Paris Nice '25, Stage 8: A Collaborative Effort

Once Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) had gone through the intermediate sprint on the Col d'Eze, thus winning the final Maillot Vert, he then collaborated with Magnus Sheffield (Ineos-Grenadiers) on the way into the finale in Nice.  The two were hoping to vie for stage honors in another thirteen kilometers whilst holding off a chasing Matteo Jorgenson.  It worked out that Sheffield dropped the spent Pedersen shortly after this moment.  It is perhaps what Pedersen was telling the American on the British team.  I don't have much left; but I'll give you one more pull before I pull the plug.  Pedersen was the twentieth guy to come across the line, but no matter he had kept the green points jersey.  Whereas Sheffield went on to take the stage by twenty-nine seconds over Jorgenson, finally giving his team the stage win they had hoped for all week long.

Sheffield moved himself into fourth overall, just behind his teammate (and team leader) Thymen Arensman. Again, there just wasn't a good enough image of Sheffield winning along the marina on the Boulevard des Anglais, so this will have to function as his winning painting.

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.

"A Collaborative Effort PN25-36" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Nice '25, Stage 8: Come and Take It

After multiple attacks from the rest of the reduced peloton, it was the Maillot Jaune himself, Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) who went off the front on the Col d'Eze.  As he looked back over his shoulder, he seemed to say to those who would challenge his lead, just try and catch me.  With twenty-five kilometers left in Paris Nice, there were just two guys up the road that might spoil his perfect day.  Despite leading the race by at least thirty-seven seconds on those five seconds or more behind him, he has yet to win a stage in this year's edition of the Race to the Sun.  

He didn't manage to catch both leaders, but he did take second on the stage sealing his second victory in a row of Paris Nice.  There wasn't a great image of his victory salute as he crossed the line twenty-nine seconds behind the stage winner.

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.

"Come and Take It PN25-35" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Happily, this painting has sold!

Paris Nice '25, Stage 8: Covering Everything

After the first climb, Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) found himself without any of his teammates to help cover the attacks from those nearest his lead in the general classification.  One who tried to escape from the Maillot Jaune was the Maillot Blanc, Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) on the climb up the Cote de Peille.  Jorgenson was able to cover this move, and every other move that mattered on the way to Nice.  Lipowitz had to go for two reasons, one in hopes of taking over the overall, and two he needed to chase down one of the two guys up the road, Magnus Sheffield, who sat third in the Maillot Blanc competition of the best young rider in Paris Nice.

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.

"Covering Everything PN25-34" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Happily, this painting has sold!

Paris Nice '25, Stage 8: Flying Off the Mountain

After going over the top of the Col de la Porte in fifth place, Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) went on the offensive.  He opened up a one-minute gap on the peloton just by his superior descending skills.  It should be noted that Pedersen is wearing the Maillot Vert of the points leader, oft referred to as the sprinter's jersey.  Of equal importance is that sprinters are exactly known for their climbing prowess.  The guy closes to Pedersen in this competition was the leader of the overall race, Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike).  Pedersen could sew up the overall Maillot Vert should he be able to reach the intermediate sprint point over the top of the Col d'Eze.  Should he get maximum points there, Jorgenson will not be able to earn enough points even if he should win the stage to take the green jersey off of this great Dane.

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.

"Flying Off the Mountain PN25-33" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Nice '25, Stage 7: Winning in the Snow

Despite the miserable conditions, Michael Storer (Tudor Pro Cycling) was thrilled to raise his arms in the wet snow as he celebrated his victory.  It is the first win for his team in Paris Nice - it is a new team.  Hopefully, his win and the presence of Julian Alaphilippe on the team will go a long way to Tudor Pro Cycling a wild card invitation to this year's Tour de France.  Both this race, and the Tour are organized by ASO, so this will surely be a positive influence on that decision.  At least no one has to race back down this mountain 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 $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Winning in the Snow PN25-32" (Original art by Greig Leach) 

Paris Nice '25, Stage 7: On His Own

After a very hard pull by his teammate Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Pro Cycling) pulled off the front of the breakaway, it was Michael Storer's chance to lay a hard attack.  Once inside the final two kilometers, Storer looked back across the snow-covered corner to make sure no one was bridging back up to him.  Since there is no racing descent off of this climb, the organizers weren't worry that it may well start snowing again.  As he peered back, he wouldn't have seen any of the main chase group, he has almost a minute and a half on them.  I was struck by his choice to just wear a speed suit for this final ascent up to the Auron ski slopes.

