The Art of Cycling: June 2025

Monday, June 16, 2025

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 8: Mutual Respect

After the finale of the Criterium du Dauphine both Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) and Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) shook hands. It was clear that they truly respect each other and each other's abilities on the bike. Today they were seen (and painted) having an extended conversation on the way up the final climb. Later Vingegaard attacked and was covered by Pogacar. As they neared the line, Vingegaard went for the sprint and surprisingly Pogacar let him go. Clearly the Slovenian's lead was much greater than a mere four second time bonus could reverse, but it still was out of character for the man in the Maillot Jaune who just loves bike racing.

In the end each can take away some positive from this Dauphine, but it is Pogacar takes away the overall victory in yet another race. At this point in his career, he has won 98 races. He did say he wanted to save winning his 100th for the Tour de France.

This is the last race I will be painting until the Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes. I'll hope you all will check back then.

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.

"Mutual Respect CdD25-48" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 8: Joie Francaise

Despite the attacks from behind, it was the last man left from the breakaway Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious) who raise his hands in joy at the end of the final stage of the Dauphine. Despite his Spanish seeming name, he is French. He took the stage by thirty-four seconds over Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar who went second and first in this Dauphine. I am pretty sure this is the only stage that was won by a Frenchman, so the joy amongst the partisans was huge.

"Joie Francaise CdD25-47" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 8: Going for the Stage

With just eleven kilometers to go Enric Mas (Movistar) attacked the remnants of the breakaway. The only one able to stay with Spaniard was the Frenchman Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious). Further back, Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) was looking further back to see if he might get some help in the chase of the two escapees. The duo quickly built up a nice gap, but the small peloton of the race favorites was only a minute and a half behind.

"Going for the Stage CdD25-46" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 8: How Do You Want to Play This?

Obviously, I nor anyone else, know what Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) and Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) as they rode side by side on the Col du Mont Cenis. By their hand gestures it seems that they could have been just talking about the race thus far. Or each could have been trying to figure out what the other might do on the final climb of the Criterium du Dauphine. Perhaps we could ask Tadej's teammate, Tim Wellens if they were talking loud enough to be heard over the TV moto.

"How Do You Want to Play This? CdD25-45" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 8: Watching & Waiting

As Uno X-Mobility drove hard on the front of the peloton for Tobias Johannessen, as the main two guys of the Dauphine watched and waited to see what might happen on the last climb of the day. On the Norwegian's wheel was Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates) chaperoning his leader in the Maillot Jaune, Tadej Pogacar. Today Pogacar's constant shadow has been Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike). He in turn looked back to see who was still in the peloton, or at least what was passing for the peloton of favorites.

"Watching & Waiting CdD25-44" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Sunday, June 15, 2025

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 8: Staying Upright

As Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) sped down the Cote de Saint Andre the rain finally began to fall on the Criterium du Dauphine. As we all know, the roads can get rather slick once it starts to rain after a long sunny spell. The guy wearing the Maillot Vert is also a very accomplished cyclo-cross and mountain bike competitor, so he had the skill to keep himself vertical after his rear wheel locked up on a slick turn. With forty-four kilometers to race in a mountain stage, Van Der Poel has built up almost a minute on his former breakaway companions and over two and a half minutes on the chasing peloton. It would be a long shot, but he is certainly hoping to either win the stage or gain as many more points as he can at the finish.

I did explain the results in the previous post.

"Staying Upright CdD25-43" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 8: As Many as He Can

Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) has been on incredible form this Dauphine. Today he was out in the early breakaway yet again. As he neared the intermediate sprint point in Saint Michel de Maurienne, he jumped clear of his now erstwhile companions to claim the maximum points available. He could've put a lot less effort into the sprint since no one else even tried to challenge the wearer of the Maillot Vert. However, once he had the forty seconds over the others, he decided to press on. As far as the sprint points are concerned, he is now the virtual leader in the jersey that actually belongs to Tadej Pogacar. He has done what he can, now it all depends on where Tadej finishes on today's stage. Spoiler alert, Tadej took third, thus equaling Van Der poel's total. Unfortunately for his aspirations, the tie breaker goes to Tadej since he has won multiple stages and he hasn't won any.

