Tour Femmes '25, Stage 6: Blowing Kisses

As Maeva Squiban (UAE Team ADQ) rode alone to the line in Amberet she had plenty of time to celebrate with the local fans lining the barriers.  She blew kisses to those cheering her before waving her arms encouraging them all to cheer louder.  She finally did the more traditional two-armed salute as she crossed the line a full minute and nine seconds ahead of her countrywoman Juliette Labous (FDJ-Suez) who was another four seconds ahead of the Maillot Jaune - Kim Le Court.  Her third place added two more seconds to the four she picked up twelve kilometers ago.  As I was working on this painting, I was so happy with the asymmetrical composition that I thought it would be best to leave the red race director's car out of the painting.  Ah, the advantages of not being a photographer...

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.  

"Blowing Kisses TdFF25-35" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 6: A Few More Seconds

With the lone attacker up the road, the favorites for the Tour were sprinting for four and two seconds bonus in Valcivieres.  This was anyone's last chance to pick up a few seconds in the middle of the stage.  For the remaining stages bonuses will only be rewarded for at the finish line.  Kim Le Court (AG Insurance-Soudal) added even more seconds to her lead, with Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon/SRAM-zondacrypto) mopping up the remaining bonus.  Yet again, Demi Vollering (FDJ-Suez) missed out in the bonus sprint, but on the other hand she is right there with the favorites for the over-all victory.  The three were a minute and seventeen seconds behind the lone leader with another twelve kilometers to race.  I'm sure they won't see Maeva Squiban again.  That means when this sprint happens again at the line in Amberet it will be for second 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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"A Few More Seconds TdFF25-34" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 6: Flying Home

Actually, today's stage started in Maeva Squiban's (UAE Team ADQ) hometown of Clermont Ferrand, so the title should be, "Flying Away from Home."  Squiban escaped the lead peloton before the bonus sprint on the way up the Col du Chansert.  She climbed well over the last climb, but, boy, she went down that hill fast!  Her team has lost three of her seven teammates, so I believe she is on a mission to bring a little joy to the team bus waiting in Amberet.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Flying Home TdFF25-33" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 6: Not too Far Back

This is the first time I've seen Julie Bego (Cofidis) in her Maillot Blanc that she has held since the very first day of this Tour Femmes.  As this group dropped off of the peloton on the Col du Chansert which might have been a bad sign, but Neinke Vinke (Picnic-PostNL) is her only real competition to keep the title of best young rider.  Beside Le Net is her countrywoman and French National Champion, Marie Le Net (FDJ-Suez).  The trio is followed by Nadia Gontova (Winspace Orange Seal).  It wasn't long after I painted this that Gontova jumped free from this group and rode back up to the group of the 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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Not too Far Back TdFF25-32" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 6: Running with the Polka Dots

There are millions and millions of cycling fans that line the roadways of grand tours and all of the other races in the ProTour calendar, this is another that seems to be making a name for himself like Didi Stenft as the Devil has.  Problem is, I don't know who he is.  I saw him most every day on the men's Tour, and here he is running with the women's Tour as well.  I have seen him way back at the US Pro Challenge and the Tour of California when those races still existed.  Today he was running along with the lead group.  He does seem to give the riders their space, even being sure to go behind the soigneurs waiting to pass bidons to their riders.  Elise Chabbey (FDJ-Suez) seems to be more concerned about QOM points with both Brodie Chapman (UAE Tema ADQ) and Liane Lippert (Movistar) on her wheel than the man with the antlers on a football helmet.  Another watching both the uber fan and the Maillot a Pois is Silke Smulders (Liv-Alula-Jayco) who is vying for the polka dots, too.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Running with Polka Dots TdFF25-31" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 6: Who's Still Here?

