2026 UCI Road World Championships, Montreal, Elite Men's Road Race: Three Decades Later

Purchase this painting here: "Three Decades Later UCI26-17" (Original art by Greig Leach)

This painting has sold, but digital prints are available.

When Brandon McNulty (USA) held his head in disbelief as he claimed victory in the UCI Road World Championships in Montreal it is wild to think that it has been thirty-three years since and American has won the Rainbow Jersey.  That was five years before McNulty was born!  He is only the third American to ever pull on the Rainbow Jersey of world champion.  With Lance Armstrong having won in 1993 and Greg Lemond winning it in both 1983 and 1989.  I was amused that while mentioning that it had been thirty-three years since an American had won, the announcer Anthony McCrossan neglected to say Armstrong's name.  As I mentioned in my previous painting, he takes over the title from his trade team teammate, Tadej Pogacar, giving UAE Team Emirates reason to celebrate and allows them to continue to post of having the best cyclist in the world.  Chapeau, Brandon!

The clump of riders behind included the Silver Medalist Michael Matthews (Australia) and the Bronze Medalist Mathieu Van Der Poel (Netherlands).  McNulty's teammates Quinn Simmons finished fourth and Matteo Jorgenson finished seventh, making it three Team USA guys in the top ten!

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 top of this post to purchase this painting. 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.

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 → 

2026 UCI Road World Championships, Montreal, Elite Men's Road Race: One Last Peek

Purchase this painting here: "One Last Peek UCI26-16" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Brandon McNulty (USA) takes one last look behind him as he can see the flame rouge and the final kilometer just ahead.  When he looked back there was no one in sight.  He has twenty-three seconds over the best men in the pro peloton who just can't chase him down.  In his post-race interview, he revealed that even at this point he didn't truly believe that he would be the next UCI Road Champion.  Which may explain why he kept making sure that no one was going to surprise him inside of the final kilometer.  There is a certain beauty that he rides on the same team as Tadej Pogacar, UAE Team Emirates, who was unable to defend his two-time title this year.  

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 top of this post to purchase this painting. 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.

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 → 

2026 UCI Road World Championships, Montreal, Elite Men's Road Race: Into the Gap

Purchase this painting here: "Into the Gap UCI26-15" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Belgium and Remco Evenepoel were having a yo-yo kind of day.  After Wout Van Aert (Belgium) was dropped out of the front group he looked for his teammate Evenepoel who had been dropped from his group as well.  Once found the two worked together to get back into the race.  On the final ascent of Mont Royal Wout Van Aert finally cracked, but his efforts were enough to allow his teammate Evenepoel on last serge in hopes of catching the lone American up the road.  Alas, it didn't work, and the effort cost him dearly.

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 top of this post to purchase this painting. 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.

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 → 

2026 UCI Road World Championships, Montreal, Elite Men's Road Race: A Big Advantage

Purchase the painting here: "A Big Advantage UCI26-14" (Original art by Greig Leach)

This painting has sold, but digital prints are available.

Brandon McNulty (USA) made the classic cycling move.  He attacked from the back of the group just as they caught the leaders.  With those on the front having dug deep to catch the escapees, none had the strength to jump onto his wheel as he sped up the other side of the wide road in downtown Montreal.  As he took the sharp left turn to start the penultimate lap he had opened up a thirty-six second lead on those he had just left behind.  Now, can he hold them all of for another twenty-eight kilometers?

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 top of this post to purchase this painting. 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.

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 → 

2026 UCI Road World Championships, Montreal, Elite Men's Road Race: Having to Chase

Purchase this painting here: "Having to Chase UCI26-13" (Original art by Greig Leach)

With two groups of three up the road it was time to chase down the leaders for two young men Paul Seixas (France) and Isaac Del Toro (Mexico).  The two stars of the Tour de France efforts were being thwarted by Matteo Jorgenson (USA) and Tom Pidcock (Great Britian) since they have teammates in the leading groups.  Joining in the efforts are Michael Matthews (Australia) and Santiago Buitrago (Colombia).  It looks like they are counting on Del Toro and Seixas to do the pulling to put them back into the fray in the remaining forty-nine kilometers.

