Tour '26, Stage 12: His Third

Tim Merlier (Soudal-Quick Step) came from a ways back to take out his third stage of this Tour de France.  Despite a crash not far from the front of the peloton, none of the marquee sprinters were involved in the mayhem.  Although, the first to go down was the sprinter for Caja Rural-Seguros, Fernando Gaviria.  The general classification riders were caught behind but all will be awarded the same time since the crash happened within the final five kilometers.  Merlier outsprinted Olav Kooij (Decathlon-CMA CGM) who was second followed by Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech). Philipsen had a perfect lead-out but just doesn't have the punch to hold of the Belgium sprinter.  Biniam Girmay (NSN Cycling) was fourth.  A little further back you can spy Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies) and Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek).  While I am sure Mads would have preferred to have done better, he did well enough in ninth to maintain a solid lead in the race for the Maillot Vert.  With no more pure sprint stages in the Tour (now that the final stage into Paris includes the climb up Montmartre), it seems that as long as he is able to stay in the race, the Green Jersey will be his.

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: "His Third TdF26-85" (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 5: Dry Run

With just one guy off the front and the peloton all together, the intermediate sprint was the chance for a dry run of the expected sprint finale in another 45 kilometers' time.  I was surprised to see Max Kanter (XDS-Astana) pop out to grab second place ahead of some of the marquee sprinters of the peloton.  He had a bike length or two on the Maillot Vert of Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) and Biniam Girmay (NSN Cycling).  A little bit further back was the French sprinter Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies) who seems to be hanging around near the front of the sprints, but not quite getting the right jump on the others.  I'm not quite sure what this says about the coming sprint in Pau, but I do know it should be an exciting one.

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: "Dry Run TdF26-34" (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 2: First Sprint

I was thrilled to see Biniam Girmay (NSN Cycling) take the best of the rest in the first intermediate sprint of this Tour de France.  He was chased to the line in Viladecans by Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek), Michael Matthews (Jayco-Alula), Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies), and Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech).  With the breakaway still off the front, the peloton didn't get the chance to sprint for maximum points, so most likely, the next Maillot Vert will go to whomever wins today's stage.

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: "First Sprint TdF26-9" (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 '25, Stage 19: That Should Seal It

Lidl-Trek hit the front as soon as Prudhome waved the flag at kilometer zero.  They were off with one sole purpose today and that was to get the maximum sprint points for their man Jonathan Milan.  With this intermediate sprint he should now have enough points to carry the Maillot Vert all of the way to Paris.  Should Tadej Pogacar not win the stage that should make it mathematically impossible for the yellow jersey to win the green one too.  So yet again, Milan out sprinted everyone within his group at the intermediate sprint out gunning Biniam Girmay (Intermarche-Wanty) and Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies).  His team has been so strong that the USA Champion Quinn Simmons who is on his team took fourth in the sprint.  Even he had the legs to outsprint Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno X-Mobility).  Although, I discovered moments later that Abrahamsen was preparing for the post sprint counter move to start the breakaway.

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

"That Should Seal It TdF25-125" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '25, Stage 8: Adding to His Collection

Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) has been perfect at sprinting against the bunch in every intermediate sprint in this Tour thus far.  Today, he was able to sprint for the maximum of twenty points in Vitre. I keep thinking this is close to the French word for 'fast.'  Milan was certainly fast.  Try as the might, the trio of Tim Merlier (Soudal-Quickstep), Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies) and Biniam Girmay (Intermarche-Wanty) couldn't get within a half a bike length of the guy wearing the Maillot Vert.  At this point he sits in second place in the sprinters' competition, but this addition to his collection of points will set him up to retake the lead at the stage's finale.  Milan just missed getting his first Tour de France stage win when Merlier beat him in a photo finish.  I'm worried about Girmay, he just doesn't have the pop that won him that same green jersey last 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 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. 

"Adding to His Collection TdF25-49" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 1: Winding It Up

Alpecin-Deceuninck had led out the final fifteen kilometers of the opening stage of the Tour beautifully.  With just about 75 meters to go, the deliver Jasper Philipsen to the front at full speed.  Try as they might Biniam Girmay (Intermache-Wanty) wasn't able to come around him.  Jasper took the stage by roughly five bike lengths, with Girmay taking second.  Behind, Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies) was fourth, Matteo Trentin (Tudor) fifth, Clement Russo (Groupama-FDJ) sixth, and Soren Werenskjold (Uno X-Mobility) took the third step of the peloton.  The result puts Philipsen in both the Maillot Jaune and the Maillot Vert, with Girmay in the Maillot Blanc of best young rider.  Girmay sits second in both the sprint competition and the general classification.

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.

