Fleche Wallonne '26: Jeune, Fort, et Francais

I apologize if the French is wrong in the title.  Translated, I hope it reads as "Young, Strong, and French".  Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM) jumps free of the peloton claiming victory in Fleche Wallonne atop the Mur de Huy by three seconds over the rest of the peloton. With this win he becomes the youngest male cyclist to win at the tender age of nineteen! Behind him are Mauro Schmid (Jayco-Alula) and Ben Tulett (Visma-Lease a Bike) respectively finishing out the podium.  Benoit Cosnefroy (UAE Team Emirates) claimed fourth finishing six seconds ahead of the rest of the field.  As Bob Rolle and Christian Vandevelde, "the hype is real" referring to the young Seixas.  Will he eventually be the guy to finally reclaim the Tour de France for the French?

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. 

"Jeune, Fort, et Francais FW26-7" (Original art by Greig Leach) 

Fleche Wallonne '26: Inside the Final Kilometer

With a mere 600 meters until the finale, all of the favorites were massed at the front of the peloton waiting for the right moment to launch their attacks.  The front line was composed of two not expected to be there, Joan Bou (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA) and Ben Tulett (Visma-Lease a Bike) and the odds-on favorite Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM).  The next row, theoretically better positioned, were the Swiss champion Mauro Schmiel (Jayco-Alula), Romain Gregoire (Groupama-FDJ-United) and Benoit Cosnefroy (UAE Team Emirates).  It was nice to see Alex Baudin (EF Education-EasyPost) leading up the remnants of those hoping to vie for the win at the summit of the Mur de Huy.

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.  

"Inside the Final Kilometer FW26-6" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Fleche Wallonne '26: Shades of Mont Ventoux

I admit that this title is a bit of a deep dive into pro-cycling history (and my paintings of the Tour de France).  I refer to when Chris Froome (riding for Sky - the team now known as Ineos-Grenadiers) crashed into a race moto near the finish of the climb of Mont Ventoux.  I was naturally reminded of and amused by this scene of Axel Laurance (Ineos-Grenadiers) running along with his bike in hopes that his team car will soon arrive before the peloton is too far ahead.  I should note that this time he took his bike with him unlike Froome so long ago.  Passing him (still on his bike) is Eduard Prades (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA).  All of this was occuring under the watchful eye of one of the race commissares on the back of a motorcycle (the guy in the red jacket just ahead of the cyclists).

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. 

"Shades of Mont Ventoux FW26-5" (Original art by Greig Leach)

 

Fleche Wallonne '26: Just You & Me

Jardi Christiaan Van Der Lee (EF Education-EasyPost) looks over his shoulder at Andreas Leknessund (Uno X-Mobility) seemingly letting his breakaway companion it is just the two of them off the front now.  With thirty-three kilometers to race the pair had twelve seconds over their erstwhile companions and forty-two seconds over the chasing peloton.  To be fair, the pair chasing did manage to catch back on not too long after this was painted.  Also, Leknessund was the last to be caught by the peloton with just six kilometers left to race.  If there is a most combative prize in a one-day race, he should certainly be the one to win that honor today.

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. 

"Just You & Me FW26-4" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Fleche Wallonne '26: Any Takers?

As the peloton went over the top of the Huy de Mur for the first time Raul Garcio Pierna (Movistar) went on the attack off the front. After opening up a slight gap, he looked back to see if anyone was going to join him in his escape effort.  Several joined him, they got caught, he went again, and then it all came to not.  Of course, there was still over seventy kilometers to race, it was a bit early to go for a winning move.  I do realize that there are still four guys off the front that have been there for a least a hundred kilometers all ready.

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. 

"Any Takers? FW26-3" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Fleche Wallonne '26: Not Where He Should Be

As the peloton climbed the Cote de Cherave for the first of three times, the camera man picked out Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Cycling) dangling at the back of the pack.  He was struggling to hold onto the wheel of Anders Halland Johannessen (Uno X-Mobility).  With another 78 kilometers to race it was looking unlikely that he will not be winning his fourth Fleche Wallonne.  I could have been that he was faking weakness, but he did pull out of the race not too long after I painted this.  At least, I think it wasn't soon after, I do know he didn't finish this edition of this iconic race.

I hope all of you who visit here will like and subscribe to my youtube channel.  I could really use the help!

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.  

"Not Where He Should Be FW26-2" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Fleche Wallonne '26: Checking In

After doing his share of work on the front of this quintet, Alan Jousseaume (TotalEnergies) checks in with Vincent Van Hemelen (Flanders-Baloise) and the rest of his early breakaway companions.  They have been joined in the effort to stay away from the peloton by Jakub Otruba (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA), Jardi Christiaan Van Der Lee (EF Education-EasyPost), Sjoerd Bax (Pinarello-Q 36.5) and Andreas Leknessund (Uno X-Mobility).  With over ninety kilometers to go until the base of the final fabled climb of the Mur de Hoy, they were holding over two minutes on the peloton of favorites behind.

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.  

"Checking In FW26-1" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix '26: Time to Celebrate

When it came down to just Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) and Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) in the finale on the velodrome it seemed likely it would be Van Aert to take the two-up sprint to win this edition of Paris Roubaix.  After all, Van Aert has won the sprint finale on the Champs Elysees of the Tour de France.  He has been seeking the victory on the velodrome of Roubaix his whole career, so it was now surprise that he broke down in tears after holding off the man many consider the best bike racer of all time.  I'm still in the camp of Eddy Merxyk personally. It should be noted that Pogacar has only competed twice in Paris Roubaix and has taken second place both times.

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.  

"Time to Celebrate PR26-9" (Original art by Greig Leach) - This painting has sold!

Paris Roubaix '26: Stuck Together

Despite each having tried their best to drop the other, Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) were unable to get free.  As they raced through Sector 3, Gruson, they still had twenty-six seconds over the small group behind.  With just over fourteen kilometers to race, it seemed a bit unlikely that it would be anyone other than these two who would compete to win the next Cobble Stone trophy since the inception one hundred and thirty years ago.

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.  

"Stuck Together PR26-8" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix '26: How Soon?

Unable to hold onto the wheels of the two leaders, Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) spent a long time caught between them and those chasing behind.  With forty-nine kilometers to race he was twenty seconds off the pace and only seven seconds ahead of the Mathieu Van Der Poel led chasers.  He felt them coming as he started looking back to see just how long it may be before he could get some extra help in his (and their) attempt to get back to the front of the race.

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. 

"How Soon? PR26-7" (Original art by Greig Leach)