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 top of this post to purchase this painting. 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.

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 → 

2026 UCI Road World Championships, Montreal, Elite Men's Road Race: Three Going Away

Purchase this painting here: "Three Going Away UCI26-12" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Under the strength of Mathieu Van Der Poel (Netherlands) this trio dropped their former breakaway companions.  Quinn Simmons (USA) had clearly decided he was going to stay on the only former champion in the group's wheel and was going every time Van Der Poel attacked.  Oscar Onley (Great Britian) was not the team's original plan, but it seems that the burden of winning for his country has now fallen to him.  Both Simmons and Onley have teammates in the chasing groups that are under a minute behind with another seventy-four kilometers left to race in these Worlds.

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 top of this post to purchase this painting. 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.

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 → 

2026 UCI Road World Championships, Montreal, Elite Men's Road Race: A Powerful Sextet

Purchase this painting here: "A Powerful Sextet UCI26-11" (Original art by Greig Leach)

It was Mathieu Van Der Poel (Netherlands) who started this move.  He was quickly joined by Quinn Simmons (USA) and Wout Van Aert (Belgium).  Those three were joined not much later by Primoz Roglic (Slovenia), Oscar Onley (Great Britian), and Anthon Charmig (Denmark).  Given the short punchy climbs and constant turning of the urban course, this was a group that had the chops to stay of the front for the remaining eighty kilometers.  At this point they have forty-two seconds on the disorganized chase behind.  The presence of Simmons and Van Aert means that their teammates are doing their best to disrupt the chase of the other riders behind.

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 top of this post to purchase this painting. 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.

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 → 

2026 UCI Road Worlds Championship, Montreal, Elite Men's Road Race

Purchase this painting here: "How Am I Doing? UCI26-10" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Once the peloton, or what was left of it, caught the morning breakaway, Anthon Charmig (Denmark) decided it was his turn to try.  With 95 kilometers to race, he was taking a risk trying to go it alone.  After building up an eight second advantage, he looked back to see if anyone was going to join him in the effort.  Going solo left little chance of success, but if a couple of others bridged up to the Dane, he then may well have a chance to claim the Rainbow 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 top of this post to purchase this painting. 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.

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 → 

2026 UCI Road World Championships, Montreal, Elite Men's Road Race: How Much Longer?

You can purchase this painting here: "How Much Longer?" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Now it was just six that were off the front as they headed up the climb of Mont Royal.  As the group of Jamie Meehan (Ireland), the two Eritrea riders Biniam Girmay and Henok Mulubrhan, Felix Engelhardt (Germany) and Andreas Leknessund (Norway) fought on, they were being shown the time gap of a mere minute and a half.  The Irish fans were thrilled to see their man still off the front of the group.  As it is always done in the Worlds, no team has race radios, so the time being kept by the moto is far more important than its normal ceremonial function at 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 top of this post to purchase this painting. 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.

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 → 

2026 UCI Road World Championships, Montreal, Elite Men's Road Race: Holding Their Advantage

You can purchase this painting here: "Holding Their Advantage UCI26-8" (Original art by Greig Leach)

The early breakaway of the Elite Men's Road Race was still holding a strong advantage has they started their second of thirteen laps of the finishing circuit.  While the group containing Mihajlo Stolic (Serbia), Guillaume Boivin (Canada), Henok Mulubrhan (Eritrea) and his teammate Biniam Girmay, along with Tilen Finkst (Slovenia), Kaden Hopkins (Bermuda), Andreas Leknessund (Norway), and Emils Liepins (Latvia) and others had build up a lead of over seven minutes, but the time they started this lap the gap had shrunk to around four minutes.  I doubt any of these guys thought they would still be off the front at the end of the over 250 kilometer race, but everyone now knows they were at the Worlds racing 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 top of this post to purchase this painting. 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.

