The Art of Cycling: February 2025

Monday, February 24, 2025

Volta ao Algarve '25, Final Stage: He'll Know in Two Kilometers

Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) was on a great ride. Not unexpected since he is a former Portuguese Champion in this time trial discipline riding on his home roads. However, he finished the stage in sixth place just a bit over thirty seconds behind the stage winner, Jonas Vingegaard. His ride was enough to keep him in second place on the general classification just fifteen seconds behind the final yellow jersey.

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.

"He'll Know in Two Kilometers VA24-17" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Volta ao Algarve '25, Final Stage: Burning Up the Road

Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) started the day sitting in sixth place a full twenty seconds behind the current race leader. It was said that he came to this race to check his form and open up his race legs. After today, it is clear he is ready to race. He took the stage by eleven seconds over his teammate Wout Van Aert. Moreover, he put a minute and twenty-seven seconds on the erstwhile yellow jersey, Jan Christen (UAE Team Emirates). In one stage, he made us all look forward to the match up with last year's winner of the Tour de France, Tadej Pogacar. Let's all hope they both stay healthy through July!

"Burning Up the Road VA25-16" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Volta ao Algarve '25, Final Stage: The Final Meters

In the final meters of the individual time trial stage, Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Cycling) was able to catch his minute man, Remy Rochas (Groupama-FDJ). Alaphilippe finished 23rd on the day moving himself up one slot on the general classification into 20th place a little more than two and a half minutes off of the time of the final yellow jersey after five days of racing. I feel like this bodes well for one of my favorites in the peloton's coming season.

"The Final Meters VA25-15" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Volta ao Algarve '25, Final Stage: An Italian Speedster

The Italian Time Trial National Champion, Filippo Ganna (Ineos-Grenadiers) had high hopes of adding another stage win to his collection in this year's Volta ao Algarve. He was definitely posting the best times at the intermediate check points on his way around the almost twenty-kilometer course. He posted the second-best time when he finished but dropped away to fifteenth on the day. Regardless, he looked great in his tricolore jersey. Although I must say that I don't get the dark maroon shorts in the Ineos-Grenadiers kit. They normally wear black shorts with their team kit.

"An Italian Speedster VA25-14" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Saturday, February 22, 2025

Volta ao Algarve '25, Stage 4: A Tough Finale

The final sprint (but not the final stage) saw Milan Fretin (Cofidis) take a clear win in a clean uphill sprint. He was able to get the better of the Green Jersey of the points leader, Jordi Meeus (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe). Filippo Ganna (Ineos-Grenadiers) claimed the last step of the stage podium edging out Arnaud De Lie (Lotto) and Biniam Girmay (Intermache-Girmay) at the line in Faro, Portugal. Tomorrow, the race wraps up with an individual time trial. It will be interesting to see how much the general classification is shaken up over the twenty kilometer course that ends atop the Malhao Category Two climb.

"A Tough Finale VA25-13" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Volta ao Algarve '25, Stage 4: Almost Over

I just love a title that has more than one meaning. With just 22 kilometers left of the 175 kilometer stage to race in the final road stage of the 51st Volta ao Algarve clearly, this quartet's suffering was almost over. In addition, the peloton was a mere twenty seconds behind so their time off the front was just about to come to an end. For German Tivani (Aviludo-Louletano-Loule) had earned enough King of the Mountains points to make the jersey his for this edition of the race. Warre Vangheluwe (Soudal-Quick Step), Johan Jacobs (Groupama-FDJ), and Gorka Sorarrain (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA) don't have quite as much to show for their time in the breakaway.

"Almost Over VA25-12" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Volta ao Algarve '25, Stage 4: A Bit Sticky

With a bit of a lull in the action during the final road stage of the Volta ao Algarve, Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike) dropped back to grab some water bottles for his teammates. It seemed that he and his director sportif hung onto the bottle a bit longer than was necessary. I doubt that the commissares would care too much since it wasn't done to get him back into the race or pull him up a mountain. I guess we could paraphrase the old saying to, "no help, no foul."

"A Bit Sticky VA25-11" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Friday, February 21, 2025

Volta ao Algrave '25, Stage 3: It Counts this Time

This time when Jordi Meeus (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) outsprinted the peloton, it counted. Behind him was Alberto Dainese (Tudor Cycling) followed by Biniam Girmay (Intermache-Wanty) and the Belgium Champion Arnaud De Lie (Lotto). While I didn't see a problem, Dainese was relegated so Girmay and De Lie moved up a step on the stage podium. With his win today Meeus moves into the Green Jersey of the points leader. Plus, I'm thrilled to see Girmay back at the pointy end of a stage after his brilliant 2024 Tour de France.

