Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 8: Mutual Respect

After the finale of the Criterium du Dauphine both Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) and Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) shook hands.  It was clear that they truly respect each other and each other's abilities on the bike.  Today they were seen (and painted) having an extended conversation on the way up the final climb.  Later Vingegaard attacked and was covered by Pogacar.  As they neared the line, Vingegaard went for the sprint and surprisingly Pogacar let him go.  Clearly the Slovenian's lead was much greater than a mere four second time bonus could reverse, but it still was out of character for the man in the Maillot Jaune who just loves bike racing.  

In the end each can take away some positive from this Dauphine, but it is Pogacar takes away the overall victory in yet another race.  At this point in his career, he has won 98 races.  He did say he wanted to save winning his 100th for the Tour de France.

This is the last race I will be painting until the Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes.  I'll hope you all will check back then.

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.

"Mutual Respect CdD25-48" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 8: Joie Francaise

Despite the attacks from behind, it was the last man left from the breakaway Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious) who raise his hands in joy at the end of the final stage of the Dauphine.  Despite his Spanish seeming name, he is French.  He took the stage by thirty-four seconds over Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar who went second and first in this Dauphine.  I am pretty sure this is the only stage that was won by a Frenchman, so the joy amongst the partisans was huge.

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.

"Joie Francaise CdD25-47" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 8: Going for the Stage

With just eleven kilometers to go Enric Mas (Movistar) attacked the remnants of the breakaway.  The only one able to stay with Spaniard was the Frenchman Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious).  Further back, Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) was looking further back to see if he might get some help in the chase of the two escapees.  The duo quickly built up a nice gap, but the small peloton of the race favorites was only a minute and a half behind.  

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.

"Going for the Stage CdD25-46" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 8: How Do You Want to Play This?

Obviously, I nor anyone else, know what Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) and Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) as they rode side by side on the Col du Mont Cenis.  By their hand gestures it seems that they could have been just talking about the race thus far.  Or each could have been trying to figure out what the other might do on the final climb of the Criterium du Dauphine.  Perhaps we could ask Tadej's teammate, Tim Wellens if they were talking loud enough to be heard over the TV moto.

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.

"How Do You Want to Play This? CdD25-45" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 8: Watching & Waiting

As Uno X-Mobility drove hard on the front of the peloton for Tobias Johannessen, as the main two guys of the Dauphine watched and waited to see what might happen on the last climb of the day.  On the Norwegian's wheel was Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates) chaperoning his leader in the Maillot Jaune, Tadej Pogacar.  Today Pogacar's constant shadow has been Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike).  He in turn looked back to see who was still in the peloton, or at least what was passing for the peloton of favorites.

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.

"Watching & Waiting CdD25-44" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 8: Staying Upright

As Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) sped down the Cote de Saint Andre the rain finally began to fall on the Criterium du Dauphine.  As we all know, the roads can get rather slick once it starts to rain after a long sunny spell.  The guy wearing the Maillot Vert is also a very accomplished cyclo-cross and mountain bike competitor, so he had the skill to keep himself vertical after his rear wheel locked up on a slick turn.  With forty-four kilometers to race in a mountain stage, Van Der Poel has built up almost a minute on his former breakaway companions and over two and a half minutes on the chasing peloton.  It would be a long shot, but he is certainly hoping to either win the stage or gain as many more points as he can at the finish.  

I did explain the results in the previous post.

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.

"Staying Upright CdD25-43" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 8: As Many as He Can

Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) has been on incredible form this Dauphine.  Today he was out in the early breakaway yet again.  As he neared the intermediate sprint point in Saint Michel de Maurienne, he jumped clear of his now erstwhile companions to claim the maximum points available.  He could've put a lot less effort into the sprint since no one else even tried to challenge the wearer of the Maillot Vert.  However, once he had the forty seconds over the others, he decided to press on.  As far as the sprint points are concerned, he is now the virtual leader in the jersey that actually belongs to Tadej Pogacar.  He has done what he can, now it all depends on where Tadej finishes on today's stage.  Spoiler alert, Tadej took third, thus equaling Van Der poel's total.  Unfortunately for his aspirations, the tie breaker goes to Tadej since he has won multiple stages and he hasn't won any.

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.

