The Art of Cycling: April 2026

Monday, April 27, 2026

Liege Bastogne Liege '26: Undeniable

It is becoming undeniable that Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) is the best of this generation of cyclists racing today. He may soon out pace even Eddy Merckx. Chapeau to the World Champion winning his fourth Liege Bastogne Liege by forty-five seconds over his erstwhile companion Paul Seixas and another full minute over Remco Evenepoel. Add Jonas Vingegaard into the mix and it should be a very exciting 114th Tour de France should the young French Seixas be at the starting line in Barcelona.

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.

"Undeniable LBL26-7" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Liege Bastogne Liege '26: Attacking for Third

With the miles running out, Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) attacked what was left of the peloton with just ten kilometers to race. His move was covered by Christian Scaroni (XDS-Astana). It took a bit for Mauro Schmid (Jayco-Alula) to respond having been on the front for a while now. The group did come back together, but in the end it was Evenepoel that was able to sprint to claim the final step of the podium. That was a nice reversal after getting dropped so soundly on the ascent of the Cote de la Redoute.

"Attacking for Third LBL26-6" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Liege Bastogne Liege '26: On His Own Now

It took until the final climb, but Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) finally dropped the last guy, Paul Seixas. Free to fly, he kept opening up a large advantage on the chasing Frenchman along with the shreds of the peloton. With roughly eight and a half kilometers to go, he had built up a forty-five second lead on Seixas and over another minute of what we might call the peloton. Clearly, he was bound to win his fourth running of Liege-Bastogne-Liege. Only one rider has won more, and he is currently ailing in hospital, Eddy Merckx.

"On His Own Now LBL26-5" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Sunday, April 26, 2026

Liege Bastogne Liege '26: Over a Minute Now

These two kept adding to their advantage as they speed towards Liege. At this point, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) was on the front, but Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM) was taking his share of pulls as the sped down the Cote des Forges. With almost a minute and a half on the lone chaser, it was a little strange that the young Frenchman was helping the World Champion. Was he going too deep, or was he racing to make sure no one bridged back up to them? Or more likely, was the young man just so thrilled to be racing at this level, that excitement was getting the better of him?

"Over a Minute Now LBL26-4" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Liege Bastogne Liege '26: The Only Two

As everyone expected Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) to attack on the Cote de la Redoute. What wasn't expected (although I did) was that the only guy who could stay on the World Champion's wheel was the young Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM). The two quickly opened up a twenty second gap on many of the best riders in the peloton. With this move, will the duo go together to the line in Liege or will one drop the other in the remaning thirty kilometers?

"The Only Two LBL26-3" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Liege Bastogne Liege '26: The Expected Three

As the reduced peloton climbed the Col du Rosier with sixty-six kilometers to go the trio of favorites were keeping a very close eye on each other. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) was led up the climb by his teammates with the teenage Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM) and Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) stuck to the World Champion's wheel. The faith in this trio's abilities will prove to be well founded, but more about that later.

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"The Expected Three LBL26-2" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Liege-Bastogne-Liege '26: Not Much Longer

The last three from the early breakaway knew their time out front was about to come to an end. Alexander Kamp (Uno X-Mobility) looks behind Hugo Houle (Alpecin-Premier Tech) and Gijs Leemreize (Picnic-PostNL) hoping not to see the closing peloton. With another eighty kilometers until getting back to Liege, the question now was will they be able to hold onto the others as they make the catch.

"Not Much Longer LBL26-1" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Thursday, April 23, 2026

Fleche Wallonne '26: Jeune, Fort, et Francais

I apologize if the French is wrong in the title. Translated, I hope it reads as "Young, Strong, and French". Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM) jumps free of the peloton claiming victory in Fleche Wallonne atop the Mur de Huy by three seconds over the rest of the peloton. With this win he becomes the youngest male cyclist to win at the tender age of nineteen! Behind him are Mauro Schmid (Jayco-Alula) and Ben Tulett (Visma-Lease a Bike) respectively finishing out the podium. Benoit Cosnefroy (UAE Team Emirates) claimed fourth finishing six seconds ahead of the rest of the field. As Bob Rolle and Christian Vandevelde, "the hype is real" referring to the young Seixas. Will he eventually be the guy to finally reclaim the Tour de France for the French?

