Tour '25, Stage 16: Stuck Together

Try as he might, Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) couldn't shake Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) on the ascent of Mont Ventoux.  Conversely, Pogacar couldn't shake Vingegaard, either.  The two had already gone by the Danish fan corner who cheered wildly for Vingegaard, now it was a few less Slovenian fans waving their country's flag in support of Pogacar.  The Maillot Jaune couldn't drop his main rival, but then he didn't need to.  He did out sprint him to the line grabbing about two more seconds.  He doesn't need any time, but two seconds are better than losing any time either.  Vingegaard now just as two mountain top finishes to try and reverse any of his disadvantage to the defending Tour Champion.

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.

"Stuck Together TdF25-109" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 7: Consistently, the Best of the Rest

The peloton found itself coming to the intermediate sprint with a five-man break up the road yet again.  For the third time (I think) Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) was sprinting to be the 'best of the rest' in Pledran.  He was easily able to come around last year's winner of the final Maillot Vert, Biniam Girmay (Intermarche-Wanty).  I can't decide if Milan is just that much better, or Girmay just doesn't have the punch he had in 2024.  Still, bringing Milan over Mads Pedersen seems to have been the correct decision for Lidl-Trek.  

Normally I have been seeing Eritrean flags at the sprint points, but today the only flag flying was of Slovenia for the erstwhile Maillot Jaune of Tadej Pogacar.

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. 

"Consistently, the Best of the Rest TdF25-42 " (Original art by Greig Leach)

 

UCI Worlds, Zurich 2024, Elite Men's Road Race: Alone on the Bell Lap

Before the start of the final lap around the Zurich 2024 course, Tadej Pogacar (Slovenia) dropped the last of member of the UCI Road World Championship's Elite Men's start list on his way towards achieving his goal of winning the Rainbow Jersey of World Champion.  With just under thirteen kilometers left to go he was still holding his forty second advantage on the various groupings of chasers behind.  It was surprising to see just how many flags of Slovenia decorated the 27-kilometer course through Zurich.

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.

"Alone on the Bell Lap Z24-13" (Original art by Greig Leach)

 

Tour '24, Stage 7 ITT: An Excellent Defense

Taking artistic license, I changed the name spray painted on the road from Remco to 'Pogi' which is Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates).  After all, this is Pogi defending his Maillot Jaune in Stage 7, racing to prevent Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step) from taking the jersey off of his shoulders.  He wasn't able to win the stage, but he came home a mere thirteen seconds behind the world champion in this discipline.  That means the race for first and second tightened a bit, but third and fourth lost a small handful of seconds to the Yellow and White jerseys.  Since he started winning the Tour four years ago, I see more and more Slovenian flags along the course.  Naturally, today was no different.  I wonder if it helps him try just that much harder?

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.

"An Excellent Defense TdF24-40" (Original art by Greig Leach)