Tour '26, Stage 21: Finishing It Off!

Amazingly, Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) found the legs after chasing Tadej Pogacar to hold off the fast-closing peloton in the finally six hundred meters of the Tour de France.  As he did the sprinter's bike throw he looked to his right to see his teammate Jasper Philipsen celebrating.  At first, I thought that Philipsen had outsprinted his teammate, but no, he was celebrating MDVP's stage victory on the Champs Elysees.  That means that their team went first and second in the final stage of the 113th Tour de France.  It was the Maillot Vert taking third on the stage.  Mads Pedersen gave up five points to Philipsen, but it was hardly enough points to change the final destination of the sprinters' jersey. Behind it was Biniam Girmay, Olav Kooij, Max Kanter, and Anthony Turgis with the less than successful sprints.  Nevertheless, it is no small feat to have made it over the alps and three times over the climb up Montmartre to even be in the top ten on the stage.

This is the last painting of this year's Tour de France.  I will have six days off and then I will be back with the Tour de France Femmes.  I hope you will read along with the women's race, 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.

Purchase this painting here: "Finishing It Off! TdF26-164" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '26, Stage 21: Desperately Close

The change in the lap up to Montmartre meant that there was a longer flatter stretch of road before the return to the Champs Elysees.  That gave the sprinters and their teams the opportunity to chase down anyone that got away on the narrow climb up to the summit of Butte Montmartre.  So it was for Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) and Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) as they made the final curve towards the line on the Champs Elysees.  Without any true need other than pride, Pogacar sat up once the chasers caught his wheel.  Tadej finished thirtieth on the stage but is still very much the winner of the Tour de France for the fifth time.  He is only the fifth to officially achieve that milestone.  Van Der Poel had a very different finish on the Champs Elysees than that of the Maillot Jaune.  The group that had chase these two down included all of the big-name sprinters that have gotten themselves over the alps just for this moment.  Lining up to fight it out for stage honors in Paris are Milan Fretin (Cofidis), Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek), Mattieu's teammate Jasper Philipsen, Biniam Girmay (NSN Cycling) and Olav Kooij (Decathlon-CMA CGM) amongst others.

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.

Purchase this painting here: "Desperately Close TdF26-163" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '26, Stage 21: Bell Lap

I love some of the holdovers that persist in the Tour de France.  The bell lap is more that just a name meaning the final lap.  It is literally the lap that is announced by a bell.  Over the heads of the peloton is a big electronic board counting down the laps, but this bell is still wrung by hand to announce just one more lap to go in the final stage of this the 113th Tour de France.  The peloton is lead through by Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) setting the pace for his teammate in yellow, Tadej Pogacar.  Lined up behind are the Lidl-Trek teammates of Mads Pedersen making sure they keep him in the right place for the final ascent of Montmartre.

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.

Purchase this painting here: "Bell Lap TdF26-162" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

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Tour '26, Stage 21: Up Montmartre

 It was an incredible narrow cobbled climb to the summit of the Butte Montmartre.  So narrow that the only people on the streets were the gendarmes making sure no one else but those watching out of the windows above were on the side of the street.  On the second time up the climb Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) has the Maillot Jaune of Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) on his left shoulder, and no one else is even in sight behind.  I have walked these streets.  In fact, I got to visit a group of artist studios just around the corner from here.  Today, all of the artists had to surrender their areas on the square in the shadow of Sacre Coeur to the throngs awaiting the arrival of the leaders of the race.  I don't know if you can tell, but the guy leaning out the window is still wearing his waiter apron from the restaurant downstairs.

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.

Purchase this painting here: "Up Montmartre TdF26-161" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '26, Stage 21: Who Is with Me?

Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) looks back on the way down from the summit of Montmartre to find that Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) is leading the chase.  On the wheel of the Maillot Jaune is Jasper Stuyven (Soudal-Quick Step), Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek), and Micheal Matthews (Jayco-Alula).  The group joined together in hopes of holding of the next group behind.  As they returned to the circle around the l'Arc Triomphe, they were almost all together again.  Now it was down, around the Place de la Concorde and back up the other side of the Champs Elysees.  I imagine that they will be all together just to start the climb again.

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.

