Tour '25, Stage 9: Doctor's Visit

Georg Zimmermann (Intermarche-Wanty) had a crash that sent him sliding across the tarmac and into the rough grass at the side of the road. Since there are no time-outs in cycling, Zimmermann had to get his wounds dressed by hanging on to the medic's car as his abrasions were cleaned and bandaged.  The only time a rider is able to hold onto a race vehicle is when they are being treated by the race doctor.  I once had a similar crash in an amateur race.  I was done for the day.  I was also done with bike racing.  That was not the case with the German National Champion, he got up rode another sixty kilometers to finish the stage.  He arrived in Chateauroux looking more like a mummy than a cyclist with a large group seven minutes off of the time of the 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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Doctor's Visit TdF25-54" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 1: Winding It Up

Alpecin-Deceuninck had led out the final fifteen kilometers of the opening stage of the Tour beautifully.  With just about 75 meters to go, the deliver Jasper Philipsen to the front at full speed.  Try as they might Biniam Girmay (Intermache-Wanty) wasn't able to come around him.  Jasper took the stage by roughly five bike lengths, with Girmay taking second.  Behind, Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies) was fourth, Matteo Trentin (Tudor) fifth, Clement Russo (Groupama-FDJ) sixth, and Soren Werenskjold (Uno X-Mobility) took the third step of the peloton.  The result puts Philipsen in both the Maillot Jaune and the Maillot Vert, with Girmay in the Maillot Blanc of best young rider.  Girmay sits second in both the sprint competition and 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.

"Winding It Up TdF25-6" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 1: The First Sprint Points

Once the breakaway had been caught it meant that maximum points were available at the intermediate sprint in La Motte au Bois.  It was the Tour rookie, Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) who claim the sprint and its twenty points towards the Green Jersey.  While I thought it was Biniam Girmay (Intermache-Wanty) that took second, it was in fact Bryan Coquard (Cofidis) who just beat out the Eritrean sprinter.  Oddly, it was Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) taking fourth.  Perhaps, he didn't want to go too deep, saving himself for stage honors in another 94 kilometers.  Even with winning this sprint, it will be the stage winner who will have not only the lead in the Maillot Vert competition, he will also wear the first Maillot Jaune of this 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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"The First Sprint Points TdF25-3" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 1: Trying to Stay Away

With another 110 kilometers to race it was a bit of a surprise to see the breakaway's advantage drop to just twenty-two seconds.  As the peloton drew close, it was Bruno Armirail (Decathlon-AG2R-La Mondiale) pushed the pace of his breakaway companions Benjamin Thomas (Cofidis), Mathis Le Berre (Arkea-B&B Hotels) and Jonas Rutsch (Intermache-Wanty).  There had been a fifth escapee, but he found the pace too much and dropped back into the relative safety of the peloton.  Thomas had grabbed the one king of the mountain points over the first climb.  I am sure he hoped to stay away to vie for the points at the second and/or third climbs of the day.  It didn't look like those behind were going to let that happen.

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.

"Trying to Stay Away TdF25-2" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 3: Three Chasing One

When the solo rider attacked the break, the rest spent too much time trying to make the others do the chasing.  Finally, this trio of Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), Louis Barre (Intermache-Wanty), and Harold Tejada (XDS-Astana) realized the stage win, and with it the yellow jersey, was putting seconds into their aspirations. These guys had to make up fourteen seconds in a mere kilometer and a half.  I doubt there is any chance of that happening.  Instead, just two of them will be contenting themselves with a step on the podium.  They never managed to get any closer, but it was Tejada taking second and Barre taking third.  Despite, or more likely because of, all of his efforts it was Lipowitz who missed out.  The three now hold the same positions in the general classification that they finished in Charantonnay.

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. 

"Three Chasing One CdD25-15" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Ronde van Vlaanderen '25: Counter Move

With the early breakaway still up the road, these four decided it was time for a counter move.  I believe it was Stefan Kung (Groupama-FDJ) who set things off.  He was joined by Vito Braet (Intermache-Wanty), Davide Ballerini (XDS-Astana) and the ever watchful Tiesj Benoot (Visma-Lease a Bike).  Benoot knew that if this group could join the leaders, it would put his team at an advantage when it came to the closing kilometers of the race.  With 101 kilometers yet to race, they were a little over a minute behind the lead group and they had about three quarters of a minute on the rather large peloton 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 $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Counter Move RVV25-1" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Men's Omloop Nieuwsblad '25: Escaping the Peloton

Despite a breakaway still being two and a half minutes up the road, it was Visma-Lease a Bike that was animating the race all day.  This time it was their man, Matthew Brennan, who jumped away from the peloton on the cobbled climb of the Eikenberg.  He brought Vito Braet (Intermache-Wanty) - who looks back to see what the gap is - and Tim van Dijke (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe).  With another fifty-four kilometers to race, I am sure that van Dijke and Brennan were making the race hard in hopes of aiding their team leaders.

