Tour '26: Stage 13: Just Enough Road

While you can see the eight former companions of the leading duo, it wasn't as close as it seemed.  Both Mauro Schmid (Jayco-Alula) and Harold Tejada (XDS-Astana) had slowed down, each trying to force the other to the front as they rode in the final kilometer of the stage.  Schmid said in a post-race interview that he was trying to get Tejada to jump first as the chasers closed in.  It worked. Tejada opened up the sprint looking like he would get the stage.  He faded in the final meters, and Schmid was able to get the victory.  As he crossed the line, he first pulled up his front wheel then smashed it down in a celebration of his win.  Not a move I remember seeing before.  Closest thing would be Peter Sagan's wheelies as he went over mountain top summits while in the groupetto.  Behind, Tom Pidcock (Pinarello-Q36.5) was able to outsprint the others for a well-deserved third place on the stage.

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: "Just Enough Road TdF26-92" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour de France 23, Stage 19: Photo Finish

Of the three that came together into the finishing straight in Poligny, it was Ben O'Connor (Ag2r-Citroen).  He was the weakest sprinter of the threesome, so he had to try and get the jump on the other two.  His effort became the lead out for Kasper Asgreen (Soudal-Quick Step) who had already won a stage from a long, long, break away just yesterday.  With 50 meters to the line, Matej Mohoric (Bahrain-Victorious) came up beside the former Danish champion.  As they reached the line both threw their bikes across the line in hopes of winning the stage.  It was impossible to tell who had won.  Both stood pensively waiting to hear who had won the stage.  They couldn't tell.  It did come down to the quality of Mohoric's bike throw.  By virtue of the photo finish, he managed to win the stage by the width of his tire.  His tearful interview post stage was a gem.  He not only honored Gino Mader his teammate who died in a crash in the Tour do Switzerland, but he felt that he disrespected all of Asgreen's work thoughout today's stage.  That seems to be the nature of his more famous countrymen, Tadej Pogacar and Primoz Roglic.as well.  Chapeau for a stage well ridden!

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 $95 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2023/3966666-130-297438/Painting/photo-finish-tdf23-130.html