"Winding It Up TdF25-6" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 5: Traffic Jam

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

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

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

Tour '24, Stage 16: All About Points

Bryan Coquard (Cofidis) finally got the better of all of the sprinters, too bad it was for the intermediate sprint and not the finale.  However, he and the guys that finished second and fifth, Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies) and Arnaud De Lie (Lotto-Dstny) are virtually tied behind the two leaders in the competiton for the Maillot Vert of best sprinter in this Tour.  Finishing second in this sprint in Les Matellettes was Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) who closed in on the lead of Biniam Girmay (Intermache-Wanty) who took fourth.  I doubt they went full gas since the real points are awarded at the finish line in another 96 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 $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"All About Points TdF24-95" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 13: Into the Barriers

One of the lead-out men for Lotto-Dstny leaned heavily into Amaury Capriot (Arkea-B&B Hotels) as he went by.  When he came off of his shoulder Capriot over compensated and lost his balance.  As he lost control, he took out Cees Pol (Astana-Qazaqstan) who went head over heels and blocked the way for the Lotto-Dstny sprinter, Arnaud De Lie.  A bit ironic since the crash was caused trying to move him towards the front for the sprint.  I don't normally paint crashes, I don't want to glorify the gory of the sport, but this being the thirteenth stage, it seemed appropriate.  Many, including, Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies) were able to avoid the flying bikes and bodies, but any that were behind the pile-up saw any chance of winning the stage go up the road.  The five-kilometer rule will mean that these guys will all get the same time as the stage winner should they be able to get up and walk or ride across the finish line.  Oddly, if they walk to the line, they must have their bike with them.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Into the Barriers TdF24-75" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 12: Getting Things Done

Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X Mobility) drops back off of the wheel of Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies) and his other two breakaway companions to stock up on bottles and advice before the final climb of the day.  Abrahamsen his wearing the Maillot a Pois on loan from the leader of both the King of the Mountains competition and the leader of the Tour, Tadej Pogacar.  Abrahamsen has already gotten the two of the three points available out on the course.  If he manages to grab the last point in seventeen kilometers he will draw even with Pogacar.  Pogacar will remain in the lead tonight, but again, Abrahamsen will be wearing the Polka Dots at the start 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 $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Getting Things Done TdF24-67" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 9: The Dash to the Line

Derek Gee (Israel-Premier Tech) was the first to open up his sprint followed quickly by Tom Pidcock (Ineos-Grenadiers).  The pair got beat to the line by Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies).  Turgis' win makes the third stage won by a Frenchman this Tour.  It is also the fifth first time Tour win this year.  Or sixth if you want to count the one guy, Biniam Girmay, who has won two stages, but they were the first he has ever won in the Tour.  This has been a Tour of first, for riders, for teams with the notable exception of Mark Cavendish's 35th Tour stage win earlier this week.  Just off the podium, and barely in the frame of this artwork, is Alex Aranburu, the Spanish Champion on Movistar.  His team had three men in the break for most of the day, so it is even more frustrating for him that he couldn't finish it off at the line in Troyes.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"The Dash to the Line TdF24-51" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 9: There He Goes!

The breakaway was closing in on the final ten kilometers of the stage and were still off the front of the peloton that contained the top places of the general classification.  That meant it was time for those that don't pack a great sprint to try and drop the others.  As the most recent effort by Tom Pidcock (Ineos-Grenadiers) and Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies) came back together, the resulting lull in the pace was the perfect moment for Jasper Stuyven (Lidl-Trek) to make his own attack.  He was able to build a nice solo effort for the ensuing nine kilometers.  Spoiler... Alas, he was caught inside of the final kilometer of today's finish in Troyes.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"There He Goes! TdF24-50" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France 23, Stage 16 ITT: The Devil's Wife

At least I think this is a woman dressed a bit like Didi Stenft, but not anywhere near as enthusiastic.  And she swapped the colors of Didi's Devil horns from red to black.  I did see this person later in the broadcast and I am not 100% sure if it is a woman or a man, so perhaps this is the Devil's brother instead.  Nevertheless, they were one of tens of thousands lining both sides of the road for all of the twenty two kilometers of the time trial course.  Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies) has been attacking the Tour whenever possible, and he was putting in another hard ride today.  I suspect he will be back looking for the break away again 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 painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2023/3966014-104-297438/Painting/the-devils-wife-tdf23-104.html

 

Tour de France 23, Stage 8: Hoping to Get There Alone

Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies) had been in a three man break for most of the day, but by the time he was just twelve kilometers from Limoges, he was on his own.  He still had about thirty-five seconds advantage.  That however doesn't fit the formula of the peloton being able to pull back ten kilometers every minute.  With that in mind, he would most likely be caught with about five kilometers to go.  The math worked, and he wasn't there to fight out for stage honors.

