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 7: Joining Forces

With three more kilometers to climb, this the third group on the road that included Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team L'IMAD) and her teammate Paula Blasi, Cedrine Kerbaol (EF Education-Oatly) and Antonia Niedermaier (Canyon/SRAM) have just about caught the two chasers up the road.  Their quarry, Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez) and the Maillot Jaune Marlen Reusser (Movistar) were losing time to the lone leader now a further kilometer up the road.  Blasi and Niedermaier were also competing for the Maillot Blanc of the best young rider currently on Niedermaier shoulders.  The two came to the summit together leaving the jersey where it was.

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: "Joining Forces TdFF26-46" (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 6: Stripes and Polka Dots

I'm sorry, I couldn't resist the title.  As they neared the base of the final climb of the day, the Cote de Bouciou le Roi it was the Maillot a Pois accompanied by both the French and Italian National Champions.  I loved the symmetry of seeing the two tricolores of Celia Gery (FDJ United-Suez) and Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team L'IMAD) joining up with the polka dots of the Queen of the Mountains, Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Premier Tech).  The trio had a couple of other women with them a good thirteen seconds ahead of what was left of the peloton containing the race leaders.  The champions were after the stage victory, whereas Pieterse was after the last QOM points on the final climg of the day.  At this point, they were happy to work together to achieve different goals.

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: "Stripes and Polka Dots TdFF26-37" (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 → 

Strade Bianche Donne 2026: Into the Final Corner

Even with the brutal final climb up into old Siena, it was these three that were side by side going into the final turn together.  Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ) in her Italian champion tri-colore jersey led Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon /SRAM-zondacrypto) and Elise Chabbey (FDJ United-SUEZ) into the grand piazza.  However, when they arrived at the line just 200 meters later it was the reverse order with Chabbey claiming the victory followed by Niewiadoma, but Koch was able to get around Longo Borghini to claim third with the Italian settling for fourth despite having been the first to hit the top of the final climb inside of the final kilometer.  Alas, every year the race organizers failed to capture a good image of the winner crossing the line, but then this year it was close enough that Chabbey did not risk a victory salute choosing instead to make sure she won by looking back at her competitors as she rode across the 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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Into the Final Corner SB26-5" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Strade Bianche Donne 2026: Pushing Her Advantage

With some of her main competitors over three minutes back, the Italian Champion Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ) presses her advantage pulling a rather elite quartet along with her with just under twenty kilometers still to race.  Joining her in the effort to add to their seven second advantage was Noemi Ruegg (EF Education-Oatley), Niamh Fisher-Black (Lidl-Trek), Elise Chabbey (FDJ United-SUEZ).  Keeping a close eye on them all is the ever-wise Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike).  It was beginning to look like these would be the women that would vie for victory in roughly another half hour.

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.

"Pushing Her Advantage SB26-4" (Original art by Greig Leach)

UCI Road World Championships, Zurich 2024, Elite Women's Road Race: Doubling Up!

Despite everyone gunning for her, Lotte Kopecky (Belgium) still out sprinted the pack of seven women to claim her second World Championships in a row.  While Elisa Longo Borghini (Italy) being the one to start the sprint, she was swamped by Kopecky, Liane Lippert (Germany) and Chloe Dygert (USA).  To her credit she fought back just catching the German to claim the third step of the podium.  Dygert was a full bike length behind Kopecky, but roughly another bike ahead of the Italian.  It is worth remembering that Dygert had to chase down the leaders, so it may have been that effort that burned just enough of her legs to blunt her sprint to the line.  It will be nice painting Kopecky in the Rainbow Jersey for another year.

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.

"Doubling Up Z24-6" (Original art by Greig Leach)

UCI Road World Championships, Zurich 2024, Elite Women's Road Race: Four Women Two K

Just two more kilometers to race and it seems as though the podium would be decided between these women.  Ever cautious, Lotte Kopecky (Belgium) looks back to check and see just how close those chasing behind might be. Right behind her is Demi Vollering (Netherlands) who is a prolific racer who has yet to win the World Championships.  Behind her is Liane Lippert (Germany) and it is Elisa Longo-Borghini (Italy) riding shotgun.  The Italian is best positioned to launch a surprise attack in hopes of out sprinting the others.

