Tour '24, Stage 18: Passing Around the M&Ms

Today reminded me of when I feel in love with the Giro d'Italia.  Then after a rider celebrated his birthday in his hometown with his family, the peloton joined in the party.  As they got ready to roll out, someone took one of the pastry trays and shared it with the others in the peloton as they rode out of town.  Today, it was the first time I have seen anything similar in the Tour de France.  I'm not sure where the bag of M&Ms came from but the camera caught Jasper Stuyvens (Lidl-Trek) handing out handfuls of peanut and chocolate candy.  Eventually, he passed the bag to Robbe Ghys (Alpecin-Deceuninck) who then handed it back to his teammate Axel Laurance.  Laurance did continue pouring out the treats into the hands of Kobe Goossens (Intermache-Wanty) amongst others.  I don't know how long it took to empty the bag, but I am sure there were some very happy tastebuds today.  With the large breakaway up the road, the pressure was off for a change, and the peloton was taking full advantage.

This painting has already sold to a longtime patron of my cycling art.  Digital prints are available through the website.

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.

"Passing Around the M&Ms Tdf24-111" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 16: Finishing with His Teammates

Sadly, Biniam Girmay (Intermache-Wanty) wasn't able to contest the last sprint stage of the Tour today.  He crashed and was helped across the finish line by his teammate Kobe Goossens.  As they headed for their support personnel, Girmay put his arm on Hugo Page's shoulder to thank him for waiting.  He needed to cross the line to remain in the Tour and in the Maillot Vert.  Fortunately, x-rays and a medical exam proved he had no broken bones or serious injuries.  He plans to start Stage 17 to defend his lead in the sprinter's competition.  He will be hoping to add points on the remaining hard climbing stages counting on his main rival to not be able to hang with the peloton before it gets to the intermediate sprints.  Even Jasper Philipsen said it would be sad for him to take the jersey "this 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. 

"Finishing with His Teammates TdF24-100" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 10: Are We Doing This?

It looked like this trio were joking about pretending that they were going to attack the slow-moving peloton.  The day started without a breakaway on a clear flat sprint stage and no one seemed eager to take on the sprinters' teams in a vain effort to ride off the front.  There was a relaxed and playful mood most of the day that generated this feint attack.  However, when Kobe Goossens (Intermache-Wanty) along with the teammates Maxim Van Gils (Lotto-Dstny) and Brent Van Moer realized they had a gap, they decided they might as well see just how much rope the peloton would give them.  You might notice that one of the Lidl-Trek men is on his radio asking the team car what they should do about this move.  With 140 kilometers to go, this was most likely the joke that it started out to be.

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. 

"Are We Doing This? TdF24-52" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3939751-105-272742/Painting/the-last-survivors.-pn23-23.html