Tour '25, Stage 18: Needing to Hang On

With just two more kilometers to the summit of the Col du Glandon, Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious) was losing touch with the breakaway.  While he is in the Maillot a Pois, he is in second placed tied with Tadej Pogacar who is wearing the Maillot Jaune instead.  Just ahead of him is the tail of the break, Andreas Leknessund (Uno X-Mobility), Cristian Rodriguez (Arkea-B&B Hotels), and Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates) who is one of the former wearers of the King of the Mountains Jersey.  Shockingly, the Frenchman with the Spanish name, rallied and took the maximum points at the first Haute Category Summit of the day.  He was the virtual leader in that competition until the final climb to the mountain top finish.  He was unable to score anymore points after this 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.

"Needing to Hang On TdF25-117" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 12: Recovering on the Climb

The young French rising star of this Tour, Kevin Vauquelin (Arkea-B&B Hotels) had been dropped in the first kilometer or two of the Hautacam, but he found his climbing legs as the twelve-kilometer ascent sloughed on.  He settled himself, found his rhythm and started clawing back those who had dropped him not long ago.  He proved that one can recover in a race, even in the middle of a tough, long climb. He finished the day fifth on the stage. Coincidentally, he moved himself to fifth in the general classification as well.  He is now less than a minute off of the Tour podium, and the same amout of time needed to reclaim the Maillot Blanc of best young rider.  He is the best place Frenchman in 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.

"Recovering on the Climb TdF25-79" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 10: Coming Back to the Group

Stage 10 was nothing but climb after climb the first coming just thirteen kilometers into the stage. After the Cote de Berzet Raul Garcia Pierna (Arkea-B&B Hotels) had to use the descent to chase back onto the breakaway.  He was successful in the effort as he went by the last vehicle in the following caravan that was followed by the flotilla of motorcycles and other race officials and team cars.  With seventy-three kilometers to go, it was likely he will be dropped yet again, but still, one must 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.

"Coming Back to the Group TdF25-60" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 7: I Got Close

Despite being the last member of the breakaway, Ewen Costiou (Arkea-B&B Hotels) was still about to be caught be the peloton. With 12.7 kilometers left of stage 7 he looked back to see the UAE led peloton about to swallow him up.  The catch came with exactly twelve kilometers to go.  His efforts weren't in vain.  He managed to pick up three King of the Mountains points along the way.  I fully expect he will be awarded the most aggressive rider of the stage, too.

This painting represents the third competitor in this Tour that I am painting for the very first 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. 

"I Got Close TdF25-44" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 7: Still Here

It was a bit different to see a former winner of the Tour de France off the front in a five-man breakaway.  But here is Geraint Thomas (Ineos-Grenadier) stocking up on gels as he rides along the Emerald Coast.  He joined Ivan Romeo (Movistar), Marco Haller (Tudor Pro Cycling), Ewan Costiou (Arkea-B&B Hotels) and Alex Baudin (EF Education-EasyPost) in another valiant effort to take stage honors away from the GC men.  With the quick final double climb of the Mur de Bretagne, it wasn't likely that any of the sprinters were going to be around for the finale, so it was a reasonably good chance for a break to succeed again today.  However, at 97 kilometers to race, the UAE led peloton has kept the break to only a minute and forty second advantage.

This is Geraint's final Tour de France, so I did want to take the opportunity to paint him one last time. He won back in 2018, the second year the time-lapse videos of my artwork were shared during the NBC Sports broadcasts 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. 

"Still Here TdF25-41" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 1: Trying to Stay Away

With another 110 kilometers to race it was a bit of a surprise to see the breakaway's advantage drop to just twenty-two seconds.  As the peloton drew close, it was Bruno Armirail (Decathlon-AG2R-La Mondiale) pushed the pace of his breakaway companions Benjamin Thomas (Cofidis), Mathis Le Berre (Arkea-B&B Hotels) and Jonas Rutsch (Intermache-Wanty).  There had been a fifth escapee, but he found the pace too much and dropped back into the relative safety of the peloton.  Thomas had grabbed the one king of the mountain points over the first climb.  I am sure he hoped to stay away to vie for the points at the second and/or third climbs of the day.  It didn't look like those behind were going to let that 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.

"Trying to Stay Away TdF25-2" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 5: Keep It Going!

The early breakaway was still off the front by 28 seconds with just fifteen kilometers left to race.  As the quartet continued to work together, they urged each other on.  You can see Jordan Labrosse (Decathlon-Ag2r-La Mondiale) chatting with Enzo Leijnse (Picnic-PostNL).  Behind Benjamin Thomas (Cofidis) and Thibault Guernalec (Arkea-B&B Hotels) are catching their breath before rolling through to the front to continue trying to hold off the slowly closing peloton.  Sadly, they were caught.  The sprinters had missed their chance in Stage 1, and they weren't about to let a breakaway ruin their chance for stage glory.

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.

"Keep It Going! CdD25-27" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 1: Continuing On

As he went over the penultimate climb of the day, Pierre Thierry (Arkea-B&B Hotels) sprinted to get the King of the Mountain points, but then that was all he had left.  He had been off the front all day.  His breakaway effort was extended once he had been joined by Fred Wright (Bahrain-Victorious), but he was no longer able to hold onto the wheel of the fresh Brit.  Wright continued on with his effort hoping the general classification riders would be too busy watching each other to bother chasing him down.  That wasn't exactly how the finale played out, but more on that 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 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.

"Continuing On CdD25-3" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Daphine '25, Stage 1: Grab and Go

After his erstwhile breakaway, Paul Ourselin (Cofidis), companion had sat up Pierre Thierry (Arkea-B&B Hotels) figured he would carry on with his effort.  Most likely that decision will earn him the most combative prize for the opening stage of the Criterium du Dauphine.  As he passed the 45 kilometers to go point, he found his soigneur and some nutrition to help him continue his solo fight.

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.

"Grab & Go CdD25-2" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Nice '25, Stage 2: Forced to Chase

As the speeding peloton went through a sharp right corner a crash tangled up many and ended the day for one of Arkea-B&B Hotels riders.  Many found themselves off the back and forced to chase down the still flying peloton.  One of those chasing (and sitting right on the bumper of his team car) was the Maillot Jaune of Tim Merlier (Soudal-Quick Step).  He was joined in this chase group by the Australian Champion, Luke Durbridge (Jayco-Alula) as well as, Miles Scotson (Arkea-B&B Hotels) and the two guys from Movistar, Will Barta and Jefferson Alveiro Cepeda.  They all caught back on.  Unfortunately for Durbridge he went down again in the intermediate sprint in Bellegarde.  The second time he didn't get back on the bike, ending his Paris Nice before it had really gotten started.  

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.

"Forced to Chase PN25-6" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Women's Omloop Nieuwsblad '25: Winning with Class

Cue the full-on groan of a dad joke.  I simple couldn't resist the pun of this title since it was Lotte Claes (Arkea-B&B Hotels) who took the victory ahead of her last remaining breakaway compainion Aurela Nerlo (Winspace Orange Seal).  The two had led the race from almost the first pedal strokes, and finished ahead of the lead two from the peloton by three and a half minutes.  It was truly a classy win, and her first win in the Women's World Tour to boot. Chapeau!

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.

"Winning with Class OHN25-4" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Women's Omloop Nieuwsblad '25: A Very Big Advantage

By the time the live coverage of the women's Omloop Nieuwsblad came on air there were only another thirty-six kilometers left to race.  This four-woman breakaway had built up quite the lead on the chasing peloton.  In fact, I would argue a ten-and-a-half-minute lead with so little road left to cover meant that one of these four women will be the next to win the Omloop today.  Lotte Claes (Arkea-B&B Hotels) had the most experience of the group as they climbed the Leberg.  On her wheel was Aurela Nerlo (Winspace Orange Seal), followed in turn by Elena Pirrone (Rolands) and Mieke Docx (Lotto).  None of them have a Women's World Tour victory in their palmares yet, so someone should be having a very momentous day 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 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.

"A Very Big Advantage OHN25-1" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Men's Tour Down Under '25, Stage 4: Working as One

After the sprint, the four escapees got back to working together as they pushed out their advantage over the peloton.  The group has just gone over the first categorized climb of the day, Parawa Hill, where they rolled through uncontested with Mauro Schmid (Jayco-Alula) on the front.  The Swiss Champion was followed in turn by Giosue Epis (Arkea-B&B Hotels), Ide Schelling (XDS-Astana), and Taco Van Der Hoorn (Intermache-Wanty).  With seventy kilometers left to go, their advantage of a bit over a minute didn't look super promising.  But then, sitting in the peloton, they would have considerably less chance than being out here on the front.