Purchase this painting here: "Who Is with Me? TdF26-160" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '26, Stage 21: An Iconic Moment

I can only imagine what it would be like to race up the Champs Elysees towards the l'Arc de Triomphe off the front of the peloton.  This duo with the Frenchman Thibault Guernalec (TotalEnergies) and the Spainard Xabier Mikel Azparren (Pinarello-Q36.5) had built up fifty seconds on the peloton before they all turn right at the top of the rise.  Next on the menu was the three loops that include the climb up to the summit of Montmartre.  I wonder if they will still be off the front by the time they ride pass Sacre Coeur?

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.

Purchase this painting here: "An Iconic Moment TdF26-159" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '26, Stage 21: And Now, We Race

Egan Bernal (Netcompany-Ineos) in his Colombian Champion's jersey was lucky enough to have his mechanical before the peloton started to race in earnest.  Just as he joined Tiesj Benoot (Decathlon-CMA CGM), Guillaume Martin (Groupama FDJ-United) and Nicolas Breuillard (TotalEnergies) at the back of the peloton just as the pace ramped up on the front.  As they headed up towards the l'Arc de Trimophe, it was clear that the aggressors were hoping to get free of what they felt would be the grip of the sprinters' teams.  Here we go!

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

Purchase this painting here: "And Now, We Race TdF26-158" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '26, Stage 21: Attacking and Giggling

Just after Lidl-Trek had their photo op on the front of the peloton as they rode back onto the Place de la Concorde, Quinn Simmons in his USA Champion kit and Mathias Vacek in his Czech Champion kit decided to mime attacking the peloton.  It wasn't out of character for the two to attack, but laughing as they did it was.  Since their teammate in the Maillot Vert, Mads Pedersen, was reacting it was clear they were just goofing around.  It won't be long before the racing starts in earnest.  I should note that Simmons started the day with his hair flowing, so it is unlikely he is planning on going for stage honors.  That task will fall to Pedersen and the team will do their best to make it happen.

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.

Purchase this painting here: "Attacking and Giggling TdF26-157" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '26, Stage 21: In Procession on the Champs

Normally, the team that holds the Maillot Jaune is the team that leads the peloton onto the Champs Elysees as the race enters the center of Paris.  This year everyone had to adapt due to wildfires that were raging near Paris.  So, after the first lap of posing for cameras and perhaps a sip of champagne, UAE Team Emirates went to the front of the peloton as they headed up the Champs Elysees to the l'Arc de Triomphe.  It isn't like the team has spent thousands of kilometers doing this in service of the Maillot Jaune as they race around France.  Still, homage must be paid, and the fans must get their chance to salute the team that got their leader around France the quickest, Tadej Pogacar.  They also had another teammate who got around the third fastest, Isaac Del Toro.  That is quite a successful Tour.  The only sight mark on their Tour is that they didn't bring the complete team to Paris.  But then only eight of the twenty-three teams accomplished that feat.

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.

Purchase this painting here: "In Procession on the Champs TdF26-156" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '26, Stage 21: The Team that Won the Tour

Despite starting on the Champs Elysees in the heart of Paris, the teams made sure to have the ceremonial traditions before they got down to race for victory in the final stage of the Tour.  Tadej Pogacar poses with his six UAE Teammates that made it to ride up and down the Champs Elysees.  Starting from his left it is Isaac Del Toro in the Maillot Blanc, then Tim Wellens and Felix Grosschartner.  One Tadej's right side his Nils Politt, then Florian Vermeesch and finally, Adam Yates.  The team has changed to an all-white jersey with yellow high lights and a big yellow number five along with white shorts.  Only Del Toro opted for black shorts perhaps to contrast with his Maillot Blanc.  The team was also riding new yellow bikes, with again the exception of Del Toro, who opted for a white bike to match his white jersey.  The one teammate missing is the American Brandon McNulty.  He had to drop out of the raced due to illness during stage 18.

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.

