2026 UCI Road Championships, Montreal, Elite Women's Road Race: Shades of the Tour

You can purchase this painting here: "Shades of the Tour UCI26-7" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Despite Kasia Niewiadoma (Poland) having gotten the jump on Demi Vollering (Netherlands) it was the Dutch woman who raised her arms in victory in Montreal!  Niewiadoma appeared to cramp up just as Vollering pulled even with her in the sprint.  In the distance you can just see Elisa Longo Borghini (Italy) who had just caught the other two when the sprint kicked off.  So it is that Vollering takes first with Niewiadoma in second, just as they were in the Tour de France Femmes, and Longo Borghini takes another bronze medal at another World Championships.  I don't image that the animosity that erupted at the Tour Femme between second and third was quelled today.  Instead, I think it has been further inflamed.  As on prone to cramps, I truly feel for Niewiadoma 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 top of this post to purchase this painting. 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.

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 → 

2026 UCI Road World Championships, Montreal, Elite Women's Road Race: Cheering the Podium?

Purchase this painting here: "Cheering the Podium UCI26-6" (Original art by Greig Leach)

The thousands of cycling fans along every kilometer of the course in Montreal were being treated to a spectacular race today.  As they cheered this trio of Demi Vollering (Netherlands), Elisa Longo Borghini (Italy), and Kasia Kiewiadoma (Poland) it seemed clear that they were cheering for the top three steps of the podium.  In another twelve kilometers we will all know who will stand on which step at the finale.

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 top of this post to purchase this painting. 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.

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 → 

2026 UCI Road World Championships, Montreal, Elite Women's Road Race: Blowing Up the Peloton!

Purchase this painting here: "Blowing Up the Peloton UCI26-4" (Original art by Greig Leach)

With 39 K to race the Dutch finally made the move they had been riding for all day.  As they elite of the peloton hit the climb up Mont Royal for the third time, Puck Pieterse (Netherlands) went to the front and drove the pace for her teammate Demi Vollering.  The two were able to drop everyone except Dominika Wlodarczyk (Poland) and Elisa Longo Borghini (Italy).  Just after I painted this, Vollering went off on her own hoping to go solo to win the Rainbow Jersey.  Several other women thought differently.

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 top of this post to purchase this painting. 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.

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 9: Two Stages, Two Tours!

Purchase this painting here: "Two Stages, Two Tours! TdFF26-64" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Not only did Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez) out climb the rest of the peloton over the final ascent of the Col d'Eze, she also out descended them!  In the final sixteen kilometers, she but over a minute into everyone else that she had started up the climb for the fourth time with.  For the second day in a row, she celebrated her stage victory on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice.  This time she did it in the Maillot Jaune that she won yesterday.  With this victory she becomes the first woman to win to Tours de France Femmes.  Of course, had Kasia Niewiadoma been able to retake her jersey that she won atop Mont Ventoux, she would have been the first with that honor.  Chapeau to Vollering, to Puck Pieterse who is the Queen of the Mountains, Lorena Wiebes who has won the Maillot Vert that she held from the very first stage, and to Niewiadoma's teammate Antonia Niedermaier who won the Maillot Blanc as the best young rider.

This is the end of the men's and women's Tours, thus it is probably the end of my painting cycling for the year.  I may paint some of the UCI Road Cycling Championships in Montreal this fall.  But otherwise, I won't be back until January for the Tour Down Under.

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.

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 9: Deja Vu

Another stage into Nice, another stage with a tough climb near the end, and another stage where Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez) drops Kasia Niewiadoma and rides off on her own.  The changes this time are she did it in the Maillot Jaune, she did it on a categorized climb, she did it despite everyone knowing she would, and she did it overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.  As she rode along the false flat on the top of the col, she had already but eighteen seconds between herself and her primary rival for yellow.  Regardless of whether Niewiadoma comes back and wins or if Vollering's attack succeeds, we will have the first woman ever to win the Tour de France Femmes for the second time in about twelve 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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "Deja Vu TdFF26-63" (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 9: Trading Jabs

As they rode together up the Col d'Eze for the last time, both Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez) and Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon/SRAM) each attacked the other, but neither had yet managed to drop the other either.  The title could just as easily refer to the fans on either side of this famous climb.  Although, I don't think I have ever seen this route up to the summit overlooking the sea and Nice before.  Naturally, just after I painted this, Vollering finally dropped Niewiadoma, thus putting to rest the rumors that it was dirty team tactics that had put Vollering into the Maillot Jaune.  After today's repetitive climbs, it was clear that her legs were the reason she was in yellow, and her mind is what is keeping her there.

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: "Trading Jabs TdFF26-62" (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 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 9: Are We Good?