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. 

"On His Own PN25-31" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Nice '25, Stage 7: Some Big Names Out Front

It was a large group of fifteen riders that got off of the front of the peloton today.  It was a shorten stage due to the foul weather.  With only 110 kilometers to race, these guys building an over three-minute lead on the peloton containing the Maillot Jaune was significant.  To names that I was surprised to see let lose were Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Pro Cycling) and Neilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost).  The former was here riding for his teammate Michael Storer, but Powless was hoping to make up for suffering so much in the cold these past two stages.  Joining these two are Josh Tarling (Ineos-Grenadiers), Fred Wrightk (Bahrain-Victorious) and Bruno Armirail (Decathlon-Ag2r-La Mondiale) amongst others.  With just thirteen kilometers of climbing left, it was looking likely that one of these fifteen would be vying for stage honors in the Queen Stage of Paris Nice.

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. 

"Some Big Names Out Front PN25-30" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Nice '25, Stage 7: Forming the Grupetto

Due to the threat of snow on the higher elevations, the race organizers took out two of the climbs that were originally part of today's stage.  However, they left in the long slough up the valley to the climb up the Auron.  The thirty-kilometer climb in the cold rain, particularly after the last two days, was proving to much for the fast men of the peloton.  As they approached the twenty kilometers to go signage, guys like Tibor del Grosso (Alpecin-Deceuninck), John Degenkolb (Picnic-PostNL), Max Walscheid (Jayco-Alula), and Jordan Jegat (TotalEnergies) grouped together to get to the finish as best they could.  The Grupetto is what the large group of sprinters and others who suffer on the climbs is called.  They work together to beat the time limit on any given stage.  Oft times there is safety in numbers since the organizers are redescent to kick a large group of riders out of the race even if they do miss the time cut-off.  It should be noted that Walscheid stepped off of his bike before the end of the stage finding the weather and the climb just too, too much.

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. 

"Forming the Grupetto PN25-29" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Nice '25, Stage 7: Falling Hard

I am breaking one of my own rules here, but this crash meant something in the overall general classification.  Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) started the day in third place just under a minute behind the race leader.  And he was a mere nineteen seconds off of the race for the Maillot Blanc.  But an unseen traffic island in the middle of an S curve caught the young Dane off guard.  Riders on the front gave a warning of the danger, but his teammate just ahead was so occupied avoiding the danger himself, that he didn't give a warning to the guy right on his wheel.  His teammate, Mads Pedersen, and one of the Gendarmes escorting the peloton were the first to check on his condition.  He had come down hard smacking his helmet against the road.  Pedersen stayed with him until the team car and the doctor arrived and then had to press on with the race.  You can just see the green shorts that go with his Maillot Vert peeking out under his rain gear.  In order to carry that sprinter's jersey to Nice, Pedersen had to keep going.

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.

"Falling Hard PN25-28" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Nice '25, Stage 6: It Was a Close One

Out of the seventeen that came together into Berre l'Etang, Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) was the clear favorite for the sprint finale.  What I didn't see coming was just how hard Josh Tarling (Ineos-Grenadiers) pushed the Danish former World Champion for the win.  I suspect that had there been another 100 meters it would have gone to Tarling.  Tarling's teammate Sam Watson was able to just get by a fading Axel Zingle (Visma-Lease a Bike) to take third.  Everyone in the group moved themselves up in the general classification.  With these results, Matteo Jorgenson (Zingle's teammate) now has a forty second advantage over Florian Lipowitz who was in this group as well.

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.