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.

"Escaping the Peloton OHN25-6" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Volta ao Algarve '25, Stage 4: A Tough Finale

The final sprint (but not the final stage) saw Milan Fretin (Cofidis) take a clear win in a clean uphill sprint.  He was able to get the better of the Green Jersey of the points leader, Jordi Meeus (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe).  Filippo Ganna (Ineos-Grenadiers) claimed the last step of the stage podium edging out Arnaud De Lie (Lotto) and Biniam Girmay (Intermache-Girmay) at the line in Faro, Portugal.  Tomorrow, the race wraps up with an individual time trial.  It will be interesting to see how much the general classification is shaken up over the twenty kilometer course that ends atop the Malhao Category Two climb.

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 Tough Finale VA25-13" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Volta ao Algrave '25, Stage 3: It Counts this Time

This time when Jordi Meeus (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) outsprinted the peloton, it counted.  Behind him was Alberto Dainese (Tudor Cycling) followed by Biniam Girmay (Intermache-Wanty) and the Belgium Champion Arnaud De Lie (Lotto).  While I didn't see a problem, Dainese was relegated so Girmay and De Lie moved up a step on the stage podium.  With his win today Meeus moves into the Green Jersey of the points leader.  Plus, I'm thrilled to see Girmay back at the pointy end of a stage after his brilliant 2024 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.

"It Counts this Time VA25-10" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Men's Tour Down Under '25, Stage 4: Working as One

After the sprint, the four escapees got back to working together as they pushed out their advantage over the peloton.  The group has just gone over the first categorized climb of the day, Parawa Hill, where they rolled through uncontested with Mauro Schmid (Jayco-Alula) on the front.  The Swiss Champion was followed in turn by Giosue Epis (Arkea-B&B Hotels), Ide Schelling (XDS-Astana), and Taco Van Der Hoorn (Intermache-Wanty).  With seventy kilometers left to go, their advantage of a bit over a minute didn't look super promising.  But then, sitting in the peloton, they would have considerably less chance than being out here on the front.

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.

"Working as One TDU25-33" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Men's Tour Down Under '25, Stage 2: Bloodied & Victorious

Within the first two or three kilometers of the 128 kilometer stage, the Ochre Jersey, Sam Welsford (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) crashed tearing off about half of his racing shorts.  It was feared that he wouldn't be able to stay with the peloton or perhaps hoped for by the other sprinters in the race.  And it was opined that if he did stay there, he wouldn't have the legs to sprint for the stage victory.  To their disappointment, Arne Marit (Intermache-Wanty), Bryan Coquard (Cofidis) and the rest of the peloton discovered just how wrong they were at the line in Tanunda.  With his second stage win in as many stages, Welsford leads by fourteen seconds over Marit on the general classification.  He also has twenty-two-point lead in the sprint competition.  So far, he is having a great Tour Down Under, albeit a rather sore one.

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.

"Bloodied & Victorious TDU25-26" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Men's Tour Down Under '25, Stage 2: Sprinting Shoulder to Shoulder

As the breakaway rolled into Greenok and the intermediate sprint, both Georg Zimmermann (Intermache-Wanty) and Patrick Konrad (Lidl-Trek) sprinted hard to the line.  It looked like Zimmermann had it, but Konrad found a final kick to take the maximum bonus seconds.  Having been allowed to get the maximum KOM points, Fergus Browning (ARA Australian Cycling) left the sprinting to his fellow escapees.  When they came back around to the second intermediate sprint, the pair flipped their finishing positions.   With their two first and second places the two moved themselves up to fourth and fifth in the overall general classification.  Whereas Browning may have locked up the KOM competition after just two stages.  Not a bad day out for the early breakaway today.

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.

"Sprinting Shoulder to Shoulder TDU25-23" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Men's Tour Down Under '25, Stage 2: Chasing More KOM Points

Fergus Browning (ARA Australian Cycling) sporting his King of the Mountians Polka Dot Jersey was out in the breakaway for the second day running.  Not only did he claim the jersey in stage one, he was also awarded the red bib number of most aggressive rider on stage one.  Kindly, the race organization awarded his breakaway companion and teammate Zacharie Marriage the same aggressive rider red bib, too.  Today Browning was joined by Patrick Konrad (Lidl-Trek) and Georg Zimmermann (Intermache-Wanty).  Do their credit, they didn't challenge Browning for the KOM points at the top of Mengler Hill either time the trio was off the front of the peloton.

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. 

"Chasing More KOM Points TDU25-22" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Final Stage: Finishing in Green

It wasn't like anyone expected Biniam Girmay (Intermache-Wanty) to light up the final stage of this Tour. But he has lit up all of the cycling communnity!  Girmay is the first Eritrea to win a stage in the Tour, and obviously the first Black African to do so.  He went on to win two more stages and in so doing won the Maillot Vert, again a first for Africa and the Tour.  He was very active in the intermediate sprints to make sure that his jersey was his today in Nice.  

