Tour Femmes '26, Stage 4 ITT: Keeping Focused

Before the start of her turn to go, Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Visma-Lease a Bike) was so very focused she didn't seem to even see the butterfly that was sitting on her knee.  She held a fixed glazed that seemed to say just how ready she was to take the Tour de France Femmes in hand.  That focused remained as she rode the course not seeming to see the beauty of the French landscape of castles and vineyards all around her.  Alas, her day did not go as she hoped.  She finished 34th on the day dropping over two minutes to her main competitors.  It is going to be a lot tougher to defend her win of the Tour from last 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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "Keeping Focused TdFF26-21" (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: A Day Out

It was an intense day out on the bike for all of the Tour de France Femmes peloton racing the individual time trial.  Anna Van Der Breggan (SD Worx-Protime) road pass that family on the side of the road on her way to a fourteenth place on the day.  I was struck by the father and son paying close attention to everyone as the sped pass.  It looked to me as if the kid was trying to sketch the riders as the flew by.  Naturally, that made me smile.  On the other hand, it seems the other child was considerably less interested.  So it goes.

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: "A Day Out TdFF26-20" (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 '26, Stage 16 ITT: First Goes Last

With an individual time trial the best placed rider in the general classification starts last, with the lowest placed rider going first.  Naturally, the order continues up through the classification.  It gives Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) the extra advantage of knowing the times of all of his competitors as he races the twenty-six kilometers down to the coast of Lake Geneva. While he may have known the times he needed to best his legs weren't able to deliver the speed required.  For the second stage in a row he took second place to the same person (I'll reveal who later).  Before any of his fans panic, he does have a five-minute buffer between himself and the next best rider 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 work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "First Goes Last TdF26-118" (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 '26, Stage 16 ITT: Settling In

Having just started his twenty-six-kilometer individual time trial, Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) settles into his aero-tuck and gets down to business.  I was wondering if Jorgenson was going to go full gas for the stage victory or would he just get around the course to hold his position in the GC?  His fourteenth place at the end of the day seems to indicate that he and his teammates were saving themselves to race for stage victories in the closing week of the Tour.  It was a treat to watch his sister Nicole interview his at the end of the stage.  He seemed truly relaxed and enjoying having family around.  It does seem to be a close family.  I have had online conversations with his mother.

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: "Settling In TdF26-116" (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 '26, Stage 16 ITT: Flipping Visma's Luck

By wearing his number 13 bib number upside down Bruno Armirail (Visma-Lease a Bike) is hoping to ward off bad luck.  So far it hasn't really work very well.  He had a rough start of the Tour with two crashes, but clearly, has been able to continue unlike his team leader.  As I painted in Stage 15, his team leader Jonas Vingegaard crashed out of the Tour suffering a broken collarbone.  The team is a bit at a loss now that their main objective disappeared in the blink of an eye.  As the team gets a handle on their new role look for attempts at breakaways and stage victories.  Everyone is too far back in the general classification to have any realistic hope of making the podium or even the top ten because of all of the work they have been doing for Vingegaard.  It may make for some more exciting racing in this final week of the Tour.  Armirail was the best time by six seconds when he finished his race, but dropped to eight by the time the Maillot Jaune finished.

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: "Flipping Visma's Luck TdF26-115" (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 '25, Stage 5 ITT: What He Does Best

Given that he is the reigning UCI Time Trial Champion, racing against the clock is what Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step) does best.  He went out hot but didn't have the best time at either of the first to time checks.  But as he turned to return to Caen, he seemed to find another level.  It didn't hurt that there was a pretty strong tailwind.  Of course, that meant there had been an equally strong headwind on the way out of town.  He was expected to win the stage, he didn't disappoint.  He hoped to get himself back into contention with a big win, but his time advantage wasn't as big over the new Maillot Jaune as he hoped.  I do like the painted hatch marks on the street.  They really helped this composition.  I image that they were to keep drivers from blocking the intersection.  We are in the downtown area of a rather large town in northern 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 work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.  