Purchase this painting here: "The Team that Won the Tour TdF26-155" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '26, Stage 21: The Jerseys of the Tour

The final stage of stage of the 113th Tour de France was shortened by 25 miles.  Rather than starting outside of Paris and winding its way into the city, it was decided to give the start town the honor of the team sign-in.  They then loaded all of the teams into their busses and processed down the course to the Champs Elysees.  Once everyone was onsite, the race started without a neutral start for the six laps off the tradition finish on up and down the Champs Elysees.  Now they have added three laps that take in a ten-kilometer loop up to the top of the Butte Montmartre under the shadow of the Cathedral de Sacre Coeur.  The teams decided on their own that they would do all of the traditional photos, and ceremony on the first to laps, and then get down to the business of racing.  The first to show themselves for the camera were the four men who have won the four leaders' jerseys.  Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) in the Maillot Jaune of the winner of the Tour, and his teammate Isaac Del Toro in the Maillot Blanc of the best young rider and third place.  The Maillot a Pois was won by Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost).  The Maillot Vert was won by Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) which he like Tadej have held since Stage Four of the Tour.

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.

Purchase this painting here: "The Jerseys of the Tour TdF26-154" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

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Tour '26, Stage 20: Teammates

After a rather silly salute to the crowd while crossing the line together, Tadej Pogacar and Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates) shared a hug before the throng of press photographers just out of sight to us here.  I thought their celebrations were a little odd since they finished fourth and fifth on the stage, but I now realize that they were celebrating the collaboration and their Maillots Juane and Blanc.  And of course, they will both finish on the podium in first and third assuming nothing terrible happens on the streets of Paris.  It is forecasted to rain for the cobbled finale on both the climb of Montmartre and the Champs Elysees.  Let's all hope they and the rest of the peloton all finish safely!

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.

Purchase this painting here: "Teammates TdF26-153" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '26, Stage 20: The King Wins, Again

Having stayed upright when the leader had not, Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) thumps his chest in victory atop the final mountain top finish of the Tour.  In the process he claimed maximum points on every climb of the day but the last one where he went over in second place thus securing the Maillot a Pois.  At the start of the Tour he stated that this was his goal.  And he achieved it and picked up two stage wins in the process.  All he has to do is finish the stage tomorrow in Paris, and he will go out the King of the Mountains.

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.

Purchase this painting here: "The King Wins, Again TdF26-152" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '26, Stage 20: Super Domestique

Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates) could not have asked for a better member of the peloton to help him on the final climb of the final mountain stage of the 113th Tour de France!  Tadej Pogacar was sacrificing his chance to claim the first ever back-to-back wins atop Alpe d'Huez to make sure that his teammate stayed in third place on the general classification and kept his Maillot Blanc of the best young rider of the Tour.  This is not normal activities for the Maillot Jaune, but then I think Pogacar has established that he is not a mere mortal cyclist.  I should note that Pogacar's lead is so large that he can afford this generous act despite the guy in second place has gone up the road.  In fact, Evenepoel finished second on the stage, but only forty seconds ahead of this jerseyed duo.  As long as they both finished the stage tomorrow, they will finish in first and third in Paris wearing their yellow and white jerseys in Paris.

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.

Purchase this painting here: "Super Domestique TdF26-151" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

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Tour '26, Stage 20: Into the Net

I have always wondered about Phil and Bob crying out when something goes wrong for a rider in the Tour, now I know.  I cried out as Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike) fought and lost his bike on a fast corner on the loop around the resort town of Alpe d'Huez.  Kuss was off the front by over twenty seconds even after hitting the ground through the tunnel under a section of the town.  He pressed even harder down the descent in hopes of making up time he lost in the previous fall.  He finished this tumble sitting on the cement wall just at the end of the safety net.  While he never went into it, thank God (or the ASO) that it was there.  As he was on the ground, Richard Carapaz who had been chasing passed by.  Kuss got up and gave chase, but never saw the man in the Maillot a Pois again.  He still finished third on the stage!

In the post-race interview, Kuss laughed and apologized to his wife and his fans for scaring the hell out of them.  He really didn't want to put her through that.  And then said, "But, that is racing."  I am sure with the luck that Visma has had this Tour, they will hope not to have the bib number "13" on a teammates back next year.  The way the numbering works, they won't.  That auspicious number will fall to Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe.

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.

