Racing Lines
Art by Maxine Dodd
Tour de France 2019: Stage 5 – Saint-Dié-des-Vosges to Colmar
Posted on July 22, 2019
Bonjour! This was another lovely day’s racing through the Vosges mountains and the course was hilly enough to whet the appetite of climbing fans. There were plenty out to see the riders pass by – seemed to be a fair number of Brits today which was good to see. The story of the stage in a way, was a terrific win for Peter Sagan. Who was so delighted that he revived his ‘Incredible Hulk’ celebration from 2012 – one of the first times I drew him, not to mention my first year of drawing the Tour, full-stop. Takes you back doesn’t it?
Here are my pictures… click on an image to see it full size.
Click on an image to see in full – Medium and measurements are listed below. Click here if you wish to enquire further
All images copyright Maxine Dodd.
For in-depth race analysis, delivered with fun and wit, I highly recommend ‘Velovoices’ but don’t forget to come back to ‘Racing Lines’ for the pictures!
Have a great day! 🙂
Tour de France 2017: Elbow – Sold
Posted on July 5, 2017
Hello! There was one talking point from Stage 4. The end of the stage and the end of the race both for Mark Cavendish and Peter Sagan. I suspect the debate on the crash will last for a long time. Whatever your opinion, perhaps cycling fans can agree on one thing – that the race has lost two of its best and most exciting riders – and will be much the poorer for it. There are many photographs and videos of the incident, here’s my painting.
Elbow – SOLD
For more on Stage 4… See Velovoices article
Copyright Maxine Dodd
Tour de France 2015: Stage 16 – Bourg-de-Péage to Gap
Posted on July 23, 2015
Bonjour! Stage 16 was the prelude to the final climbing stages in the Alps. This stage again followed a long, hot course through dramatic scenery. This stage had two hard climbs but was really more about the infamous descent into Gap. This road has seen many riders come to grief and Sky’s Geraint Thomas fell prey to it this time with a very nasty fall. Heroic descender Peter Sagan worked his magic, weaving his way down the mountains, hoping for his first stage win only to be pipped into second place yet again by a remarkable ride from Rubén Plaza. Here are my drawings:
Tour de France 2015: Stage 8 – Rennes to Mûr-de-Bretagne
Posted on July 14, 2015
Bonjour! Stage 8 Another hot day in the saddle for the riders, following a meandering route through Brittany with the Mur de Bretagne climb at the finish. The fans turned out by the score, cheering the riders. In the race itself, Chris Froome won the Yellow Jersey, Daniel Teklehaimanot retained Polka Dot, Peter Sagan won the sprinter’s Green and Alexis Vuillermoz delivered the first stage victory for France and his AG2R La Mondiale team. All in all, this was a very happy Saturday! Here are my drawings:
Tour de France 2015: Stage 4 – Seraing to Cambrai
Posted on July 8, 2015
Bonjour! Stage 4 crossed from Belgium to France through wide fields on narrow, dusty lanes to town streets, but all featuring cobbles, seven gruelling sections in total. A much happier day for most than Stage 3, but for those nursing serious injuries, the cobbles must have been hellish. The top teams and positions stayed pretty much as before; Team Sky rode a great race and there was a lovely moment after the intermediate sprint where Peter Sagan, with a twirl of his finger, appeared to suggest a breakaway among the sprinters (they didn’t accept the invitation!) but the real delight of the day came for Tony Martin who won the stage and the Yellow Jersey – the first time in his career. Congratulations! Here are my drawings:
Tour de France 2015: Stage 2 – Utrecht to Zélande
Posted on July 6, 2015
Bonjour and Hallo! The second stage of this year’s Tour continued through Holland following a course set to suit the sprinters. The only catch? The weather! The presence of windmills and turbines in the landscape gave testimony to the power of the wind which blew and blew throughout the stage. It was by turn, sunny, wet, misty and sunny again, yet, in spite of this, the route was lined with great numbers of people encouraging the riders. The race itself reached its climax with an incredible dash to the line by four of the best riders in the field, Mark Cavendish, Peter Sagan, Fabian Cancellara and the immense Andre Greipel, who judged his timing perfectly to take the win, while Cancellara took the Yellow Jersey. Quite a day! Here are my drawings:
Tour de France 2014: Stage 19 – Maubourguet Pays du Val d’Adour to Bergerac
Posted on July 26, 2014
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 TJ Slagter, but it was Ramunas Navardauskas from Lithuania who navigated past the carnage to take the stage win, brilliantly holding his lead against the chasing pack. Here are my drawings:
Tour de France 2014: Stage 18 – Pau to Hautacam
Posted on July 25, 2014
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:
