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 7: Joining Forces

With three more kilometers to climb, this the third group on the road that included Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team L'IMAD) and her teammate Paula Blasi, Cedrine Kerbaol (EF Education-Oatly) and Antonia Niedermaier (Canyon/SRAM) have just about caught the two chasers up the road.  Their quarry, Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez) and the Maillot Jaune Marlen Reusser (Movistar) were losing time to the lone leader now a further kilometer up the road.  Blasi and Niedermaier were also competing for the Maillot Blanc of the best young rider currently on Niedermaier shoulders.  The two came to the summit together leaving the jersey where it was.

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: "Joining Forces TdFF26-46" (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 3: Watching Each Other

After attacking each other on the final climb of the day, this group of favorites sat up and looked to each other.  Amongst the group are the new Maillot a Pois, Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Premier Tech) on the rear of the group with Antonia Niedermaier (Canyon/SRAM) along with Kim Le Court-Piemaar (AG Insurance-Soudal).  It was Le Court who started the aggression but once covered seemed to decide to fight another day.  Towards the front is the defending Tour de France Femmes champion, Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Visma-Lease a Bike) and her teammate Femke De Vries amongst others.  They did sit up and let the rest of the peloton catch them.  In addition, they never caught the two up the road leaving the Visma-Lease a Bike duo's teammate Marianne Vos to sprint for third place on the 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: "Watching Each Other TdFF26-17" (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 →