Tour '25, Stage 12: Recovering on the Climb

The young French rising star of this Tour, Kevin Vauquelin (Arkea-B&B Hotels) had been dropped in the first kilometer or two of the Hautacam, but he found his climbing legs as the twelve-kilometer ascent sloughed on.  He settled himself, found his rhythm and started clawing back those who had dropped him not long ago.  He proved that one can recover in a race, even in the middle of a tough, long climb. He finished the day fifth on the stage. Coincidentally, he moved himself to fifth in the general classification as well.  He is now less than a minute off of the Tour podium, and the same amout of time needed to reclaim the Maillot Blanc of best young rider.  He is the best place Frenchman in the Tour.

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.

"Recovering on the Climb TdF25-79" (Original art by Greig Leach)

TDF, Stage 17: Climbing Again

I enjoy the chance to use a title that may have more than one meaning.  In this case, David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) was literally climbing again, as in up the Col du Portet.  As he passed the four kilometers to go banner, the mountain seemed to disappear into the mist of the low clouds hugging the mountain top.  But he was also climbing back up the general classification, or so I thought.  Actually, he held his eleventh position on the general classification, but narrowed the gap to tenth place.  He also held his third place in the best young rider's competition, but he did solidify his third place in the race for the Maillot Blanc.  

And then he did finish in fourth on the stage, delighting the French fans along the road and watching around the world.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.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 from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3824087-112-291436/Painting/climbing-again-tdf21-111.html