"Jeune, Fort, et Francais FW26-7" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Fleche Wallonne '26: Inside the Final Kilometer

With a mere 600 meters until the finale, all of the favorites were massed at the front of the peloton waiting for the right moment to launch their attacks. The front line was composed of two not expected to be there, Joan Bou (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA) and Ben Tulett (Visma-Lease a Bike) and the odds-on favorite Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM). The next row, theoretically better positioned, were the Swiss champion Mauro Schmiel (Jayco-Alula), Romain Gregoire (Groupama-FDJ-United) and Benoit Cosnefroy (UAE Team Emirates). It was nice to see Alex Baudin (EF Education-EasyPost) leading up the remnants of those hoping to vie for the win at the summit of the Mur de Huy.

"Inside the Final Kilometer FW26-6" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Fleche Wallonne '26: Shades of Mont Ventoux

I admit that this title is a bit of a deep dive into pro-cycling history (and my paintings of the Tour de France). I refer to when Chris Froome (riding for Sky - the team now known as Ineos-Grenadiers) crashed into a race moto near the finish of the climb of Mont Ventoux. I was naturally reminded of and amused by this scene of Axel Laurance (Ineos-Grenadiers) running along with his bike in hopes that his team car will soon arrive before the peloton is too far ahead. I should note that this time he took his bike with him unlike Froome so long ago. Passing him (still on his bike) is Eduard Prades (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA). All of this was occuring under the watchful eye of one of the race commissares on the back of a motorcycle (the guy in the red jacket just ahead of the cyclists).

"Shades of Mont Ventoux FW26-5" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Fleche Wallonne '26: Just You & Me

Jardi Christiaan Van Der Lee (EF Education-EasyPost) looks over his shoulder at Andreas Leknessund (Uno X-Mobility) seemingly letting his breakaway companion it is just the two of them off the front now. With thirty-three kilometers to race the pair had twelve seconds over their erstwhile companions and forty-two seconds over the chasing peloton. To be fair, the pair chasing did manage to catch back on not too long after this was painted. Also, Leknessund was the last to be caught by the peloton with just six kilometers left to race. If there is a most combative prize in a one-day race, he should certainly be the one to win that honor today.

"Just You & Me FW26-4" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Fleche Wallonne '26: Any Takers?

As the peloton went over the top of the Huy de Mur for the first time Raul Garcio Pierna (Movistar) went on the attack off the front. After opening up a slight gap, he looked back to see if anyone was going to join him in his escape effort. Several joined him, they got caught, he went again, and then it all came to not. Of course, there was still over seventy kilometers to race, it was a bit early to go for a winning move. I do realize that there are still four guys off the front that have been there for a least a hundred kilometers all ready.

"Any Takers? FW26-3" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Fleche Wallonne '26: Not Where He Should Be

As the peloton climbed the Cote de Cherave for the first of three times, the camera man picked out Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Cycling) dangling at the back of the pack. He was struggling to hold onto the wheel of Anders Halland Johannessen (Uno X-Mobility). With another 78 kilometers to race it was looking unlikely that he will not be winning his fourth Fleche Wallonne. I could have been that he was faking weakness, but he did pull out of the race not too long after I painted this. At least, I think it wasn't soon after, I do know he didn't finish this edition of this iconic race.

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"Not Where He Should Be FW26-2" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Fleche Wallonne '26: Checking In

After doing his share of work on the front of this quintet, Alan Jousseaume (TotalEnergies) checks in with Vincent Van Hemelen (Flanders-Baloise) and the rest of his early breakaway companions. They have been joined in the effort to stay away from the peloton by Jakub Otruba (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA), Jardi Christiaan Van Der Lee (EF Education-EasyPost), Sjoerd Bax (Pinarello-Q 36.5) and Andreas Leknessund (Uno X-Mobility). With over ninety kilometers to go until the base of the final fabled climb of the Mur de Hoy, they were holding over two minutes on the peloton of favorites behind.

