TDF, Stage 18: The Race Is Behind Him

Yet again, I get to use a title that has two different meanings.  First, clearly the racing is now behind Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) with a unsurmountable lead of over five and a half minutes.  And now with this stage win he will also win the Maillot a Pois, and given his age, he is the owner of the Maillot Blanc as well.  Just as he did last year.  The other race is for second and third in the Tour.  As they crossed the line, Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) added a few more bonus seconds to his second place ahead of Richard Carapaz (Ineos-Grenadiers).  With a flat stage tomorrow all the three of these guys have to do is stay upright and finish near each other.  But Saturday, the individual time trial could change some placings, but remember Vingegaard was third in the first TT.

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 from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available. 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3824259-123-291436/Painting/the-race-is-behind-him-tdf21-122.html

TDF, Stage 18: Leaving Everyone Behind

Everyone had been trying to figure out how to attack the Maillot Jaune of Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates).  He did not have to do much of anything on this stage, he has five and a half minutes on those in the distance behind him.  But clearly, racing is in his DNA.  Much has been said of Mark Cavendish tying the win totals of Eddy Merckx, but this is the guy about to do something Merckx never did.  If he stays on his bike until Paris, he will win the Maillot Jaune, the Maillot Blanc, and with this move, the Maillot a Pois for the second year in a row.  Merckx never won the Maillot Blanc, I don't think he was young enough to win it when it debut in 1968.  But he did win the Maillot Vert (sprinter) the Maillot Jaune and the Maillot a Pois (climber) in one year, 1969.

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 from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available. 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3824255-122-291436/Painting/leaving-everyone-behind-tdf21-121.html

TDF, Stage 18: Allez, Allez, Allez!

Over virtually every kilometer of the Tour de France, the fans along the side of the road yell, "Allez, allez, allez!"  Today it must have been Rafal Majka (UAE Team Emirates) yelled to his team leader (and Maillot Jaune), Tadej Pogacar as he came off the wheel of his teammate.  Usually, the leader will wait until his last teammate does one final pull and then swings off.  Pogacar caught the other GC riders by surprise by going out from behind the wheel of his last domestique.  At first the other two domestiques left, Jonathan Castroveijo (Ineos-Grenadiers) and Sepp Kuss (Jumbo-Visma) were able to match the acceleration for their respective team leaders, Richard Carapaz and Jonas Vingegaard.  The five opened a bit of a gap on Enric Mas (Movistar) who was trying to defend his position on his own. There are another four kilometers to climb to the final mountain top finish of this Tour de France.  So there is plenty of room to fight out the rest of the GC positions.  I doubt there is enough road left to unseat Pogacar and his five and a half minute lead on those behind him in GC and on this stretch of road.

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 from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3824251-121-291436/Painting/allez-allez-allez-tdf21-120.html