"As Many as He Can CdD25-42" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Saturday, June 14, 2025

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 7: Winning in Yellow

Is there any stopping Tadej? With the rival teams doing all they could to isolate the Maillot Jaune, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) was still able to attack the small group containing most of the top ten riders in the general classification. He not only attacked, he dropped them all! It was only his main rival Vingegaard who was able to pull back some of the lost seconds from the original attack. This makes his third stage victory, and two in a row, for the current UCI Road World Champion. The Criterium du Dauphine is one of the few stage races he hasn't won. I doubt that record will last through the final stage tomorrow.

"Winning in Yellow CdD25-41" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 7: Trying to Come Back

Once Pogacar had gone, Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) settled into his climbing rhythm. The attack had come with twelve kilometers to climb, seven kilometers later Vingegaard was starting to reverse the gap. At his point he was down eighteen seconds. The question is, "Will five kilometers be enough road to reel the Maillot Jaune back in?" Alas, the answer was no. He did reduce Pogacar's advantage by four seconds, but clearly that wasn't enough to prevent him losing even more time to his main rival. Behind, others were losing even more time including his own teammates who had done so much to try an isolate the main in the leader's yellow jersey.

"Trying to Come Back CdD25-40" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 7: Here We Go!

From the previous post, you know that Pavel Sivakov (UAE Team Emirates) had been riding tempo on the front of the group with his teammate and yellow jersey, Tadej Pogacar. Just moments earlier, he was riding hard, head down, clearly burying himself in a last ditched effort to drop whomever he could. He was also chasing down Jonas Vingegaard's (Visma-Lease a Bike) teammates, Sepp Kuss. So, all together, Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step) swung out of the line of riders, Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) let a gap open up, Sivakov swung off the front spent from his effort and he had just about caught Kuss. As all of those things happened, the move came from Tadej. This time he stood up and stomped on the pedals. Jonas Vingegaard knew it was coming and was right on his pedals in an effort to stay with the Maillot Jaune. He couldn't. Nor could anyone hold Vingegaard's wheel either. All with another twelve kilometers yet to race!

I'm embarrassed to admit that I have been spelling Remco Evenepoel's name this entire Dauphine. Sorry to all of his fans around the world.

"Here We Go! CdD25-39" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 7: Paying Him Back

Pavel Sivakov (UAE Team Emirates) has been an amazing support rider for Tadej Pogacar throughout this Dauphine. So, it should come as no surprise that Pogacar was more than happy to ride up to his teammate to bring him a bottle and check on just how Frenchman. Yes, Sivakov races with a French racing license. Behind both Ivan Romeo (Movistar) and his teammate, Gregor Muhlberger, keep a close eye on just what these two might be up to. When Bridget looked through today's paintings to pick her favorite, she thought it looked like Tadej was giving Pavel a rose. They certainly have been a very successful pair (and he will prove it in just a few kilometers time yet again).

"Paying Him Back CdD25-38" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 7: Riding in Hope

There are many ways Romain Bardet (Picnic-PostNL) could be hoping this would play out. Naturally he was hoping for a final stage victory to end his career tomorrow. But that would require the GC riders to watch each other on the final climb, not exactly Pogacar's skill set. Instead, they hit the final climb with fire. About four kilometers into the ascent to Valmeiner 1800, Bardet saw the inevitable and waved to the camera as he pulled the pin on his effort. At the end of the day, with his father standing beside him on the podium, he was awarded the Most Combative rider of this stage. I won't be surprised if he gets that honor for the entire Criterium du Dauphine. I am sure he will give it one more go tomorrow. Not a bad way to end one's racing career.

