Tour '26, Stage 12: His Third

Tim Merlier (Soudal-Quick Step) came from a ways back to take out his third stage of this Tour de France.  Despite a crash not far from the front of the peloton, none of the marquee sprinters were involved in the mayhem.  Although, the first to go down was the sprinter for Caja Rural-Seguros, Fernando Gaviria.  The general classification riders were caught behind but all will be awarded the same time since the crash happened within the final five kilometers.  Merlier outsprinted Olav Kooij (Decathlon-CMA CGM) who was second followed by Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech). Philipsen had a perfect lead-out but just doesn't have the punch to hold of the Belgium sprinter.  Biniam Girmay (NSN Cycling) was fourth.  A little further back you can spy Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies) and Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek).  While I am sure Mads would have preferred to have done better, he did well enough in ninth to maintain a solid lead in the race for the Maillot Vert.  With no more pure sprint stages in the Tour (now that the final stage into Paris includes the climb up Montmartre), it seems that as long as he is able to stay in the race, the Green Jersey will be his.

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: "His Third TdF26-85" (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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Tour '25, Stage 12: Alone at the Top!

Actually, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) was alone since the second kilometer of the climb to the top of Hautacam.  But not only did he come to the summit alone, he now sits alone at the top of the general classification.  He put a bit over two minutes into Vingegaard on the way up, reversing what had happened the last time the duo raced each other on the fabled climb three years ago.  He now has a three-and-a-half-minute lead over his main rival in the quest for Yellow.  This is his third stage victory of this Tour and the third time he will claim the Maillot Jaune.  I doubt he will lose it again for the remaining nine stages.  I guess the real question is, what will be his advantage in Paris?

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. 

"Alone at the Top! TdF25-81" (Original art by Greig Leach)

This painting has sold, and done so rather quickly.