Tour '26, Stage 21: In Procession on the Champs

Normally, the team that holds the Maillot Jaune is the team that leads the peloton onto the Champs Elysees as the race enters the center of Paris.  This year everyone had to adapt due to wildfires that were raging near Paris.  So, after the first lap of posing for cameras and perhaps a sip of champagne, UAE Team Emirates went to the front of the peloton as they headed up the Champs Elysees to the l'Arc de Triomphe.  It isn't like the team has spent thousands of kilometers doing this in service of the Maillot Jaune as they race around France.  Still, homage must be paid, and the fans must get their chance to salute the team that got their leader around France the quickest, Tadej Pogacar.  They also had another teammate who got around the third fastest, Isaac Del Toro.  That is quite a successful Tour.  The only sight mark on their Tour is that they didn't bring the complete team to Paris.  But then only eight of the twenty-three teams accomplished that feat.

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: "In Procession on the Champs TdF26-156" (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 de France Femmes 23, Stage 2: Time Check

Even the Tour de France Femmes are full of traditions despite this only being the second year of this version of the race.  In days past the chalkboard with the time gaps on it was the only way the riders knew what there advantage was over the chasers (or the leaders for that matter).  Now a days, the riders all have radio contact with their team cars behind the race.  They in turn have wifi connections, race radio, and can even watch the race coverage in the car behind.  Obviously, they know just how far behind the peloton is from the front group and who is where out on the road.  Still the bright yellow motorcycle with the bright yellow clad driver and rider showing the riders the time checks on a chalkboard still exists.  In other races, they have gone modern and use a dry erase board instead.  Today the beneficiaries of the archaic technology are Georgia Williams (EF Education-TIBCO-SVB) and Hannah Ludwig (Uno-x).  Now they know that they have almost a minute and a half on the peloton with another 77 kilometers to race.

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 and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2023/3967561-150-297438/Painting/time-check-tdff23-6.html