Tour '26, Stage 18: Climbing Alone

"And Winning Alone" is what I wish I had added to the title, but I wasn't sure that would be the outcome when I painted this.  With just over a kilometer left to climb of the Orcieres-Merlette and the stage, Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) had thirty-five seconds over the two that were still chasing behind.  Mauro Schmid (Jayco-Alula) finished second on the stage, for the second stage in a row.  He was followed over the line at the same time by Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) leaving both him and his team looking for their first road stage win.  Remember that Visma won the opening team time trial, so quite literally, the team has already won a stage in the 113th Tour de France.  Carapaz went on to win the stage by forty-five seconds.  He also moved himself into the top ten of the general classification, but is still over twenty minutes behind the time of the leader, Tadej Pogacar.  He is still trying to take the Maillot a Pois and he now sits third in that competition.  All in all a good day out for the former Ecuadorian champion.

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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "Climbing Alone TdF26-134" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

And learn about Leach's published books at The Art of Cycling: Cycling Books by Greig Leach

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Tour '26, Stage 18: Who Among Us?

This title amused me.  But it was what this sextet was thinking, "Who among us will win this stage?"  With the chase group losing ground, and the peloton still over five minutes behind, it was clear that this is who is racing for stage honors today.  Only Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal-Quick Step) doesn't have to win the stage to have achieved his goal of the day.  If he crosses the line in third or better, he will take over the lead in the King of the Mountains competition.  He did not.  He finished fourth on the day.  So Mauro Schmid (Jayco-Alula) was hoping to get a second stage victory. Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) was hoping to win the stage to rewrite the current story of his team. The rest, Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost), Tobias Johannessen (Uno X-Mobility) and Raul Garcia Pierna (Movistar) were hoping to win their first stage of this Tour.  For Carapaz, Jorgenson, and Gacia Pierna it would also be the first stage win for their team also.  Not everyone will achieve their goals.  But then that is bike racing.

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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "Who Among Us? TdF26-133" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

And learn about Leach's published books at The Art of Cycling: Cycling Books by Greig Leach

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Tour '26, Stage 18: Looming Vultures

Clearly, Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates) was suffering has he rode through the intermediate sprint point in Corps seventeen minutes after Mads Pedersen claimed maximum points ahead of everyone on the road.  I am worried that some bug is running through his team.  Yesterday, Adam Yates was way off the back but did manage to finish the stage.  However, he was seen at the team car dropping off of the peloton again just before the TV camera found McNulty with the Voiture Balai and the second van labeled Fin de Course, or End of the Race.  I was playing with the word 'voiture' when I used 'vulture' in the title. Sadly, shortly after he rode through this point, he stopped and climbed into the van behind.  The name translates to 'Broom Wagon' because it sweeps up all of the riders who can't finish the stage carrying them to the finish line and out of the race.  Let's hope no one else, most especially Tadej Pogacar get sick on the UAE team.

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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "Looming Vultures TdF26-132" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

And learn about Leach's published books at The Art of Cycling: Cycling Books by Greig Leach

Learn More About the Artist → 

Tour '26, Stage 18: One More Peek

After three categorized climbs and just shy of one hundred and forty kilometers, Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) was finally able to sprint for the maximum sprint points on offer in Corps.  As he did his almost token sprint, he looked back one more time to make sure no one would dare challenge him.  They did not.  Had they done so the breakaway would have collapse right then.  Mauro Schmid (Jayco-Alula), Tobias Johannessen (Uno X-Mobility) his teammate Mathias Vacek and the rest of the breakaway have been counting on the Dane's power to help keep them off the front and away from those chasing behind.  Now, what will happen now that Pedersen has achieved his goal for the day.  I suspect he will help Vacek as much as possible before he runs out of steam.

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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "One More Peek TdF26-131" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

And learn about Leach's published books at The Art of Cycling: Cycling Books by Greig Leach

Learn More About the Artist → 

Tour '26, Stage 18: In No Hurry to Get There

Today was a day for the breakaway.  As the peloton rode through the valley prior to the final climb of the day over six minutes behind those vying for stage honors.  No one in the group ahead was within twenty minutes of Tadej Pogacar's lead, so there wasn't really any reason to chase.  Plus, down there amongst all of those cyclists are all of the top eight on the general classification.  As long as none of them attack, it is kind of a day off for the top of the leader board (and their teammates).  I know I wouldn't be in any hurry to get up into those mountains.  I would be excited about descending back into the valley, however.

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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "In No Hurry to Get There TdF26-130" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

And learn about Leach's published books at The Art of Cycling: Cycling Books by Greig Leach

Learn More About the Artist → 

Tour '26, Stage 18: Scooping Up All the Points

The third categorized climb of the day was the Cote des Terrasse, and it was the third climb that Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal-Quick Step) got the maximum King of the Mountain points at the summit of.  He out sprinted Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) yet again.  Behind them were the Lidl-Trek teammates, Mathias Vacek and Mads Pedersen.  Why that is important is that Pedersen is wearing the Maillot Vert of the best sprinter in the Tour.  Sprinters are known for their climbing abilities, but here he is with the leaders on a mountain stage.  Of course, the intermediate sprint is another twenty-four kilometers down the road.  His main competitor in the sprint competition is behind the peloton in the grupetto about ten minutes behind the breakaway.