If they get too cute trying to out fox each other, the two or three behind could catch back on and spoil the party.  Two out of the three are known to be great sprinters.

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.

"Four Women Two K Z24-5" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Fleche Wallone Femmes ‘24: Up the Mur d’Huy

First, I am amused that in my excitement with the finale of Fleche Wallone Femmes, I forgot to sign and date the penultimate painting of the race today.  Should you purchase this painting, it will be signed. 

Last year’s winner, Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime) chose to lead up the climb of the Mur d’Huy.  As the peloton climbed it came down to just Elisa Longo-Borghini (Lidl-Trek) and Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM) that could hold onto the Dutch Champion’s wheel.  The trio had just two more kilometers to climb and it certainly looks like Vollering will be repeating her win of the Fleche Wallone Femmes.

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.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Professional-Womens-Cycling/4009723-80-207546/Painting/up-the-mur-dhuy.-fw24-3.html

Strade Bianche Donne 24: Making Sure

Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek) had spent a good part of the final twenty-five kilometers pushing the pace in order to keep any of the chasers from catching back up.  Conversely, Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) had spent that same time surfing the wheels of others thus saving her energy for the final ascend up to the central piazza of Sienna.  When they were about 500 meters from the finish, Kopecky jumped the Italian Champion.  Longo Borghini just didn’t have enough left in her legs to go with the Rainbow Jersey on Kopecky’s gritty shoulders.  As they swung around the final corner, Kopecky glanced back on more time just to make sure that neither the Lidl-Trek rider nor anyone else were going to surprise her at the line.  This will have to do with her victory image since her victory salute at the line was hidden from the TV camera by a spectator’s cellphone.  He got a great shot of Kopecky winning her second Strade Bianche Donne, but we did not.

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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/4002671-77-207546/Painting/making-sure-sb24-6.html

Strade Bianche Donne 24: Two Champions

Inside of the last ten kilometers of the 2024 Strade Bianche Donne, the race had come down to two champions and former winners of the race.  The Italian national champion Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek) was battling it out with the world champion Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime).  Both women had teammates in the small group just fourteen seconds behind, but neither seemed willing to let anyone join them as they pedal their way back into the heart of Sienna.  Their every move was being captured both by the helicopter camera overhead and by one of the cameramen standing astride a speeding motorcycle riding beside them on the Tuscan roads.

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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/4002670-76-207546/Painting/two-champions-sb24-5.html

Strade Bianche Donne 24, Gritty

The title seemed to capture both Katarzyna Niewiadoma’s (Canyon-SRAM) expression and the gravel roads of Tuscany.  She used the steepest section of the final gravel section, Le Tolfe, to attack the peloton. She got a small gap, but then it was Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime) that got back to the Polish woman’s wheel.  In turn hiding behind Vollering was her teammate Lotte Kopecky with the Italian Champion Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek) struggling to stay within reach of the other three.  With just twelve kilometers to race and no more gravel roads, any group that got away now, may be the one that went to contest the finale in Sienna.  Racing on the roads of Italy, the Italian Champion wasn’t about to let anyone get away from her on home soil.

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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/4002668-75-207546/Painting/gritty-sb24-4.html

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Women’s Race: A Perfect Sprint

Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime), Elisa Longo Borghini and Shirin Van Anrooij (Lidl-Trek) had all tried in turn to drop the Dutchwoman, Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike), but to no avail.  As each woman feared, when it came time to sprint the final 400 meters to the finish, it was Vos who had the legs to out sprint both Kopecky (in second) and Longo Borghini (in third).  With her win Vos was able to show in no uncertain terms that she was still a force to be reckoned with in the women’s peloton.  I’m looking forward to seeing how the rest of the Flanders Classics play out over the coming month.

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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/4001218-71-207546/Painting/a-perfect-sprint.-ohn24-5.html 

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Women’s Race: One of These Four

This foursome of Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek) and her teammate, Shirin Van Anrooij, along with Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) had built up a twenty three second lead on the five chasers behind.  They in turn had another minute and a half on the remnants of the peloton.  So with just under ten kilometers to race, it seems that the winner will be one of these four women.  Longo Borghini has the advantage with a teammate in the group, but her long solo attempt may have drained too much energy from her legs.  With that, the advantage then swings to Vos, who has the best sprint of the group (all things being equal).  It will be exciting to see the race strategies play out as they draw ever closer to the flame rouge.  The one thing they can’t do is play cat and mouse and let the chasers back into the race.

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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/4001190-70-207546/Painting/one-of-these-four.-ohn24-4.html

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Women’s Race: Attacking on the Kapelmuur

Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime), in her rainbow jersey, uses the steepest section of the fabled cobbled climb of the Kapelmuur to launch her attack on the small group left at the front of the race.  She gets a little daylight between herself and the others at first.  But, it is Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) who is able to get back onto the World Champion’s wheel.  Kopecky used this climb to ride solo to her win in 2023, and she couldn’t have been thrilled to see the former champion holding onto her on the climb.  Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek) lost a bit of ground on the climb, but quickly got back to the two leaders once on the smooth roads over the top.

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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/4001101-69-207546/Painting/attacking-on-the-kopelmuur.-ohn24-3.html

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Women’s Race: Still Own Her Own

Ten kilometers later, Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek) was still not caught by the chasers, the only difference was now there was no longer anyone ahead of her to catch.  She had built a twenty second lead on the group of chasers, but they were slowly reeling her back in cutting her lead almost in half with another nineteen kilometers left to race.  Unfortunately for the reigning Italian Champion, there were two short steep climbs between her and a possible solo 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 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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/4001043-68-207546/Painting/still-on-her-own.-ohn24-2.html

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Women’s Race: Here Comes the Chase

While there were still five women up the road, the race was shaping up after Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek) jumped clear of the peloton.  The next group of chasers, lead by Demi Vollering (SD Worx) and Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike), used the climb of the Berendries to try and reel the Italian Champion back into their midst.  With another 29 kilometers to race, it was looking like the 57 second advantage of the leaders would soon be swept away.

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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/4001034-67-207546/Painting/here-comes-the-chase.-ohn24-1.html

Tour de France Femmes 23, Stage 4: Attacking Her Rivals

Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime) in her magenta WWT Points Jersey has been having a very quiet opening stages of the Tour de France Femmes.  That is until the final climb of stage 4.  She jumped clear of the group of favorites as they neared the top of the Cote de Laverahe.  As Annemiek Van Vleutin (Movistar) in her Rainbow Jersey was fortunate that her teammate Sheyla Gutierrez had dropped back from the lead group to help Van Vleutin re-catch Vollering's wheel.  Behind Vollering's teammate Lotte Kopecky in the Maillot Jaune dropped away with both Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek) - the Italian champion - and Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (AG Insurance-Soudal-Quickstep).  I am just realizing as I type this that only one of six women in this painting are in their regular team kit.  It truly is a very elite group attacking the final categorized 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 $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-2023/3967884-166-297438/Painting/attacking-her-rivals-tdff23-22.html

Paris Roubaix Femmes 23: Down in Front!

As this chase group of 16 got close to the early break away on Pave Sector 9, the Pont Thibaut, last year’s winner, Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo) lost control of her bike on the muddy cobbles.  As she went down the rest of the group either went down with her or were caught behind the twisted pile of bikes and bodies.  Somehow, only Romy Kasper (AG Insurance-Soudal-Quick Step) manage to stay upright.  She was able to push on as Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) and her teammate in the WWT points jersey fell over the former Italian champion.  As I said in an early post, Paris Roubaix can have a way of changing riders’ fortunes in a blink of an eye.

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, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3944955-524-195767/Painting/down-in-front-prf23-4.html

Wollongong 2022, Women's Road Race: Three Chasing Two

While it was Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Poland) who started the attacks on the penultimate climb up Mount Pleasant, it was Elisa Longo Borghini (Italy) and Liane Lippert (Germany) who got off the front at the summit.  As the two went down the other side, Niewiadoma was aided in the chase by Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (Denmark) and Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (South Africa).  The three knew that the rainbow jersey may be up the road, so they were all three willing to work together to bring the others back.  Plus there were so other very strong riders behind working just as hard to chase them down as well.  With just 22 kilometers to race it was rather surprising to not see a Dutch rider in the mix.  The Netherlands has dominated the Worlds over the last decade taking seven of the ten gold medals.

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/Wollongong-2022-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3907626-24-295031/Painting/three-chasing-two-uci22-24.html