"Checking In FW26-1" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Paris Roubaix '26: Time to Celebrate

When it came down to just Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) and Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) in the finale on the velodrome it seemed likely it would be Van Aert to take the two-up sprint to win this edition of Paris Roubaix. After all, Van Aert has won the sprint finale on the Champs Elysees of the Tour de France. He has been seeking the victory on the velodrome of Roubaix his whole career, so it was now surprise that he broke down in tears after holding off the man many consider the best bike racer of all time. I'm still in the camp of Eddy Merxyk personally. It should be noted that Pogacar has only competed twice in Paris Roubaix and has taken second place both times.

"Time to Celebrate PR26-9" (Original art by Greig Leach) - This painting has sold!

Paris Roubaix '26: Stuck Together

Despite each having tried their best to drop the other, Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) were unable to get free. As they raced through Sector 3, Gruson, they still had twenty-six seconds over the small group behind. With just over fourteen kilometers to race, it seemed a bit unlikely that it would be anyone other than these two who would compete to win the next Cobble Stone trophy since the inception one hundred and thirty years ago.

"Stuck Together PR26-8" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Monday, April 13, 2026

Paris Roubaix '26: How Soon?

Unable to hold onto the wheels of the two leaders, Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) spent a long time caught between them and those chasing behind. With forty-nine kilometers to race he was twenty seconds off the pace and only seven seconds ahead of the Mathieu Van Der Poel led chasers. He felt them coming as he started looking back to see just how long it may be before he could get some extra help in his (and their) attempt to get back to the front of the race.

"How Soon? PR26-7" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix '26: Any Way You Can

Sector 11 is one of the 5-star sectors of pave. Five stars are the hardest sections. Many take the risk of riding in the dirt and gravel on the side of the cobbles. In this chase Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) had misjudged a corner trying to go up inside of Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike). The move ended up with him in the grass just missing some fans who were fortunately paying attention to the race. His error gave Van Aert a chance to open a bit of a gap, but once righted, Pogacar regained the Belgium's wheel. The two were now increasing their advantage over the rest of the field. At this point they had twenty-five seconds over those behind with just another 51 kilometers left to race.

"Any Way You Can PR26-6" (Original art by Greig Leach) - This painting has sold!

Paris Roubaix '26: Closer and Closer

After his trials in the Forest of Arenberg, Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) was forced to chase hard and mainly on his own in hopes of regaining the front of the race. Forty kilometers after the forest he had seventy-seven seconds helped occasionally by Flippo Ganna (Ineos-Grenadiers). They were followed by the Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe teammates, Gianni Vermeersch and Tim Van Dijke along with someone from TotalEnergies. The others seemed either unable or unwilling to help in the effort of recatching those up the road.

"Closer and Closer PR26-5" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix '26: Tough Time in the Forest

The Trouvee d'Arenberg claims the hopes of many in their goal to win (or even finish) Paris Roubaix. So it seems for Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech). He was with a teammate who passed him his bike, but apparently, they road different pedals so Van Der Poel was unable to pedal that bike. Meanwhile another teammate had switched out his own good wheel onto the defending champion's bike, but it seemed that didn't work either. By the time he was reached by his team car and mechanic he was now two minutes behind the front of the race. He does have 92 kilometers to chase back, but those are not mere mortals that are up the road. Of course, he isn't a mere mortal either.

"Tough Time in the Forest PR26-4" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix '26: Forced to Chase

After he got back onto his own bike, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) set about the arduous task of chasing down the leaders on the road. In the eighteen kilometers since he had his mechanical he has pulled himself within nineteen seconds as he bumped across another pave sector. Behind him Max Walscheid (Lidl-Trek), Matej Mohoric (Bahrain-Victorious) and Rasmus Pedersen (Decathlon CMA CGM) were thrilled to have such a strong rider to help pull them along. Will they still be on his wheel when he rejoins the front of the race?