Purchase this painting here: "Into the Net TdF26-150" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

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Tour '26, Stage 20: The Cream Rises

The top three of the Tour come over the summit of the Col de Sarenne together.  To be fair, Lenny Martinez (Bahrian-Victorious) is with them but hidden from view.  Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) goes over first looking to make sure his teammate Isaac Del Toro is still with them.  Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) takes the summit to grab another gel and squeeze it into his mouth.  There is still another fourteen kilometers left to race after all.  The guy sitting in fourth, Paul Seixas (Decathlon-CMA CGM) has dropped off the pace and is losing time to all four.  He had started the day just twenty-four seconds behind Del Toro in both the top five and in the race for the Maillot Blanc of the best young rider.  It wasn't to be for the very young Frenchman today, but he did hold his position in the classification despite having lost time on the final climb of the Tour.

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.

Purchase this painting here: "The Cream Rises TdF26-149" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '26, Stage 20: Preferring to Climb Alone

Sepp Kuss and his Visma-Lease a Bike team has clearly had a plan all day.  And on the Col de Sarenne Sepp launched the final phase.  He jumped clear of his remaining breakaway companions and went alone to the summit.  The climb was so narrow that the ASO who organize the race had prevented fans from getting on the mountain in order to keep the riders safe.  So, I had planned on a bad pun comparing the Sarenne to serene, but it really was a rather serene climb and must have felt great to be free of the noise of the crowds.  I love the quiet of being out on my bike all alone, but I am not working anywhere as hard as this American is.

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.

Purchase this painting here: "Preferring to Climb Alone TdF26-148" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Learn More About the Artist →   

Tour '26, Stage 20: Flying Down the Galibier

Attacking, or more accurately, just out riding the rest of the peloton over the summit of the Galibier the top five of the general classification flew back down the other side.  With fifty-two kilometers to race the quintet of Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) along with his teammate Isaac Del Toro, Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), Paul Seixas (Decathlon-CGA CMA), and Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious) still had another four-and-a-half minutes to bridge up to the still cohesive breakaway.  I have always looked at descent as a reward for all of the struggles climbing a mountain, I'm not so sure about these twisty roads with the sheer drop-offs.  But I am willing to give it a try.

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.

Purchase this painting here: "Flying Down the Galibier TdF26-147" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '26, Stage 20: Hanging Tough on the Galibier

As the peloton climbed the Col du Galibier it was good to see Warren Barguil (Picnic-PostNL) and the American Sean Quinn (EF Education-EasyPost) still hanging onto the group.  With his twin brother up the road, Anders Johannessen (Uno X-Mobility) was still here as well.  Of course, he and the rest of the peloton were now almost four-and-a-half minutes behind the breakaway with the gap continuing to grow.  Conversely, the grupetto was way back down this long mountain 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.

Purchase this painting here: "Hanging Tough on the Galibier TdF26-146" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '26, Stage 20: Staying Topped Up

The young American Matthew Riccitello on the French team Decathlon-CMA CGM, was still in the front group as they climbed the Col du Telegraphe.  It seemed that he was up front either for the stage, or as a satellite rider for his even younger teammate Paul Seixas.  With another five kilometers to climb, he wisely dropped back to his team car to get a bidon and some gels.  I am sure he will shortly be back on the wheel of Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) who is currently riding tail gun in the breakaway.  The group has a decent advantage over the peloton with another eighty-eight kilometers in the final mountain stage of the Tour.

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.

Purchase this painting here: "Staying Topped Up TdF26-145" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

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Tour '26, Stage 20: This Is Mine

It took getting over the HC climb of the Col de Croix de Fer and then chasing down the breakaway, but Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) was there to sprint for maximum points at the intermediate sprint in Saint Julien Mont Denis.  As he wound up his sprint he looked back at Tobias Johannessen (Uno X-Mobility) as if daring him to dare to steal a single point from him.  With this sprint, he sealed up the race for the Maillot Vert.  All he need do is finish this stage and the final stage in Paris and he will have one the sprinter's jersey in all three Grand Tours.  On Johannessen's wheel are Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) and his teammate Bruno Armirail clearly having a plan for the day.  Another in this leading group was Thymen Arensman (Netcompany-Ineos) hoping to have an even better stage than yesterday.  Today is the true final stage of the Tour, although the new circuit in Paris does mean there will be more than just a sprint 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.