"What He Does Best TdF25-30" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 5 ITT: The Last to Start

It is the honor of holding the Maillot Jaune that you are the last to start down the ramp in an individual time trial.  So it was for Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) today.  He held little hope that he would be still in yellow tonight.  He wasn't wrong, but he gave it all he could to hold on to the golden fleece.  He started the day tied with Tadej Pogacar so he would need to go at least one second faster over the Slovenian.  Instead, he was almost a minute-and-a-half slower and dropped to eighteenth to start the day tomorrow.

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 Last to Start TdF25-20" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 5 ITT: Work to Be Done

Primoz Roglic (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) isn't having his best Tour although he has managed to avoid the crashes and stay upright thus far.  He started today in thirteenth place, not where a GC guys want to be.  Despite looking it like he was not having the time trial he is capable of he did move himself up into eighth place at the end of the stage.  However, he sits two-and-a-half minutes off the time of the new Maillot Jaune.  So, as it often is, good news, bad news for the other Slovenian in 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 work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.  

"Work to Be Done TdF25-28" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 4 ITT: A Strong Defense

Ivan Romeo (Movistar) had a very tough task ahead of him as he rolled down the start ramp in Charmes sur Rhone.  He couldn't lose more than a minute to some of the very best cyclists in the world.  He almost did it.  He finished the day in fifteenth place ceding minute and twenty-six seconds to the stage winner, Remco Evenpoel.  That result meant that he would not start tomorrow in yellow.  However, he now sits in third on the general classification (and in the race for the Maillot Blanc, as well) just nine seconds back.

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.

"A Stong Defense CdD25-23" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 4 ITT: Whoosh!

I think I just figured out why Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) is so fast! Every time he pulls on his race kit, he has the word woosh on his ass.  I'm sure that is it, and not the talent, drive, and hard work.  Tadej didn't have his best ever time trial today.  He finished the day just off of the stage podium conceding tens of seconds to his two main rivals and the two guys who finished behind him in last year's Tour de France.  I am sure he is telling himself, "That's okay, the mountains are coming."

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.

"Whoosh! CdD25-22" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 4 ITT: Spinning for All He's Worth

Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) had started the day by riding a recon of the course.  While on the ride he learned that his normal TT bike set up wouldn't work for the steam climb in the middle of the stage.  He went back to his team mechanics and had them add a second chain ring and derailleur to his bike.  That set up allowed him to spin a higher rpm up the hill.  It clearly worked.  He finished the day in second place on the stage, and that moved him up to fifth in the general classification.  Perhaps even more importantly, it enabled him to put twenty-two seconds into Tadej Pogacar (UAE-Team Emirates).  If this race is any indication of that other big French race in July, we are in for quite an adventure in three weeks 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 $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Spinning for All He's Worth CdD25-20" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 4 ITT: On a Fast One

I confess that I am a fan of this American, Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike).  He is having a great year, last year wasn't too shabby either.  This is his second weeklong stage race this year... He won the other one, (Paris-Nice).  He was laying down best times all of the way around the course and went into the hot seat reserved for the rider with the best time at the finish line.  He stayed there until the Time Trial World Champion finished his seventeen-and-a-half-kilometer course.  He ended the day on the third step of the stage's podium.  Chapeau, Matteo!

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. 

"On a Fast One CdD25-19" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 4 ITT: Alone for the Last Time

"Romain, Merci!"  Romain Bardet (Picnic-PostNL) picked the Criterium du Dauphine as his last race in his thirteen years of being a professional cyclist.  It pleases me that his career coincides with my painting of professional cycling.  The title comes from the fact that today is his last time trial with a race number pinned to his jersey.  Fans all along the road held up signs showing their love of the French icon.  So, as the kid's sign says, "Allez, Romain!"  

He had a good ride, but then this is not his best discipline.  He finished the day over two minutes off of the stage winning 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 $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Alone for the Last Time CdD25-18" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine 25, Stage 4 ITT, Finding His Form

Now that Remi Cavagna has come back to Groupama-FDJ, he is truly finding his grove again.  It didn't hurt that he was on a time trial bike that was designed by one of his Groupama-FDJ teammates.  He laid down best times at both the intermediate split and the finish by a three second margin when he arrived in Saint Peray.  Of course, with a time trial you don't know where you will be on the final tally until everyone has finished for the day.  He ended up in seventh place a minute and nine seconds behind the eventual stage winner.