"It Counts this Time VA25-10" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Volta ao Algrave '25, Stage 3: Letting Him Have It

After his team had chased all day, the peloton seemed to let German Tivani (Aviludo-Louletano-Loule) take the maximum points over the last climb of the day, the Faz Fato. Both EF Education-EasyPost and Ineos-Grenadiers were massed at the front just in case there was a move over the top. It was just another twenty kilometers until the bonus sprint and neither team wanted to be caught napping on what should prove to be a sprint stage finale.

"Letting Him Have It VA25-9" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Volta ao Algrave '25, Stage 3: They're Here!

Despite having dropped the rest of their breakaway companions, the trio was chased down by the peloton by Aviludo-Louletano-Loule. Joaquim Silve (Efapel Cycling) looked back behind Cesar Fonte (Radio Popular-Paredes-Boavista) and Carlos Miquel Salgueiero (APHotels & Resorts/Tavira/SC Farense) to see the team of the King of the Mountains jersey chasing them down. The team wanted to put German Tivani into the KOM Blue Jersey that should have been his since the opening nullified stage. It was outside of the normal script of a sprint stage, but this race has not been exactly 'normal' since stage one.

"They're Here! VA25-8" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Thursday, February 20, 2025

Volta ao Algrave '25, Stage 2: Look at this Guy!"

With less than a kilometer to go to the summit finish at Alto de Foia, Jan Cristen (UAE Team Emirates) attacked his erstwhile breakaway companions. It looked like he would have enough of a gap to claim the stage when his teammate/team leader, Joao Almeida bridged up to him within sight of the line. Almeida looked back to make sure his GC rivals were far enough back to ensure he would gain time over them. He then gestured his congratulations to his teammate who claimed the stage, and the first leader's jersey of the 51st Volta ao Algrave. Now there is a way to pay back one of the guys who rides in support of you!

"Look at this Guy! VA25-7" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Volta ao Algrave '25, Stage 2: It Had to Happen

Despite a group of four up the road (a different four then the last post), it was Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) who attacked the peloton on the final climb. As he went with two kilometers to climb of the Alto de Foia, his move was covered by Primoz Roglic (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), Joao Almedia (UAE Team Emirates), and Romain Bardet (Picnic-PostNL). Just dangling off the four top riders is Tao Geoghegan Hart (Lidl-Trek). Do they have enough road to catch the leaders?

"It Had to Happen VA25-6" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Volta ao Algrave '25, Stage 2: The Remaining Four

By the time the early break had hit just 38 kilometers to race, they had dwindled from eleven men to these four. Hugo Nunes (Credibom/LA Aluminios/Marcos Car) along with Brent Van Moer (Lotto), German Tivani (Aviludo-Louletaqno-Loule), and Tobias Bayer (Alpecin-Deceuninck) still had roughly two and a half minutes on the chasing peloton. At this point, Tivani had regained the lead in the King of the Mountians competition that had been stripped from him with the odd decision over the finale yesterday. However, there are still a category two and category one climb yet to come. Since the final climb is the finish, it will be unlikely he will be wearing the jersey at the start of stage 3. Had he not lost his points from stage one, he would be.

"The Remaining Four VA25-5" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Volta ao Algrave '25, Stage 2: Chatting Down the Back

With the early break away well up the road, the peloton wasn't flat out yet with another 49 kilometers to race. The back of the peloton seemed rather relaxed. Jasper De Buyst (Lotto) was at ease enough to have an extended conversation with his treammate, Jarrad Drizners. Perhaps they were discussing the will end to the opening stage of the 51st Volta ao Algrave and the even more bizarre decision to nullify the entire stage. The entire peloton was marked as 'did not finish' and no jersey points nor time bonuses were awarded. I think that was the worst possible resolution to the mayhem of 80% of the peloton going off course with less than a kilometer to race.

"Chatting Down the Back VA25-4" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Volta ao Algarve 25, Stage 1: WTF?

Having unknowingly gone of course, Jordi Meeus (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) was less than pleased to discover that he had not one the stage. In the roughly 80% of the peloton who had missed read the turn inside of the final kilometer, it was Meeus who outsprinted all of the other misguided sprinters. I was wondering why the lone policeman pointed one way as the front of the peloton went the other way. It became clear as most of the peloton was racing behind the crowds and the barriers, as just a handful of the riders went down the true finishing straight. Kudos for Meeus for keeping a civil tongue in his moutn (at least as far as I know), but he did seem to question the one race official he saw. I am assuming it was along the lines of "What the f**k?" I sure would have.