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 painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2023/3964393-45-297438/Painting/hoping-to-get-there-alone-tdf23-45.html

Tour de France 23, Stage 8: The Chaser Is Now the Chasee

There are certain constants in the Tour de France.  One of those is that you will find Tim Declercq (Soudal-Quick Step) on the front of the peloton chasing down a break away most every flat to semi-flat stage of teh Tour.  Not today.  Today it was 'the tractor' off the front with two companions.  Anthony Delaplace (Arkea-Samsic) and Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies) must have been thrilled to have the man usually responsible for killing their break away dreams, helping them to have a chance to fulfill them.  As they headed up the Cat 3 climb of the day, the Cote de Champs Romain, they had almost five minutes on the peloton.  It is still a stage marked down as on for the sprinters, so their chances of success are slim.  But with Declercq, they are a little less slim than they would have been otherwise.

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 painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2023/3964389-43-297438/Painting/the-chaser-is-now-the-chasee-tdf2343.html

Gent=Wevelgem 23, Men's Race: You Game?

With the peloton all back together having just caught Anthony Turgis (Total Energies), it was Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) using the second time up the Kimmelberg to push the pace in hopes of dropping as many as possible.  As he looked back he found his teammate, Christophe Laporte, the only one staying with him on the slick cobbles of the fabled hill.  Surprisingly, it was the sprinter Caleb Ewan (Lotto Dstny) who was the best of the rest.  It did seem as though Ewan had a bit of trouble getting around the fading Turgis which may explain why he couldn't go with the yellow clad duo.  As I restarted the race -after painting this I began to realize that I had just painted the winning move of this edition of Gent-Wevelgem.

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 painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3942459-510-195767/Painting/you-game-gw23-3.html

 

Milano Sanremo: Willing to Lose, Managing to Win

 I have heard a saying in cycling, "You have to be willing to lose in order to win."  Today's bold move by Matej Mohoric (Bahrain-Victorious) was prove of that adage.  Mohoric went all in on his one shot to drop the peloton.  And his descent down the Poggio was a frightening thing to watch.  He was brushing the walls on nearly every turn trying to keep his speed up.  It seemed as though he might crash at every turn, but that kind of effort was what it was going to take to hold off those trying to get back on terms with the Slovenian champion.  As they came into the finishing straight on the Via Roma, it looked like Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies) might just catch the wheel of the bold Mohoric.  Yet it was Mohoric who beat his chest and pointed to his team's name on his jersey as Turgis pounded on his handlebars in frustration of missing out on victory.  The French sprinter had gotten clear of some of the early favorites who were just behind him including Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix), Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma), and Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo).  Pedersen was my prediction for victory today, but that shows why I am not a betting man.

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 painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3873555-470-195767/Painting/willing-to-lose-managing-to-win-ms22-7.html

Paris NIce 2022: Off He Goes

Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates) had dropped to the back of the ten man early break to pass his arm warmers to his team car and grab a bottle.  From the back he jumped on his pedals sweeping around everyone on a steep hairpin turn.  Both Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies) and Harm Vanhoucke (Lotto Soudal) tried to go with the violent acceleration of the American on the Arabian team.  They, nor anyone else in the break, could cover the move as they watched his wheels roll away from them.  They should have realized that if he got a gap, they most likely wouldn't see him again.  Perhaps, they knew, but just couldn't do anything about it.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3871507-59-272742/Painting/off-he-goes-pn22-22.html

Gent-Wevelgem 2021: Probably Too Late

 With just under 10 kilometers left to race, Anthony Turgis (Total Direct Energie) probably left his attack too late.  He opened up a gap on the second group on the road but he still had another 46 seconds make up on the lead group and not much road to do it.  Behind him Sam Bennett (Deceunick-Quick Step) was going backwards once he had blown all of his energy reserves (and his lunch) from the effort to stay with the lead group up the Baneberg and the over two hundred kilometers of racing already covered.  Turgis never caught the group, but his efforts did give him a top ten finish.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow th edirect link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above.  Since ti is an original work of art, it is a first come first seved reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburth watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-2021/3802983-24-290150/Painting/probably-too-late-gw21-6.html

Ronde Van Vlaanderen, Off the Front

 Everyone had been waiting for the move and at 44 kilometers up the Oude Kwareberg it came.  Anthony Turgis (Total Direct Energie) had set himself up as the perfect springboard for Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step).  Alaphilippe is riding his debut Ronde Van Vlaanderen and was hoping his Rainbow Jersey would take him to victory at the end of the day.  This duo had opened some clear daylight between themselves and the peloton, but there was still quite a few kilometers of racing to go and anything could happen... 

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow th edirect link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above.  Since ti is an original work of art, it is a first come first seved reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburth watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2020-Bike-Racing-Revised-Season/3722730-34-280747/Painting/off-the-front-rvv20-5.html