"As Many as He Can CdD25-42" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 7: Winning in Yellow

Is there any stopping Tadej?  With the rival teams doing all they could to isolate the Maillot Jaune, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) was still able to attack the small group containing most of the top ten riders in the general classification.  He not only attacked, he dropped them all!  It was only his main rival Vingegaard who was able to pull back some of the lost seconds from the original attack.  This makes his third stage victory, and two in a row, for the current UCI Road World Champion.  The Criterium du Dauphine is one of the few stage races he hasn't won.  I doubt that record will last through the final stage 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.

"Winning in Yellow CdD25-41" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 7: Trying to Come Back

Once Pogacar had gone, Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) settled into his climbing rhythm.  The attack had come with twelve kilometers to climb, seven kilometers later Vingegaard was starting to reverse the gap.  At his point he was down eighteen seconds.  The question is, "Will five kilometers be enough road to reel the Maillot Jaune back in?"  Alas, the answer was no.  He did reduce Pogacar's advantage by four seconds, but clearly that wasn't enough to prevent him losing even more time to his main rival.  Behind, others were losing even more time including his own teammates who had done so much to try an isolate the main in the leader's yellow jersey.

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.

"Trying to Come Back CdD25-40" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 7: Here We Go!

From the previous post, you know that Pavel Sivakov (UAE Team Emirates) had been riding tempo on the front of the group with his teammate and yellow jersey, Tadej Pogacar.  Just moments earlier, he was riding hard, head down, clearly burying himself in a last ditched effort to drop whomever he could.  He was also chasing down Jonas Vingegaard's (Visma-Lease a Bike) teammates, Sepp Kuss.  So, all together, Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step) swung out of the line of riders, Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) let a gap open up, Sivakov swung off the front spent from his effort and he had just about caught Kuss.  As all of those things happened, the move came from Tadej.  This time he stood up and stomped on the pedals.  Jonas Vingegaard knew it was coming and was right on his pedals in an effort to stay with the Maillot Jaune.  He couldn't.  Nor could anyone hold Vingegaard's wheel either.   All with another twelve kilometers yet to race!

I'm embarrassed to admit that I have been spelling Remco Evenepoel's name this entire Dauphine.  Sorry to all of his fans around the world.

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.

"Here We Go! CdD25-39" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 7: Paying Him Back

Pavel Sivakov (UAE Team Emirates) has been an amazing support rider for Tadej Pogacar throughout this Dauphine.  So, it should come as no surprise that Pogacar was more than happy to ride up to his teammate to bring him a bottle and check on just how Frenchman.  Yes, Sivakov races with a French racing license. Behind both Ivan Romeo (Movistar) and his teammate, Gregor Muhlberger, keep a close eye on just what these two might be up to.  When Bridget looked through today's paintings to pick her favorite, she thought it looked like Tadej was giving Pavel a rose.  They certainly have been a very successful pair (and he will prove it in just a few kilometers time yet again).

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.

"Paying Him Back CdD25-38" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 7: Riding in Hope

There are many ways Romain Bardet (Picnic-PostNL) could be hoping this would play out.  Naturally he was hoping for a final stage victory to end his career tomorrow.  But that would require the GC riders to watch each other on the final climb, not exactly Pogacar's skill set.  Instead, they hit the final climb with fire.  About four kilometers into the ascent to Valmeiner 1800, Bardet saw the inevitable and waved to the camera as he pulled the pin on his effort.  At the end of the day, with his father standing beside him on the podium, he was awarded the Most Combative rider of this stage.  I won't be surprised if he gets that honor for the entire Criterium du Dauphine.  I am sure he will give it one more go tomorrow.  Not a bad way to end one's racing career.

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.

"Riding in Hope CdD25-37" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 7: Flying Off the Croix de Fer

The early breakaway of about eight guys went over the top of the Croix de Fer with just about ten seconds over the greatly reduced peloton containing all of the top men in the general classification.  After sprinting to fourth over the top of the second climb of the day, he went on the offensive.  He is a very skilled descender and used that skill to his advantage.  By the time he reached the valley below, he had over a minute on the chasers that were a combination of the break and the peloton.  Clearly, he saw his opportunity to try once again for a stage victory.

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.