With another five kilometers to the summit of the Col de Beal, Elise Chabbey (FDJ-Suez) in her Maillot a Pois, looks around attempting to access who will challenge her for the QOM points at the top.  On her elbow is Brodie Chapman (UAE Team ADQ).  The pair were watched by Yara Kastelijn (Fenix-Deceuninck), Morgane Coston (Roland-Le Devoluy), and Liane Lippert (Movistar).  Chabbey has a good lead in the race for the Queen of the Mountains but she wants to gain as many points as possible on every stage.  This group is also hoping to hold off the closing peloton.  They have a mere forty-one seconds on the Maillot Jaune peloton.  If she doesn't keep this group motivated, she may not get any points at all.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Who's Still Here? TdFF25-30" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 6: Going Out the Back

As the peloton climbed the first Category 1 col of this Tour de France Femmes many found the pace a bit too high for them.  In fact, Celia Le Mouel (Ceratizit) and Emma Norsgaard (Lidl-Trek) came off the back during the climb before the official start of the Col de Beal.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Going Out the Back TdFF25-29" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 5: Back into Yellow

Not only did Kim Le Court (AG Insurance-Soudal) take the bonus sprint, she also had the legs to just hold off Demi Vollering (FDJ-Suez) to claim the stage victory.  While it looks like she is wearing the UCI World Champion Rainbow Jersey, it is actually the Mauritius National Champion's jersey.  But you don't need to remember that tomorrow, the bonus seconds from the sprint and the stage win means she will be pulling the Maillot Jaune back on after ceding it to Marianne Vos in stage two.  They are the only two women to have the leader's jersey thus far in the Tour de France Femmes this edition.  Clearly, Demi Vollering is doing much better than we all feared after being helped home by her teammates just two stages ago.  Le Court was so sure she had the victory that she celebrated a bit early, but still won the stage by three-quarters of a bike length.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Back into Yellow TdFF25-28" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 5: Chasing the Bonus

With the breakaway now back in the fold, or on out the back of the peloton, it was time to wind up the time bonus sprint.  In three separate stages of this Tour, there are sprints late in the stage that award bonus seconds.  Actually, they give you a bonus of subtracted seconds from your overall time.  The American Chloe Dygert (Canyon/SRAM-zondacrypto) was leading out her teammate in the Polish National Champion's Jersey, Katarzyna Niewiadoma who was chased in turn by Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Visma-Lease a Bike), an apparently recovered Demi Vollering (FDJ-Suez). Pauline took second in the sprint, followed by Katarzyna getting four seconds and two seconds removed from their overall time respectively.  Demi just missed out getting a bonus.  It is Anna Van Der Breggen (SD Worx-Protime) who is just sneaking into the frame of this 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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Chasing the Bonus TdFF25-27" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 5: Down to Three

After the ascent of the Cote de Charannes where two of their companions couldn't handle the pace, the breakaway is now just these three women. The gap has now narrowed to just under two minutes as they race down the other side of the climb.  As Francesca Barale (Picnic-PostNL) swings off the front she looks over at Brodie Chapman (UAE Team ADQ) followed by Alison Jackson (EF Education-Oatley).  The trio are now living in hope that they can stay away.  However, there are two more climbs and an all-important bonus sprint between here and the finish line in Gueret.  

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Down to Three TdFF25-26" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 5: With a Big Advantage

Although you can only see four women, there is a fifth on the front of the group.  Anneke Dijkstra (VolkerWessels) has just swung off from doing her effort to maintain the three and a half minutes that she, along with Caralina Anais Soto Campos (Laboral Kutxa-Fundacion Euskadi), Alison Jackson (EF Education-Oatley), and Brodie Chapman (UAE Team ADQ) were defending.  It is a strong group, two are their nation's champions and one is the former champion of her nation.  I almost painted the peloton going through this same point but had decided the image wasn't strong enough before I realized I had almost done another repeat location.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"With a Big Advantage TdFF25-25" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 5: Backwards & Forwards

First, I have to talk about the fan in front of her hedge on the side of the road.  She represents something I have never done before in thirteen years of painting bike races.  Without realizing I was doing this, this painting is from the exact same spot on course as the painting prior.  It wasn't until I was drawing the fan shielding her eyes that I realized it was the same person.  Then I worked on the same stonewall topped by the same hedge.

Okay, now on to the title.  Marion Brunel (Visma-Lease a Bike) was coming back to the peloton through the race caravan (chasing the Lidl-Trek team car) as the Czechian champion Kristyna Burlova (Ceratizit) was drifting back pressured by the pace of the peloton chasing the breakaway.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Backwards & Forwards TdFF25-24" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 5: Bookends

As the peloton road up through down a few were finding the pace a bit tough, Emilie Morier (St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93) & Emily Watts follow their teammates onto the tail of the peloton.  Struggling to hold on as well was Ane Santesteban (Laboral Kutxa-Fundacion Euskadi) all being photographed by a lone fan on one side of the road and a swarm on the other.  The title comes from the fact that Santestevan's teammate is up the road by four minutes in a five-woman breakaway, so the team is bookending the race today.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Bookends TdFF25-23" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 4: She Found Her Way Through

Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) got a bit boxed in at the start of the spint, even using her shoulder to make a little room to find some open space.  She finally had a lane when the American Chloe Dygert (Canyon/SRAM-zondocrypto) opened her sprint a bit early.  Wiebes' kick for the line left everyone chasing with only Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) able to hold the Green Jersey's wheel.  But again, as it was in stage 3, Wiebes took the win with Vos in second unable to get around the sprinter.  Behind Dygert faded to fourth when Lara Gillespie (UAE Team ADQ) got around her for third in Poitiers.  Today is the first day that none of the leaders' jersey changed hands.  I don't think that will hold true tomorrow.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"She Found Her Way Through TdFF25-22" (Original art by Greig Leach)

This painting has sold!

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 4: Here, Hold My Bike

I just love everything about this moment during today's stage!  Everything.  I love that this fan had set up outside of her house to watch in her purple floral dress.  When Christina Schweinberger (Fenix-Deceuninck) had a problem with her bike, she stopped right in front of this older couple.  At first the woman was waving her arms to alert Schweinberger's team car as to where the Austrian was.  Next as the mechanic jumped out and went to get a new bike, Schweinberger handed her bike over and pulled out her water bottle.  After the mechanic had gotten his rider sorted, he came back over as this lovely woman lifted and passed the non-functioning bike over.  Road racing has to be the only sport where this kind of athlete and fan interaction could ever happen.  Our purple clad fan played an important role in this rider's Tour.  I was also amused that the man that I assume is her husband just stood there the whole time.  I am also amused that everyone tries to tell me that there are no overweight people in Europe, clearly that is a myth.  If you don't believe me, just watch the fans as the Tour speeds by.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Here, Hold My Bike TdFF25-21" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 4: Just a Bump in the Road

After having gotten away from both the peloton and the lone leader, this duo of Franziska Koch (Picnic-PostNL) and Ana Vitoria Magalhaes (Movistar) pressed on.  As they went over the lone categorized climb of the Cote de Marigny they still had about a minute and a half on the now chasing peloton.  With thirty kilometers left to go, it wasn't looking real likely that they will be able to outsmart the peloton.  The cote was only a category four so compared to the climbs to come at the end of the week, this was merely a bump in the road.  That didn't stop hundreds of fans to line both sides of the road to cheer them all up and over the 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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Just a Bump in the Road TdFF25-20" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 4: A Bit of a Replay

The intermediate sprint in Soudon looked exactly like the finish of Stage 3 into Anger.  The riders and placing were the same, just the jerseys had changed.  It didn't seem like the duo of Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) nor Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) really had their hearts in it.  That being said, they easily pulled away from the rest of the peloton to claim the points still available after the breakaway had passed through.  Wiebes added to her total towards her Maillot Vert in hopes that she can keep it once the lumpy stages begin.  Her closest competitor for that jersey is right behind her wearing the Maillot Jaune for now.  She most likely will take over the Green Jersey again on those same lumpy 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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"A Bit of a Replay TdFF25-20" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 4: Flying Across the Gap

Franziska Koch (Picnic-PostNL) joined up with the Brazilian Ana Vitoria Magalhaes (Movistar) as they left the peloton and chased done the lone leader, Maud Rijnbeek.  They didn't hang around, immediately dropping the Dutch woman as they went off it hopes of beating the odds.  They had another seventy-eight kilometers to race, so it would be a long effort, and a long shot, to vie for stage victory.  Since their team cars couldn't get through the tightly packed peloton, they were being looked after by the Shimano neutral service moto.  

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Flying Across the Gap TdFF25-19" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 4: Need Must

Bridget and I watch a lot of British crime shows and we have come to love the expression, "needs must."  It is not something we say here in the States, but it applies here.  There are no time-outs in cycling so when Catalina Anais Soto (Laboral Kutxa-Fundacion Euskadi) - the Chilean champion - had a problem with the gears the mechanic leaned way out of the moving car to repair it has best he could.  On the front of the race the crosswinds were starting to break up the peloton so she couldn't afford to stop for a bike change.  Ergo, needs must.  This scares me every time I see it.  I don't remember seeing it once in the men's race.  At least if it happened on screen, I didn't paint 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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Needs Must TdFF25-18" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 3: Welcoming Victory

Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) spreads her arms wide seemingly to embrace her Tour de France Femmes stage victory in Angers.  Behind her Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) matched her pedal stroke for pedal stroke but wasn't able to come around the European Champion's wheel.  Wiebes victory means that she will take over the ownership of the Maillot Vert.  Don't worry for Vos, the time bonus for her second place means that she will trade her Maillot Vert for the Maillot Jaune.  It was a vastly reduced bunch that sprinted for victory, but the two most successful sprinters hit the front regardless of how many were behind them.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Welcoming Victory TdFF25-17" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 3: She Has to Finish

Around four kilometers from the finish in Angers there was a large crash leaving twenty riders on the ground and many more held up behind the bikes and bodies strewn across the road.  One of the many hurt, was Demi Vollering (FDJ-Suez).  It took her some time to get back up and underway. At first, she couldn't turn over the pedals, so two of her teammates Juliette Labous and Amber Kraak pushed her along until she felt good enough to ride under her own power.  There are two rules at play here.  First, every rider must cross the finish line, with a bike, or they are out of the race.  Two, if there is a crash or a mechanical problem inside of the final five kilometers (sometimes it is a shorter distance) they will be given the same time as the group they had been with before the incident.  So, for now, Vollering's Tour is safe.  We will have to wait and see if she is okay to start tomorrow.  And if she does start how well she be able to race and just how bad was the fall.  I should point out that Amber Kraak has the bib number thirteen.  It is tradition to turn the numbers, or at least one of them upside to counter the bad luck.  It is so common that her numbers are printed upside down (notice the blue stripe that should be on the bottom of the race number bib.)  I guess the upside-down number didn't work for the luck of the team today.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"She Has to Finish TdFF25-16" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 3: Looking at Each Other

There is a saying in bike racing that states, "You have to be willing to lose in order to win."  I think the trio of Alison Jackson (EF Education-Oatley), Catalina Anais Soto (Laboral Kutxa-Fundacion Euskadi), and Sara Martin (Movistar) were taking the saying to heart.  They along with the fourth companion had been working well together until Martin attacked the others.  Once done, no one was willing to work together.  Instead, each would attack the other.  They would come back together and then someone else would try again, and again, and again.  While they were doing this, the peloton was going about the business of chasing them down.  They were caught about two kilometers after I painted this moment.  Still each thought they couldn't afford to go to the line with the others, neither could they afford to risk trying to outsprint the marquee sprinters currently twenty-seven seconds behind them.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Looking at Each Other TdFF25-15" (Original art by Greig Leach) 

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 3: We're Good

Always a danger anywhere on race day (or any time one is out on the bike) Victoire Berteau (Cofidis) went down in a crash that sent a couple of women into the ditch.  As she was being helped back towards the peloton by her teammate Hannah Ludwig, she chatted with the ambulance team letting them know she was okay.  As they went on ahead (making sure not to provide her with a usable draft) she seemed to be looking for her team car.  She was able to finish the stage.  I don't know if she got caught up in the drama at the end of the stage in Angers.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"We're Good TdFF25-14" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 3: Analog

The breakaway was a strong one as evidenced by the fact that there were three national champions in the four-woman group.  They had built four minutes on the peloton and with forty-six kilometers they still had roughly two and a half minutes on the peloton.  They were working well together, each taking a pull than like Alison Jackson (EF Education-Oatley) than dropping back to the back of the group to wait for their turn again.  Now it was Clemence Latimier (Arkea-B&B Hotels) on the front followed in turn Catalin Anais Soto (Laboral Kutxa-Fundacion Euskadi) and then Sara Martin (Movistar).  Martin is in her Spanish Champion's jersey, Soto in her Chilean jersey and Jackson her Canadian one.  The peloton wasn't gaining all that quickly mainly due to how well the quartet was working with each other.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Analog TdFF25-13" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 3: Tightly Packed

The peloton had started the process of pulling back the breakaway when there was still another seventy-five kilometers to ride to Angers.  The gap had been out to four minutes but by now it was just over three minutes to the four-woman group off the front.  Inside the peloton Kimberley Le Court (AG Insurance-Soudal) was riding with her teammates shepherded by the Belgium Champion Justine Ghekiere.  Next to the Maillot Jaune Herietta Christie (EF Education-Oatley) passes a bottle over to her teammate (an USA National Champion) Kristen Faulkner.  Faulkner came to the world's notice when she won the Gold Medal in the Olympic Road Race on the same course that the men finished the Tour de France yesterday.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Tightly Packed TdFF25-12" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 21: In the Bag