"Riding in Hope CdD25-37" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 7: Flying Off the Croix de Fer

The early breakaway of about eight guys went over the top of the Croix de Fer with just about ten seconds over the greatly reduced peloton containing all of the top men in the general classification. After sprinting to fourth over the top of the second climb of the day, he went on the offensive. He is a very skilled descender and used that skill to his advantage. By the time he reached the valley below, he had over a minute on the chasers that were a combination of the break and the peloton. Clearly, he saw his opportunity to try once again for a stage victory.

"Flying Off the Croix de Fer CdD25-36" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Friday, June 13, 2025

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 6: Back into Yellow

After an amazing, and very effective, attack on the final climb of the day Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) raises two fingers in a victory salute atop Combloux. I assume the gesture is a reference to his taking his second stage in this year's Criterium du Dauphine. Just as when he won the first stage, he will be on the stage receiving his second Maillot Jaune in this race. With the time bonus he now has a forty-three second buffer over his main rival Jonas Vingegaard. I wish I could have gotten a good angle of the image, but as Vingegaard came across the line in second place a minute after the Rainbow Jersey the two hugged and you could see the Dane tell him, "Well played."

"Back into Yellow CdD25-35" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 6: It's What He Does

Once his last teammate rolled off the front (or perhaps seeing his nickname spray painted on the roadway) Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) just kicked in his afterburners. Only Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) was able to match the initial acceleration. But he too found the power of the World Champion in the Rainbow Jersey too much to handle. Pogacar was able to flip the time gap to Vingegaard at the end of the individual time trial yesterday. We've now seen how the Slovenian can reverse a rough day. How will the Dane be answer on the even tougher day tomorrow?

"It's What He Does CdD25-34" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 6: And He Is Gone!

Once Alex Baudin (EF Education-EasyPost) realized his erstwhile breakaway companion, Michael Leonard (Ineos-Grenadiers), would be unable to work anymore, he was off. The Frenchman on the American team was a local cyclist who knew this climb up the Cote de Domancy very well. He was cheered on by fans and neighbors all of the way up to the line. Sadly, he was caught and passed by the battle for the Maillot Jaune. He was able to hang tough to finish sixth on the day. Moreover, his efforts not only earned him the most combative rider's award, he also becomes the new owner of the Maillot a Pois by a single point. To remind you the polka dot jersey (Maillot a Pois) is award to the rider with the most King of the Mountain points.

"And He Is Gone! CdD25-32" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 6: Losing Contact

Earlier Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) had tried to go on an attack, but the favorites weren't having any of it. As he and Remeco Evenpoel (Soudal-Quick Step) started up the Cote de Domancy, they found the pace set by both UAE-Team Emirates and Visma-Lease a Bike just a bit too tough to hang onto. Evenpoel had struggled on earlier comes today. It was thought that he was just not keeping himself in a good position, but now it seems like there was a bigger problem. It looks like he will be losing his Maillot Jaune today. He is the only guy to have worn it for two days in a row this Dauphine. Behind him, Lipowitz looked like he may not be continuing to wear the Maillot Blanc on loan from Evenpoel.

Spoiler alert! Lipowitz was able to recompose himself and go back on the offensive. He finished third on the stage and is now the outright owner of the Maillot Blanc. In addition, he currently occupies the third step of the overall podium.

"Losing Contact CdD25-33" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 6: Looking After His Mates

It was rather amazing to watch Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike) zoom pass most of the peloton to bring up bidons and gels to his teammates Matteo Jorgenson and Jonas Vingegaard. They were riding through the valley before starting the final paired ascents of the day. It was soon that the real work would begin and it was important that everyone had plenty of reserves to fuel the final effort.

"Looking After His Mates CdD25-31" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 6: Who's Left

I probably should have added a question mark to this title, since Alex Baudin (EF Education-EasyPost) is looking back over his breakaway companion Michael Leonard (Ineos-Grenadiers) to see where everyone has gone. However, it works as a statement too. Afterall, these two are the only ones left of the early morning breakaway. As they continued to increase their advantage as they climb the Cote du Mont Saxonnex. If the top of the general classification just watches each other up the remaining climbs, they may have a chance for the stage. Sadly, there is about zero percent chance of that happening on the final paired climbs of the day, particularly since the top of the final one is today's finish line.

