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)

Strade Bianche Donne 2026: Are You Going to Work?

After a hard winter and some other artistic endeavors, I finally got back to painting cycling!  I thought I would start with the women's Strade Bianche in honor of Women's Day happening tomorrow.  Not long after the on-air coverage started it was Elise Chabbey (FDJ United-SUEZ) attacking on the gravel section 6, the Colle Pinzuto.  With 48 kilometers to race the former Swiss champion opened a gap on the 18% climb.  Only the former Polish champion, Dominika Wlodarczyk (UAE Team ADQ) was able to hold onto her wheel.  As they went over the summit, Chabbey looked back to see if Wlodarczyk was going to work with her in the effort to hold off those trying to get organized 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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Are You Going to Work? SB26-1" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 8: Right from the Start

It is a cruel stage that starts with a Category 1 climb.  Due to a delayed start because of a rider's mechanical in the neutral roll out, the race didn't start until about two kilometers in.  And when it did start it seemed to go straight up as soon as the race director Marion Rousse pulled in the start flag.  After multiple attempts by many different women, these five seemed to have made the move that was going to stick.  Still in her race jacket, Niamh Fisher-Black (Lidl-Trek) leads the breakaway up the Col de Plainpalais.  She is joined in the effort by Yara Kastelijn (Fenix-Deceuninck), Mareille Meijering (Movistar), Elise Chabbey (FDJ-Suez) and Marion Bunel (Visma-Lease a Bike).  All four of her companions were in the breakaway yesterday, with Chabbey adding to her Queen of the Mountains jersey.  She joined the break today in hopes of securing the Maillot a Pois from beginning to end.  It seems a rather achievable goal.

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.

"Right from the Start TdFF25-43" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 6: Running with the Polka Dots

There are millions and millions of cycling fans that line the roadways of grand tours and all of the other races in the ProTour calendar, this is another that seems to be making a name for himself like Didi Stenft as the Devil has.  Problem is, I don't know who he is.  I saw him most every day on the men's Tour, and here he is running with the women's Tour as well.  I have seen him way back at the US Pro Challenge and the Tour of California when those races still existed.  Today he was running along with the lead group.  He does seem to give the riders their space, even being sure to go behind the soigneurs waiting to pass bidons to their riders.  Elise Chabbey (FDJ-Suez) seems to be more concerned about QOM points with both Brodie Chapman (UAE Tema ADQ) and Liane Lippert (Movistar) on her wheel than the man with the antlers on a football helmet.  Another watching both the uber fan and the Maillot a Pois is Silke Smulders (Liv-Alula-Jayco) who is vying for the polka dots, 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. 

"Running with Polka Dots TdFF25-31" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 6: Who's Still Here?

With another five kilometers to the summit of the Col de Beal, Elise Chabbey (FDJ-Suez) in her Maillot a Pois, looks around attempting to access who will challenge her for the QOM points at the top.  On her elbow is Brodie Chapman (UAE Team ADQ).  The pair were watched by Yara Kastelijn (Fenix-Deceuninck), Morgane Coston (Roland-Le Devoluy), and Liane Lippert (Movistar).  Chabbey has a good lead in the race for the Queen of the Mountains but she wants to gain as many points as possible on every stage.  This group is also hoping to hold off the closing peloton.  They have a mere forty-one seconds on the Maillot Jaune peloton.  If she doesn't keep this group motivated, she may not get any points at all.

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.

"Who's Still Here? TdFF25-30" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 2: Sprinting for More

Elise Chabbey (FDJ-Suez) wasn't about to lose the sprint for maximum Queen of the Mountains points again.  As she and Silke Smulders (Liv-Alula-Jayco) approached the summit of the Cote de Locronan she jumped hard on the pedals to secure her Maillot a Pois for tomorrow's stage.  I continue to be impressed with just how many fans have turned out to watch the women's ProTour race through northern France.  The pair will need to continue to work together if they want to get to the final two climbs on the finish circuit.  The peloton is still just forty-one seconds behind although they have stretched out their advantage since the previous 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. 

"Sprinting for More TdFF25-8" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 2: Keep It Going

Even though Elise Chabbey (FDJ-Suez) had been outsprinted over the first climb of the day she encouraged Silke Smulders (Liv-Alula-Jayco) to press on in their breakaway.  The pair only had seventeen seconds on the peloton, but they were beginning to increase the gap now.  The have another fifty-seven kilometers to race, and three more categorized climbs, so there is plenty to race for.  Earlier, Chabbey's team had told her to sit up, but then changed their mind as the second climb approached.

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.

"Keep It Going TdFF25-7" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 1: Our First Queen

Despite having not scored any points at the first climb of the day, Elise Chabbey (FDJ-Suez) went across the eventual finish line first claiming one more point than the erstwhile leader in the Queen of the Mountains competition.  Since this is the last categorized climb of the day she will be wearing the Maillot a Pois tomorrow.  Taking second over the climb that will later be the finish line was Eline Jansen (VolkerWessels Cycling) whose teammate had been leading before now.

I am amused by FDJ's new kit.  The women's team's kit used to be superior to their male counterparts, Groupama-FDJ, but this all-black kit falls short of the men's kit unveiled at the Tour three weeks earlier.

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. 

"Our First Queen TdFF25-4" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes 23, Stage 1: Racing for Second

With her teammate up the road, Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime) was looking for her sprinter Lorena Wiebes to see if they could take all three steps of the podium.  Keeping an eye on her was Elise Chabbey (Canyon-SRAM) the Swiss Champion, followed by Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (FDJ-Suez).  The rest at made the mistake of letting one SD Worx girl get away, they weren't about to let anymore escape.  

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-2023/3967217-142-297438/Painting/racing-for-second-tdff23-3.html

 

Wollongong 2022, Mixed Team Relay: Finishing What the Men Started

Just like their male counterparts, Elise Chabbey and Nicole Koller added to their advantage, and posted a new best time as they finished their lap of the Mixed Team Relay.  And just like the men, they elected to use one of their teammates up as they came across the costal road inside of the final kilometers of the course.  Clearly, that was the winning stradegy as it was the Swiss who were able to fulfill their favored status and take home the Gold Medal in this relatively new event.  With the Swiss winning today, the gold medals have gone to three different European teams since the start of this event in 2019 in Great Britian.  

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/3906791-17-295031/Painting/finishing-what-the-men-started-uci22-17.html

Paris Roubaix Femmes '22: The Sprint Behind

Unable to chase down the Italian Champion, the sextet of Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx), Lucinda Brand and her teammate Ellen Van Dijk (Trek-Segafredo), along with Floortje Mackaij (DSM), Marta Cavalli (FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine Futuroscope), and Elise Chabbey (Canyon/SRAM) found themselves sprinting it out for second place.  That honor went to Kopecky with Brand taking the final step of the podium. Chabbey took fourth, Cavalli in fifth, Mackaij in sixth.  Van Dijk dropped off a few seconds having let of the sprint for Brand and finish in seventh.  Trek-Segafredo clearly would have loved to have had their team leader still in the race, but taking first and third for the team and three in the top seven seems a very good result to me.

I'll be back tomorrow to paint the men's race.  It being Easter, I may not be able to finish it all on Sunday.  It will all be up by Monday 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 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/Spring-Classics-/3879623-492-195767/Painting/the-sprint-behind-pr22-8.html

Flanders 2021: Better Line Up, Better Speed

The trio of Elise Chabbey, Nicole Koller, and Marlen Reusser found it necessary to reset their riding order as the kilometers ticked by.  Reusser was hitting a brutal pace on the front and Chabbey just couldn’t pull through when her teammate needed to drop off of the front.  As she struggled, Koller moved up to the front to take over the pace making for the team.  It wasn’t long after the Chabbey had to surrender to the pace of Reissner (who plans to attempt the hour record next week) and left it to her two country women to finish the leg of the Mixed Team Time Trial.  They just barely lost out on the bronze medal by a fraction of a second to Italy.  Was this the moment it happened?

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-2021/3838531-17-292177/Painting/better-line-up-better-speed.-uci21-17.html