Women's Tour Down Under '25: Disorganized

Frustrated with the lack of help with the chase of the lone break away, Chloe Dygert (Canyon/SRAM-Zondacrypto) rode off the front of the peloton with less than five kilometers to race.  She was chased by Anya Louw (AG Insurance-Soudal) amongst others.  Regardless of the American's efforts, she (nor the rest of the peloton) caught Danieka Hengeveld who claims the first Ochre Jersey of the 2025 Tour Down Under.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Disorganized TDU25-5" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Women's Tour Down Under '25: Rolling Adjustments

After getting both wheels changed, Megan Armitage (EF Education-Oatley) rode alongside her team car as the mechanic tried to make some further adjustments.  As they speed along the roads on the way back down to Snapper's Point, her mechanic leaned dangerously out of the car working on her gearing.  At one point, he snapped his hand back most likely having hit his knuckles in the spokes of her rear wheel.  It seems that with both the wheel change and the time spent with the mechanic trying to make adjustments, it would have been better to just give her her repalcement bike to begin with.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Rolling Adjustments TDU25-4" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Women's Tour Down Under '25: Another to Roll the Dice

Shortly after the peloton went over the only catagorized climb of Stage One of the Tour Down Under, it was Daniek Hengeveld (Ceratizit) who went off on a solo attack.  At first, the peloton only gave her a few seconds so her effort looked to be in vain.  However, they seemed to have underestimated her strength and resolve.  At this point she has two minutes on the rest of the Tour.  With another twenty-seven kilometers left to ride it was a bit of a roll of the dice whether this effort would pay dividends.  Spoiler, the peloton never saw the Dutch woman again.  Hengeveld will be starting stage two in the Ochre Jersey of race leader with about thirty seconds in hand.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Another to Roll the Dice TDU25-3" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Women's Tour Down Under '25: The First Queen Down Under

Alyssa Polites (ARA Australian Cycling) was able to hold of the peloton as she began the climb up Heatherdale Hill and the first points in the Queen of the Mountains Competition.  While the peloton chased hard behind, she was able to keep them at bay to claim the first Polka Dot Jersey of this edition of the women's Tour Down Under.  Once over the top of the category one climb, she sat up and was quickly swallowed up by the peloton behind.  No matter, she will start Stage 2 in one of the four leader's jerseys tomorrow.  

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"The First Queen Down Under TDU25-2" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Women's Tour Down Under '25: Leading the Way

Team ARA Australian Cycling Team can always be counted on to light up the Tour Down Under.  It took a bit for the peloton to get remotely interested in racing, so it was Alyssa Polites (ARA) who went off the front before the first intermediate sprint of the day.  I am sure she hoped to have some company but found herself on her own with another seventy kilometers left to race.  It would be a tall order to hold off the entire peloton all of the way back to Aldiaga.  However, there is the first sprint jersey and the first Queen of the Mountains jersey to be had should she not win the stage.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Leading the Way TDU25-1" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Gullegem, Men's Cyclocross: Pulling Away

Not waiting until the final lap, Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) went to the front and started to push the pace.  He managed to shake the Belgium Champion, Eli Iserbyt (Pawels Sauzen-Cibel Clementines).  The two traded leads around the remaining lap and a half with Van Aert finally managing to take the lead for good in the closing 500 meters.  This is the first cyclocross win for the three-time champion this season.  It was some brilliant racing today, all of the way to the last sand pit.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Pulling Away CX-G25-6" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Gullegem, Men's Cyclocross: Quite Close

For those who follow my cycling art, you will know that I love to use titles that have mutliple interpretations.  This is just such a title, and painting.  As in all road cycling events, fans of the sport can get very, very close to their cycling heros.  In addition, the front four had gotten quite close together as they came out of one of the many hairpin turns on course.  As they made their way around the third lap at Gullegem, it was Michael Vanthourenhout (Pawels Sauzen-Cibel Clementines) leading the Crelan-Corendon duo of Laurens Sweeck and Emil Verstrynge eating the mud flying off of his wheel.  Closing back onto the trio's wheels is Wout Van Aerts (Visma-Lease a Bike).  The now quartet of riders have built up about a five second lead over those chasing on the third lap.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Quite Close CX-G25-4" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Gullegem, Men's Cyclocross: Mud And Sand

In the early going of Gullegem it was yesterday's winner, Laurens Sweeck (Ccrelan-Corendon) leading Wout Van Aerts (Visma-Lease a Bike) - who is racing his second cyclocross race of the season - off of the muddy track and onto the sole sand pit of the course.  Behind the Belgium duo it was Felipe Orts Lloret (Ridley Racing Team) - the Spanish Champion - was just managing to hang on to the leaders.  With another seven trips through the sand to go, it wasn't looking like Lloret would still be there at the end.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Mud And Sand CX-G25-4" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Gullegem, Women's Cyclocross: Laying on the Power

In the final lap of Gullegem Superprestige series, it was Lucinda Brand (Baloise Glowi Lions) laying down a blistering pace in the mud to pull away from the rest of the field.  By this point, she has put four seconds into her nearest competitor on her way to winning the race.  With this win she moves into first place in the series with just one more race left to go.  It was a photo finish between the former leader of the series, Ceylin del Carmen Avardo and the Brit, Zoe Backstedt.  Chapeau!

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Laying on the Power CX-G24-3" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Gullegem, Women's Cyclocross: Almost On

After a bit of a struggle on the first lap in Gullegem, Lucinda Brand (Baloise Glowi Lions) was getting to catch back onto the leading trio.  At this point on the second lap, she has both Leonie Brentveld (Pawels Sauzen-Cibel Clementines) and Zoe Backstedt (Canyon-SRAM) within her sight.  Also there, but not visible at this angle is the woman leader her in the Superprestige series, Ceylin del Carmen Alvaredo (Fenix-Deceuninck).  With such a slippery and muddy course, her Dutch Champion's jersey is clearly getting rather speckled in muck, just another exciting element of cyclocross.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Almost On CX-G24-2" (Original art by Greig Leach)