Tour Femmes '26, Stage 5: Pass the Bidon

Just after turning onto the narrow road that signaled the start of the climb up through the vineyards towards the summit of the Col de Durbize, Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek) reached for a bidon.  She had the team car of Visma-Lease a Bike squeeze pass her.  Once it went by, she reached out her arm like a track star in a relay race waiting for the baton.  Her Director Sportif held out the bottle and sped up to place the bottle into the palm of her outstretched hand.  She then took off up the climb to rejoin the peloton lead by the Maillot Jaune.

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: "Pass the Bidon TdFF26-29" (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 →   

Paris Roubaix Femmes ‘24: What She Wanted

Clearly, every woman who started the fourth edition of Paris Roubaix Femmes wanted to win the race, and many had a realistic chance of doing just that, but Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) had built her spring campaign around winning today.  As the five women ramped up their sprint, it looked like the World Champion was going to get boxed in.  As Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek) sprinted shoulder to shoulder on the inside, Kopecky had to swing up high to get around the equally fast closing Pfeiffer Georgi (DSM-Firmenich-PostNL) to contest for victory.  But she wasn’t to be denied today, claiming the title of the Queen of Paris Roubaix.  Georgi wasn’t quite able to just get pass Balsamo with the Italian taking second, and the Brit in third.  Vos came up just a bit short on her bike throw finishing the day in fourth.  Behind them, Amber Kraak (FDJ-Suez) finished fifth.  Ellen Van Dijk (Lidl-Trek) who had done so much for her teammate finished about eight seconds later, with the rest of the chasers coming in nearly a half a minute after Kopecky.

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/Spring-Classics-/4008379-566-195767/Painting/what-she-wanted.-pr24-7.html

Paris Roubaix Femmes ‘24: On the Velodrome

Having followed the wheel of the British Champion Pfeiffer Georgi (DSM-Firmenich-PostNL), Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek) was able to ride onto the Roubaix Velodrome with the leaders.  She did have a slight advantage despite having gone through a rough patch.  She was the only one in the group with a teammate.  Ellen Van Dijk (Lidl-Trek) was again on the front driving the pace in hopes of aiding her Italian teammate.  On the wheel of Van Dijk was Georgi, who was followed in turn by Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike), Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime), and Amber Kraak (FDJ-Suez).  It was a fairly evenly matched group that started the final lap of the velodrome, but three are all known for their sprinting abilities.  Possibly Balsamo is the best at the sprint game, but just what she has left remains to be seen.

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/Spring-Classics-/4008378-565-195767/Painting/on-the-velodrome.-pr24-6.html

Paris Roubaix Femmes ‘24: Backward & Forward

Pfeiffer Georgi (DSM-Firmenich-PostNL) was coming back to the front of the race having tangled wheels with one of her teammates.  Both managed to stay upright, but it left the British champion chasing back across the Carrefour de l’Arbre sector.  Conversely, Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek) was going through a bad patch and was dropping away from the leading group.  Thus the title, backward for the actions of Balsamo, and forward for those of Georgi.  With just sixteen kilometers to race, and this being the final truly tough section of cobbles, it was going to be tough for either of these women to see the leaders of the race 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 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/Spring-Classics-/4008377-564-195767/Painting/backward-forward.-pr24-5.html

Tour de France Femmes 23, Stage 3: Mass Sprint After All

It looked like there was the slimmest of chances that Julie Van De Velde (Fenix-Deceuninck) would pull off the upset on her solo break, but no, she was caught with about 150 meters to go.  The pace was driven by Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) in her Maillot Jaune leading out her teammate Lorena Wiebes (the European Champion).  Pushing the two was a resurgent Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma).  The stage went to Wiebes with Vos just missing and taking second.  Kopecky was third keeping both her Yellow and her Green Jerseys.  Chiara Consonni (UAE Team ADQ) and then Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek) rounded out the top five on the stage.  So the only jersey to change hands was the Maillot a Pois.  Although it will be Wiebes borrowing the Maillot Vert from her teammate for the day in Stage 4.

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-2023/3967646-160-297438/Painting/mass-sprint-after-all-tdff23-16.html

 

Tour Femmes, Stage 6: Winning in Yellow

This painting is sold.

Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma) hasn't spent much time off the front of this Tour de France Femmes.  Even if she hasn't won a stage (she has) she has finished everyone in the top ten if not the top five.  Today she honored the Maillot Jaune today by winning in yellow.  She was able to out sprint Marta Bastianelli (UAE Team ADQ), Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx), Elisa Balsamo (Trek-Segafredo) in her Rainbow Jersey, and the ever unzipped Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon/SRAM).  The now official Maillot Vert, Lorena Wiebes had crashed on the final descent and finish the day over seven minutes behind Vos.  Naturally, she didn't score any green jersey points, so it goes back to Vos.  That means she will be back to wearing in on loan from the race leader.

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. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3896241-179-294403/Painting/winning-in-yellow-tdff22-38.html

Tour Femmes '22, Stage 5: Winning a Power Sprint

The gradual rise up to the line in Saint Die des Vosges it was clear it was going to take a strong power sprinter to win on the day.  Just before the sprint was a sweeping right turn, for some reason Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo) went left through the gap to let all of the race vehicles divert from the finishing straight.  As I am writing this, I don't know if that mistake cost her time (and positions) in the general classification, or if the three kilometer rule was followed and she was given the same time as the lead group.  So she was out of the sprint so it was her teammate (and World Champion) Elisa Balsamo mixing it up with Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma) and Lorenas Wiebes (DSM) for stage honors.  The victory went to the pure sprinter, Wiebes, with Balsamo claiming second.  The third step of the podium went to Marianne Vos in her Maillot Jaune.  The erstwhile Maillot Blance, Maike Van Der Duin (Le Col-Wahoo) was in the mix in fifth place.  This may be my favorite painting of the Tour de France Femmes thus far.  And definitely my favor sprint finish painting of either 2022 Tour de France.