I missed all of the controversy about a single turn on the final climb of stage 8 of the Tour de France Femmes.  Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon/SRAM) had accused FDJ United-Suez of intentionally blocking her when their leader attacked on the final climb.  As I watched it, I felt that while it was unfortunate that she could respond to the attack, she had chosen the wrong line into the corner.  I put it down to frustration and fatigue.  At the start of today's final stage of the race both she and Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez) seemed to have a rather lengthy conversation.  While we won't know what was set, I like to think that they settled their differences and decided to let their legs do the talking.  In her post race interview... perhaps not.  Ahead of these two was Marlen Reusser (Movistar) who sits in third place and had lost her Maillot Jaune to Niewiadoma along with her teammate, Paula Ostiz.  Behind the top three of the Tour Femmes is Kim Le Court-Pienaar (AG Insurance-Soudal).  I wonder how much of the argument will fuel the racing 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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "Are We Good? TdFF26-56" (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 8: Nouveau Maillot Jaune

Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez) held off the chasing duet of Kasia Niewiadoma and Elise Longo Borghini down the final climb and onto the Avenue des Anglais on the coastline of Nice.  She finished seventeen seconds ahead of those she left behind at the summit which is enough to put her into the next Maillot Jaune.  With her time bonus over the other two, she now sits in yellow by eight seconds.  Twice the advantage that Niewiadoma had when she won the Tour de France Femmes two years ago.  Will Vollering be able to defend her jersey tomorrow or while the lead change hands yet again?  I feel I must point out that as of yet once someone has lost the Maillot Jaune they have not reclaimed it.  Will that change tomorrow? Will someone new claim the final yellow jersey, or will Vollering defend it successfully?

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: "Nouveau Maillot Jaune TdFF26-55" (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: The Leaders Are Leading Up Mont Ventoux

You may be able to tell, but I changed the title of this painting between the ink work and the color work adding "the leaders are" to what I had originally written.  Because with just over ten kilometers of climbing to go, it was just the top three on the general classification that were in the lead, alone.  Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez), the European Champion, had made the first attack that separated her, Marlen Reusser (Movistar) in the Maillot Jaune and Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon/SRAM) from all of the other contenders in the Tour de France Femmes.  I do enjoy the young kid bedecked in his freebie polka dot t-shirt and hat passed out by the publicity caravan watching the Tour Femmes with their dad.

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: "The Leaders Are Leading Up Mont Ventoux TdFF26-44" (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 5: The Perfect Ending

Well, it was a perfect ending for all of the work that Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez) and her team had put in all day long.  She came into Belleville en Beaujolais with Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon/SRAM) and Marlen Reusser (Movistar).  It was Niewiadoma who got the jump on the other two, but faded as Vollering and Reusser chased her down.  They both came around the Polish star with only fifty meters to the line.  In the end it was Vollering in her European Champion's jersey who raised her arms in victory.  Just behind her were Reusser who we can see and Niewiadoma whom we can not.  The three are now the top three in the general classification, with Reusser holding her Maillot Jaune, Vollering in second and Niewiadoma holding the third step of the podium.  There is just over a minute between the three but the first two are only twelve seconds apart.

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: "The Perfect Ending TdFF26-32" (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 5: Leading Up the Brouilly

Mont Brouilly was the final climb of the day, the final out of eight categorized climbs!  It proved to be the climb that changed the general classification in unexpected ways.  As they climbed, it was Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez) that kept attacking the others hoping to go alone to the finish and into the Maillot Jaune.  But each attacked was matched by Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon/SRAM).  Not quite as quick to respond was Marlen Reusser (Movistar) in the Yellow Jersey.  She did manage to get back on every time, however.  Isabella Homgren (Lidl-Trek) was hanging tough until the descent down the other side of the climb.  She was close to claiming the Maillot Blanc, but that went to Niewiadoma's teammate Antonia Niedermaier.  It was just Vollering, Reusser, and Niewiadoma that came together to sprint it out for the stage in Belleville en Beaujolais.  

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: "Leading Up the Brouilly TdFF26-31" (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 4 ITT: Speeding into Dijon

Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez) was making an incredibly fast descent back into Dijon chasing her chance for the stage, and to be the next wearer of the Maillot Jaune.  She was the second to last woman to start the time trial so she had the time splits she needed to better.  She finished the stage in third, which was enough to move her into second place in the general classification just fourteen seconds off the lead.  With the time splits in the top ten means that everyone will have to race every stage rather than waiting to the big mountain top finish up Mont Ventoux on Friday.

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: "Speeding into Dijon TdFF26-24" (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 1: The First in Yellow

It was Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) raising her arms in victory atop the final climb of the day in Lusanne.  Her victory in the opening stage means she will pull on the first Maillot Jaune of the Tour de France Femmes.  Behind her are Kim Le Court (AG Insurance-Soudal) - who will wear the Maillot Vert on loan from Wiebes - and then the European Champion, Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez) taking third.  