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.

"Working as One TDU25-33" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Final Stage: Wardrobe!

My wife, Bridget Gethins, works in film, so the title comes from the call on set for someone from the wardrobe department, "Wardrobe!"  As Demi Vollering (SD Work-Protime) prepared to drop down off the summit of the Col du Glandon, her soigneur held out her jacket so that Vollering could slide her arm in the sleeve as she road by.  Her soigneur deftly does the jacket over her shoulder in one flawless motion.  I have never seen that done in a race before.  It does remind me of a fast costume change that goes on backstage in a play.  On Vollering's other side is Valentina Cavallar (Arkea-B&B Hotels) who had gone over the climb first with the others on her wheel.

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.

"Wardrobe! TdFF24-41" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Final Stage: Bridging Up to the Leaders

Roughly half way up the Col du Glandon Valentina Cavallar (Arkea-B&B Hotels) jumps clear of the peloton to go searching for the leaders on the road.  According to the GPS she has another seventeen seconds to catch the seven ahead, but she has already put eighteen seconds into the group she left behind.  With another six kilometers of climbing on the penultimate climb of this Tour, she was putting herself in a great position for the final climb to the top of the Alpe d'Huez.

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.

"Bridging Up to the Leaders TdFF24-39" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 5: She Tried

The race commissare on the back of the motorcycle was making sure that no cars or motorbikes were between Maeva Squiban (Arkea-B&B Hotels) and the peloton.  Since she was slowly being reeled in by the group behind, he didn't want them to get any extra advantage in their chase by catching a draft off any of the press or support vehicles.  Squiban had gone off on her own in hopes of bridging up to the three leaders but it just didn't work out for her.  At least she tried.  It wasn't a day for just sitting in the peloton and hoping you could outsprint everyone else, particularly if you aren't known for your sprinting prowess.

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.

"She Tried TdFF24-25" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 19: Over the Top of the Tour

The Cime de la Bonette not only was a Haute Catagorie climb, it is also the highest point of this Tour de France.  With such a distinction, it also carried double King of the Mountain points to whomever went over first.  And a corresponding extra number of points for each following position over the top.  With Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) claiming the maximum points on this climb as well, he is now the virtual King of the Mountains.  He was followed over the top of the Tour by Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) and his teamate Wilco Kelderman.  Just tangling off of this trio is Cristian Rodriguez (Arkea-B&B Hotels).  They had dropped the main breakaway group of about another five guys.  Visma-Lease a Bike look like they have a plan to try and steal time back on the Maillot Jaune.  By putting these two guys off the front, their leader, Jonas Vingegaard has some helpers should he be able to get away from the peloton.  Will he attack on this 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 $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.  

"Over the Top of the Tour TdF24-118" (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 7 ITT, Unexpectedly Good

I certainly didn't think that Kevin Vauquelin (Arkea-B&B Hotels) would be one to post a new best time at the finish.  But then, he has already won a stage of this year's Tour by holding off the chasing peloton.  Perhaps, he has much better legs than any of us think.  Of course, he only held the hot seat for a few minutes before his time was beaten by three quarters of a second.  He finished the day in sixth place on the stage.  Naturally, he is still way down the leader board in 87th overall.

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.

"Unexpectedly Good TdF24-34" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 2: First for Him & the Team

Not only did Kevin Vauquelin (Arkea-B&B Hotels) win his first stage in the Tour de France today.  It was also the first time his team has ever won a stage.  That now makes two out of two stage wins for the French.  Unlike, Bardet yesterday, Vauquelin will not be pulling on the Maillot Jaune.  He did manage to make the early break and then ride away from all of his erstwhile companions on the two climbs of the Cote de San Luca.  He did move up 68 places on the General Classification into 71st place, but as he said, he had a terrible first stage of the Tour.  Clearly, stage two was far superior for him and the team!

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.

"First for Him & the Team TdF24-10" (Original art by Greig Leach)