"Who's Left CdD25-30" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 6: Not His Day

I love that Romain Bardet (Picnic-PostNL) keeps attacking this race. He got into the early breakaway in hopes that it would be a winning move. It wasn't until they started climbing the Cote du Mont Saxonnex that he found the going too tough. As the remaining members of the break rode off, he looked back to see if he would be getting any help to chase back on. I admire is desire to end his career on a high note. He did manage to win his first ever Maillot Jaune in his final Tour de France last season, so perhaps he can win a stage in his final race as a pro. With this dropping off of the pace with two more climbs to go a Maillot Jaune here is just out of the question. Perhaps we should credit it to the curse of Friday the thirteenth.

"Not His Day CdD25-29" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Thursday, June 12, 2025

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 5: From the Front

Jake Stewart (Israel-Premier Tech) led out the sprint from the front. None of the big-name sprinters were able to close in on the young Brit. Remember, he was the sprinter that almost caught the escaped GC riders in the wild first stage of this Dauphine. Behind him, it was Axel Laurance (Ineos-Grenadiers) taking a second, Soren Waerenskjold (Uno X-Mobility) took third and Laurence Pithie (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) managed to take fourth. So, today was, in fact, a day for the sprinters, and some new names were able to show their prowess.

"From the Front CdD25-28" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 5: Keep It Going!

The early breakaway was still off the front by 28 seconds with just fifteen kilometers left to race. As the quartet continued to work together, they urged each other on. You can see Jordan Labrosse (Decathlon-Ag2r-La Mondiale) chatting with Enzo Leijnse (Picnic-PostNL). Behind Benjamin Thomas (Cofidis) and Thibault Guernalec (Arkea-B&B Hotels) are catching their breath before rolling through to the front to continue trying to hold off the slowly closing peloton. Sadly, they were caught. The sprinters had missed their chance in Stage 1, and they weren't about to let a breakaway ruin their chance for stage glory.

"Keep It Going! CdD25-27" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 5: What Are They Up To?

At the base of the Cote des Quartre Vents, the trio of Gianni Vermmeesch (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and his teammates Mathieu Van Der Poel and Michael Gogl hit the front of the peloton. They raised the pace making the other GC contenders move to the front in anticipation of an attack. Despite wearing the Maillot Vert, or the sprinters' jersey, Van Der Poel sits in fourth place overall. It seemed that he might launch an attack to see if he could take the stage and thus the Maillot Jaune. With the ten second time bonus, he would only need to get another four seconds on the current holder of the race lead, Remco Evenpoel. OR, it could be that he was trying to drop the other sprinters in hopes of, again, winning the stage (with or without taking the yellow jersey, too). We all watched waiting for the move. It never came.

"What Are They Up To? CdD25-26" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 5: Traffic Jam

While I know that it can be rather chaotic in the caravan of team cars and race vehicles behind the peloton, this was downright frightening! As Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies) and Lars Boven (Alpecin-Deceuninck) were coming back to the tail of the bunch it seemed all of the team cars were trying to pass each other. They were completely blocking the road. Just now, Turgis had to slam on his breaks to avoid hitting the Uno X Mobility car. To make matters worse, after being forced to bleed off their speed, the vehicles sped up leaving the pair no draft with which to get back up to speed. Later the two had to jump onto the sidewalk in order to miss other cars that slammed on their breaks to avoid crashing into one another. This sport is dangerous enough; the pro peloton shouldn't have to endure what we mere mortals deal while out riding every day.