"It Was a Close One PN25-27" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Nice '25, Stage 6: Every Opportunity

Not only did Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) come to Paris Nice on form, he also brought his race brain along, too.  Seeing an opportunity to add bonus seconds at the intermediate sprint in Lancon-Provence, he jumped free of the leading group to add a ten second time bonus.  Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) went for a bonus as well in hopes of retaking the Maillot Blanc that he lost yesterday.  While he did add four bonus seconds, his rival in the competition for best young rider, Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) got the last remaining bonus of two seconds, thus holding onto his white jersey for now.

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.

"Every Opportunity PN25-26" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Happily, this painting has sold!

Paris Nice '25, Stage 6: Taking Full Advantage

As I said earlier, I don't know which team started the move that blew the peloton apart, but these seventeen guys on five different teams were taking full advantage of the move.  Now that they have caught the last member of the morning breakaway, they have built a minute and twenty seconds on the next group on the road.  Ineos-Grenadiers have the entire team here minus Ben Swift, and Visma-Lease a Bike have everyone on their team still in the race.  Jonas Vingegaard didn't start today due to his injuries in his crash in stage 5.  Max Schachman (Soudal-Quick Step) is the only member of his team to make it into the group.  Both Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe have their best young rider Florian Lipowitz in the group along with Matteo Sobrero.  Lidl-Trek was the other team to get their best young rider Mattias Skjelmose along with his teammate and power sprinter Mads Pedersen.  With just twenty-one kilometers to go, it seems most likely that the stage winner is in this group.  And since the Maillot Jaune on the shoulders of Matteo Jorgenson is here, it is equally unlikely that there will be a new race leader tomorrow.  The other steps of the podium will certainly alter, 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 $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Taking Full Advantage PN25-25" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Nice '25, Stage 6: Blown Apart

When the Peacock stream of the race came on air today, the peloton had already been blown apart.  So, I am not super sure if it was the wind, the plans of the combinations of  Ineos-Grenadiers and Visma-Lease a bike, or a combination of the two, but the effects were the same regardless.  With the front group going hard, riding at upwards of forty miles per hour, those behind or caught off guard struggled to get their chase organized.  It became confusing as to who was were, but if you weren't in the group driving the pace or in the second group chasing hard, you were never going to see the front of the race again.  And if you had hopes of placing well in the general classification, you hopes were just blown apart by the weather and riding style 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 $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Blown Apart PN25-24" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Happily, this painting has sold!

Paris Nice '25, Stage 6: Still of the Front

With 51 kilometers left in a cold fast stage, it was just Remi Cavagna (Groupama-FDJ) left off the front from the original breakaway.  Even with all of the echelons forming behind Cavagna was still holding onto a two and three quarters of a minutes advantage.  No small feet with the drama happening behind him in the splintered 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 $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Still of the Front PN25-23" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Nice '25, Stage 5: Victorious Martinez

Despite sitting eighth as the leaders came into the final 600 meters of the climb, it was Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious) who had the legs to out sprint all of the others to take his team's first win in this Paris Nice.  He had a three second advantage over the next three that included the once and new Maillot Jaune, Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike).  I apologize for using the team's name to create a pun in this title.  It seems I can't help myself.  I also enjoy that though he sounds like a Spaniard, he is a Frenchman winning a stage in one of France's more important stage races.  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.

"Victorious Martinez PN25-22" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Nice '25, Stage 5: Three Americans

It is a rare sight in pro cycling to see three Americans (as in citizens of the United States) leading the peloton in Europe.  It is particularly rare for those three to be vying for both stage and race honors.  But here we are, Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates) and Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) ride shoulder to shoulder inside of the final kilometer of the summit finish.  On their right is Magnus Sheffield (Ineos-Grenadiers).  They are followed up the climb by Ilan Van Wilder (Soudal-Quick Step), Harold Tejada (XDS-Astana), and Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor).  Who will it be taking out the stage, and perhaps pulling on the Maillot Juane on the podium.

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.

"Three Americans PN25-21" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Happily, this painting has sold.

Paris Nice '25, Stage 5: You Coming?