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 → 

2026 UCI Road Championships, Montreal, Elite Women's Road Race: Shades of the Tour

You can purchase this painting here: "Shades of the Tour UCI26-7" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Despite Kasia Niewiadoma (Poland) having gotten the jump on Demi Vollering (Netherlands) it was the Dutch woman who raised her arms in victory in Montreal!  Niewiadoma appeared to cramp up just as Vollering pulled even with her in the sprint.  In the distance you can just see Elisa Longo Borghini (Italy) who had just caught the other two when the sprint kicked off.  So it is that Vollering takes first with Niewiadoma in second, just as they were in the Tour de France Femmes, and Longo Borghini takes another bronze medal at another World Championships.  I don't image that the animosity that erupted at the Tour Femme between second and third was quelled today.  Instead, I think it has been further inflamed.  As on prone to cramps, I truly feel for Niewiadoma 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 top of this post to purchase this painting. 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.

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 → 

2026 UCI Road World Championships, Montreal, Elite Women's Road Race: Cheering the Podium?

Purchase this painting here: "Cheering the Podium UCI26-6" (Original art by Greig Leach)

The thousands of cycling fans along every kilometer of the course in Montreal were being treated to a spectacular race today.  As they cheered this trio of Demi Vollering (Netherlands), Elisa Longo Borghini (Italy), and Kasia Kiewiadoma (Poland) it seemed clear that they were cheering for the top three steps of the podium.  In another twelve kilometers we will all know who will stand on which step at the finale.

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 top of this post to purchase this painting. 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.

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 → 

2026 UCI Road World Championships, Montreal, Elite Women's Road Race: Chasers & Disrupters

Purchase this painting here: "Chasers and Disrupters UCI26-5" (Original art by Greig Leach)

With her teammate up the road, Puck Pieterse (Netherlands) shifted from launching the attack to disrupting those trying to chase down Demi Vollering.  It was her job now to slow the chase being mounted by Marlen Reusser (Switzerland) and Kasia Niewiadoma (Poland).  Niewiadoma does have a teammate in the trio thirty-one seconds up the road.  With twenty-five kilometers to race, there was still a chance for these women to vie for the podium.  

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the top of this post to purchase this painting. 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.

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 → 

2026 UCI Road World Championships, Montreal, Elite Women's Road Race: Blowing Up the Peloton!

Purchase this painting here: "Blowing Up the Peloton UCI26-4" (Original art by Greig Leach)

With 39 K to race the Dutch finally made the move they had been riding for all day.  As they elite of the peloton hit the climb up Mont Royal for the third time, Puck Pieterse (Netherlands) went to the front and drove the pace for her teammate Demi Vollering.  The two were able to drop everyone except Dominika Wlodarczyk (Poland) and Elisa Longo Borghini (Italy).  Just after I painted this, Vollering went off on her own hoping to go solo to win the Rainbow Jersey.  Several other women thought differently.

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 top of this post to purchase this painting. 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.

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 → 

2026 UCI Road World Championships, Montreal; Elite Women's Road Race: Making Her Escape

Purchase this painting here: "Making Her Escape UCI26-3" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Once the peloton had caught the last of the breakaway, it was the French woman Maeva Squiban that went on the attack on the climb of Mont Royal above Montreal.  With 52 kilometers to race, it was a long shot (or a long solo effort) that she might be able to stay away to the line.  She has done this before in the Tour de France Femmes.  I am sure it felt good to race on roads where most of the fans also speak French.  She was caught when some of the favorites launched their attacks.

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 top of this post to purchase this painting. 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.