"Flying Off the Croix de Fer CdD25-36" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 6: Back into Yellow

After an amazing, and very effective, attack on the final climb of the day Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) raises two fingers in a victory salute atop Combloux.  I assume the gesture is a reference to his taking his second stage in this year's Criterium du Dauphine.  Just as when he won the first stage, he will be on the stage receiving his second Maillot Jaune in this race. With the time bonus he now has a forty-three second buffer over his main rival Jonas Vingegaard.  I wish I could have gotten a good angle of the image, but as Vingegaard came across the line in second place a minute after the Rainbow Jersey the two hugged and you could see the Dane tell him, "Well played."  

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.

"Back into Yellow CdD25-35" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 6: It's What He Does

Once his last teammate rolled off the front (or perhaps seeing his nickname spray painted on the roadway) Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) just kicked in his afterburners.  Only Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) was able to match the initial acceleration.  But he too found the power of the World Champion in the Rainbow Jersey too much to handle.  Pogacar was able to flip the time gap to Vingegaard at the end of the individual time trial yesterday.  We've now seen how the Slovenian can reverse a rough day.  How will the Dane be answer on the even tougher day 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.

"It's What He Does CdD25-34" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 6: And He Is Gone!

Once Alex Baudin (EF Education-EasyPost) realized his erstwhile breakaway companion, Michael Leonard (Ineos-Grenadiers), would be unable to work anymore, he was off.  The Frenchman on the American team was a local cyclist who knew this climb up the Cote de Domancy very well.  He was cheered on by fans and neighbors all of the way up to the line.  Sadly, he was caught and passed by the battle for the Maillot Jaune.  He was able to hang tough to finish sixth on the day.  Moreover, his efforts not only earned him the most combative rider's award, he also becomes the new owner of the Maillot a Pois by a single point.  To remind you the polka dot jersey (Maillot a Pois) is award to the rider with the most King of the Mountain points.

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.

"And He Is Gone! CdD25-32" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 6: Losing Contact

Earlier Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) had tried to go on an attack, but the favorites weren't having any of it.  As he and Remeco Evenpoel (Soudal-Quick Step) started up the Cote de Domancy, they found the pace set by both UAE-Team Emirates and Visma-Lease a Bike just a bit too tough to hang onto.  Evenpoel had struggled on earlier comes today.  It was thought that he was just not keeping himself in a good position, but now it seems like there was a bigger problem.  It looks like he will be losing his Maillot Jaune today.  He is the only guy to have worn it for two days in a row this Dauphine.  Behind him, Lipowitz looked like he may not be continuing to wear the Maillot Blanc on loan from Evenpoel.

Spoiler alert!  Lipowitz was able to recompose himself and go back on the offensive.  He finished third on the stage and is now the outright owner of the Maillot Blanc.  In addition, he currently occupies the third step of the overall podium.

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.

"Losing Contact CdD25-33" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 6: Looking After His Mates

It was rather amazing to watch Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike) zoom pass most of the peloton to bring up bidons and gels to his teammates Matteo Jorgenson and Jonas Vingegaard.  They were riding through the valley before starting the final paired ascents of the day.  It was soon that the real work would begin and it was important that everyone had plenty of reserves to fuel the final effort.

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.

"Looking After His Mates CdD25-31" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 6: Who's Left

I probably should have added a question mark to this title, since Alex Baudin (EF Education-EasyPost) is looking back over his breakaway companion Michael Leonard (Ineos-Grenadiers) to see where everyone has gone.  However, it works as a statement too.  Afterall, these two are the only ones left of the early morning breakaway.  As they continued to increase their advantage as they climb the Cote du Mont Saxonnex.  If the top of the general classification just watches each other up the remaining climbs, they may have a chance for the stage.  Sadly, there is about zero percent chance of that happening on the final paired climbs of the day, particularly since the top of the final one is today's finish line.

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.

"Who's Left CdD25-30" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 6: Not His Day

I love that Romain Bardet (Picnic-PostNL) keeps attacking this race.  He got into the early breakaway in hopes that it would be a winning move.  It wasn't until they started climbing the Cote du Mont Saxonnex that he found the going too tough.  As the remaining members of the break rode off, he looked back to see if he would be getting any help to chase back on.  I admire is desire to end his career on a high note.  He did manage to win his first ever Maillot Jaune in his final Tour de France last season, so perhaps he can win a stage in his final race as a pro.  With this dropping off of the pace with two more climbs to go a Maillot Jaune here is just out of the question.  Perhaps we should credit it to the curse of Friday the thirteenth.

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.

"Not His Day CdD25-29" (Original art by Greig Leach)