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: "The First in Yellow TdF26-6" (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 '25, Stage 9: The Final Descent

Both Demi Vollering (FDJ-Suez) and Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon/SRAM-zondacrypto) used the final descent off of the Col du Corbier to try and put pressure on the Maillot Jaune.  It didn't work, Pauline Ferrand-Prevot was right behind the Polish Champion all of the way down and across the valley.  On the other hand, they put even more time into the former holder of second place.  There efforts did move them into second and third respectively for the fourth Tour de France Femmes.  That means that the two have been on the podium of every reincarnation of the women's Tour.  Both have won the race once each, too.

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.

"The Final Descent TdFF25-57" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 9: Applying Some Pressure

With another five kilometers of the Col de Joux Plane Sarah Gigante (AG Insurance-Soudal) went to the front and upped the pace.  With her lack of descending skill, she was hoping to shed as many of her rivals as possible while the road was still going up.  To her dismay, she wasn't able to get rid of the Maillot Jaune, Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Visma-Lease a Bike), nor any of the others like Demi Vollering (FDJ-Suez), Katarzyna Niweiadoma (Canyon/SRAM-xondacrypto), and yesterday's most aggressive rider Niamh Fisher-Black (Lidl-Trek).  It turned out that her fears were well founded, she was dropped on the way down the other side of the climb.  She never caught back up to the group.  She started the day in second place, but will finish the Tour in sixth once everyone finished in Chatel.

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.

"Applying Some Pressure TdFF25-55" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 9: Favorites

With seventy-eight kilometers left, the favorites (meaning those high up in the general classification) all had their eyes on each other.  Juliette Labous (FDJ-Suez) was coming back up to the front to take over the pace making for her teammate Demi Vollering.  On her wheel is the defending Tour Femmes champion, Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon/SRAM-zondacrypto) followed in turn by Cedrine Kerbaol (EF Education-Oatly) and Pauline Ferran-Prevot (Visma-Lease a Bike) in the Maillot Jaune.  Sadly, Kerbaol and Niewiadoma crashed on a sharp turn at the base of the climb of the Col de Joux Plane.  While the Polish Champion was up and back in the group of favorites almost immediately, it took Kerbaol longer to get going.  Since the course when up immediately, despite her hard chase with two teammates, she never rejoined this group.  She dropped from her fifth place at the start of the stage to eighth in the final 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.

"Favorites TdFF25-54" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 6: A Few More Seconds

With the lone attacker up the road, the favorites for the Tour were sprinting for four and two seconds bonus in Valcivieres.  This was anyone's last chance to pick up a few seconds in the middle of the stage.  For the remaining stages bonuses will only be rewarded for at the finish line.  Kim Le Court (AG Insurance-Soudal) added even more seconds to her lead, with Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon/SRAM-zondacrypto) mopping up the remaining bonus.  Yet again, Demi Vollering (FDJ-Suez) missed out in the bonus sprint, but on the other hand she is right there with the favorites for the over-all victory.  The three were a minute and seventeen seconds behind the lone leader with another twelve kilometers to race.  I'm sure they won't see Maeva Squiban again.  That means when this sprint happens again at the line in Amberet it will be for second place.

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. 

"A Few More Seconds TdFF25-34" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 5: Back into Yellow

Not only did Kim Le Court (AG Insurance-Soudal) take the bonus sprint, she also had the legs to just hold off Demi Vollering (FDJ-Suez) to claim the stage victory.  While it looks like she is wearing the UCI World Champion Rainbow Jersey, it is actually the Mauritius National Champion's jersey.  But you don't need to remember that tomorrow, the bonus seconds from the sprint and the stage win means she will be pulling the Maillot Jaune back on after ceding it to Marianne Vos in stage two.  They are the only two women to have the leader's jersey thus far in the Tour de France Femmes this edition.  Clearly, Demi Vollering is doing much better than we all feared after being helped home by her teammates just two stages ago.  Le Court was so sure she had the victory that she celebrated a bit early, but still won the stage by three-quarters of a bike length.

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.

"Back into Yellow TdFF25-28" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 5: Chasing the Bonus

With the breakaway now back in the fold, or on out the back of the peloton, it was time to wind up the time bonus sprint.  In three separate stages of this Tour, there are sprints late in the stage that award bonus seconds.  Actually, they give you a bonus of subtracted seconds from your overall time.  The American Chloe Dygert (Canyon/SRAM-zondacrypto) was leading out her teammate in the Polish National Champion's Jersey, Katarzyna Niewiadoma who was chased in turn by Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Visma-Lease a Bike), an apparently recovered Demi Vollering (FDJ-Suez). Pauline took second in the sprint, followed by Katarzyna getting four seconds and two seconds removed from their overall time respectively.  Demi just missed out getting a bonus.  It is Anna Van Der Breggen (SD Worx-Protime) who is just sneaking into the frame of this painting.

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 the Bonus TdFF25-27" (Original art by Greig Leach)