Despite the lone leader taking the maximum points (and bonus seconds) at the intermediate sprint just meters ahead, it would help those behind to gain what bonuses were still available.  Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) attempts to lead out his teammate Mattias Skjelmose - currently in the Maillot Blanc - to gain important time on the guy just behind Skjelmose in that competition.  Instead, as he looked back and found Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) on his wheel instead.  The problem is that is the very man chasing his teammate for that white jersey.  Since Skjelmose couldn't make the move, Pedersen kept sprinting thus limiting the seconds Lipowitz could gain.  It didn't really matter, Skjelmose was about to lose big time on the final climb anyway.  Watching it all in the catbird seat is Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) mildly disappointed not to gain anytime himself.  But then he is chasing his own teammate to retake the Maillot Jaune.

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.

"You Coming? PN25-20" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Nice '25, Stage 5: Alone, Again

As I mentioned in my previous post, Tobias Foss (Ineos-Grenadiers) jumped free of the peloton to join his teammate Ben Swift and Swift's breakaway companion.  When the trio hit the base of the penultimate climb of the day, Foss went off on a long solo run to the finish.  So, for the second day in a row, this former Norwegian champion was making a brave effort to win on his own ahead of a chasing peloton.  Alas, just like yesterday, he was caught (and dropped) on the final climb up to a summit finish.  He ended up finishing around 35th on the stage, a minute and three-quarters behind the stage winner.  Still, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

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.

"Alone, Again PN25-19" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Nice '25, Stage 5: A Bit of an Advantage

Apparently, I dropped a word when I wrote out the title, it should read "A Bit of an Advantage."  Ah, the downside of painting live and in the moment.  The duo of Ben Swift (Ineos-Grenadiers) and Thibaud Gruel (Groupama-FDJ) continued to hold a small advantage in the closing kilometers of stage five.  The two swapped going over the ensuing summits with this one going to the Frenchman.  Shortly after I painted this, Swift's teammate Tobias Foss jumped free of the peloton in his efforts to bridge to these two.

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.

"A Bit of an Advantage PN25-18" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Nice '25, Stage 4: Getting Some Back

Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) jumped out of the chasers to claim victory atop La Loge des Gardes becoming the next member of his team to beat Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) on this climb.  For his part, Vingegaard's second place on the stage was enough for him to take the Maillot Jaune off of the shoulders of his teammate, dropping Matteo Jorgenson into second place by a mere five seconds.  Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) claiming third and a few bonus seconds moved him into the Maillot Blanc of the best young rider.  Just behind Skjelmose is Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Martinez).  The title comes from the fact the Almeida and his team didn't have a great team time trial, so this victory moves him back into contention for the final yellow jersey, since he moved up thirteen places on the GC. He now sits thrity-seven seconds off of the lead in fifth place.

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.

"Getting Some Back PN25-17" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Nice '25, Stage 4: Taking His Shot

Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) had been covering each attack on the climb of La Loge des Gardes theoretically in aide of his team leader and the Maillot Jaune, Matteo Jorgenson.  He then decided he should go ahead and press on his own.  Either Jorgenson had let him and the team know that he didn't have the legs today, or Vingegaard wanted to shine on this climb after basically losing the Tour de France on this hill last year.  Regardless, he has about seven seconds on the ragtag remnants of the peloton with about seven hundred meters left to climb.

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.

"Taking His Shot PN25-16" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Nice '25, Stage 4: Attacking on the Final Climb

With everyone warmed back up, the sun back out, and most of the breakaway caught, it was time for the general classification guys to fight it out on the final climb.  The first to attack on La Loge des Gardes was the current Maillot Blanc (although you can't see it for the rain gear), Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe).  He was quickly covered by the guy in second place in the young rider's competion, Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek).  Of course, both Matteo Jorgenson (hidden) and Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) weren't about to let the move go, either.

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.

