Tour '25, Stage 21: It Takes a Team

Yes, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) won his fourth Tour de France, but it takes a team, even the one guy who didn't make it to Paris, Joao Almeida who called it quits during Stage 9 succumbing to his injuries from an earlier crash.  The rest of UAE posed together in the traditional linked arms before having to dodge more road furniture.  Along with Pogacar, it was Adam Yates, Marc Soler, Nils Politt, Pavel Sivakov, Tim Wellens, and Jhonathan Narvaez worked together to make the dream become a reality.  The team celebrated the win by rolling out splashes of yellow on their jerseys, yellow bar tape, and yellow socks.  The two wearing national champion's jerseys added a yellow band to their sleaves instead. Admittedly, you can't see those here.  I didn't see any champagne toast at the start today.  Everyone was unsure how the stage would play out, so best stick with the program until the last guy rolls across the line on the Champs Elysees.

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.  

"It Takes a Team TdF25-140" (Original art by Greig Leach)

This painting has sold.

Tour '24, Stage 2: Doctor Visit

Just a quick touch of wheels and riders can find themselves sliding across the asphalt at 30 miles an hour with no warning.  Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) found that out along with two other guys as the peloton approach the sprint point in Santa Sofia.  Once he had rejoined the main group, he dropped back to get himself clean up and bandage by the race doctor.  With no time-outs it is necessary to keep going if possible and get patched up on the fly.  He and the rest of the peloton have another 83 kilometers yet 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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Doctor Visit TdF24-7" (Original art by Greig Leach)

TDF, Stage 1: Special Colors

Many members of the peloton have a long history with the Tour de France either on their own or through generations of their family.  So it is with Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix).  It was his grandfather who while never winning the Tour (he had to race second to the great Eddy Merckx) he won the hearts of the cycling fans of France.  Poulidor raced for Mercier who rode in a yellow and purple kit for most of his career.  To honor Van Der Poel and "PouPou" Alpecin-Fenix was allowed to change its normal kit for a signal day in the same colors.  Personally, I feel it is a far superior kit to their usual one.

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 ti is an original work of art, it is a first come first seved reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburth 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/3820219-2-291436/Painting/special-colors-tdf21-2.html

This painting is sold

Tour Down Under, Stage 1: New Colors, New Season

There are many reasons to love the Tour Down Under, many indeed.  One is a chance to see the new kits (and new team names) for the start of the World Tour season.  One of the newly named teams, and one that almost went belly up, is EF Education First - Drapac, once known as Cannondale - Drapac.  I must say I am happy to see some bright pink back in the peloton.  Showning of the colors is William Clarke, one of a two man early break that included neophyte, Nicholas Dlamini (Dimension Data).  Dlamini claimed the only mountain points on the opening stage, so his break away efforts paid big dividends.  The duo built up a 4 minute advantage, but the peloton was seeing the ride into Lyndoch as a day for the sprinters.

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

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3098214-94-194179/PaintingNew-Colors,-New-Season-TDU18-1.html