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 → 

2026 UCI World Champions; Montreal Elite Women's Road Race: Paying Honor

Purchase this painting here: "Paying Honor UCI26-2" (Original art by Greig Leach)

With several laps to go, the defending champion Magadeleine Vallieries (Canada) found herself in a group with her teammate Adele Normand, Aqua Marina Espinola (Paraquay) and others now over six minutes behind the leaders.  It was clear to all that her injuries and the time it took to get going again she would not be contending the finale in her home country.  However, in honor of racing on home roads, and to the Rainbow Jersey, she kept riding until this whole group was pulled of the course by the race commissares.  She was in tears as she struggled to dismount from her bike when her day was finished.  It was finished when she went down in the first lap on the climb up Mont Royal, but she wanted to keep going regardless.

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 top of this post to purchase this painting. 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.

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 → 

2026 UCI Worlds; Montreal Women's Elite: Still Off the Front

You can purchase this painting here: "Still Off the Front - UCI26-1" (Original art by Greig Leach)

I had hoped to be able to paint this year's UCI Road World Championships in Montreal live on site as I did back in 2015 in Richmond, Virginia, but alas I couldn't make it happen.  Then, other projects pushed me out of being able to create the works live - although I now know that YouTube makes that possible had I not had another art project that was time specific.  Anyway...

The women's race was upset by a large crash that took out many of the favorites, including the Canadian defending World Champion Magdeleine Valliers.  With the peloton trying to get itself sorted without race radios, this duo of Natalie Quinn (USA) and Marte Berg Edseth (Norway) were able to build on their lead.  They had dropped several others on the second climb up Mont Royal.  With six more laps and another 97 kilometers to race it was rather doubtful that they would stay clear to the finish, but they do have almost a minute and a half over the chasing peloton.  There were caught around 23 kilometers later.

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 top of this post to purchase this painting. 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.

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 Femmes '26, Stage 9: Two Stages, Two Tours!

Purchase this painting here: "Two Stages, Two Tours! TdFF26-64" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Not only did Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez) out climb the rest of the peloton over the final ascent of the Col d'Eze, she also out descended them!  In the final sixteen kilometers, she but over a minute into everyone else that she had started up the climb for the fourth time with.  For the second day in a row, she celebrated her stage victory on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice.  This time she did it in the Maillot Jaune that she won yesterday.  With this victory she becomes the first woman to win to Tours de France Femmes.  Of course, had Kasia Niewiadoma been able to retake her jersey that she won atop Mont Ventoux, she would have been the first with that honor.  Chapeau to Vollering, to Puck Pieterse who is the Queen of the Mountains, Lorena Wiebes who has won the Maillot Vert that she held from the very first stage, and to Niewiadoma's teammate Antonia Niedermaier who won the Maillot Blanc as the best young rider.

This is the end of the men's and women's Tours, thus it is probably the end of my painting cycling for the year.  I may paint some of the UCI Road Cycling Championships in Montreal this fall.  But otherwise, I won't be back until January for the Tour Down Under.

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.

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 Femmes '26, Stage 9: Deja Vu

Another stage into Nice, another stage with a tough climb near the end, and another stage where Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez) drops Kasia Niewiadoma and rides off on her own.  The changes this time are she did it in the Maillot Jaune, she did it on a categorized climb, she did it despite everyone knowing she would, and she did it overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.  As she rode along the false flat on the top of the col, she had already but eighteen seconds between herself and her primary rival for yellow.  Regardless of whether Niewiadoma comes back and wins or if Vollering's attack succeeds, we will have the first woman ever to win the Tour de France Femmes for the second time in about twelve kilometers 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.

Purchase this painting here: "Deja Vu TdFF26-63" (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 Femmes '26, Stage 9: Trading Jabs

As they rode together up the Col d'Eze for the last time, both Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez) and Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon/SRAM) each attacked the other, but neither had yet managed to drop the other either.  The title could just as easily refer to the fans on either side of this famous climb.  Although, I don't think I have ever seen this route up to the summit overlooking the sea and Nice before.  Naturally, just after I painted this, Vollering finally dropped Niewiadoma, thus putting to rest the rumors that it was dirty team tactics that had put Vollering into the Maillot Jaune.  After today's repetitive climbs, it was clear that her legs were the reason she was in yellow, and her mind is what is keeping her there.