"Traffic Jam CdD25-25" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 5: Poursuivants

As the Lidl-Trek led peloton slowed on the climb of the Col de Boubon in hopes of keeping their sprinter in the bunch, this trio saw the chance to slip away. Started by Alex Baudin (EF Education-EasyPost), he was quickly joined by Gregor Muhlberger (Movistar) and Tobias Foss (Ineos-Grenadiers). To translate the title, this trio was pursuing the five men that were another twenty-eight seconds up the road. While they did build up a half of a minute on the peloton, they never got any closer to the early breakaway. It wasn't too much longer before they found the peloton sucking them back into the fold.

"Poursuivants CdD25-24" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 4 ITT: A Strong Defense

Ivan Romeo (Movistar) had a very tough task ahead of him as he rolled down the start ramp in Charmes sur Rhone. He couldn't lose more than a minute to some of the very best cyclists in the world. He almost did it. He finished the day in fifteenth place ceding minute and twenty-six seconds to the stage winner, Remco Evenpoel. That result meant that he would not start tomorrow in yellow. However, he now sits in third on the general classification (and in the race for the Maillot Blanc, as well) just nine seconds back.

"A Stong Defense CdD25-23" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 4 ITT: Whoosh!

I think I just figured out why Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) is so fast! Every time he pulls on his race kit, he has the word woosh on his ass. I'm sure that is it, and not the talent, drive, and hard work. Tadej didn't have his best ever time trial today. He finished the day just off of the stage podium conceding tens of seconds to his two main rivals and the two guys who finished behind him in last year's Tour de France. I am sure he is telling himself, "That's okay, the mountains are coming."

"Whoosh! CdD25-22" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 4 ITT: Every Inch

Remco Evenpoel (Soudal-Quick Step) was carrying so much speed through every corner that he had to use every inch of the road surface. I swear his shoulder brushed the safety cushion has he came out of one of the many roundabouts in the short seventeen-and-a-half-kilometer course. There is a saying in racing, "you have to be willing to lose in order to win." Evenpoel personified that adage as he risked crashing by carrying speed into every corner. The risk paid a big reward! He not only one the stage by thirty-seven seconds, he took the lead in the Criterium du Dauphine as well. Given his age, he is both the wearer of the Maillot Jaune, and the owner of the Maillot Blanc of best young rider. With this race that fits his expertise (as exemplified by the rainbow bans of ITT World Champion) he put time into the only two guys that beat him in the 2024 Tour de France. Again, this race is proving to be a preview to a very exciting Tour de France this July.

"Every Inch CdD25-21" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 4 ITT: Spinning for All He's Worth

Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) had started the day by riding a recon of the course. While on the ride he learned that his normal TT bike set up wouldn't work for the steam climb in the middle of the stage. He went back to his team mechanics and had them add a second chain ring and derailleur to his bike. That set up allowed him to spin a higher rpm up the hill. It clearly worked. He finished the day in second place on the stage, and that moved him up to fifth in the general classification. Perhaps even more importantly, it enabled him to put twenty-two seconds into Tadej Pogacar (UAE-Team Emirates). If this race is any indication of that other big French race in July, we are in for quite an adventure in three weeks time.

"Spinning for All He's Worth CdD25-20" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 4 ITT: On a Fast One

I confess that I am a fan of this American, Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike). He is having a great year, last year wasn't too shabby either. This is his second weeklong stage race this year... He won the other one, (Paris-Nice). He was laying down best times all of the way around the course and went into the hot seat reserved for the rider with the best time at the finish line. He stayed there until the Time Trial World Champion finished his seventeen-and-a-half-kilometer course. He ended the day on the third step of the stage's podium. Chapeau, Matteo!

"On a Fast One CdD25-19" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 4 ITT: Alone for the Last Time

"Romain, Merci!" Romain Bardet (Picnic-PostNL) picked the Criterium du Dauphine as his last race in his thirteen years of being a professional cyclist. It pleases me that his career coincides with my painting of professional cycling. The title comes from the fact that today is his last time trial with a race number pinned to his jersey. Fans all along the road held up signs showing their love of the French icon. So, as the kid's sign says, "Allez, Romain!"

