Tour '26, Stage 6: Sprinting Over the Aspin

Having caught, and dropped, the lone attacker Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal-Quick Step) and Lenny Martinez (Bahrian-Victorious) sprinted for the ten King of the Mountain points over the summit of the Col d'Aspin.  Martinez won the sprint by a tire width.  He was hoping to build points towards wearing the Maillot a Pois like he did when the Tour came over this same climb last year.  Should he manage to go over the next two climbs in first, he will accomplish that goal.  He didn't, but he now sits in third behind the two big names in contemporary cycling, Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard.  No shame in trailing those two.

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: "Sprinting Over the Aspin TdF26-40" (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 6: Struggling on the Aspin

The King of the Mountains in his full polka-dot kit found the climb of the Col d'Aspin a bit too much.  As Alex Baudin (EF Education-EasyPost) continued to scale the Category 1 climb he could see the peloton beginning to slip away.  With the peloton the Maillot a Pois that he held for three days was also slipping away from his grasp.  The peloton was under the control of UAE Team Emirates and their pace was destroying the peloton on the way up the 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.

Purchase this painting here: "Struggling Up the Aspin TdF26-39" (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 14: Chasing Over the Aspin

After Lenny Martinez went over the Col d'Aspin first, it was the American Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal-Quick Step) chasing him as hard as they could.  Off to their left the Danish fans were waiting to cheer for their man, Jonas Vingegaard.  The mist had settled over this climb, too.  These two were able to close to Martinez down the other side despite the slippery wet roads.  Happily, everyone got down this climb, and I think all of the descents, safely.

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.

"Chasing Over the Aspin TdF25-90" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes 23, Stage 7: The Same Three

You can glean a lot of information from the bib numbers on the backs of these jersey.  The bib number that ends in a one is the team's leader.  The first bib number, the number 1, goes to the defending champion of a particular race (assuming they are there to defend their title the next year). The same is true for the number eleven except that they were second the prior year, and the twenty-one would have been third.  Clearly it is looking like the race is going to come down to the same three women again this year.  The question remains, what order will they be in on the final podium.  Then there are the jersey that the bib numbers are on.  Number one is on the Rainbow jersey of the UCI Road World Champion, and the number eleven is on the magenta jersey of the Women's World Tour points leader.  Only Katarzyn Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM) is wearing her own team kit.  Annemiek Van Vleutin (Movistar) is in the Rainbow bands, and Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime) is who is leading in the WWT points race.  Clearly some very gifted riders are of the front of the peloton on the Col d'Aspin.

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-2023/3968941-185-297438/Painting/the-same-three-tdff23-41.html

 

Tour de France Femmes 23, Stage 7: Attacking on the Col d'Aspin

Just because everyone knows you are going to do something at a certain point, it doesn't mean they are going to be able to keep it from succeeding.  Once the last of her teammates had rolled off the front Annemiek Van Vleutin (Movistar) launched her attack on the Col d'Aspin.  Most had figured she wouldn't wait until the final climb, so it was expected.  At first the only two that could go with the acceleration were Katarzyn Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM) and Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (AG Insurance-Soudal-Quick Step).  Trying to catch on, but not quite making the jump was Juliette Labous (DSM-firmenich).  This was looking like what would determine the final destination of the Maillot Jaune for the second edition of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.  But there is about nine kilometers to climb on this category one climb and then it will be up to the top of the Haute Catagorie Col du Tourmalet.

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-2023/3968940-184-297438/Painting/attacking-on-the-col-daspin-tdff23-40.html

 

Tour de France Femmes 23, Stage 7: Checking on the Polka Dots

On the Col d'Aspin Yara Kastelijn (Fenix-Deceuninck) in her Maillot a Pois, was being looked after by her teammate Julie Van De Velde, who had worn the polka dots for a day herself.  On the climb they dropped off the lead group but formed a second peloton with Alena Amialiusik (UAE Team ADQ), Caroline Andersson (Liv Racing TeqFind) and others.  Hopefully, Kastelijn was just going through a rough patch and would soon be able to catch the leaders.  She will need to score points on this climb if she wants to ensure that she will go out of the Tour de France Femmes as the Queen of the Mountains.

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-2023/3968909-183-297438/Painting/checking-on-the-polka-dots-tdff23-39.html

 

Tour de France 23, Stage 6: Polka Dots, Virtually

I kind of stumbled when titling this painting.  I meant to write "Virtual Polka Dots" but when working with ink and with watercolors, you have to learn to accept your mistakes and then figure out a way to make them work.  The same could be said for Neilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost).  He missed the early break, but put in the effort to chase them down.  He went over the previous climb first uncontested.  Now he was being challenged at the summit of the Cat 1 Col d'Aspin by Gorka Izagirre (Movistar) as Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) looked on.  Van Aert was the man that went from the moment Prudhomme waved the flag that started the stage.  Clearly, he was on a mission today.  The question is, what is that missioin?  Is he riding for the stage, or is he setting something up for his team leader deep into the final kilometers of 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 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-2023/3964044-31-297438/Painting/polka-dots-virtually-tdf23-31.html