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: "Trading Jabs TdFF26-62" (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 Femmes '26, Stage 9: Winding Their Way Up

It was just nine women that came to the final ascent of Col d'Eze together... Well, there is one woman still off the front, but she is only about twenty seconds ahead.  This was the last time up, but the first time going this way.  It was a truly stunning climb of steep switch backs line with houses, villas, and apartment buildings all looking back towards the sea.  This is one of those climbs that I like to think I want to try but know I would hate myself about halfway up.  With the exception of the fans on the side of the road, it was just race vehicles and fans back behind the tiny 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.

Purchase this painting here: "Winding Their Way Up TdFF26-61" (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 Femmes '26, Stage 9: Down the Col d'Eze Alone

Isabella Holgren (Lidl-Trek) had attacked the Maillot Jaune group on the third ascent of the Col d'Eze and got away.  She went over the top and started the rather frightening and very fast descent alone.  As she dropped off of the summit she built up a minute's gap on those she had left behind.  She does sit third in the race for the Maillot Blanc of the best young rider, but I doubt she will be able to pull back three minutes with just a final lap left to race.  Still, it is well worth the effort, both of her young rivals also have work to do for their team leaders so they could have to work for the team and not the white jersey dreams.

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: "Down Col d'Eze Alone TdFF26-60" (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 Femmes '26, Stage 9: Escorting Their Leader

Marlen Reusser (Movistar) has had a rough end of the Tour de France Femmes this year.  Since losing her Maillot Jaune on the climb up to the summit of Mont Ventoux, she has been slowly losing time in the general classification.  Today, on her second descent of Col d'Eze she crashed on a corner coming out of one of the many tunnels on today's course.  She took some time getting back on her bike, but she did. She was with one of her teammates when she crashed but more joined her as they made their way back down into Nice.  She was escorted by back into town by Francesca Barale, Ana Vitoria Magalhaes, Liane Lippert and Paula Ostiz.  She could have easily climbed off her bike once back to the start/finish line, but no, she and her team did the two remaining laps together.  They all came in twenty-five minutes after the stage winner, but she certainly earned even more respect today.  And she paid respect to the Tour de France Femmes 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.

Purchase this painting here: "Escorting Their Leader TdFF26-59" (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

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Tour Femmes '26, Stage 9: Above the Sea

You know the song I am referencing with this title... and now it is stuck in your head, too.  On the second trip up the Col d'Eze it was the British Champion Zoe Backstedt (Canyon/SRAM) burying herself for her teammates Antonia Niedwrmaier (in the Maillot Blanc) and Kasia Niewiadoma.  On their wheels are Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez) in the Maillot Jaune and Niamh Fisher-Black (Lidl-Trek).  Under the relentless pace set by Backstedt, many more were dropped from the ever-reducing peloton.  Her pace also meant that she and her teammates need not fear any attacks either.  The added bonus is that they got rid of one of Vollering's strongest teammates.  The flip side is that the British Champion's work meant she was gone at the summit, too.  With two more climbs up Col d'Eze, the last one even steeper, this stage is more about attrition than attacking moves... thus far.

I guess I should mention that the view of the Mediterranean Sea was stunning up here above Nice. 

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

Purchase this painting here: "Above the Sea TdFF26-58" (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 Femmes '26, Stage 9: How Much?

As the peloton came through Nice to start the second of four laps, both Malwina Mul (Cofidis) and Paula Ortiz (Movistar) had managed to get off the front of the of the reduced group.  They each peeked to see if they were getting much of an advantage.  Racing through the downtown area it was Ostiz's turned to peer back to assess where the chasers were.  The peloton wasn't too concerned.  The first trip up Col d'Eze had dropped about have of the one hundred and twenty some women who had started the final stage.  It was safe to assume that these two would most likely suffer the same fate.

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: "How Much? TdFF26-57" (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 →