"Attacking on the Final Climb PN25-15" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Nice '25, Stage 4: Preparing to Start Again

Once the race had reached the valley, the weather had improved enough to restart the race.  The difficulty was gathering everyone back together. Many had ridden the descent very slowly, so that needed to get everyone massed together in order to restart the race.  The other issue was recreating the gaps that had existed between the three main groups when the race was neutralized.  Now, the break had restarted, with the next to go being the two guys in red, Tobias Foss and Josh Tarling (Ineos-Grenadiers) about a minute and a half minutes later.  Standing with them were two riders from EF Education-EasyPost who would have to wait another minute or so to restart with the rest of the peloton.  It was a mess, but no one was hurt in the icy conditions.

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.

"Preparing to Start Again PN25-14" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Nice '25, Stage 4: Neutralized

While watching an inset interview, I started to notice wet snow falling on the riders in the coverage of the race.  When the broadcasting team of Christian VandeVelde and Bob Roll came back on air, they notice the weather and started to worry for the riders' safety.  They weren't the only ones.  With slush building on the road surface, it became too dangerous for the peloton to face the looming descent in just a few kilometers from now.  The decision was made to pause the racing and let the peloton ride slowly down the mountain and into warmer temperatures.  In the pouring ice, snow, and rain, the commissare went to the front of the peloton and let them know.  Naturally, that built in quite a bit of confusion, that took some time to sort.  At this point, it was snowing rather heavily on the finishing line at the top of the final climb.  I should know that one of the Gendarme crashed his motorcycle on the descent as well as one of the team cars for Decathlon-Ag2r-La Mondiale.  Clearly, the neutralization was the correct decision.

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.

"Neutralized PN25-13" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Nice '25, Stage 4: Up to Something

With another fifty-four kilometers to race, it was a bit odd to see the Ineos-Grenadiers duo of Tobias Foss and Josh Tarling go on the attack out of the peloton.  The two were chasing a group of eight riders still up the road from the early breakaway.  The race still had three more climbs including the mountain top finish to race.  I have to assume that the team had some grand plan they wanted to enact for their race leader in hopes of pulling back time lost in yesterday's team time trial.

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.

"Up to Something PN25-12" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Nice '25, Stage 3: The Best Two with the Best Time

The last two riders for Visma-Lease a Bike were arguably their two best guys.  It was Matteo Jorgenson leading Jonas Vingegaard across the line in Nevers to post the best time when they finished their Team Time Trial.  Their effort put them into first and second place respectively.  So, after three days Jorgenson will pull on the Maillot Jaune that he is defending from 2024.  It also shows that the duo should be ready for the challenge of this year's Tour de France.  I'm looking forward to see what they can do in the next two mountain top finishes in the ensuing stages.

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 Best Two with the Best Time PN25-11" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Paris Nice '25, Stage 3: Sprinting with Three

The USA Champion in the time trial discipline, Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates) was working hard in the final kilometers of the Team Time Trial.  He was hoping to move himself and his teammates Jhonatan Narvaez and Joao Almeida up in the general classification.  They had a disappointing finish dropping forty-two seconds to the team that won the stage.  Not exactly the results we have come to expect from this 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 $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Sprinting with Three PN25-10" (Original art by Greig Leach) 

Paris Nice '25, Stage 3: Finishing Alone

New rules and timing methods mean that the time for the team in the Team Time Trial is taken when the first rider crosses the line.  However, each individual rider is given his actual time on the day, not the time of the first of his team.  That may be why Tobias Foss (Ineos-Grenadiers) went off alone leaving his last two teammates, Magnus Sheffield and Thymen Arensman being in the closing meters.  Sheffield had started the day confident that he could regain the Maillot Blanc of best young rider and even hoped to become the next Maillot Jaune.  Instead, the team's performance saw him dropping a place in the young riders' competition and dropping to tenth in the general classification thirty-eight seconds off of the pace of the new race leader.  His team leader, Thymen Arensman is another two seconds behind that.

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.

"Finishing Alone PN25-9" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Nice '25, Stage 3: I'm Done!