I spent quite a bit of time being frustrated with the race cameramen today.  They missed so many visuals, particularly as the peloton rode through the Louvre and at both the intermediate sprint and the finish of the stage.  There wasn't a good image of Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) winning solo on the Champs Elysees.  He has won there before, but that was a tradition mass sprint on dry roads.  Today, he was set up by his teammates and attacked on the final climb up to Montmartre dropping all of his breakaway companions including the Maillot Jaune - Tadej Pogacar!  He flew down the other side to win the stage by nineteen seconds somehow managing to stay upright on the rain-soaked roads of downtown Paris.  Pogacar came home for fourth on the stage, but he had already won the Tour.  He made the race just that much more exciting by actually racing to win the final stage of the 112th Tour de France.  By the way, Van Aert's teammate, Matteo Jorgenson came in fifth twenty-six seconds later.

This is my final painting of the Tour de France.  But I am still painting the Tour de France Femmes.  They will be racing for seven more stages so be sure to check back for all of the Women's ProTour cycling excitement and artwork.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"In the Bag TdF25-144" (Original art by Greig Leach)

This painting has sold.

Tour '25, Stage 21: On Top of Montmartre

It was exciting to watch real racing on the final stage of the Tour this year.  The race took in the same circuit used in the 2024 Paris Olympics road race, the same Olympics that forced the Tour to finish in Nice last year.  After four laps of the tradition Champs Elysees circuit, the race went up to the top of Monmartre, back down the other side before riding around the l'Arc de Triomphe again.  They made three of these laps to end on the Champs Elysees.  This Tour marks the 50th time the Tour has ended in the shadow of Napolean's triumphal arch.  Since it was sure to rain on the cobblestones of Paris, the decision was made to take the final time on the final Champs circuit before the race went up the narrow streets behind the Moulin Rouge.  So there was no reason for Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) to be off the front but for the simple reason he wanted to win the stage.  On the first time up to the artist enclave, he was chased by Davide Ballerini (XDS-Astana), and the Visma-Lease a Bike duet of Matteo Jorgenson and Wout Van Aert.  The Visma guys were the only teammates to make the split once over the top of the climb.  That was partly due to help of their teammate Victor Campenaerts.  That set them up to use Matteo as the attacker and Wout as the follower.  This is an important detail to how the stage turned out.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"On Top of Montmartre TdF25-143" (Original art by Greig Leach)

This painting has sold.

Tour '25, Stage 21: An American in Paris

I confess, I couldn't resist.  Once Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) attacked after helping his sprinter take the final intermediate sprint all I had to do was wait for him to come back down the other side of the Champs Elysees.  I realize that the previous painting was very similar, but come on, the title was just sitting there.  Simmons has either been on the front of the peloton or off the front seemingly every stage of this Tour de France, so why wouldn't he attack in Paris.  At the end of the race NBC cameras caught him proposing to his girlfriend.  Judging by her leaping into his arms, I would say the answer was yes.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"An American in Paris TdF25-142" (Original art by Greig Leach)

This painting has sold.

Tour '25, Stage 21: Leading on the Champs Elysees

I have painted Magnus Cort (Uno X-Mobility) in previous Tours de France; in fact he owns one of my paintings of him.  All Tour I have been looking for him, and here on the final stage he pops up attacking the peloton on the drop back down from the l'Arc de Triomphe.  Given what is going to happen with the new course for the finale of the Tour, this attempted breakaway will most likely not bear fruit.  At least not the fruit Cort is hoping for.  It did finally enable me to paint this Dane racing in the Tour de France.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Leading on the Champs Elysees TdF25-141" (Original art by Greig Leach) 

This painting has sold.

Tour '25, Stage 21: It Takes a Team

Yes, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) won his fourth Tour de France, but it takes a team, even the one guy who didn't make it to Paris, Joao Almeida who called it quits during Stage 9 succumbing to his injuries from an earlier crash.  The rest of UAE posed together in the traditional linked arms before having to dodge more road furniture.  Along with Pogacar, it was Adam Yates, Marc Soler, Nils Politt, Pavel Sivakov, Tim Wellens, and Jhonathan Narvaez worked together to make the dream become a reality.  The team celebrated the win by rolling out splashes of yellow on their jerseys, yellow bar tape, and yellow socks.  The two wearing national champion's jerseys added a yellow band to their sleaves instead. Admittedly, you can't see those here.  I didn't see any champagne toast at the start today.  Everyone was unsure how the stage would play out, so best stick with the program until the last guy rolls across the line on the Champs Elysees.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.  

