Tour de France 2021: Here it comes!

25/06/202119/12/2021 | Maxine Dodd - Art

Hello and bonjour! The last day before the start of the 108th Tour de France, and to post of some of my favourite images over the years inspired by this great race.

cycling art, tour de france — Stage 11, Leaving Albertville

I am amazed to admit that this will be the tenth time I have made drawings and paintings of the Tour, my first being in 2012. It was a turning point for my art (and my life) in many ways, so this will be a special race from a personal perspective too. The start of an anniversary year, in fact, so I am very excited to say the least.

The race itself promises, as ever, to be a diverse and colourful course, this year starting in Brittany, which will be lovely to see. Other highlights for me include a return to Albertville, Nîmes and Carcassonne along with a nice detour through Andorra, which will bring back memories of skiing holidays we enjoyed years ago.

Stage 15 – Carcassonne, pink rooftops and green trees

From the the point of view of the race itself, there’s a lot to look forward to. Personally, I shall have everything crossed for Mark Cavendish, one the most exciting riders for me, but also one with his unfair share of bad luck lately. He is so passionate about this race and so close to Merckx’ record, it would be phenomenal to see him succeed.

Cavendish will ride alongside Julian Alaphilippe, another rider who is a joy to watch. I just love them both and I confess, Deceuninck–Quick-Step, will be a team I shall be keen to see do well.

La Course, the partner women’s race will take place tomorrow, following a similar route tothe men’s Stage 1 route, but the really significant news for women’s cycling is that Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme made a long-awaited confirmation that Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) will launch a women’s Tour de France in 2022. Finally!!! I can’t wait to draw it! A wonderful way to round off my anniversary year.

Tour de France, Cycling, art, Sunny peloton, by Maxine Dodd — Lizzie takes the win! La Course 2020

So, not long to go… let’s hope for good weather, good riding, no controversies, definitely no COVID, and plenty of scenes of France itself, for many of us, it will be our only way to visit this year. Wishing the teams and the Tour, the very best! Scroll down to see some pictures to whet your appetite!

Allez! Allez!

Cycling art, Tour de France, Watercolour painting Les Gorges du Tarn, Stage 14 by Maxine Dodd — Les Gorges du Tarn, Stage 14

Cycling, south of France, Mediterranean sea — Peloton comes over the hill to a field of sunflowers,

The coast road, by Maxine Dodd — Flags and caravans

Cycling art, Tour de France, Watercolour painting Chaos on the mountains, Allez! Stage 19, by Maxine Dodd — Chaos on the mountains, Allez!

Next, the rain! It’s lovely to draw, not so great to ride…

Tour de France, cycling, art, Maxine Dodd — The last climb!

Kämna wins! Watercolour pen and ink, by Maxine Dodd

Second for Sagan; First for Van Avermaet

Descending like a skier, Sagan, Stage 16

Happy days…

27/09/201816/11/2020 | Maxine Dodd - Art

Lovely to be in Mallorca again… the colours and light are so special, I’m channeling my inner Dufy here!

Lunchtime in the garden

Tour de France 2014: Stage 19 – Maubourguet Pays du Val d’Adour to Bergerac

Cycling art, Tour de France, watercolour pen and ink painting, SOLD - Where are they? by Maxine Dodd, SOLD

26/07/2014 | Maxine Dodd - Art

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:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

TJ Slagter et les parapluies

Awful crash

SOLD – Where are they?

Tour de France 2014: Stage 18 – Pau to Hautacam

25/07/2014 | Maxine Dodd - Art

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:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Cycling art, Tour de France, watercolour pen and ink painting, Taking the bend, by Maxine Dodd

SOLD – Taking the bend

Astana push on

He’s the one, Nibali

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

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

24/07/2014 | Maxine Dodd - Art

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:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

King of the Mountains coming through

SOLD – Haring round the bend!

Flying down

Grim determination

Adjusting the seat

Bardet goes for it!

Tour de France 2014: Stage 16 – Carcassonne to Bagnères-de-Luchon

Cycling art, Tour de France, watercolour pen and ink painting SOLD - Mick Rogers, winner Stage 16, by Maxine Dod, SOLD

23/07/201406/11/2018 | Maxine Dodd - Art

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:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

SOLD – Mick Rogers, winner Stage 16

SOLD – Peloton, steady climb

Looking back

Team Astana descend

Welcome to the Pyrenees

Tour de France 2014: Stage 15 – Tallard to Nîmes

Cycling art, Tour de France, watercolour pen and ink painting, Poor visibility, by Maxine Dodd

22/07/201417/03/2022 | Maxine Dodd - Art

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 by the head of the peloton – all sprinters – and there was nothing either man could do to assuage the onslaught! Amazing stuff – can’t wait for Stage 16! Here are my drawings:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Back in the sun

Poor visibility

Cycling art, Tour de France, watercolour pen and ink painting, Splash! by Maxine Dodd

Splash! SOLD

Coming through town

SOLD – A very steep hill

Astonishing race to the finish!

Tour de France 2014: Stage 14 – Grenoble to Risoul

Cycling art, Tour de France, watercolour pen and ink painting, Wind in his coat tails, Rafal Majka by Maxine Dodd

20/07/201406/11/2018 | Maxine Dodd - Art

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:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Storm brewing in the Alps

Looking from above

Heading for Col du Lautaret

Descent: Col du Izoard

AG2R running for the last hill

Wind in his coat tails, Rafal Majka

Tour de France 2014: Stage 13 – Saint-Étienne to Chamrousse

Cycling art, Tour de France, watercolour pen and ink painting, Nibali by Maxine Dodd

18/07/201406/11/2018 | Maxine Dodd - Art

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 the final kilometres to take the win alone and in style. Vincenzo has worn the Yellow Jersey for many days and must be the favourite for Paris. Who can catch him? Here are my drawings:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Early breakaway to the mountains

Nibali

Up the mountain to Grenoble

Head down for the descent