The third stage of this Paris Nice was the Team Time Trial, a discipline of teamwork mixed with a dash of truth reckoning.  That was where Kelland O'Brian (Jayco-Alula) found himself.  He has done all he could for his three remaining teammates and looked back to the team car to let them know he was cooked.  He had done well to help put his teammates, Michael Matthews, Ben O'Connor, and Mauro Schmid in a position to post the best time at the finish in Nevers.  While another team did best them at the line later on, his (and their effort) was enough to move all three into the top ten spots on the general classification.

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.

"I'm Done! PN25-8" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Nice '25, Stage 2: Two in a Row

Clearly neither the crash not the chase back to the peloton didn't dampen the legs of Tim Merlier (Soudal-Quick Step).  For the second stage in a row, he showed a clean set of wheels to the rest of the peloton in the sprint finale.  He took the time to look back and confirm that he had plenty of space before raising his arms in celebration.  He got the better of Emilien Jeanniere (TotalEnergies) and Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek).  Pedersen finished fourth, but the guy in third was relegated for a dangerous sprint.  With this second stage win Merlier increases his lead to a fourteen second advantage over the rest of the field.  In two days, he as ten and a half minutes over the Lantern Rouge (the rider sitting last on the general classification).

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.

"Two in a Row PN25-7" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Nice '25, Stage 2: Forced to Chase

As the speeding peloton went through a sharp right corner a crash tangled up many and ended the day for one of Arkea-B&B Hotels riders.  Many found themselves off the back and forced to chase down the still flying peloton.  One of those chasing (and sitting right on the bumper of his team car) was the Maillot Jaune of Tim Merlier (Soudal-Quick Step).  He was joined in this chase group by the Australian Champion, Luke Durbridge (Jayco-Alula) as well as, Miles Scotson (Arkea-B&B Hotels) and the two guys from Movistar, Will Barta and Jefferson Alveiro Cepeda.  They all caught back on.  Unfortunately for Durbridge he went down again in the intermediate sprint in Bellegarde.  The second time he didn't get back on the bike, ending his Paris Nice before it had really gotten started.  

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.

"Forced to Chase PN25-6" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Nice '25, Stage 2: Not Giving Up

With the peloton just seconds behind the breakaway changed quickly.  First the Polka Dot Jersey of Alexandre Delettre sat up and went back into the field having achieved his objective for the day fifty kilometers ago.  Next Samuel Fernandez attacked Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno X-Moblity) in a bid to be the most aggressive rider on the day.  He must not have remembered Abrahamsen's exploits in last year's Tour de France. The Norwegian caught and dropped his erstwhile companion and road off on his own with another 51 kilometers to race.  The peloton didn't catch him until just two and a half kilometers to go.

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.

"Not Giving Up PN25-5" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Nice '24, Stage 2: It's Flat Now

While we didn't see the climbs (they came before the race came on air), Alexandre Delettre (TotalEnergies) took maximum points over both of them.  He is building on the lead that won him the Maillot a Pois in the opening stage.  The title refers to just how flat the stage was now with another 79 kilometers left to race.  He was joined in the breakaway by Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno X-Mobility) and Samuel Fernandez (Caja Rural-Seguros).  At this point, the trio only has a minute on the chasing peloton, so I am guessing a stage victory is not in the cards for these guys 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 $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"It's Flat Now PN25-4" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Nice '25, Stage 1: The First to Celebrate

With a perfectly timed surge to the line, Tim Merlier (Soudal-Quick Step) took the opening stage of Paris Nice - and the first Yellow Jersey - by several bike lengths.  His sprint showed why he wears the European Champion's jersey.  Of course, he will be wearing a different jersey at the start of Stage 2.  Naturally, he will also be the first owner of the Green Jersey of the best sprinter, but that will be worn by the guy who came second on the stage, Arnaud Demare (Arkea-B&B Hotels).

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 to Celebrate PN25-3" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Nice '25, Stage 1: Testing the Legs

The final climb of the opening stage of Paris Nice saw Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor) go on his near patented attack.  He was quickly covered by the American, Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) as the pair got a bit of a gap on the Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe led peloton.  The move came to naught, so I suspect the Alaphilippe was just testing both his legs, and the legs of the favorites on his rival teams.  He may well have learned a bit about Jorgenson.

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.