Tour '22, Stage 17: Getting Away on the Col d'Aspin

With this painting, I have now painted at least one rider on every of the 22 teams in the Tour this year.  Astana Qazaqstan has had a very quiet race, but today their leader Alexey Lutsenko decided he had had enough of riding in the shadows.  On the wasy up the first big climb of the day the Col d'Aspin, both he and Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) went off the front of the early break away.  They built up a sizable advantage over the peloton, but there was a chance to fight for the Miallot Jaune behind.  The speed of the infighting in the peloton meant that these two were reeled back in on the next climb of the 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 painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3894797-104-294403/Painting/getting-away-on-the-col-daspin-tdf22-105.html

Tour, Stage 19: The Struggle Is Real

At this point in the Tour, the struggle is very real, for everyone.  While Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrophe) is suffering from the injuries recieved on a fall two stages ago, everyone from the first to the last on general classification are in a world of hurt - except, possiblily those who have already gone home.  Sagan was struggling up the first big climb up the Col d'Aspin.  He had hurt his gluteous maximus (his butt) and just pedaling was a struggle.  He is being escorted up the climbs by his teammate and friend Daniel Oss.  Others joined the riding wounded and suffering sprinters including Maximiliano Richeze (Quick Step).  Sagan's goal today is to survive, get to the finish before the time limit and try and recover as much as possible.  With an Individual Time Trial tomorrow, he just has to ride as easy as possible and hope he will be ready for the sprint on the Champs Elysee to wrap up the Tour.

This is the painting from this stage that you can watch being created on my You Tube Channel.  I hope you enjoy watching this watercolor come to life as I talk about the Tour, creating successful watercolors and whatever art and cycling issues that come to mind as I paint.  I encourage you to subscribe to the channel so you will know when I post another video of my artistic process.

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

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2018/3195408-100-251072/PaintingThe-Struggle-Is-Real--T18-99.html

Tour, Stage 7: Alone at the Summit

I feel that this painting most captures the day for Steve Cummings (Team Dimension Data).  As the British rider reached the summit of the Col d'Aspin he was greeted by a hugh Union Jack, waving him on to victory on the stage.  According to the British broadcasting team on NBC Sports Network, Cummings had been passed over for inclusion in the Olympic team representing Great Britain.  I am sure he had the extra joy of winning this stage and thumbing his nose at his Olympic committee.  Cummings gained even more time on the trio behind on his way down into Lac du Payolle.  I will use this as his victory salute painting because it shows what he did to get the win.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

To buy this painting follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2820991-46-224974/PaintingAlone%20at%20the%20Summit%20TdF46-Greig-Leach.html#.V4AK9bgrLIU

Tour, Stage 7: Toiling Up the Aspin

These three, Daryl Impey (Orica-BikeExchange), Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) and David Navarro (Cofidis) were toiling up the Col d'Aspin after one man up the road.  The trio seemed unable to close the gap to Steve Cummings (Dimension Data) just as Nibali was unable to shake the other two off of his wheel.  It was becoming clear that the former winner of the Tour, had left to much energy on the roads of Italy on his way to winning the Giro d'Italia just forty days ago.  The stretch of road seemed to leave no place for fans to stand, so this looks just a bit forlorn.  Although not as forlorn as I suspect as Nibali's emotional state in being unable to claim the stage.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

To buy this painting follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2820967-45-224974/PaintingToiling%20Up%20the%20Aspin%20TdF45-Greig-Leach.html#.V4AEJ7grLIU

Tour de France Stage 11 I Can't Go W\with You

With the early break almost four minutes up the road, Dan Martin (Cannondale Garmin) jumped out of the peloton in search of the men up the road.  He was joined by Andriy Grivko (Astana) but as the pair where about half way up the Col d'Aspin, Grivko seemed to be losing steam.  As Martin flicked his elbow, a sign for the rider behind to come around and take a pull, Grivko stayed where he was.  After a few more elbow flicks, Martin turned around and Grivko gave him the hands to the neck symbol, I am done for.  Martin thin jumped on the pedals leaving the Astana rider to be picked up by the peloton, as he went on in search of the top of the climb.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for just $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Don't delay, this is a one of a kind original, so once it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2580858---210122/Painting.html#.VaauwPlViko

Tour de France Stage 11: On Their Way Up

On the heels of a most difficult first stage in the Pyrennes, today the peloton set out to conquer to of the infamous climbs of the Tour.  This break of Thomas Voeckler (Europcar), Serge Pauwels (MTN-Qhubeka), Rafal Majka (Tinkoff Saxo) and Emanuel Buchman (Bora-Argon 18) amongst others were the first to hit the lower slopes of the Col d'Aspin.  Voeckler was hoping to repeat some of his earlier career exploits where he has escaped the peloton and gone on to solo for a victory.  Having Majka along might make that a little more difficult to achieve.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for just $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2580828---210122/Painting.html#.Vaaf5_lViko