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. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3896130-174-294403/Painting/winning-a-power-sprint-tdff22-33.html

Tour Femmes '22, Stage 2: Increasing Their Advantage

With just two kilometers left to race this rather power sextet was continuing to increase their lead over the erstwhile Maillot Jaune.  The group was being pulled (and urged) along by the Rainbow Jersey of Elisa Balsamo (Trek-Segafredo) while her teammate Elisa Longo Borghini shelter at the back.  Between the Trek-Segafredo women was a former world champion, Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma), the young woman who started it all Maike Van Der Duin (Le Col-Wahoo).  On the Maillot Blanc's wheel is Katarzyn Niewiadoma (Canyon/SRAM) and the birthday girl herself, Silvia Persico (Valcar-Travel & Service).  With forty one seconds on the chasers, the stage winner and probably the new Maillot Jaune was in this group.

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. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3895796-153-294403/Painting/increasing-their-advantage-tdff22-12.html

 

Tour Femmes '22, Stage 2: Opening Up a Gap

After bridging up to the lone escapeof Maike Van Der Duin (Le Col-Wahoo) the world champion Elisa Balsamo (Trek-Segafredo) turns round to see who had come with her.  The answer was Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma) and others.  More on that later.  The group quickly built up and advantage on the peloton that contained the Maillot Jaune, the Maillot Vert, and the Maillot a Pois.  The Maillot Blanc was looking over at the Rainbow Jersey.  I suspect that Van Der Duin was a bit awed to be joined by both Balsamo and Vos.  The rider back there from BikeExchange-Jayco never did make it across the divide.

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. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3895793-151-294403/Painting/opening-a-up-a-gap-tdff22-10.html

Gent-Wevelgem Women '22: Appearing When It Matters

All race long Elisa Balsamo (Trek-Segafredo) had been lurking around the back of the peloton allowing her teammates to chase down all of the attacks (it is their job since she is the team leader). Yet here she was showing herself just when being seen meant she was able to take out the victory in the eleventh edition of the women's Gent-Wevelgem.  Just off camera it was last year's winner Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma) taking second, with Maria Giulia Confalonieri (Ceratizit-WNT) taking the last step of the podium.  Perhaps because she kept going in all of the break away attempts, Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) had to settle for fouth on the day.  Those waving the Belgium flag behind the mass sprint would have dearly prefered the Belgium champion to have one rather than the Italian in the World Champion's Rainbow Jersey.

This is the last of this race's paintings.  I'll be back next week with both the men's and women's Ronde Van Vlaanderen.  There will be more races after that with the big one being both the Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes this July.

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 $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3875783-40-207546/Painting/appearing-when-it-matters-gw22-13.html

Paris Roubaix Femmes: Not the Best Debut for the Rainbow

 

Last week Elisa Balsamo (Valcar-Travel & Service) was winning the UCI Road World Championship, today, bedecked in her brand new rainbow jersey she was sliding through the mud in the Hell of the North.  Balsamo, was in the middle of the group chasing the lone leader when she fishtailed in the mud of Section 11 of pave, the Mons en Pevele.  She had braked a little too hard to avoid another rider going down just ahead of her.  With all of the wet mud on the rough cobblestones, it was to hard for her to keep her bike upright.  It was that much worse as she slid to a stop in a soggy mud puddle.  It could have been much worse, the road surface is very, very painful fall onto at speed.  She wasn’t hurt, but lost the wheels of the chase group and I never saw her on camera 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 painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-2021/3839943-49-290150/Painting/not-the-best-debut-for-the-rainbow-pr21-2.html

Flanders 2021: The Sprint to the Rainbow

Having been led out in her sprint by none other than her country woman, Elisa Longo Borghini (Italy) Elisa Balsamo had nothing for it but to go hard to the line, braid flying out behind her.  Also behind her and unable to come around was the three time World Champion, Marianne Vos (Netherlands).  Bringing up the best of the rest is Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Poland) claiming her first medal in the UCI Road World Championships.  But it is Balsamo who will be wearing the Rainbow Jersey every time she takes to the start in a road race for the next year.  What a nice new jersey to bring to her new team, Trek-Segafredo, starting next season.  As Balsamo raised her arms in victory, we could just see Longo Borghini mirroring her celebration in their distance.

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 from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Flanders-2021/3838702-27-292177/Painting/sprinting-to-the-rainbow-uci21-27.html

Amgen ToC, Final Stage: Taking the Finale - Women's ToC

It has been frustrating how little coverage of the Women's Tour of California was broadcast this year.  The last time I painted the race, you could watch all of both races.  Today, the only reason so much (20 minutes) of the women's race was aired was because of satelite link difficulties for the men's race as it descended through the canyon back to Pasadena.  It was Elisa Balsamo (Valcar Cylance) who won the stage and the Green Jersey ahead of Arinis Sierra (Astana) and Chloe Dygert-Owen (Sho-Air Twenty20).  Anna Van Der Breggan was the overall winner of the three day women's race.

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.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/3333912-88-223355/Taking%20the%20Finale%20%20ToC19-33.html