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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "Scooping Up the Points TdF26-129" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

And learn about Leach's published books at The Art of Cycling: Cycling Books by Greig Leach

Learn More About the Artist → 

Tour '26, Stage 18: The Points Are Up the Road

As this five-some climbed the Cote de Monteynard they were chasing a group of six that had twenty-one seconds on them.  Not a situation that either Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal-Quick Step) nor Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) were happy with.  Both men were hoping to take over the lead in the King of the Mountains competition.  Yes, Paret-Peintre is wearing the jersey, but it is "on loan" from the race leader, Tadej Pogacar.  The Soudal-Quick Step rider has already gone first over the first climb of the day, out sprinting Carapaz for the maximum KOM points.  The other three were happy to ride behind the aggressors.  Mauro Schmid (Jayco-Alula), Raul Garcia Pierna (Movistar) and Mathias Vacek (Lidl-Trek) were happy to let the other two pull them up to the leading breakaway.  Both Vacek and Pierna had teammates up the road, so there were going to, nor were they expected to, work to chase down the leaders.  I should note that they did join up before the summit with Paret-Peintre getting the maximum KOM points ahead of Carapaz, again.

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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "The Points Are Up the Road TdF26-128" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

And learn about Leach's published books at The Art of Cycling: Cycling Books by Greig Leach

Learn More About the Artist → 

Tour '26, Stage 17: Without Disaster

I guess I should start with the title.  Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech) has a nickname that he hates.  He is oft times called "Jasper Disaster."  He has a tendency to crash in sprints.  To be fair, that does seem to no longer be a thing.  Although, he has not been able to put together a successful sprint for a stage victory this Tour, until now.  He had to work hard in the early phase of the stage to stay with the peloton, most of his sprint rivals were dropped, fought back, and then stayed with the peloton when they let the breakaway go.  Philipsen stayed with the break and was there to fight for the stage.  He was delivered perfectly by his teammate Mathieu Van Der Poel (who has won a stage already).  Then he had the power to drop all of the others trying to win today.  Behind him it was Mauro Schmid (Jayco-Alula) from an early painting. In third was Olav Kooij (Decathlon-CMA CGM), the only other pure sprinter in the finale. Behind the podium were Lewis Adkey (NSN Cycling), Rick Pluimers (Tudor Pro Cycling), Clement Russo (Groupama FDJ-United), Huub Artz (Lotto-Intermarche) and in eighth was Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek).  Despite Philipsen getting the maximum points in the sprint finale, Pedersen's placing means he holds onto the Maillot Vert.  With the mountains to come, he most likely will hold it into Paris.  He will need to add to his total before the intermediate sprint on the Champs Elysees on Sunday.  Given the new final stage's climbs up Montmartre, it makes for a very different final sprint of the Tour.

As you have seen, I normally include all of scene, but sometimes less is more.  Therefore, as I worked on this, I realized all I needed to convey the story of the final sprint of Stage 17 was the riders, and nothing else.

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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "Without Disaster TdF26-127" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

And learn about Leach's published books at The Art of Cycling: Cycling Books by Greig Leach

Learn More About the Artist → 

Tour '26, Stage 17: Attacking Near 4 K

I was confused why Victor Campenaerts (Visma-Lease a Bike) was helping chase down the six-man breakaway.  Now I understand.  His teammate, the American, Matteo Jorgenson attacked on a final roller inside of the four-kilometer banner.  When he went only two guys could go with him.  Not really visible are Derek Gee-West (Lidl-Trek) and Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) finding shelter behind the broad shoulders of the American.  Dropping of but still off the front is the former world champion Michal Kwiatkowski (Netcompany-Ineos).  Being a fan of Jorgenson, I was hoping this would stick, but the sprinters wanted their final chance.  Well, the sprinters that were still in the vastly reduced peloton.

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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "Attacking Near 4 K Tdf26-126" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

And learn about Leach's published books at The Art of Cycling: Cycling Books by Greig Leach

Learn More About the Artist → 

Tour '26, Stage 17: What He Worked For

Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) had gotten into breaks, been dropped, got back in, got dropped and yet, he got back in one more time.  All of it was for this moment.  He was off the front with a group of five other guys, none of whom factored into the race for the Maillot Vert.  As he opened up his sprint into Colombe he was concerned that Edward Planckaert (Alpecin-Premier Tech) might try and come around.  I should point out that Planckaert is on the team of Jasper Philipsen who sits second in the race for the sprinter's jersey.  Panckaert tried to come around Pedersen to prevent him from getting maximum points in this intermediate sprint.  He didn't have the legs.  Behind these two, the rest were taking advantage of the leaders' speed as they were there for a stage victory in another twenty-seven kilometers.  Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) keeps fighting for a stage.  He is followed by Michal Kwiatkowski (Netcompany-Ineos), Jasper Stuyven (Soudal-Quick Step) and Felix Engelhardt (Jayco-Alula).  All of these guys were there fighting for stage honors at the end of the day, too!

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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "What He Worked For TdF26-125" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

And learn about Leach's published books at The Art of Cycling: Cycling Books by Greig Leach

Learn More About the Artist →