He had a good ride, but then this is not his best discipline. He finished the day over two minutes off of the stage winning time.

"Alone for the Last Time CdD25-18" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine 25, Stage 4 ITT, Finding His Form

Now that Remi Cavagna has come back to Groupama-FDJ, he is truly finding his grove again. It didn't hurt that he was on a time trial bike that was designed by one of his Groupama-FDJ teammates. He laid down best times at both the intermediate split and the finish by a three second margin when he arrived in Saint Peray. Of course, with a time trial you don't know where you will be on the final tally until everyone has finished for the day. He ended up in seventh place a minute and nine seconds behind the eventual stage winner.

"Finding His Form CdD25-17" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 3: Oh, Snap!

Ivan Romeo (Movistar) had ridden all of his breakaway companions off of his wheel to take a solo victory in Charantonnay. It shouldn't have come as too much of a surprise, he is a former U-23 World Time Trial Champion. However, he didn't quite have his victory celebration down as this is his first ever World Tour victory. First, he held his head in disbelief, then shook out his right hand in what I saw as a "snap" gesture, and then finally remembered that he should spread his arms out wide as he crossed the line. With this stage win, he becomes the third competitor to wear the Maillot Jaune in this Dauphine. Given his age, he is now the holder of the Maillot Blanc as well, also the third to hold that honor. He now has a seventeen second lead in the race, and over a minute's advantage on the race favorites. Tomorrow is a individual time trial, so he should be fine, unless he went too deep to pull off today's victory.

"Oh, Snap! CdD25-16" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 3: Three Chasing One

When the solo rider attacked the break, the rest spent too much time trying to make the others do the chasing. Finally, this trio of Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), Louis Barre (Intermache-Wanty), and Harold Tejada (XDS-Astana) realized the stage win, and with it the yellow jersey, was putting seconds into their aspirations. These guys had to make up fourteen seconds in a mere kilometer and a half. I doubt there is any chance of that happening. Instead, just two of them will be contenting themselves with a step on the podium. They never managed to get any closer, but it was Tejada taking second and Barre taking third. Despite, or more likely because of, all of his efforts it was Lipowitz who missed out. The three now hold the same positions in the general classification that they finished in Charantonnay.

"Three Chasing One CdD25-15" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 3: A Small Advantage

This quartet of Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), Andreas Leknessund (Uno X-Mobility), Harold Tejada (XDS-Astana), and Julien Bernard (Lidl-Trek) used the final climb of the day, the Cote du Chateau Jaune, to open up a gap on their erstwhile breakaway companions. They build up about ten seconds on those behind before they started playing around. Once they decided to not work together, this little advantage was lost despite having only fifteen kilometers to race. Further back the peloton was just over a minute behind. That was the closest they were going to get to the eventual stage winner. The Maillot Jaune was even further back, so most likely, whoever wins the stage takes over that yellow jersey.

"A Small Advantage CdD25-14" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 3: The Road Ahead

It is rare that so strong of a breakaway is allowed to get over a minute on the peloton, but perhaps those behind had underestimated who was up the road. The thirteen-man break had eight men that were under eleven seconds off of the time of the Maillot Jaune. And he was currently over a minute behind the peloton! As they ride across the dead straight roads of the valley, Krists Neilands (Israel-Premier Tech) reaches out to the support moto to grab a bottle of water. The former Latvian champion is seen moments later pouring the cold water all over himself in an attempt to stay cool. He took a big swig, too.

"The Road Ahead CdD25-13" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 3: Tight Squeeze

It can be complete chaos in the caravan following the peloton. It is further compounded when riders are working their way back through the vehicles in an effort to rejoin the group ahead. As he snaked his way through town, Gregor Mulhberger (Movistar) had a close call with the Soudal-Quick Step team car. Both he and the car were trying to navigate the roundabout and all of its traffic islands and signposts. They came quite close to crashing each other as the road narrowed. Fortunately, they did not. The bright yellow rectangle is one of the pads that are set out by the race organizers. hat both minimize damage to the riders and help to alert them at the same time.

