Tour '22, Stage 11: The French Are Over the Top

 It was two Frenchmen who led the race over the top of the Col de Telegraphe.  Behind Simon Geschke (Cofidis) was doing enough to hold onto his Maillot a Pois as he went over third.  But it was Pierre Latour (TotalEnergies) who took maximum King of the Mountain points with Warren Barguil (Arkea-Samsic) on his wheel.  There is plenty of climbing and KOM points yet to come in today's stage, but it was a good start for the two Frenchmen.  All three placings were taken by men who are on French 'wildcard' teams.

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 $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3893496-61-294403/Painting/the-french-are-over-the-top-tdf22-61.html

Tour '22, Stage 11: Attack Yellow

I probably meant to write "Attacking Yellow." but this might be a more accurate title.  I can just imagine the pre-race meeting in the Jumbo-Visma bus.  "First, Wout, you go get max points for the Green Jersey, than everyone... Attack Yellow!"  Anybody know if that was a direct quote, because it sure was the direct game plan by them today?  

As the peloton hit the lower slopes of the Col du Telegraphe, it was Tiesj Benoot (Jumbo-Visma) who  lead out their best placed man on the GC, Jonas Vingegaard.  Both Sepp Kuss (Jumbo-Visma) and Primoz Roglic watched to see how the Maillot Jaune would react.  Sensing that this might be a move that would stick, and not wanting to give any time away, Adam Yates (Ineos-Grenadiers) swung out of the pack to get onto the Jumbo-Visma train.  With all of the Col de Telegraphe, the Col du Galibier, and the assent of the Col du Granon yet to come, it was going to be a long hard day for everyone today.

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 $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3893489-60-294403/Painting/attack-yellow-tdf22-60.html

Giro Day Sixteen: It's All Uphill from Here

As the break away crossed the river and turned onto this small road they knew that it was all uphill until the finishing line.  They have 20 kilometers of climbing with one short descent between the Telegraph and the fabled Galibier.  Today, the Giro honored the memory of Marco Pantani, the pirate, who still holds the record for the fastest climb of the Galibier in a full road stage.  The only person to have climbed it faster was Lance Armstrong, but that was in a individual time trial that started at the bottom of the mountain, not after 150 kilometers of racing before even starting the climb.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and it is available for purchase through my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2153243---184157/Painting.html#.UaU7Tc_D_IU

Giro Day Sixteen: An Alpine Valley

France wanted to get in on the beautiful scenery of the Italian race.  This is the peleton heading across the valley as they prepare to climb the Col de Telegraph and the Col du Galibier with the added pleasure of doing it in the snow.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available through a short 3 day auction on ebay.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post, but act quickly, the auction begins as soon as this post is published.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251277823456