Tour '26, Stage 20: Teammates

After a rather silly salute to the crowd while crossing the line together, Tadej Pogacar and Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates) shared a hug before the throng of press photographers just out of sight to us here.  I thought their celebrations were a little odd since they finished fourth and fifth on the stage, but I now realize that they were celebrating the collaboration and their Maillots Juane and Blanc.  And of course, they will both finish on the podium in first and third assuming nothing terrible happens on the streets of Paris.  It is forecasted to rain for the cobbled finale on both the climb of Montmartre and the Champs Elysees.  Let's all hope they and the rest of the peloton all finish safely!

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: "Teammates TdF26-153" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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

And learn about Leach's published books at The Art of Cycling: Cycling Books by Greig Leach

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Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 8: Mutual Respect

After the finale of the Criterium du Dauphine both Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) and Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) shook hands.  It was clear that they truly respect each other and each other's abilities on the bike.  Today they were seen (and painted) having an extended conversation on the way up the final climb.  Later Vingegaard attacked and was covered by Pogacar.  As they neared the line, Vingegaard went for the sprint and surprisingly Pogacar let him go.  Clearly the Slovenian's lead was much greater than a mere four second time bonus could reverse, but it still was out of character for the man in the Maillot Jaune who just loves bike racing.  

In the end each can take away some positive from this Dauphine, but it is Pogacar takes away the overall victory in yet another race.  At this point in his career, he has won 98 races.  He did say he wanted to save winning his 100th for the Tour de France.

This is the last race I will be painting until the Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes.  I'll hope you all will check back then.

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.

"Mutual Respect CdD25-48" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 20: Mutual Respect

Sometimes it isn't the victory salute that is often staged for the gaggle of press photographers at the line, but the interaction after the effort.  Having dropped Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) in the final 500 meters of the stage, the first person Tadej Vingegaard (UAE Team Emirates) wanted to see was Vingegaard.  This is the fifth year the two have battled it out in the Tour de France.  The first two went to Pogacar, the next two to Vingegaard.  Now the pendulum has swung back to Pogacar.  He will win the Tour tomorrow barring any serious catastrophy.  While I said some cross things about Pogacar yesterday, today he has rekindled my respect, mainly for the respect he showed his main rivals today.  And the incredibly fast attack he launched in the closing meters of the final road stage of the Tour.  Please, don't let us find out anything was untoward with his 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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.  

"Mutual Respect TdF24-133" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 7 ITT: Sportsmanship

In these times of 'burn it to the ground' adversarial politics, it is great to see to fierce competitors show respect for each other just prior to racing against each other.  On his way to the start house, Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step) fist-bumps Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates).  Pogacar is forty-five seconds ahead of Evenepoel in the GC, but this is Evenepoel's specialty.  He is the current world champion in the individual time trial but is wearing the Maillot Blanc of best young rider rather than his rainbow bands.  Pogacar had said before the start of the stage, that it would be the young man that will win today and not himself.  We shall see if he was clairvoyant or just lowering the press's expectations for the day.

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. 

"Sportsmanship TdF24-37" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Down Under '23, Stage 3: Mutual Respect

After crossing the line while coasting to a stop, Simon Yates (Jayco-Alula) reaches out to congratulate Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates) on becoming the next to wear the Ochre Jersey of the leader of the Tour Down Under.  The stage winner, Pello Bilbao (Bahrain-Victorious) looks on clearly sharing the respect that Yates was expressing to Vine.  Bilbao is now in second just 15 seconds behind and Yates is in third only one second behind the Bahrain-Victorious team leader.  Sitting fourth is still the young American Magnus Sheffield (Ineos-Grenadiers) which leaves him in the White Jersey of best young rider.

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. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3928211-166-194179/Painting/mutual-respect-tdu23-20.html