ride for the stage, still providing a collaborative duty for the team.

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. 

"The Ones He Left Behind TdF24-122" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 19: Making His Move!

With no attacks coming from his team leader, Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) was free to go for the stage win.  He had his teammate Wilco Kelderman setting the tempo in the four-man group off the front on the final climb of the day.  Rather than the usual of waiting for Kelderman to bury himself and swing off, Jorgenson made his attack from the second position in the line.  He got the surprise on the remaining to members of the break Simon Yates (Jayco-Alula) and the virtual Maillot a Pois Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost).  He also made his attack in front of a group of Danish cycling fans.  I am sure they were hoping to see their man Vingegaard to the same thing when he got to this point on the climb three minutes from now.

Sadly, the Yellow Jersey got a bit greedy and took the stage win away from Jorgenson.  The American finished twenty-one seconds behind the flying Slovenian.  I don't think the Maillot Jaune made any friends today.  It was a move that didn't need to happen.  Even Lance Armstrong would let the guy who had worked all day have the stage, and would still make up time on his rivals.

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. 

"Making His Move TdF24-121" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 19: Any Movement?

Everyone expected attacks to come on the previous climb, everyone.  When they didn't happen, I think everyone in the peloton got a bit 'twitchy'  As his teammates Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) and Joao Almeida set a hard pace on the front of the group of Tour leaders Tadej Pogacar looked back to see if anyone was looking like they might attack.  All he could see was Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) and the main worker of Remco Evenepoel, Jan Tratnik (Soudal-Quick Step) sitting there grinding out the rhythm.  Had he looked over the other shoulder he would have seen Evenepoel looking both cool and patient.  Was today going to be a draw?  Or would someone attack for seconds if not minutes?

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. 

"Any Movement? TdF24-120" (Original art by Greig Leach)