High Noon was that time in westerns when the duals took place. From the moment they took to the time trial track in the Netherlands at Stage 1 the members of bike team MTN-Qhubeka started a new chapter in the history of the world’s biggest bike race. Their high noon was taking the challenge to the established European stars of the Tour. Merhawi Kudus (youngest tour rider in 2015) and Daniel Teklehaimanot became the first black Africans to compete as part of the first African team in the Tour.
Having created their own race in response to the Giro d’Italia, there is a bike racing pedigree of over seventy years in Eritrea. The area is high and therefore it encourages strength and endurance riders. Ideal for tackling mountains. The weather is often warm so perfect training for a high noon in sunny France in July. From Eritrea, Daniel Teklehamanot became the first African rider to wear the King of the Mountains jersey on Stage 6 of the Tour de France 2015.
The stages are mixed and the King of the Mountain competitors often pace themselves to attack those moments rather than taking the stages pushing themselves up out of the saddle to keep the motion. Those moments of elation when they crest the hill. It’s been a battle for the team and it’s riders to get it’s place on the tour. The athletic prowess and professionalism of the riders will hopefully see them continue to win jerseys, points and stages. The team also gives back to the country of origin, through the Qhubeka foundation, a charity that helps provide Africans with bicycles.
This painting celebrates the success of the riders and the team. Showing the effort required to be at the front and having got over the hill. If you like KOM riders then do have a read of Parting the Waves.
Painting:
“High Noon’ is a 80 x 60 cm primed canvas on stretchers. Painted by brush with Winsor & Newton water-soluble oils, thinner and linseed oil, framed in white-limed wood.
Built up in layers to ensure that the picture changes in different lights. The shadows of the riders showing the time of day. The stance of the riders showing the effort. The brush strokes used to capture the feeling of the day are short and expressive. 