"It Takes a Team TdF25-140" (Original art by Greig Leach)

This painting has sold.

Tour '25, Stage 21: The Giants of the Tour

Since no one knew how the stage was going to play out, all of the photo-ops were taken during the neutral start before they reached Kilometer Zero.  More than just posing for the cameras, I think that the top three of the Tour actually enjoyed chatting in the sun before they reached Paris and the rain.  The podium goes Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) wins both the Maillot Jaune and the Maillot a Pois currently on loan to Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike).  The Dane takes second for the second year in a row after winning the two years before that.  Pogacar was second both of those times.  Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) won the Maillot Blanc of best young rider and took the third step of the podium.  It should be noted that it was Lipowitz's first Tour.  He only learned that he would be racing the Tour in early June.  The plan was for him to get some experience for the years to come.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"The Giants of the Tour TdF25-139" (Original art by Greig Leach)

This painting has sold.

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 2: With Fifty Meters to Spare

Against the odds, Mavi Garcia (Liv-Alula-Jayco) was able to hold off the fast-sprinting peloton over the final climb and through the finish at Quimper.  Behind her it is Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) trying desperately to catch Garcia, but must settle for second place on the second stage of Tour de France Femmes.  Kim Le Court's (AG Insurance-Soudal) third place just ahead of Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) with its four second time bonus meant that she will be the second woman to wear the Maillot Jaune in as many stages.  I would have expected Garcia to figure in the GC now, but she was so far back at the start of the stage, that while she moved up 39 places, she is still just shy of five minutes off of Le Court's time.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"With Fifty Meters to Spare TdFF25-11" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25. Stage 2: Out of Sight

Mavi Garcia (Liv-Alula-Jayco) used a lull on the front of the peloton once the breakaway had been caught to launch her solo attack.  She used her climb prowess to go on a rise.  She quickly opened up an eighteen second gap on those behind who seemed unsure who was responsible to chase the lone escapee down.  As she started up the Cote du Chemin de Troheir for the final time, she saw no one chasing as she peeked back over her shoulder.  It is a long shot to think she can hold them off for just over another six kilometers, but it is mainly uphill to the finish in Quimper.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Out of Sight TdFF25-10" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 2: We Have a Gap

Perhaps they thought they could catch the breakaway before the Bonus Sprint, or maybe they just felt it was time to stretch out their legs, regardless the reason, Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon/SRAM-Protime) in her Polish Champion Jersey attacked the peloton covered by Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Visma-Lease a Bike).  The two quickly opened a gap on those behind but didn't catch up to the breakaway either.  It wasn't long before those behind got organized and pulled these two potential Tour Femmes winners back.  Actually, Niewiadoma is the defending champion of the Tour de France Femmes now.  She won by the narrowest of margins - a mere four seconds after eight stages ending atop Mont Ventoux in the fog.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"We Have a Gap TdFF25-9" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 2: Sprinting for More

Elise Chabbey (FDJ-Suez) wasn't about to lose the sprint for maximum Queen of the Mountains points again.  As she and Silke Smulders (Liv-Alula-Jayco) approached the summit of the Cote de Locronan she jumped hard on the pedals to secure her Maillot a Pois for tomorrow's stage.  I continue to be impressed with just how many fans have turned out to watch the women's ProTour race through northern France.  The pair will need to continue to work together if they want to get to the final two climbs on the finish circuit.  The peloton is still just forty-one seconds behind although they have stretched out their advantage since the previous 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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Sprinting for More TdFF25-8" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 2: Keep It Going

Even though Elise Chabbey (FDJ-Suez) had been outsprinted over the first climb of the day she encouraged Silke Smulders (Liv-Alula-Jayco) to press on in their breakaway.  The pair only had seventeen seconds on the peloton, but they were beginning to increase the gap now.  The have another fifty-seven kilometers to race, and three more categorized climbs, so there is plenty to race for.  Earlier, Chabbey's team had told her to sit up, but then changed their mind as the second climb approached.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Keep It Going TdFF25-7" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 2: It Was Close

