The Art of Cycling

Saturday, July 11, 2026

Tour '26, Stage 8: Two in a Row!

Once the peloton had caught the lone escapee remaining, it was eyes down for the sprint. Tim Merlier (Soudal-Quick Step) came from a long way back to claim his second stage victory in a row in Bergerac. It was looking like Biniam Girmay (NSN Cycling) was about to get his first stage at the Tour de France in two years until Merlier came from seemingly nowhere. On his wheel was Olav Kooij (Decathlon-CMA CGM) who was hoping he would be the sprinter to win two stages in the 113th Tour de France. Tomorrow, we go back to the hills, so I expect it won't be a day for these pure sprinters. Will it be the breakaway that succeeds or will it be a GC day?

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: "Two in a Row! TdF26-57" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '26, Stage 8: Inside of Two Kilometers

After going under the two kilometers banner Liam Stock (Lotto-Intermarche) looked back to see the peloton rounding the corner a mere ten seconds behind him. The conventional theory is that the breakaway needs a minute's advantage for every ten kilometers left to race. By that formula, Stock is right on the very edge of being able to make it to the finish line in Bergerac before being caught by the peloton. Even before he got to the final kilometer flame rouge, he knew the catch was nigh and sat up in surrender to the inevitable. The catch translates to him having been off the front for 179 kilometers of an 180-kilometer stage.

Purchase this painting here: "Inside of Two Kilometers TdF26-56" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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

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Tour '26, Stage 8: Holding of the Peloton

Liam Stock (Lotto-Intermarche) had been attacked on the climb of the Cote du Buissen de Cadovia. He countered and dropped his attacker over the summit. Once he was free of his erstwhile companions he decided to see if he could get the surprise on the sprint team led peloton. At seventeen kilometers to race he still had a minute and twenty-one seconds on those behind. Of course, those off the front tend to have quite a caravan of race official vehicles, his team car, and a neutral service car as well. With over a minute to the chasers all these vehicles were still allowed to be behind the leader on the stage. Once it drops below a minute, everyone except a neutral service moto and perhaps a TV moto are allowed in the gap.

Purchase this painting here: "Holding Off the Peloton TdF26-55" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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

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Tour '26, Stage 8: On the Outside

Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) and Max Kanter (XDS-Astana) were pre-occupied with each other's sprinting for the points available at the intermediate sprint in Saint Cyprien that they were caught off guard by Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech). Pedersen has been collecting maximum available points at these intermediate sprints. That combined with his one stage win is why he is wearing the Maillot Vert or the 'sprinter's jersey.' Today he was just beat by the bike throw of Kanter. However, both were caught off guard by the sprint of Philipsen. He hasn't given this hard of a run for the intermediate sprint thus far instead choosing himself for finale instead. That hasn't worked out for him yet either. Maybe this sprint is a sign that his fortunes will change when the peloton gets to Bergerac.

Purchase this painting here: "On the Outside TdF26-54" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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

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Tour '26, Stage 8: Through the Eye of a Needle

This might be one of the more beautiful roads of the 113th Tour de France thus far. It was quite the sight to see the front of the peloton riding through the gates of the old town as they started one of the only two small climbs of the day, the Cote de Domme. At this point it was an easy fit for the front end of the peloton, but when the main body of the group got there those in the back had to come to a stop, waiting their turn to squeeze into town. While it was a pretty vista, but I am sure those that had to start the climb from a dead stop after a hundred kilometers of racing weren't thrilled with the narrowest of the gate nor with the skinniness of the roads up the climb. Still, it makes a lovely picture, doesn't it?

Purchase this painting here: "Through the Eye of a Needle TdF26-53" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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

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Tour '26, Stage 8: Three Debutantes

The trio of Liam Stock (Lotto-Intermarche), Jakub Otruba (Caja Rural-Seguros), and Thibault Guernalec (TotalEnergies) went off the front from kilometer zero. With eighty-three kilometers left to ride of the one-hundred-and-eighty-kilometer stage, they were holding a gap of nearly two minutes over the sprinters' teams. The title I choose was because all three of them are riding their first ever Tour de France. I would say that it was also their first ever breakaway, but Otruba was off the front for most of the stage yesterday. He rode all day with Stock's teammate Viestroffer. It seems another vain effort since the stage appears to be a perfect day for the sprinters to strut their stuff.

Purchase this painting here: "Three Debutantes TdF26-52" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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

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Friday, July 10, 2026

Tour '26, Stage 7: A Clear Victory

Tim Merlier (Soudal-Quick Step) was able to work through the crowded field of sprinters to take the stage victory in Bordeaux! He had a clear win over Soren Waerenskjold (Uno X-Mobility) and Biniam Girmay (NSN Cycling). It is worth pointing out that neither Merlier nor Waerenskjold vied for points at the intermediate sprint (Girmay did). That may have been the difference between winning the stage and merely collecting points towards the Green Jersey.

Purchase this painting here: "A Clear Victory TdF26-51" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '26, Stage 7: Trying a Late Attack

Uno x-Mobility lost their teammate today after he crashed on the final descent in yesterday's stage while wearing the Maillot Jaune. He finished the stage but was unable to start today. I think they wanted us and the peloton to know that they were still here and still racing. With just ten kilometers to race they decided to try and surprise the sprinters with a late attack. The Norwegian Champion Anders Skaarseth went first. He was covered by the Dane Kasper Asgreen (EF Education-EasyPost) and his teammate (who I image he was riding for) Jonas Abrahamsen. They got maybe a second or two before the sprinters' teams shut them down. There are only today and maybe three other stages that suit the sprinters and they weren't about to let anyone steal off the front today.

Purchase this painting here: "Trying a Late Attack TdF26-50" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '26, Stage 7: Accepting the Inevitable

A newer Tour tradition seems to be those left in the breakaway saluting each other as the peloton closes in. Baptiste Veistroffer (Lotto-Intermarche) reaches over for a fist bump from his breakaway companion Jakub Otruba (Caja Rural-Seguros). The pair has been off the front of the race for roughly a hundred and fifty kilometers, but the sprinters want their chance to shine. It was a doomed enterprise, but nothing ventured nothing gained. Veistroffer did pick up maximum sprint points and the sole King of the Mountain point out on the course today. I suspect he will also be rewarded the most competitive rider of the stage for the second time this Tour.

Purchase this painting here: "Accepting the Inevitable TdF26-49" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '26, Stage 7: The Usual Suspects

I'm hoping you get the famous line from Casablanca that this title is referencing. Or is my age showing, again. Today's intermediate sprint in Landrias was for third best since the two-man break was still up the road. It was the usual group of sprinters that we have seen most every stage vying for the most sprint points still up for grabs. Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) added to his advantage and ensure that he would continue to wear the Maillot Vert even if he scores no points in Bordeaux at the end of the day. He was followed across the line in turn by Biniam Girmay (NSN Cycling), Max Kanter (XDS Astana) and Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech). I admit that until this Tour I had never heard of Kanter, but he continues to impress me. I wouldn't be surprised to see him take a stage in the near future. Of course, my heart is pulling for Girmay. Yes, I do have my favorites. Admit it, you do, too.

Purchase this painting here: "The Usual Suspects TdF26-48" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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

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