"WTF? VA25-3" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Volta ao Algarve 25, Stage 1: Where Did They Go?

It was quite a wild finish to the opening stage of the Volta ao Algrave in Lagos. The stage went to Filippo Ganna (Ineos-Grenadiers) in a surprising finale. Inside of the final kilometer the peloton split as they went around a round-about, however about 80% of the peloton went off the racecourse as they came out of the circle. Ganna was surprised to look behind and see virtually no one chasing. He went on to claim the stage in a solo victory and the first leader's jersey. However, due to the mayhem, everyone was awarded the same time in the general classification, excluding the bonus seconds for the sprint.

"Where Did They Go? VA24-2" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Volta ao Algarve 25, Stage 1: Julian's New Colors

I was waiting for the start of the Spring Classics in northern Europe, but then I saw the start list for the Volta ao Algarve. I decided I wanted to watch and see what plays out. And of course, I was looking forward to watching Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Pro Cycling) in his new team's kit. As if oft the case, once I started watching the race, I ended up painting it. Julian wasn't one for this stage, but shortly after I painted this, he moved to the front to ride for his team and their sprinter.

"Julian's New Colors VA25-1" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Saturday, February 1, 2025

Men's Tour Down Under '25, Stage 5: Four Climbers

With roughly five hundred meters left to race, it has come down to four strong climbers off the front on Willunga Hill. Luke Plapp (Jayco-Alula) was the one who chased down Javier Romo (Movistar) taking Oscar Onley (Picnic-PostNL) and the Ecuadorian champion, Jhonathan Narvaez (UAE Team Emirates) along with him. The three dropped the Ochre Jersey in the closing meters with Narvaez having the legs to take the stage ahead of Onley. In so doing he also took the leader's jersey off of the shoulders of Narvaez. Sorry, the TV camera didn't give me a good image of the new Ochre Jersey winning the stage. So it goes.

"Four Climbers TDU25-41" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Men's Tour Down Under '25, Stage 5: The Best Defense

As the peloton hit the bottom of Willunga Hill for the final time, it was Javier Romo (Movistar) in his Ochre Jersey who jumped free of the peloton. Most everyone expected him to follow the attacks of others, so it was a strategic move to attack his closest rivals instead. At first, he opened up a couple of seconds before those behind could get themselves organized. Given how close the top positions on the general classifications were, it was understood that whoever reached the summit first would most likely win the twenty-fifth Tour Down Under.

"The Best Defense TDU25-40" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Men's Tour Down Under '25, Stage 5: Chase Mode

After an extended period of pace setting by Picnic-PostNL, with thirty-eight kilometers to race, it was time for the peloton to get serious about chasing down the breakaway. Once UAE Team Emirates and Movistar joined in, the break's advantage dropped by a minute in under ten kilometers. The peloton wanted to have the escapees back in the group before the first climb up the fabled Willunga Hill.

"Chase Mode TDU25-39" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Men's Tour Down Under '25, Stage 5: Retaliation

It was a rather clever (and a bit mean spirited) move by the drop quartet when they caught back up to those who attacked them on the climb of Wickham Hill. Lead by Michael Hepburn (Jayco-Alula), Oliver Bleddyn (ARA Australian Cycling), Pascal Eenkhoorn (Soudal-Quick Step), and Ben Swift (Ineos-Grenadiers), caught the two leaders at full speed. Rather than warning the others of their approach, they chose instead to sprint pass them giving the first attackers no chance of catching their wheels. The plan worked to perfection. Neither Torres nor Lopez were never able to rejoin their erstwhile companions, and eventually sat up to wait for the peloton. Once those two were gone, the peloton dropped the hard chase giving these four up to a four minute advantage.

"Retaliation TDU25-38" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Men's Tour Down Under '25, Stage 5: Using the First Climb

These two, Pablo Torres (UAE Team Emirates) and Juan Pedro Lopez (Lidl-Trek) used the first climb of the stage to attack their erstwhile breakaway companions. The two were the best place in the general classification of the break, particularly Torres who started the day just twenty-five seconds off the lead. Lopez used the climb up Wickham Hill to try and drop Torres in hopes that the peloton would stop trying to chase them all down. Of course, Lopez wasn't much further down the GC, so he, too, was a target for the chasing peloton.

"Using the First Climb TDU25-37" (Original art by Greig Leach)