Tour '26, Stage 21: Desperately Close

The change in the lap up to Montmartre meant that there was a longer flatter stretch of road before the return to the Champs Elysees.  That gave the sprinters and their teams the opportunity to chase down anyone that got away on the narrow climb up to the summit of Butte Montmartre.  So it was for Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) and Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) as they made the final curve towards the line on the Champs Elysees.  Without any true need other than pride, Pogacar sat up once the chasers caught his wheel.  Tadej finished thirtieth on the stage but is still very much the winner of the Tour de France for the fifth time.  He is only the fifth to officially achieve that milestone.  Van Der Poel had a very different finish on the Champs Elysees than that of the Maillot Jaune.  The group that had chase these two down included all of the big-name sprinters that have gotten themselves over the alps just for this moment.  Lining up to fight it out for stage honors in Paris are Milan Fretin (Cofidis), Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek), Mattieu's teammate Jasper Philipsen, Biniam Girmay (NSN Cycling) and Olav Kooij (Decathlon-CMA CGM) amongst others.

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: "Desperately Close TdF26-163" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

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Paris Roubaix: In Search of Pave

Having come off the first set of cobblestones a few seconds behind the front group, this trio of Tom Van Asbroeck (Israel Start Up Nation), Andre Carvalho (Cofidis) and Tosh Van Der Sande (Lotto Soudal) were just about to tag back onto the group that have dropped them on Sector 30.  They may have been less than thrilled to realize that they were catching on just as the approached the Cappalle a Reusnes section (#24).  With 130 kilometers to race, this was going to be the order, the accordion that is Paris Roubaix.  Some riders can open a gap on the cobbles, and others have to chase back on the smooth tarmac between each section as they wind there way through the north of France.

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 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/Spring-Classics-2021/3840220-57-290150/Painting/in-search-of-pave-pr21-10.html

TDF, Stage 13: We Did What We Could

After being off the front for 150 kilometers, Pierre Latour (TotalEnergies) shook hands with Omer Goldstein (Israel Start Up Nation) as the peloton came into view.  The two knew it was a long shot (pun intended) but they felt compelled to give it a go.  It is a little unusual for the peloton to make the catch with another 53 kilometers to race.  Normally, the sprinters' teams will leave it to later so no one will think they can get the jump and go alone to the line.   Deceuninck-Quick Step wasn't going to let anyone stop Mark Cavendish from having a chance to tie the record of most career wins in the Tour de France.

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/3822868-81-291436/Painting/we-did-what-we-could-tdf21-80.html

Tour, Stage 9: Only One More

Lennard Kamna (Bora-Hasgrohe) was one of the last riders from the break to discover that the Jumbo-Visma led peloton wasn't hanging around today.  All of the GC riders were hoping to get the bonus seconds on offer atop the final climb of the day.  And if they could at the additional bonus seconds at the finish line, they could claim the Maillot Jaune.  The day started with ten men within 13 seconds of the lead and another ten within two minutes.  Today is the last day in the Pyrenees so this would be the day to gain time before the rest day.  The next mountains won't be until they reach the Alps, so today is the day!

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.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2020/3693427-55-282744/Painting/only-one-more-tdf20-50.html

Tour, Stage 11: We Did Out Best

Stephane Rosetto (Cofidis) reaches out to thank Lilian Calmejane (Total Direct Energie) for the effort in the early break.  Behind the peloton is closing in on the duo in preperation for the sprint finale in Toulouse.  With just seven kilometers left to ride, there is still on member of the erstwhile break up the road hoping to spoil the sprinters' day.

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.

Be sure to check out my daily videos on You Tube.  If you enjoy what you see on the channel, please subscribe.  I need to get over a hundred subscribers so I can name the channel, "Art of Cycling"

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202019/3361283-58-263530/We%20Did%20Our%20Best%20%20TDF19-58.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 4: Catching the Last Guy

With his teammate (and former breakaway companion) having done all he could, Zakkari Dempster (UniSA-Australia) pressed on in a solo effort to hold off the peloton.  Alas, with 19 kilometers left in the day, it was the peloton spread across the road that he saw looking back.  The break rarely succeeds, but it is always a risk worth taking.  He will be on the podium to take the "most aggressive rider" award.  Now the question is, will he be able to hold onto the tail of the fast moving peloton.  Spoiler: He could not.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. To purchase this artwork, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

My website is down for matainence, so I will post links later.  In the mean time, if you really want this painting, just email me at greigsart@gmail.com.

Paris-Nice Stage 3: Here They Are

With their break away companion having left them behind Feillu and Fouchard heard the whirring spokes of the charging peloton coming up behind.  The peloton rarely gets it wrong and today was no exception, but it never stops some daring riders to give it a go.  And then there is the small matter of getting TV air time for the teams' sponsors.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by visiting my artist website, www.greigleach.com.  Or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2326235---195767/Painting.html#.Ux_MYc_D_IU