Tour '26, Stage 3: No Contest

When Mads Pederson (Lidl-Trek) managed to bridge up to the breakaway, I figured it was just for this.  He seems to be amassing sprint points in hopes of claiming the Maillot Vert.  These uncontested maximum points in Campdevanol put him in the virtual jersey, but the climbs to come may prove his undoing.  He looks back just to make sure neither Alex Baudin (EF Education-EasyPost) nor Joris Delbove (TotalEnergies) were going to try and jump him in the final meters to the line.  Behind those three, Marc Hirschi (Tudor Pro Cycling) and Harold Tejada (XDS-Astana) were just keeping an eye out.  Oft times someone will launch an attack just after the intermediate sprint.  It is a great chance to surprise the others since most sit up after the sprint effort waiting for the group to come back together.  Today, the break just got back to the task of trying to gain more time on the following peloton.

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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "No Contest TdF26-17" (Original art by Greig Leach)

 Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

And learn about Leach's published books at The Art of Cycling: Cycling Books by Greig Leach

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TDF, Stage 21: As a Team

Yes, it is Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) who wins the Tour de France, but it could not have been done without the entire team.  And it isn't just the seven other guys on their bikes, but all of the nutritionist, trainers, maseurs, soigneurs, directors, and drivers.  So a nod to all of them and to Mikkel Berg, Rui Costa, Davide Formolo, Marc Hirschi, Vegard Stake Laengen, Rafal Majka, and the American Brandon McNulty.  Chapeau!

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/3824843-138-291436/Painting/as-a-team-tdf21-137.html

Prints are available, too!

Tour, Stage 18: I've Got You Covered

 Richard Carapaz (Ineos-Grenadiers) had tried to escape from the small group that was the leaders on the road.  He used a round-about to mask his attack, but Marc Hirschi (Sunweb) must have seen the attack out of the corner of his eye.  Hirschi swung onto the Ecuadorian's wheel and nullified this escape.  The pair were at different purposes, it seems that Carapaz had decided that he should fight to claim the Miallot a Pois, whereas Hirschi was solely after the stage victory (not to say that Carapaz wouldn't want the stage as well as the jersey).

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2020/3703893-122-282744/Painting/ive-got-you-covered-tdf20-115.html

Tour, Stage 12: Third Time Is the Charm!

 Marc Hirschi (Sunweb) has become the new darling of the Tour.  After joining a late break in stage 2 he took second in Nice and pulled on the Maillot Blanc (for a day).  And again on stage 9 he went on a break from the very start of the stage.  He was caught by the marquee riders of this Tour with just three kilometers to race.  He still managed to take third in a five man sprint that gave Roglic the Maillot Jaune and Pogacar the stage.  Today, is third attempt, was the one that worked finishing solo with almost a minute to spare.  He only had the assistant race referee for company as he crossed the line.  Chapeau!

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2020/3698189-79-282744/Painting/third-time-is-the-charm-tdf20-73.html

Tour, Stage 12: Trying Again

Not to be one to quit trying, Marc Hirschi (Sunweb) bridged across to his teammates that had started the attack, and then went off on his own on the final climb of the day the Suc au May.  Hirschi had already been in two breaks thus far in the Tour, on a late attack into Nice (he took second) and the other a day long break were he finished third on the day.  I am sure he has ever intention of getting on the remaining step of a stage podium today.  He has just 27 kilometers left to the line in Sarran.  He will be able to use his remarkable descending skills, combined with his strenght in the time trials for his late solo effort.  Clearly the small climb at the end won't be a problem since he left everyone on this climb.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2020/3698127-74-282744/Painting/theyve-left-the-peloton-tdf20-68.html

Tour, Stage 9: Thrilled with His Finish

Everyone of these guys can be thrilled with how they finished stage 9 in Laruns.  A very excited Tadej Pogacar (UAE-Team Emirates) was over the moon to take the stage win.  He out sprinted his countryman Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) for the win.  But don't cry for Roglic, the bonus seconds atop the final climb and the additional bonus for his second place finish adds to his lead over the field as he is the next to pull on the Maillot Juane.  Perhaps Marc Hirschi (Sunweb) was less than thrilled, despite a brilliant break away effort, claiming all of the sprint and KOM points on the day, he has to accept his third on the day.  He missed out on stage 2 by about the same distance taking second then.  Egan Bernal (Ineos-Grenadiers) kept his Maillot Blanc and consolidated his position on GC.  And the last guy across the line, Mikel Landa (Bahrain-McLaren) proved he had the legs to be a contender in the Tour as he moved up into tenth overall.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2020/3694365-61-282744/Painting/thrilled-by-his-finish-tdf20-56.html

Tour, Stage 9: Damn, They're Here

Marc Hirschi (Sunweb) could not have been very happy to look over his shoulder to see four guys coming across to him.  He has been off the front all day, most of it on his own.  And now, with just two and a half kilometers to go the marquee riders of the Tour were almost on his wheel.  After trying to push on, he sat up and waited for the quartet, figuring he could get on their wheels and then count on his sprinting prowess to still give him the stage win he has been dreaming of for the last hours.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2020/3694349-60-282744/Painting/damn-theyre-here-tdf20-55.html

Tour, Stage 9: Drinking on the Job

Obviously, it is essential to make sure you keep up your fluids while out on a ride, all the more so if you are racing in the Pyrenees in the Tour de France.  Marc Hirschi (Sunweb) was making sure he was hydrated even as he rides away from his erstwhile break away companions.  Hirschi had spent two days in the Maillot Blanc, so he has the legs to make this break stick.  At this point, he has a sole masked fan, the race director and a neutral service car for companions on the way up the Col de la Hourcere.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2020/3693411-54-282744/Painting/drinking-on-the-job-tdf20-49.html

Tour, Stage 2: So Very Close

So very close describes to different aspects of this sprint finish.  One that Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step) only beat Marc Hirschi (Sunweb) by not quite a bike length, and two, that the fast closing peloton finished just two seconds behind the gutsy Frenchman.  With the second place bonus seconds atop the final climb, and the eight seconds bonus for the win, Alaphilippe will be the new Maillot Jaune.  The man in second, Hirschi, becomes the new Maillot Blanc, the best place young rider in the Tour.  Just peeking around the shoulder of Hirschi is Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) whose third place and bonus seconds on the stage moved himself in to second place on the General Classification. Yates was the only other rider who was able to go with the two escapees, although he crossed the line on the Promenade des Anglais a second behind the other two, and a second ahead of the Greg Van Avermaet (CCC) led peloton.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2020/3687341-18-282744/Painting/so-very-close-tdf20-12.html

Tour, Stage 2: Alaphilippe Goes!

Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step) used the final climb up the Col des Quatre Chemins to launch an attack in hopes of taking the stage, and with it the Maillot Jaune.  As he went, it was only March Hirschi (Sunweb) that was able to go with the Frenchman.  As the pair went, Dylan Van Baarle (Ineos-Gernadiers) and Sep Kuss (Jumbo-Visma) could only stare in wonder, neither able to match the acceleration.  At the top of the climb there were bonus seconds on offer for the first three over the top, seconds that could make a big difference in the hunt for Yellow.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2020/3687335-17-282744/Painting/alaphilippe-goes-tdf20-11.html