Tour '24, Stage 14: The Stongman of the Tour

Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) had but seconds if not minutes into every other participant still in the Tour as he crossed the line atop the Pla d'Adet.  He can be excused his muscle builder hulk-like celebration as he crossed the line.  It is a bit amusing seeing one of the slight armed men of the pro-peloton acting as if they were possessing huge biceps.  Yet, it cannot be denied that he is without doubt proving to be the strongest man thus far in this edition of the Tour.  He must feel vindicated for the mere two seconds he conceded to the defending Tour champion having so markedly flipped the results today.

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 Strongman of the Tour TdF24-84" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 14: Are They Chasing?

UAE Team Emirates had control of the peloton on the final climb of the day up to the Pla d'Adet.  It put them in a great position to play a card against those behind them on the general classification.  Rather than have Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) drive the pace on the front of the group, he attacked and went free.  The idea was that those near him on the GC would chase, or better either Jonas Vingegaard or Remco Evenepoel would panic and blow themselves up chasing.  Neither happened, but since he was out there, he could become a good helper to his leader Tadej Pogacar should he need a wheel to follow if or more likely when he attacks.  His move did eat up the advantage of the lone remaining member of the breakaway, Ben Healy.

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 They Chasing? TdF24-82" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 14: Dropping the Last Guy

With just ten kilometers to the summit of the Pla d'Adet and the finish line of stage 14, Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) was able to drop David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ).  Gaudu was the last of the early breakaway that was still with the Irishman in pink.  The crowds were thick and crowded the roadway two and three people deep.  Happily, with the exception of some setting of flares, they didn't actually impede the progress of the race.  

Spoiler alert - Both of these guys were caught by the chasing group of the yellow jersey, so a stage win wasn't in the cards for either man.  Healy did get the award for the most Combative Rider in today's stage.  I haven't seen one yet, but he will be wearing a red bib number to show that he was the most aggressive in the previous 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 $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Dropping the Last Guy TdF24-81" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Stage 17: King of the Mountain

Rafal Majka (Tinkoff Saxo) had been chasing Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) up every climb of the stage and coming up short.  On the road, Rodriguez had taken over the virtual lead in the King of the Mountains competition, but Majka was not one to give up easily.  As the shreds of the peloton and the original break away toiled up the hill, Rodriguez discovered he had put too much into taking back the Jersey.  As the Katusha rider faded, Majka who had been protected by two of his teammates, Mick Rodgers and Nicolas Roche, had the strength to reach the summit first when it really mattered.  When a stage ends on a mountain top, the KOM points are doubled, so with the victory and Rodriguez coming in five minutes later, the Polka Dots appear to be solidly on the shoulders of the young Polish rider, Majka.  Tinkoff Saxo has now taken the three mountain top victories since their team leader, Alberto Contador, had to pull out of the race.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  It will be included along with all of my paintings of this Tour in my soon to be self published tome, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy, or to discover how you can be a part of bringing this most amazing race to print,please visit  https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some exciting rewards for those who choose to back this project starting at only $5 USD, with an artist signed copy for only $25 USD.  Everyone who pledges their support to the project will have their name in print on the Special Thanks page of "Book de Tour"   To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But you know you want a copy of the book as well, don't you?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2407348---199992/Painting.html#.U9CD_M_D_IU

Tour Stage 17: Amongst the Fans

With thousand of screaming flag waving fans lining every inch of the final climb up the Pla d'Adet, Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) attacked the rest to prove he is the truly deserved wearer of the Maillot Jaune.  The only man who could hold the Italian National Champion's wheel was the third best place Frenchman, Jean-Christophe Peraud (AG2R).  The pair had left it too late to catch the pair of Giovanni Visconti (Movistar) and Rafal Majka (Tinkoff Saxo), but still were putting in time to those behind them.  Peraud wears the yellow racing bib the designates that his team, AG2R, is leading the team classification.  The French team has been on fire in this Tour, briefly holding the Polka Dot Jersey and still in the fight to get back the White Jersey.  They were the team that pick up the first stage win for the French in the 101st Tour de France.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  It will be included along with all of my paintings of this Tour in my soon to be self published tome, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy, or to discover how you can be a part of bringing this most amazing race to print,please visit  https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some exciting rewards for those who choose to back this project starting at only $5 USD, with an artist signed copy for only $25 USD.  Everyone who pledges their support to the project will have their name in print on the Special Thanks page of "Book de Tour"   To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But you know you want a copy of the book as well, don't you?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2407346---199992/Painting.html#.U9CAa8_D_IU

Tour Stage 17: Holding On

Tejay van Garderen (BMC) having bonked the day before, losing over 5 minutes, was holding tough on the final climb of the short and steep day.  He had glued himself to the wheels of the two Frenchmen just ahead of him on the General Classification, Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) and Romain Bardet (AG2R) who had hung tough with the Yellow Jersey of Vincenzo Nibali (Astana).  As this foursome entered the small mountain town of Soulon, it was Bardet's teammate, Jean-Chirstophe Peraud who attacked again, this time on the uphill.  Hoping to achieve the same gap that Bardet had gotten on the previous descent.  While Nibali has the lead all put in the bag, all of the other placings on the GC are within four minutes of each other, second through fifth are only a two minute spread.  These gaps, with Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) sitting second overall and off of the back of this group meant they would be racing all of the way to the summit.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  This artwork along with all of my watercolors of the 101st Tour de France will be included in my soon to be self published tome, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your own copy, to learn about the incentives for those who choose to support the project and to discover how you can become a part of bringing this Tour de France to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But wouldn't you love to have all of the paintings in a lovely signed book?  Sure you would!

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2407342---199992/Painting.html#.U9B7E8_D_IU