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. 

"Finding His Form CdD25-17" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Volta ao Algarve '25, Final Stage: He'll Know in Two Kilometers

Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) was on a great ride.  Not unexpected since he is a former Portuguese Champion in this time trial discipline riding on his home roads.  However, he finished the stage in sixth place just a bit over thirty seconds behind the stage winner, Jonas Vingegaard.  His ride was enough to keep him in second place on the general classification just fifteen seconds behind the final yellow jersey.

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.

"He'll Know in Two Kilometers VA24-17" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Volta ao Algarve '25, Final Stage: Burning Up the Road

Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) started the day sitting in sixth place a full twenty seconds behind the current race leader.  It was said that he came to this race to check his form and open up his race legs.  After today, it is clear he is ready to race.  He took the stage by eleven seconds over his teammate Wout Van Aert.  Moreover, he put a minute and twenty-seven seconds on the erstwhile yellow jersey, Jan Christen (UAE Team Emirates).  In one stage, he made us all look forward to the match up with last year's winner of the Tour de France, Tadej Pogacar.  Let's all hope they both stay healthy through 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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Burning Up the Road VA25-16" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Volta ao Algarve '25, Final Stage: An Italian Speedster

The Italian Time Trial National Champion, Filippo Ganna (Ineos-Grenadiers) had high hopes of adding another stage win to his collection in this year's Volta ao Algarve.  He was definitely posting the best times at the intermediate check points on his way around the almost twenty-kilometer course.  He posted the second-best time when he finished but dropped away to fifteenth on the day.  Regardless, he looked great in his tricolore jersey. Although I must say that I don't get the dark maroon shorts in the Ineos-Grenadiers kit.   They normally wear black shorts with their team kit.

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. 

"An Italian Speedster VA25-14" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 3: Head Down & Go!

With the time check just on the other side of this bridge, it was time for Ellen Van Dijk (Lidl-Trek) to put her head down and go as fast as she can.  She was on a good ride.  She came in just one second of the best time as she finished her individual time trial.  She did drop to sixth place for the stage, the second of the day, after everyone had their go around the streets of Rotterdam.  She was only 6 3/4 seconds off of the stage winner's time over the six kilometer course.

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.

"Head Down & Go! TdFF24-11" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Final Stage: Both Gaming & Losing Time

Given that I titled my painting of Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) "Gaining Time" in the first individual time trial, I thought I should be a bit more accurate this time.  Vingegaard was one an incredibly strong ride on the way into Nice.  He was setting new best times at every check point enroute.  A particularly positive sign since Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step) was the rider ahead of him on the road.  Not so positive was that the next guy on the road, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) was also setting new best times that were better than Vingegaard's.  Therefore, Vingegaard was gaining time on Evenepoel who was in third, and losing time on Pogacar who will remain in first.

The results mean that Vingegaard is both second on the stage and in the Tour.  And, Evenepoel is both third on the stage and in the Tour as well.  Although he hasn't finished yet, Pogacar will be both first on the stage (his sixth of this Tour) and in his third 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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Both Gaining & Losing Time TdF24-140" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 7 ITT: Gaining Time

Perhaps this wasn't the right title for this painting.  At this point, Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) was gaining time on everyone who was out on course ahead of him, setting the best time at the two previous check points.  Alas, he did not set the most important best time, the one at the end of the stage.  He came in three seconds behind Primoz Roglic (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe).  Worse, was the two guys behind him, Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quickstep) and Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) also went faster over the 25 kilometers as well.  Still, he remains in third overall just one minute and fifteen seconds off the lead and forty-five seconds out of second place.  Don't worry, remember that he traditional gets stronger in the final week of the Tour, while others have been known to fade.

I should mention that this watercolor reminded my wife, Bridget Gethins, of Andrew Wyeth's famous painting, "Christie's World."  I didn't plan it, but she is definitely right.

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. 

"Gaining Time TdF24-38" (Original art by Greig Leach)