Lorena Wiebes (AG Insurance-Soudal) and Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) jumped clear of the peloton to mop up the remaining points towards the Maillot Vert behind the three-woman breakaway.  It was wise of Vos to sprint for the points, she is also the current holder of Green, but of course, the Maillot Jaune takes precedence.  The European Champion was looking to move herself up in her points tally today.  I'm sure she would love to trade in the white and blue stripes with stars in for that green on green jersey of the best sprinter in the Tour de France Femmes.  The rest of the peloton came through a few seconds later.  It looked like these two were going to go on, but the peloton was soon on their wheels.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"It Was Close TdFF25-6" (Original art by Greig Leach)

 

Tour Femmes '25, A Tandem Celebration

Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Visma-Lease a Bike) had gotten away at the base of the final ascent of the Cote du Cadoudel and opened up a seemingly unsurmountable lead over the chasing peloton.  As she got to the last hundred meters it seemed that Kim Le Court (AG Insurance-Soudal) was about to get pass her, so her teammate Marianne Vos kicked in her afterburners to take the first stage of the Tour de France Femmes.  With her win, Vos pulls on the first Maillot Jaune.  She also claims the first Maillot Vert.  Naturally, Visma-Lease a Bike now leads the Team competition, too.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"A Tandem Celebration TdFF25-5" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 1: Our First Queen

Despite having not scored any points at the first climb of the day, Elise Chabbey (FDJ-Suez) went across the eventual finish line first claiming one more point than the erstwhile leader in the Queen of the Mountains competition.  Since this is the last categorized climb of the day she will be wearing the Maillot a Pois tomorrow.  Taking second over the climb that will later be the finish line was Eline Jansen (VolkerWessels Cycling) whose teammate had been leading before now.

I am amused by FDJ's new kit.  The women's team's kit used to be superior to their male counterparts, Groupama-FDJ, but this all-black kit falls short of the men's kit unveiled at the Tour three weeks earlier.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Our First Queen TdFF25-4" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 1: First Points

The first pass through the finish line at Plumelec counted as the intermediate sprint today.  Jumping clear of the peloton was the European Champion Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) to claim the first sprint points towards the Maillot Vert.  She will need to come in at least second to have the jersey at the start tomorrow.  That being said, she will wear it unless she wins the stage because whomever wins will be wearing the first Maillot Jaune of this Tour de France Femmes.  Taking second in the sprint is the German Champion Franziska Koch (Picnic-PostNL).  While she didn't mind getting some points, she was starting her countermove off the front after the sprint.  Generally speaking, the peloton sits up after the sprint, so it is a great time to go on the offensive.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"First Points TdFF25-3" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 1: Beginning Her Queenship

It was Maud Rijnbeek (VolkerWessel Cycling) who went alone to the top of the first climb of the Tour de France Femmes.  She had dropped her companion who had started the early break at the foot of the Cote de Botsegalo.  While she was the first to get QOM points, she won't be wearing the Maillot a Pois tomorrow.  I will say more about that later.  Still, she is the first to get into the record book for this Tour Femmes.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Beginning Her Queenship TdFF25-2" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 1: Joining Forces

Laura Tomasi (Laboral Kutxa-Fundacion Euskadi) who had been the first to attack in the first kilometer of this Tour de France Femmes, looks back to find Maud Rijnbeck (VolkerWessels) bridging up to her wheel.  The two set about working together to hold off the peloton.  At least they did until the first climb appeared on the horizon.  From the very start of the race, I have been very pleased by the thousands upon thousands of fans that have come out to watch the women's 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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Joining Forces TdFF25-1" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 20: No Need to Sprint!

Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck) had plenty of time to celebrate on his way to winning his first Tour de France stage.  He has won several stages in both of the other grand tours, but not here in France.  Groves was brought as an insurance policy should what happened to their main sprinter Jasper Philipsen happened.  Then the stage winning shifted to his other famous teammateMathieu Van Der Poel, who had to leave the Tour with pneumonia.  I'm sure the team thought that was it for stage wins... until today!  Groves is seen as a sprinter, but he decided to not leave it to a risky sprint in the rain.  So off he went on his own, and that is how he won the third stage for his team, and he was the third one on the team to win a stage 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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"No Need to Sprint! TdF25-138" (Original art by Greig Leach)