"Forced to Chase PR26-3" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix '26: Saved by Shimano

With this team car way back behind the peloton, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) took a spare bike from the Shimano Neutral Service. While not ideal, it sure beat waiting minutes to get his spare off of his team car. Naturally, the neutral service bike wasn't set perfectly like his own spare, so once his team car can reach him, he will be changing bikes again. With another 120 kilometers to race, he can hope that his bad luck got out of the way early (unlike last year).

"Saved by Shimano PR26-2" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix '26: Bringing Wout Back

It is said of Paris Roubaix, "it isn't a question of if you will have bad luck, it is only a question of when." Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) had an early mechanical and was paced back to the peloton by his teammate Christophe Laporte with another 147 kilometers to race. Clearly, he has plenty of time to get back on, but it is never good to have to use energy chasing that you are going to need at the end of the day. Alexis Renard (Cofidis) was thrilled to have a strong duo to pull him back to the peloton over one of the early cobbled sectors.

"Bringing Wout Back PR26-1" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix Femmes '26: Beating the Odds

It was the German Champion, Franziska Koch (FDJ United-SUEZ), who was able to outsprint the veteran Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) to become the next Queen of Paris Roubaix! She was able to outsprint the Visma duo with both intelligent riding and a strong finishing sprint, thus beating the odds of winning against a pair of teammates. Chapeau! Or should I say Gluckwunsch!

"Beating the Odds PRF26-5" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix Femmes '26: On to the Velodrome

It was just three women who came onto the fable velodrome at the end of Paris Roubaix Femmes. They were led into the first lap by the defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Visma-Lease a Bike). She has made it clear throughout the race that she is here to ride for her teammate Marianne Vos who amazingly has yet to win in Roubaix. The duo was going to have to contend with the German champion Franziska Koch (FDJ United-SUEZ). The odds were clearly in the favor of the Visma women, but it still was uncertain who would be crowned the next Queen of Paris Roubaix. However, it was certain that all three will be on the podium in just over a lap around the Roubaix velodrome.

"On to the Velodrome PRF26-4" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix Femmes '26: We Need to Chase Now!

As the chasing peloton came off of another section of pave, Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) seemed to encourage those with her to help give chase for those up the road. Her teammate, Blanka Vas was dropped so she was free to try and catch the leaders. Her move was covered by the American Megan Jastrab (UAE Team ADQ) as Zoe Backstedt (Canyon/SRAM-zondacrypto) tried to join in the effort. At a minute and a half disadvantage with a mere 26 kilometers to race, it was unlikely that they would ever see the leaders on course again.

"We Need to Chase Now! PRF26-3" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix Femmes '26: Is the Podium Here?

Now that this quartet has almost a minute and a half on the chasers with only 26 kilometers left to the velodrome in Roubaix, it was beginning to feel certain that three of these women will be on the podium later today. The defending queen Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Visma-Lease a Bike) was doing a lot of the work for her teammate Marianne Vos. Both Blanka Vas (SD Worx-Protime) and Franziska Koch (FDJ United-SUEZ) were the beneficiaries of the Visma duo's work. They were cheered on by fans as the negotiated one of the cobbled corners in Sector 6 labeled Bourghelles a Wannehain.

"Is the Podium Here? PRF26-2" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix Femmes '26: Getting Off the Front

Despite not going live with the race coverage until just 50 kilometers in the women's Paris Roubaix, there was still a lot of racing (and cobbles) yet to go. Just before the coverage came on air, this foursome led by the defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Visma-Lease a Bike) had managed to get off the front of the main peloton. Her move was covered by her teammate, Marianne Vos, along with the Hungarian champion, Blanka Vas (SD Worx-Protime) and the German champion, Franziska Koch (FDJ United-SUEZ). With just over 44 kilometers to Roubaix, they have opened up a sixteen second advantage over the other hopefuls.

"Getting Off the Front PRF26-1" (Original art by Greig Leach)