Tour Femmes '25, Stage 2: With Fifty Meters to Spare

Against the odds, Mavi Garcia (Liv-Alula-Jayco) was able to hold off the fast-sprinting peloton over the final climb and through the finish at Quimper.  Behind her it is Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) trying desperately to catch Garcia, but must settle for second place on the second stage of Tour de France Femmes.  Kim Le Court's (AG Insurance-Soudal) third place just ahead of Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) with its four second time bonus meant that she will be the second woman to wear the Maillot Jaune in as many stages.  I would have expected Garcia to figure in the GC now, but she was so far back at the start of the stage, that while she moved up 39 places, she is still just shy of five minutes off of Le Court's time.

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. 

"With Fifty Meters to Spare TdFF25-11" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour, Stage 5: The Second Time

It was Peter Sagan (Bora Hansgrohe) that crossed the top of the climb first in Quimper!  That makes it two stage wins, and two second places thus far for the Slovakian sprinter who is so much more than merely a sprinter.  He was just able to hold off the only other sprinter, Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain Merida), who was left at the front end of the race.  The pair also caught the wheel of the first to attack the climb, Philippe Gilbert (Quickstep).  You can just make out the blue kit of his teammate, Julian Alaphilippe behind the Maillot Vert of Peter Sagan.  Sagan's win puts him 33 points ahead of second place in the green jersey competition.  Given the finale for Stage 6, he nor any of the other sprinters will be contesting for stage honors on the Mur de Bretagne.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2018/3186324-25-251072/PaintingThe-Second-Time--T18-25.html

Tour, Stage 5: Up to the Line

For the first lumpy stage of the Tour, the organizers decided it would be fun to finish the day with a short steep climb.  I doubt the riders were too thrilled, but it did make for some exciting racing.  It could also afford some time gaps to open up amongst the main contenders for the Maillot Jaune.  The ever agressive Team Quick Step launched Philippe Gilbert up the road.  Should he get enough space and the win, he could take over the race lead, assuming Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) wasn't second over the line.  That is why you can see the Maillot Jaune chasing just behind Julien Simon (Cofidis).  Sensing that this was a good stage for themselves, both Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain Merida) and Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) were giving chase as well.  Sagan has the added insentive knowing that Gaviria has been dropped, thus allowing Sagan to move further ahead in the race for the Maillot Vert.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2018/3186312-24-251072/PaintingUp-to-the-Line--T18-24.html

Tour, Stage 5: Keeping It Going

Julian Alaphilippe (Quick Step) jumped out of the group to take first at the bonus sprint in Plogonnec.  With just 20 kilometers left to go, it looked like he was planning on trying to solo to the finish in Quimper.  Behind, the last of the erstwhile break, Lilian Calmejane (Direct Energie) was about to be caught by the closing peloton.  Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) had taken second in the bonus sprint adding two seconds to his lead over his teammate Tejay van Garderen and the rest of the GC contenders. 

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2018/3186299-23-251072/PaintingKeeping-It-Going--T18-23.html