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. 

"Finishing in Green TdF24-135" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 18: Passing Around the M&Ms

Today reminded me of when I feel in love with the Giro d'Italia.  Then after a rider celebrated his birthday in his hometown with his family, the peloton joined in the party.  As they got ready to roll out, someone took one of the pastry trays and shared it with the others in the peloton as they rode out of town.  Today, it was the first time I have seen anything similar in the Tour de France.  I'm not sure where the bag of M&Ms came from but the camera caught Jasper Stuyvens (Lidl-Trek) handing out handfuls of peanut and chocolate candy.  Eventually, he passed the bag to Robbe Ghys (Alpecin-Deceuninck) who then handed it back to his teammate Axel Laurance.  Laurance did continue pouring out the treats into the hands of Kobe Goossens (Intermache-Wanty) amongst others.  I don't know how long it took to empty the bag, but I am sure there were some very happy tastebuds today.  With the large breakaway up the road, the pressure was off for a change, and the peloton was taking full advantage.

This painting has already sold to a longtime patron of my cycling art.  Digital prints are available through the website.

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.

"Passing Around the M&Ms Tdf24-111" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 17: Another Point in the Bag

After crashing and being helped to the finish by his teammates yesterday, it was a relief to see that Biniam Girmay (Intermache-Wanty) started stage 17.  It was even more pleasing to see him contesting the intermediate sprint for the remaining points not sucked up by the breakaway.  He had about a bike length on his main rival for the Maillot Vert, Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) as he crossed the line in Veynes.  Taking third, and third in the competition was the French sprinter, Bryan Coquard (Cofidis).  All Girmay has to do to win the green jersey overall is keep finishing ahead of Philipsen in the next three intermediate sprints.  Given the coming stages neither are going to be vying for the stage victories, including today.

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.

"Another Point in the Bag TdF24-102" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 16: Finishing with His Teammates

Sadly, Biniam Girmay (Intermache-Wanty) wasn't able to contest the last sprint stage of the Tour today.  He crashed and was helped across the finish line by his teammate Kobe Goossens.  As they headed for their support personnel, Girmay put his arm on Hugo Page's shoulder to thank him for waiting.  He needed to cross the line to remain in the Tour and in the Maillot Vert.  Fortunately, x-rays and a medical exam proved he had no broken bones or serious injuries.  He plans to start Stage 17 to defend his lead in the sprinter's competition.  He will be hoping to add points on the remaining hard climbing stages counting on his main rival to not be able to hang with the peloton before it gets to the intermediate sprints.  Even Jasper Philipsen said it would be sad for him to take the jersey "this way"

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. 

"Finishing with His Teammates TdF24-100" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 16: No Points Today

Well, technically, no points at the end of the stage.  Depending on how Jasper Philipsen does in the finale, this could be a real blow to Biniam Girmay's (Intermache-Wanty) from carrying the Maillot Vert all of the way to Nice.  Unlike the race for time, there is no same points inside of the final three kilometers for the sprinters.  Yes, he will get the same time as today's stage winner, but that isn't what this Eritrean is racing for.  Also hitting the deck through the final roundabout inside of the final kilometers was Marijn Van Berg (EF Education-EasyPost).  You may be able to make out his two American teammates waiting to help him to the line.  They are the US Champion, Sean Quinn, and Nielson Powless.  Rest assured that Girmay's teammates are waiting for him as well.  They just happen to be off camera.

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.  

"No Points Today TdF24-98" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 16: All About Points

Bryan Coquard (Cofidis) finally got the better of all of the sprinters, too bad it was for the intermediate sprint and not the finale.  However, he and the guys that finished second and fifth, Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies) and Arnaud De Lie (Lotto-Dstny) are virtually tied behind the two leaders in the competiton for the Maillot Vert of best sprinter in this Tour.  Finishing second in this sprint in Les Matellettes was Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) who closed in on the lead of Biniam Girmay (Intermache-Wanty) who took fourth.  I doubt they went full gas since the real points are awarded at the finish line in another 96 kilometers 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.

"All About Points TdF24-95" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 15: Neutral Service

When a rider doesn't have access to his team car, he can get help from neutral service.  Louis Meintjes (Intermache-Wanty) had the misfortune to have a flat tire while helping to get the early breakaway started.  His team car had not yet got through the peloton, so it was the Shimano neutral service mechanic who gave him a rear wheel and installed it too.  Despite it being a good fast change, it meant that the South African's time in the break was over.  He dropped back to the peloton.  He then looked for his team car and got a wheel that fit his specks.  For some reason, he later had another bike change which spelled the end of his day.  He finished the day 28th a just over twenty-two minutes behind the stage winner.  Had he not had these misfortunes he might have had a chance at the stage win.  He is a good climber.

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.

"Neutral Service TdF24-85" (Original art by Greig Leach)