Purchase this painting here: "This Is Mine TdF26-144" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

And learn about Leach's published books at The Art of Cycling: Cycling Books by Greig Leach

Learn More About the Artist →  

Tour '26, Stage 20: Hurting Everyone

With three more kilometers to the summit of the Col de Croix de Fer Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) jumps free of the breakaway in hopes of cementing his hold on the Maillot a Pois.  Behind you can make out the erstwhile wearer, and something virtual holder. of the jersey, Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal-Quick Step) tries to chase him down.  Those behind figured they would just keep riding their pace confident that these two will end up back in the fold after the summit of the climb.  They did, and Carapaz got the maximum points over the top.

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.

Purchase this painting here: "Hurting Everyone TdF26-143" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

And learn about Leach's published books at The Art of Cycling: Cycling Books by Greig Leach

Learn More About the Artist →  

Tour '26, Stage 19: You Were Expecting...

I love the almost teenage shrug that Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) gave before going into a more tradition victory salute.  He seemed to say, with this gesture, you were expecting a different result?  It has been since Bradley Wiggins that the guy wearing the Maillot Jaune won the stage atop Alpe d'Huez.  And you have to go back to Marco Pantani to find someone who has climbed this famous Tour climb anywhere near as quickly.  Let's face it, Pogacar is setting new Tour records throughout this Tour.  Let's hope he doesn't go the way of Pantani.  Behind the gesture, you can just see the two guys he left inside of the final kilometer, Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious) takes second place and Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) and by so doing takes the lead in the King of the Mountains competition away from the guy who now leads the Tour by a little over seven minutes.  I think he was also letting us know that despite there being some illness hitting his team... he is just fine!

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.

Purchase this painting here: "You Were Expecting... TdF26-142" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

And learn about Leach's published books at The Art of Cycling: Cycling Books by Greig Leach

Learn More About the Artist →  

Tour '26, Stage 19: The Devil Shows the Way

I think that even the gendarmes like the devil or perhaps I should say they enjoy Didi Senft. It seems he was the only person allowed on the inside of the barriers once passed the Four-Kilometer Banner.  Has he saluted every rider, it seems he was showing Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) showing just were those that had dropped off the leaders were at up the road.  With three-and-a-half kilometers left to the mountain top finish the Maillot Jaune could almost see his quarry for stage honors.  Not only was he on his way to an almost sure stage win atop Alpe d'Huez, he was also recording the fastest ever ascent of the fable climb eclipsing Marco Pantini's record by three minutes I believe.  Maybe he has made a deal with the Devil to be this amazingly good.

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.

Purchase this painting here: "The Devil Shows the Way TdF26-141" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

And learn about Leach's published books at The Art of Cycling: Cycling Books by Greig Leach

Learn More About the Artist →   

Tour '26, Stage 19: Through the Tifosi

These three still had forty-four seconds on the fast-closing Tadej Pogacar as they forced their way through the throngs of fans with another five kilometers to climb.  With everyone pressing so close, it was impossible for either Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike) nor Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) to even think about passing Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious).  At least, the leader of the trio was putting in a good pace prior to the four-kilometer banner when the barriers will hold the crowd back for the rest of the way to the summit of the Alpe d'Huez.  This has often been described as a corridor of noise.  I would add that it is one of fear as well.  At any moment an over exuberant fan could fall into a rider or knock them off their bike (either intentionally or unintentionally).  Fortunately, as far as I know that didn't happen anywhere on this iconic Tour de France mountain.  And to think, we come back up to the summit from another direction 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.

Purchase this painting here: "Through the Tifosi TdF26-140" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

And learn about Leach's published books at The Art of Cycling: Cycling Books by Greig Leach

Learn More About the Artist →   

Tour '26, Stage 19: Chasing Up Alpe d'Huez

Undaunted by the leaders' three-minute advantage, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) jumped clear of the group of race favorites in search of another stage victory.  In just four kilometers of the twelve of the climb he has already pulled back half of the advantage of those up the road.  At this point in the climb the crowds were very much under control.  That may have something to do with the heavy presents of the Gendarmie.   The only one in sight of the Maillot Jaune was one of the many press photographers on the back of a motorcycle.  

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.

Purchase this painting here: "Chasing Up d'Huez TdF26-139" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

And learn about Leach's published books at The Art of Cycling: Cycling Books by Greig Leach

Learn More About the Artist →