Tour '26, Stage 11: Rolling Through

As the four-man breakaway hit a rise in the road, Julian Alaphilippe dropped off the back, not having the legs to hang with the other three.  Without the one they thought would most likely beat them in the sprint, the trio of Nelson Oliviera (Moivstar), Mathias Le Berre (TotalEnergies), and Anthon Charmig (Uno X-Mobility) continued to work together, each sharing their pulls on the front.  Surprisingly, they actually increased their advantage over the peloton despite this being the fastest stage in the history of the Tour de France.  The record was set way back in 1999.  The 113th Tour keeps setting new records daily.  I'm going to guess that this is the most riders to start an eleventh stage of the Tour as well.  Having sped up, it was still unlikely the sprinters and their teams were going to let them stay off the front by the time they reach Nevers.  At this point they still had twenty-one kilometers to go and only had an advantage of forty-five seconds.  Clearly, not enough to claim the day.

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: "Rolling Through TdF26-76" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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

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Tour '26, Stage 11: Big Names in the Break

Well, maybe two of them are big names, in fact I have never heard of the other two before today.  The title is a play on the low angle shot from the back of the TV Moto. Leading this breakaway is the French favorite Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Pro Cycling).  Perhaps the main reason he is out there is because he is racing near where he grew up.  Swinging off the front is the other name of the peloton, Nelson Oliviera (Movistar) who is in his tenth (I think) Tour.  Behind is Anthon Charmig (Uno X-Mobility) and then Mathis Le Berre (TotalEnergies) both of whom are new to me.  The quartet have built up almost a minute-and-a-half on the peloton.  However, those behind never let them have more of an advantage than that.  I suspect no one wanted to have a hard chase given the on going heat.  They did get a break with a few showers at the start of the stage.

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: "Big Names in the Break TdF26-74" (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

Learn More About the Artist →   

Tour '25, Stage 1: Trying to Stay Away

With another 110 kilometers to race it was a bit of a surprise to see the breakaway's advantage drop to just twenty-two seconds.  As the peloton drew close, it was Bruno Armirail (Decathlon-AG2R-La Mondiale) pushed the pace of his breakaway companions Benjamin Thomas (Cofidis), Mathis Le Berre (Arkea-B&B Hotels) and Jonas Rutsch (Intermache-Wanty).  There had been a fifth escapee, but he found the pace too much and dropped back into the relative safety of the peloton.  Thomas had grabbed the one king of the mountain points over the first climb.  I am sure he hoped to stay away to vie for the points at the second and/or third climbs of the day.  It didn't look like those behind were going to let that happen.

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.

"Trying to Stay Away TdF25-2" (Original art by Greig Leach)