Tour de France 2014: Stage 7 – Épernay to Nancy
Cascading Green was made from Stage 7 of 2014’s Tour. It was one of the longest stages and passed through some lovely towns and villages by the river Moselle. The peloton rode past this lovely house with tumbling bougainvillea and a cascade of green on the trees lining the road.
It was so pretty, I had to paint it!
The great race starts in Copenhagen – and the song is in my head! I am so looking forward to seeing the Tour start in Denmark – I have family connections, my grandfather being Danish born. The first stage is an individual time-trial, so here are a few images from TTs I’ve made in the past. Tadej Pogačar features here – and seems to be favourite again. Time will tell. The only thing you can predict surely, is that this race is undpredictable! Allez allez!
I really enjoy making pictures of the iconic four Jerseys of the Tour de France and this is one of my favourites.
Usually, the best time to do this is before the start or during the rollout. Stage 19 of 2020 race had some great views of the four of them waiting and chatting before the day’s work began.
So here they are, the four best riders in each class at this point of the race, from left to right, Richard Carapaz, (Ineos Grenadiers), King of the Mountains, Primož Roglič, (Jumbo Visma), Yellow Jersey, Tadej Pogačar, (UAE), Best Young Rider, Sam Bennett, Deceuninck–Quick-Step, Best Sprinter.
Bennett went on to win in Paris and retained his Green Jersey, while Tadej Pogačar took the rest, a feat he repeated this year in remarkable style.
Have a good day today.. 🙂
Picture information: Original, pen and ink and watercolour, on paper
Format: Large square: 28cm x 28cm (11in x 11in) Framed size 45cm x 45cm
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.
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.
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.
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!
Next, the rain! It’s lovely to draw, not so great to ride…
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:
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 of French stars won through although there was heartbreak for Romain Bardet whose bike change en route cost him vital minutes, leaving him bewildered in sixth place, but Jean-Christophe Peraud and Thibaut Pinot, came 2nd and 3rd respectively, whetting the appetite for next year! Tomorrow sees the great climax in Paris – can’t wait! Here are my drawings:
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:
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:
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:
Maxine Dodd 