"Tight Squeeze CdD25-12" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 3: Shepherding Yellow

Just as they did yesterday, the team of the sprinter Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) did what they could to keep him near the tail of the peloton over the five climbs today. Three of his teammates rode with him including Edward Theuns and Amanuel Ghebreigzabheir in hopes of keeping him in the Maillot Jaune of race leader. Despite their best efforts, he lost over five minutes to the eventual stage winner. That winner also took his Maillot Blanc of the best young rider, too. Still better to have worn the jersey one day then not at all.

"Shepherding Yellow CdD25-11" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Monday, June 9, 2025

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 2: Worth the Wait

Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) paid back all of his teammates work (and faith in him) in spades! With fifty kilometers to race, he was off the back with his team desperately trying to pull him back up to the peloton. Obviously, they succeeded. It may have been that extra incentive he needed to out sprint Fred Wright (Bahrain-Victorious), Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and Stian Fredheim (Uno X-Mobility). His stage win came with ten bonus seconds which made him equal on time with Tadej Pogacar who started the day in the Maillot Jaune. But since Milan has won the most recent stage, it is Italian who will be wearing the coveted yellow jersey tomorrow. I can't think of a better way to thank your team for their help. Van Der Poel's second third place in a row is enough for him to wear the Maillot Vert of most consistent sprinter at the start line tomorrow.

"Worth the Wait CdD25-10" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 2: Losing Touch

Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) had been spending much of the day hanging around the back of the peloton. Once they got to the three kilometers to go mark (the point where one will get the same time as the group you were with should you have a mechanical or a crash) he let the peloton go. He had been testing his front wheel's inflation, so perhaps it was a mechanical and not just bad legs that had him dropping off rather quickly. I haven't read any post-race articles to see if he was sick as well. He was part of the late action yesterday, so I doubt it is his legs.

"Losing Touch CdD25-9" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 2: Local Knowledge

Racing just outside of his hometown, Romain Bardet (Picnic-PostNL) put his local knowledge of the road to his advantage. He jumped clear of the peloton on the climb of the Cote de Nonette, a hill he used to train on when he was twelve years old. This will be the last time he climbs this hill with a number pinned to his jersey. While last year was his final Tour de France, this will be his last race before retiring atop the Col du Mont Cenis in six days' time. It is fun to realize that he turned pro the same year I started painting bike racing back in 2012.

"Local Knowledge CdD25-8" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 2: Waiting for His Sprinter

Despite his team's sprinter, Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) already having two other teammates helping him, Julien Bernard was also called back to help pull Milan back up to the peloton. The penultimate climb had proven too much for the big sprinter to stay with the main group, but they now had a long descent and flat roads to catch back on. They are facing one more climb before the finale in Issoire, but that one is nowhere near as hard as the Category 2 Cote du Chateau de Buron. We will have to wait and see if the strategy paid off in Issoire.

"Waiting for His Sprinter CdD25-7" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine'25, Stage 2: Whoa, Whoa, Whoa!

The title is a direct quote from Anthony McCrossan who was commenting for the NBC broadcast of today's Dauphine stage. I am quite sure that Paul Ourselin (Cofidis) and Christopher Juul-Jensen (Jayco-Alula) had some more choice words to express how upset they were with the driver that started to pull onto the roadway as they sped past. The driver arrived after the lead vechicles and gendarmes had already passed. The car stayed put once they saw the four-man breakaway. These two were off the front of the peloton by a minute and a half with Romain Combaud (Picnic-PostNL) and Victor Guernalec (Arkea-B&B Hotels). Ourselin used the early part of the day to pad his lead in the King of the Mountians jersey. The Maillot a Pois is a bit different design then the one used at the Tour de France. I can't think how many times I have made this same gesture to cars that nearly run into me out on the road. Fortunately, the car stopped. No one was hurt.

"Whoa, Whoa, Whoa! CdD25-6" (Original art by Greig Leach)