"Testing the Legs PN25-2" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Nice '25, Stage 1: Full Chase Mode

With a yellow jersey on offer on an opening sprint stage, it wasn't likely that the breakaway was going to be given a chance to succeed.  As the race came on air, we were treated to the peloton led by Alpecin-Deceuninck in full cry.  Their quarry, the two-man break, was just another three seconds up the road.

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.

"Full Chase Mode PN25-1" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Men's Omloop Nieuwsblad '25: Photo Finish

Once we all looked at the photo finish, it was clear that Soren Werenskjold (Uno-X Mobility) has won the mass sprint, but in real time, no one was sure who had won.  It was interesting to watch Warenskjold listening to his race radio trying to discover whether he had gotten the better of Paul Magnier (Soudal-Quick Step) or not.  Hidden by Magnier is the powerful sprinter, Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) whom many would have tapped to win a mass sprint today.  The extra icing on the cake for Warenskjold is that he was a very late call up to race Omloop Nieuwsblad for his team.  Way to step up to the plate (or bike cleat in this case)!

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.

"Photo Finish OHN25-9" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Men's Omloop Nieuwsblad '25: Almost Up to the Kapel

With just sixteen kilometers to go, everyone was trying to make their move on the Kapelmuur.  While two or three had just crested the summit in front of the famed church, it was Sam Watson (Ineos-Grenadiers), Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck), and the American Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) who were the next to drop the majority of the peloton.  With so many still in touch, it was looking like it might be a mass sprint to finish this Omloop Nieuwsblad, a rarity for this race.  Surprisingly, I searched for the name of this church and could not find it.

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 Up to the Kapel OHM25-8" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Men's Omloop Nieuwsblad '25: The Long Thin Line

You can read a lot about what is happening in the race just by the shape of the peloton.  In this case, the long thin line, complete with small gaps, shows that this group is giving everything it has to chase down the leaders.  On the previous climb, many of the favorites had escaped, but not all.  So those that didn't were doing everything they could to set matters to rights.  They were lucky that the winds had kept down on the flats of Flanders as they raced through the fields left fallow in the late winter months. 

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 Long Thin Line OHN25-7" (Original art by Greig Leach)  Prints are available, too.

Men's Omloop Nieuwsblad '25: Escaping the Peloton

Despite a breakaway still being two and a half minutes up the road, it was Visma-Lease a Bike that was animating the race all day.  This time it was their man, Matthew Brennan, who jumped away from the peloton on the cobbled climb of the Eikenberg.  He brought Vito Braet (Intermache-Wanty) - who looks back to see what the gap is - and Tim van Dijke (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe).  With another fifty-four kilometers to race, I am sure that van Dijke and Brennan were making the race hard in hopes of aiding their team leaders.

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.

"Escaping the Peloton OHN25-6" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Men's Omloop Nieuwsblad '25: Problems

Arnaud De Lie (Lotto) really wasn't having the best days.  Having already had a flat tire and a bike change, he was still struggling to get his bike right with 65 kilometers to go.  Behind him, the race juror is stopped with his fist in the air to warn those behind that a rider is stopped on the side of the road.  As De Lie got his chain back on the chainring, his team car pulled up on the right side of the road.  He was back onto his original bike and chasing, again.  But as the race got to the business end of the day, his efforts had sapped his legs.  He found himself unable to go with the pace on the final climbs of the day.  A sad turn of events for the Belgium Champion on the opening day of racing in Belgium.

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.

"Problems OHN25-5" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Women's Omloop Nieuwsblad '25: Winning with Class

Cue the full-on groan of a dad joke.  I simple couldn't resist the pun of this title since it was Lotte Claes (Arkea-B&B Hotels) who took the victory ahead of her last remaining breakaway compainion Aurela Nerlo (Winspace Orange Seal).  The two had led the race from almost the first pedal strokes, and finished ahead of the lead two from the peloton by three and a half minutes.  It was truly a classy win, and her first win in the Women's World Tour to boot. 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.

"Winning with Class OHN25-4" (Original art by Greig Leach)