Racing Lines
Art by Maxine Dodd
Tour de France 2014: Stage 21 – Évry to Paris Champs-Élysées
Bonjour! Stage 21 is always a celebration and this year was no exception. All the jerseys were in place for a triumphant roll into lovely Paris. Very emotional at the end of another great Tour – which seemed to have everything! Here are my drawings:
Tour de France 2014: Stage 20 – Bergerac to Périgueux
Bonjour! Stage 20 saw the first and only time trial of this year’s Tour. This stage established the final positions for the podium for this year. Inevitably, the World Champion, Tony Martin took the stage win and the smoothest of smooth run by Vincenzo Nibali confirmed him as overall winner, but the interest really lay with the battle for second place. The new crop…
Tour de France 2014: Stage 19 – Maubourguet Pays du Val d’Adour to Bergerac
Bonjour! Stage19 saw the beginning of the route home to Paris. The course travelled through the area of the Dordogne in pouring, pouring rain. So much rain! The visibility was so bad and the roads so slippery an accident felt more than likely to happen. It did, right at the last and it was a big one. Leading through most of the stage was…
Tour de France 2014: Stage 18 – Pau to Hautacam
Bonjour! Stage18 was the third and final day in the Pyrenees. It was a decisive stage, with King of the Mountains and Green Jersey, not to mention Yellow, really set for this year. All they have to do is stay in the saddle until Sunday and all will be well! Nibali crossed the line with quiet authority after another incredible performance. Here are my drawings:
Tour de France 2014: Stage 17 – Saint-Gaudens to Saint-Lary Pla d’Adet
Bonjour! Stage17 saw the second day in the Pyrenees. Another hard stage with great climbs and descents. The race lead passed through several hands over the course of the stage, including a great spell by Kiriyenka of team Sky. Romain Bardet handled the descents with alarming grace but the win came again for Rafal Majka, King of the Mountains. Yellow jersey stays on the back of the amazing Nibali. Here…
Tour de France 2014: Stage 16 – Carcassonne to Bagnères-de-Luchon
Bonjour! Stage16 was the first day in the Pyrenees. The sun shone, the road rose high and the riders descended at breakneck speeds. Australian rider, Mick Rogers won his first stage after ten years of taking part in the Tour. Absolutely brilliant, he so deserved it and even crossed the winning line with a bow. Ripper! Here are my drawings:
Tour de France 2014: Stage 15 – Tallard to Nîmes
Bonjour! Stage15 was a long stage leaving the Alps and heading through the south of France towards the Pyrenees. The course passed through classic French countryside, but with crosswinds and storms at times, it was still a challenge for the riders. Two made an impressive breakaway lead by Martin Elmiger and Jack Bauer. At the end of the stage they were caught and passed…
Tour de France 2014: Stage 14 – Grenoble to Risoul
Bonjour! Stage14 continued in the Alps in a hard day’s climbing and an engrossing day’s racing. The skies promised rain but didn’t deliver – instead riders worked hard in the sun. The race saw great performances from the AG2R team, Vincenzo Nibali, but the stage was won by up and coming climber, Rafal Majka, who crossed the line, jacket unzipped and flapping! Here are my drawings:
Tour de France 2014: Stage 13 – Saint-Étienne to Chamrousse
Bonjour! Stage13 arrived in the Alps and passed through the city of Grenoble. Spectacular scenery, including the still snowy and very white, Mont Blanc. This was another hard stage with more riders abandoning or falling back. Steering a very confident course through much of the race was Alessandro De Marchio who forged ahead. Until that is, the brilliant Vincenzo Nibali burst past everyone in…
Tour de France 2014: Stage 12 – Bourg-en-Bresse to Saint-Étienne
Bonjour! Stage12 continued the theme begun on Stage 11, hot sunshine, rolling countryside and beautiful chateaux. The announcement came that Andrew Talansky joined 4 other team leaders in retirement, but the race pressed on. French fans enjoying the progress of riders Cyril Gaultier and Perrig Quemeneur who brokeaway with Simon Clarke to lead for a great section of the stage. The sprint to the line saw Peter…
Tour de France 2014: Stage 11 – Besançon to Oyonnax
Bonjour! Stage11 was marked by the return of the full blast of the sun the fortunes of two riders, Tony Gallopin and Andrew Talansky – the man at the front and the man at the back. A really complex stage with aggressive riding from the peloton, as teams jostled for position. The course was long, with steep climbs and alarming descents. It became a stage…
Tour de France 2014: Stage 10 – Mulhouse to La Planche des Belles Filles
Bonjour! Stage10, was absolutely amazing. Riders toiling into the mountains through sunshine, rain and fog for over 4 hours – only to be rewarded with the near vertical climb at La Planche des Belles Filles, the killer hill! Contador sadly retired after an appalling fall. A brilliant ride by Rodriguez was outshone by Vincenzo Nibali who was first over the hill. A memorable Bastille Day!…
