Cycling art, Tour de France, Stage 16 - Heading for the high Pyrenees..

Tour de France 2018: Stage 16 – Heading for the High Pyrenees…

Categories: cycling · TDF 2018 · Tour de FranceTags: · · · · 2 Comments

Hello! This is another piece reflecting the scenery on this French odyssey. This time the foothills of the Pyrenees – where France meets Spain in spectacular style. I suppose this could be described as the calm before the storm – Stage 16 went well for the riders of the General Classification but today’s stage will be different, explosive and short, but all ups and downs… It will be, arguably, the ultimate test this year – so do enjoy this tranquil scene before it all kicks off later!  🙂 Stage 16 – Heading for the High Pyrenees..All the paintings are for…

Cycling art, Tour de France, Watercolour painting Kwiatkowski, Elements being thrown everywhere and everyone, by Maxine Dodd

Tour de France 2015: Stage 12 – Lannemezan to Plateau de Beille

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Bonjour! Stage 12, the final one in the Pyrenees, where the weather gods seem to punish all and sundry! From sunshine to hail, with driving wind and rain, it was a gruelling stage. There was a great spell by World Champion, Michał Kwiatkowski who with Vanmarcke lead for some distance, but the day belonged to Joaquim ‘Purito’ (the little cigar) Rodriguez, who rode a phenomenal last stretch to conquer the mountain. Wow! Here are my drawings:  

Cycling art, Tour de France, Watercolour painting Phenomenal descent by Maxine Dodd

Tour de France 2015: Stage 11 – Pau to Cauterets

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Bonjour! Stage 11 saw the second day in the Pyrenees with a course that included two notorious climbs, the Col d’Aspin and the Col du Tourmalet. The climbs are so hard but the speed in the descents is hair-raising! So many close shaves and near misses – even a herd of cows – adroitly dodged by Warren Barguil. The crowds were out in force, tents caravans and bikes everywhere. Majka took the win and Team Sky continue to pursue their goal with skill and determination. A great day! Here are my drawings:  

Cycling art, Tour de France, Watercolour painting Froomey dances to victory! by Maxine Dodd

Tour de France 2015: Stage 10 – Tarbes to La Pierre-Saint-Martin

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Bonjour! Stage 10 on Bastille Day, was the first of three days in the Pyrenees, following a great course through the foothills, up into the mountains and finishing with a testing climb. The dazzling performance of the day came from Chris Froome, who broke away with 6km to go and left everyone behind, almost dancing on the bike up to the finish. This was an astounding performance, securing the King of the Mountains jersey as well as retaining Yellow. He won on Bastille day the year he won the Tour, perhaps too soon to assume that history will repeat itself, but we’ll see….

Cycling art, Tour de France, watercolour pen and ink painting, Bardet goes for it, by Maxine Dodd

Tour de France 2014: Stage 17 – Saint-Gaudens to Saint-Lary Pla d’Adet

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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 are my drawings:

Tour de France 2013: Stage 9 – Saint Girons to Bagnères-de-Bigorre

Categories: cycling · life · reportage · TDF 2013Tags: · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

Bonjour! A fluid start to the second and final stage in the Pyrenees, with Chris Froome alone to keep up with Movistar leaders Quintana and Valverde. This year the Col de Mente was in glorious sunshine where it was foggy last year and the battle commenced from there at great pace. All sorts of surprises, Sky fell away, Movistar were strong, Froome clung to his yellow jersey like a limpet and Garmin Sharp’s Dan Martin shot away to climb and sprint his way to Stage victory. Phew! Time to take a breath! Here are my drawings:

Tour de France 2013: Stage 8 – Castres to Ax 3 Domaines

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Bonjour! Now the Tour heads for the hills in the first of two mountain stages in the Pyrenees. New star Quintana scorched past everyone as best young rider but was passed on the last climb by a storming Chris Froome, who won the yellow jersey. Wow! Here are my drawings: