Tour Femmes '26, Stage 6: Down the Other Side

As the peloton started back down the other side of the Col de Lalouvesc, it was good to see that Kim Le Court-Pienaar (AG Insurance-Soudal) was back in the group.  Holding onto the tail of the group was Nina Buijsman (Human Powered Health) probably wanting to have a clear view of the descent.  It is always safer to be able to pick your own line through the corners on a steep descent.  Given the speeds they were hitting, I doubt they had time to admire the view off to their right.  I sure did find the sweeping vistas beautiful.

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: "Down the Other Side TdFF26-35" (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 2: Building an Advantage

This quintet took some time to get away from the peloton which seemed in little mood to let anyone escape today.  It was nice to see the Ukrainian champion, Yulia Biriukova (Laboral Kutxa-Fundacion Euskadi) off the front along with Anouska Koster (Uno X-Mobility), Eline Jansen (VolkerWessels), Ema Comte (Cofidis) and Carlotta Cipressi (Human Powered Health).  They have managed to build a bit over two minutes on the peloton, but they weren't allowed much more.  After the long chase from yesterday, the peloton decided to keep these ladies inside of three minutes before catching them on one of the final categorized climbs of the day.  Koster came close to becoming the new queen of the mountains save for one moment's inattention on the third 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 work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "Building an Advantage TdFF26-7" (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 7: Two Chasing Two

Alas, Maud Rijnbeek wasn't able to go once the stage hopefuls attack.  With two women up the road, Ruth Edwards (Human Powered Health) was working with Shirin van Anrooij (Lidl-Trek) to chase the leaders down.  As they rode both were offered a bidon from the neutral service 'water boy' which they both refused not wanting any extra weight for the final twenty-one kilometers as they climbed the Col du Granier.

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.

"Two Chasing Two TdFF25-40" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 7: With a Solid Lead

As the breakaway went up the Cote de Saint Franc, they had shed about half of original group.  Some of those still there on the climb were the two Americans, Chloe Dygert (Canyon/SRAM-zondacrypto) and Ruth Edwards (Human Powered Health) along with Celia Le Mouel (Ceratizit), Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) and the ever-aggressive Maeva Squiban (UAE Team ADQ).  The group increase their advantage on the way up the first categorized climb of the day.  They now have over four minutes on the peloton that includes the Maillot Jaune, the Maillot Vert, and the Maillot a Pois.  Is this the move that will win the stage?

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.

"With a Solid Lead TdFF25-37" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Women's Tour Down Under '25, Stage 3: Third Is Enough

It may not have been absolutely necessary, but finishing third in Stirling gave Noemi Ruegg (EF Education-Oatley) three extra bonus seconds ensuring her final victory of the 25th Women's Tour Down Under.  Her nearest competitor, Silke Smulders (Liv-Alula-Jayco) was trying to sprint for the win on the stage, but came second.  While that position gave her six bonus seconds and she managed to finish one second ahead of this sprinting trio, it still allowed Ruegg to win the race by thirteen seconds.  Ruegg proved she could climb yesterday with the win on Willunga Hill, but she put up a fierce sprint to best Ruth Edwards (Human Powered Health) and Sarah Van Dam (Ceratizit) to get third on the day.  

It was a great three days of racing!  I'll be back in a couple of days to paint the six days of the men's 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 $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Third Is Enough TDU25-16" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 7: We Can Do This!

Both Justine Ghekiere (AG Insurance-Soudal) and Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) had gotten into the early breakaway both in search of adding to the point totals in their respective jerseys.  I'm guessing that the peloton let them go thinking both would come back to the peloton after they achieved their jersey goals.  They forgot that it was Marianne Vos they let go.  The escape group was about eight strong but with forty-two kilometers to go the pair of jerseys and Ruth Edwards (Human Powered Health) on a move off the front.  Vos seemed to look back and encourage the others to keep going believing that they had a chance of staying away from the peloton.  After all they had around five minutes advantage with just over forty k to go.  The regular formula is that the peloton can pull back a minute every ten kilometers, so the math says they have a chance.  The caveat is that formula applies to flat stages, and the end of this one was anything but flat. 

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.

"We Can Do This! TdFF24-33" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes 23, Stage 6: Caring for Her Young Teammate

Earlier in the stage, the White Jersey of Cedrine Kerbaol (Certizit-WNT) had been dangling off the back of the peloton.  Apparently, she recovered by the time the peloton had just thirty-one kilometers to reach Blagnac.  Nestled in the embrace of the peloton it seems that her teammate Kathrin Schweinberger had a few encouraging words for the best placed young rider in this Tour de France Femmes.  Just ahead of her I could make out the number of Barbara Malcotti (Human Powered Health).  Also around her were women on the teams of Jayco-Alula, EF Education-TIBCO-SVB, and Israel-Premier Tech.  Now that she is back into the peloton it is probably safe to assume she will be able to keep the Maillot Blanc of best young rider that she has had from the opening stage for at least one more day.  Dispite the evidence of today, she is reportedly a good climber so perhaps tomorrow's ascent of both the Col d'Aspin and the Col du Tourmalet won't endanger the jersey either.

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-2023/3968622-179-297438/Painting/caring-for-her-young-teammate-tdff23-35.html

 

Tour de France Femmes 23, Stage 4: Bonus Seconds

Both Audrey Cordon-Ragot (Human Powered Health) and Yara Kastelijn (Fenix-Deceuninck) were looking a first and second out on the road.  So it made sense that they would sprint against each other for the bonus seconds on offer.  At this point they still had four minutes on the peloton that contained the yellow jersey, and most of the favorites for this year's Tour de France Femmes.  Cordon-Ragot got the maximum of six seconds and Kastelijn grabbed the four second bonus.  They left just two seconds for those left in the break away behind.  With the peloton closing the gap, it could be that these bonus seconds will be the difference between wearing yellow tomorrow or just being highly placed in the 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 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-2023/3967867-162-297438/Painting/bonus-seconds-tdff23-18.html

Paris Roubaix Femmes 23: Caught by the Peloton

This trio of Susanne Anderson (Uno-X), Marjolein Van ‘T Geloof (Human Powered Health) and Romy Kasper (AG Insurance-Soudal-Quick Step) had been off the front for virtually all of Paris Roubaix Femmes, but with just ten kilometers left to race, they found themselves being caught by the remnants of the peloton of race favorites.  Kasper had spent some time off the front on her own, but it may have been too much energy spent.  Still, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

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-/3944965-526-195767/Painting/caught-by-the-peloton-prf23-6.html

Tour Femmes '22, Stage 8: Thanks

Antri Christoforou (Human Powered Health) reaches out in her Cyprus Champion's jersey to tap her thanks to her teammate, Nina Buijsman, for helping her chase back onto the group with the Maillot Jaune at the bottom of the Ballon d'Alsace.  She joins Alena Amialiusik (Canyon/SRAM), Evita Muzic and Vittoria Guazzini (FDJ-Suez-Futuroscope) and of course the woman in yellow herself, Annemiek Van Vleutin.  They all had just one more obstacle today, getting up to the top of the La Super Blanches des Belle Filles.  That was going to be no easy task on the eighth day of racing.  Who will still be with the Maillot Jaune at 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 $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-2022/3896684-190-294403/Painting/thanks-tdff22-49.html

Tour Femmes '22, Stage 5: Still Possible

 Antri Christoforou (Human Powered Health) in her Cyprus Champion's jersey and Victoire Berteau (Cofidis) had rid themselves of their former break away companions and were in with a chance to contest the stage win between themselves.  Berteau had attacked the others on a rise when the peloton was within 30 seconds.  Only Christoforou was able to get back to the Frenchwoman's wheel.  As they went past the 10 K to go banner they still had 36 seconds on the peloton.  The gap was just now starting to drop but it was coming down very slowly.  The sprinters behind weren't going to let their last real chance for a stage win go up the road, so I am thinking their chances are very slim to pull this off.

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-2022/3896127-172-294403/Painting/still-possible-tdff22-32.html

Tour Femmes '22, Stage 5: Adjusting on the Fly

A few kilometers earlier there was probably the largest crash in a bike race I have ever seen.  One rider slipped off the edge of the pavement and fell back into the peloton near the front.  As she fell she took out a couple more and that led to about a 100 riders hitting the asphalt.  They were literally stacked three deep.  It took sometime to get everyone, and every bike sorted.  You could see riders desparately trying to find their bikes, others struggling to get themselves untangled from bikes and each other.  Finally, there were some that spent time with the medical staff.  Fortuantely, it was only one rider who was forced to abandon the race due to her injuries, Emma Norsgaard (Movistar).  

Like many others, Lily Williams (Human Powered Health) had to get her spare bike after the wreck.  She lost time so didn't want to stop again to get her seat adjusted properly.  So here is her mechanic leaning out of the team car making the adjustments as they all speed down the road towards Saint Die des Vosges.  Unlike yesterday on another team, there was no further incidents with the team car.

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-2022/3896122-171-294403/Painting/adjusting-on-the-fly-tdff22-30.html

Tour Femmes '22, Stage 5: Points to be Had

While none of the women in the break away figured in the sprint competition, there were both points and prize money to be held just ahead.  So as the quartet of Victoire Berteau (Cofidis), Emily Newsom (EF Education-TIBCO-SVB), Antri Christoforou (Human Powered Health), and Anya Louw (AG Insurance-NXTG), road through the town of Charmes, Louw jumped her break away companions.  Berteau looked over as she went but decided not to put any effort into out sprinting the AG Insurance rider to the line.  Once the line was crossed, the quartet got back to the work of staying away from the peloton almost two minutes behind them.

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-2022/3896109-169-294403/Painting/points-to-be-had-tdff22-28.html

Tour Femmes '22, Stage 2: Hanging Around the Back

It can be a bit risky hanging around the back of the peloton on a long flat stage.  One never knows when a crash or crosswinds, or both, may split the peloton into pieces.  And of course, that is what happen.  I'm not sure why Urska Zigart (BikeExchange-Jayco) or Yulia Biriukova (Arkea) were back here.  Perhaps Marit Raaijmakers (Human Powered Health) could be forgiven.  She had already spent over 70 kilometers off the front.  With the splits that happen, all of them lost minutes in the general classification.  Lesson learned?

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-2022/3895792-150-294403/Painting/hanging-around-the-back-tdff22-9.html

Tour Femmes, Stage 2: Giants of France

Here in the bread basket of France near everything looms large over the flat wheat fields.  It is a bit nerve wracking to see the cameramen on the back of the motorcycles leaning low to the ground to get these kind of shots.  But I am glad they do.  This foursome went away early with Femke Gerritse (Parkhotel-Valkenburg) getting the few Queen of the Mountains points in the early kilometers of the stage.  She is now equal on points, but somehow the jersey stays on the shoulders of her teammate Femke Markus.  So they share QOM points, a team bus, and a first name.  She was joined by Maret Raaijmakers (Human Powered Health), Sabrina Stultiens (Liv Racing Xstra) and Rotem Gatinovitz (Roand Cogeas Edelweiss Squad), the only Israeli in the peloton.  They built up a minute and a quarter on the peloton, before the sprinters' teams began to take an interest.

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-2022/3895791-149-294403/Painting/giants-in-france-tdff22-8.html

Tour Femmes '22, Stage 1: Let's Do This!

This painting is sold.

I am one of many that was very excited to see this return of a Tour de France for the women.  So here it is!  The race started in Paris in the shadow of the Effiel Tower and rode towards the Champs Elysees.  Once on the famous boulevard the women made twelve circuits from the l'Arc de Triomphe and the Place du Concorde.  I find it intriquing that the women are restarting their Tour on the same boulevard that the men will end their's in a few hours time.  I am sorry I wasn't able to catch the names of the two women who went off the front on the first lap.  They are from the teams of EF Education-TIBCO-SVB and Human Power Health.  I'm excited to paint the next eight days of racing and I hope you will come along for the ride.

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-2022/3895556-135-294403/Painting/lets-do-this-tdff22-1.html