Posted on September 29, 2020
Stage 21 was extraordinary – culminating in a wonderful sprint finish, with all the best points riders pushing to the limit to take the win. There was one rider who showed his class, the man in Green, Sam Bennett, who positively roared over the finish line – in fact, he kept on roaring, such was his joy! It was a special win for a special rider on this most special of Tours – We knew that this would be an historic Tour de France because of the pandemic, but 2020’s Tour de France will go down in history for its remarkable course, it’s remarkable conclusion – and for its major prizes being won by two phenomenal young riders – for me, the best reasons to remember this race. Vive Le Tour!
Have a good day today.. 🙂
Bennett takes Paris!
£275
Original watercolour, pen and ink
Unframed
28cm x 28cm (11in x 11in)
Posted on September 29, 2020
The race truly begins on Stage 21, when the riders reach the Champs-Élysées, the beautiful avenue that runs up to the Arc de Triomphe, one of the most famous roads in the world. It is the race for the sprinters, but to see that long peloton disappearing into the distance is incredible. Usually packed with fans at the roadside, it was eerily quiet this year, no Norwegian corner and people dotted around, as they should be. However, those there were treated to the fly past by the Patrouille de France, streaming the colours of the nation behind them as the race began in earnest below. Still magic, still the Champs-Élysées!
Have a good day today.. 🙂
Paris – On the Champs!
£275
Original watercolour, pen and ink
Unframed
28cm x 28cm (11in x 11in)
Posted on September 29, 2020
Here is the third image from Stage 21 – a little picture which shows Rigoberto Uran, throwing his arms into the air as he and his team-mates, passed by the glass Pyramids before crossing the courtyard of the Louvre. He threw his arms into the air, as though greeting a much-loved and much-missed friend.
I can only imagine how the riders feel on that last day – exhilaration? exhaustion? I hope a massive sense of achievement – they’ve made it!
Have a good day today.. 🙂
Posted on September 29, 2020
Posted on September 29, 2020
Posted on September 26, 2020
Here is Tadej Pogačar throwing his bike to the line to win the stage and the whole race itself! There were only two men on the day’s podium, Sam Bennett as the final holder of the Green Journey and three appearances by this super-talented young man. He is the stage winner, the King of the Mountains, the best Young rider – and the champion of the Tour de France – Wow!
Have a good day today.. 🙂
Posted on September 26, 2020
This view is a split screen view of the two men battling for the stage and the Tour de France itself..two friends and compatriots, but both having completely different experiences on this day. Roglic just was not himself – he looked wrong on the bike, pale in the face and even his helmet was askew – so different from the sophisticated talent we have seen day after day on this Tour – Pogacar meanwhile was smooth, strong and very fast – zooming up the notorious climb with great skill and style.
Have a good day today.. 🙂
Posted on September 26, 2020
Posted on September 25, 2020
The final reflection is Primož Roglič, in Yellow, waiting to start the last round before Paris – Primož Roglič is the current holder of the Red Jersey for La Vuelta a Espana and now poised to add the Tour de France to his career highs – just this one supreme effort to complete the work put in so far…
Have a good day today.. 🙂
Posted on September 25, 2020
Here is Tadej Pogačar ready to start the last round before Paris – he is wearing the White Jersey as best young rider – at 21, one of the youngest – and he has been outstanding throughout this Tour, alongside his friend and compatriot,Primož Roglič. At this point in the race, he would have to do something incredible to take Yellow and the top spot in Paris…
Have a good day today.. 🙂
Posted on September 24, 2020
Another much-loved rider, Tasmanian star, Richie Porte, who, like Pinot, has more than his fair share of extreme events on this race over the years. This year, Richie has been fantastic yet again, and finally in position for a place on the podium, if all goes well on this run. I wonder though, in these moments of reflection before starting out, if his thoughts turned to his precious new baby, who was born while her daddy was riding this great race….No better motivation or inspiration.
Have a good day today.. 🙂
Posted on September 24, 2020
The next few images, I have called ‘Start line reflections’, initially because I am fascinated by the reflections in the helmet screens that riders wear. The thought then dawned on me that the wait for the rider before setting off may also be a time of reflection? I expect mostly they are thinking about the job in hand, but are there a few seconds when their thoughts turn elsewhere? I wonder…
The first image is the great French hero Thibaut Pinot waiting for the countdown. I wonder if he could hear the fans chanting his name, ‘Pinot! Pinot!’? He is such a popular rider, and along with so many great French stars, bears the weight of the whole country desperate for a win. Any fan of the England football team knows exactly how the French fans feel – it would be fantastic for a win soon – it’s a long time coming!
Have a good day today.. 🙂