Tour '25, Stage 20: Who's Still Here?

After a treacherous wet corner that took out two and delayed a third of his breakaway companions, Jake Stewart (Israel-Premier Tech) looks back to see who is still with him.  Along with him, Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and Frank Van Dem Brock (Picnic-PostNL) stayed upright.  While everyone did get back up to finish the stage, their time in the front group was over.  I was really worried that the Movistar rider wasn't going to be able to continue, but he did finish the stage.  It would suck to have gotten this close to Paris and have to leave before seeing the Champs Elysees!

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? TdF25-136" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 20: Airbourne

The Devil almost missed the breakaway going pass him.  He was performing his signature leap in the air for the press photographer and was more focused on getting back up in the air like he did of yore, than watching for the racers.  I was surprised that no one in the break seemed to bay Didi Stenft any mind.  Jake Stewart (Israel-Premier Tech) was on the tail of the bunch (for now) that was being led by Ivan Romeo (Movistar).  In the middle of the eleven-man group you can spy the American Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike).  Although Jordan Jegat had tried and failed to get away, he did pull out a much stronger and more manageable group to ride to a hopeful stage victory.  One small problem, Ben Healy is seventeen seconds up the road on his own.

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.  

"Airbourne TdF25-134" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 15: Thanks, Guys

Sure, the morning I decide nothing is going to happen early, so I grab and extra half hour of sleep, that's when all of the drama happens early.  After a crash, cross wins, Tadej paying back Jonas for making the peloton wait, and dropped riders, the breakaway finally reached the sprint point in Saint Felix Lavrages.  As the fifteen riders approached the sprint point it was Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) leading them through.  Once he had taken the uncontested maximum points, he swung off thanking Jarrad Prizners (Lotto) and Jake Stewart (Israel-Premier Tech) for not making him have to sprint.  With Jonathan Milan back in the main peloton Van Der Poel will be the only sprinter earning points towards the Maillot Vert today until the end of the stage.  He is now moved closer to Milan's total, just one stage win today would give him the lead in the sprinter's competition. 

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.

"Thanks, Guys TdF25-95" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 10: Are They Still There?

Shortly after Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) found his parents along the side of the road on the climb of one of the uncategorized hills, he went off on his own.  With twenty-seven kilometers to go, he was hoping to improve his previous second place behind the man that is chasing him right now.  I now know that my suspicion about what is going to happen when Simmons tucks up his hair.  He came to the start today with his hair up under his helmet, I think he had a plan tucked up under there too.  Chasing the American champion is the former Irish champion, Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) along with Anders Halland Johannessen (Uno X-Mobility), Pablo Castrillo (Movistar), and Michael Woods (Israel-Premier Tech).  At this point in the stage, Ben Healy was the virtual leader of the Tour.  Now he has to rely on his legs, and a detente between the leaders of the Tour about five minutes back down the road.

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 They Still There? TdF25-62" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 8: Beaucoup de Monde

Before the peloton arrived in this village along the course, the team directors warned the teams that there were 'beaucoup du monde' or 'a lot of people' in the next town.  The pace was growning as they neared the intermediate sprint so the peloton was lined out as they were cheered by the thousands of fans along the road.  Jake Stewart (Israel-PremierTech) found himself on the wheel of the Maillot Blanc of Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step) as they went through a left hand turn.

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. 

"Beaucoup de Monde TdF25-48" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 5: From the Front

Jake Stewart (Israel-Premier Tech) led out the sprint from the front.  None of the big-name sprinters were able to close in on the young Brit.  Remember, he was the sprinter that almost caught the escaped GC riders in the wild first stage of this Dauphine.  Behind him, it was Axel Laurance (Ineos-Grenadiers) taking a second, Soren Waerenskjold (Uno X-Mobility) took third and Laurence Pithie (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) managed to take fourth.  So, today was, in fact, a day for the sprinters, and some new names were able to show their prowess.

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.

"From the Front CdD25-28" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 3: The Road Ahead

It is rare that so strong of a breakaway is allowed to get over a minute on the peloton, but perhaps those behind had underestimated who was up the road.  The thirteen-man break had eight men that were under eleven seconds off of the time of the Maillot Jaune.  And he was currently over a minute behind the peloton! As they ride across the dead straight roads of the valley, Krists Neilands (Israel-Premier Tech) reaches out to the support moto to grab a bottle of water.  The former Latvian champion is seen moments later pouring the cold water all over himself in an attempt to stay cool.  He took a big swig, 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 $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"The Road Ahead CdD25-13" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 1: Out Sprinting the Sprinters

As someone I follow on BlueSky said, "I didn't have the GC guys sprinting for the stage on my Bingo card!"  Once they had a gap on the peloton, Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike), Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates), Remco Evenpoel (Soudal-Quick Step) and Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) pressed on in search of stage honors.  It was suppose to be a sprinter stage, but one can never count on Pogacar and Vingegaard to race as predicted.  Van Der Poel was forced to open up the sprint first as the peloton came close to catching them all, but both Vingegaard and Pogacar were able to come around the best sprinter in the group.  The only sprinter to get near was Jake Stewart (Israel-Premier Tech) who did out sprint the peloton but still finished fifth on the stage.  With Pogacar taking the stage, he will be in the Yellow Jersey tomorrow, with Vingegaard four seconds back and wearing the Green Jersey on loan from the World Champion.  The top four finishers now occupy the top four places on the general classification.  Three of the four were the final podium in last year's 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.

"Out Sprinting the Sprinters CdD25-5" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Final Stage: Best thus Far

As Derek Gee (Israel-Premier Tech) crested the summit of the Col d' Eze, he posted the best time at the time check.  He was on a great ride, hoping to erase the twenty-four second deficit that he has to the other Northern American Matteo Jorgenson who sits now in eighth place overall.  His position in the top ten is very secure, but everyone wants to move up and dreads moving down.

He posted the best time when he finished, but he didn't even make it to the hot seat before Jorgenson posted an even faster time less than two minutes later.  So, he will remain nineth on the final 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 $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Best thus Far TdF24-138" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 18: Getting No Closer

This quintet was doing their best to chase down the three up the road, but as the kilometers rolled by under their wheels they weren't able to close the gap.  Despite the efforts of Bart Lemmen (Visma-Lease a Bike) who had switched from riding for his teammate, and started riding for himself.  He was aided by Krists Neilands (Israel-Premier Tech), Tom Skujins (Lidl-Trek), Jai Hindley (Red Bull-Bora-Hangrohe), and Oier Lazkano (Movistar).  But with a mere eight kilometers to race, the group was still forty-five seconds behind the leaders.  The large chasing group they had left behind was still about fifteen seconds back.  However, just like these guys, they weren't able to close the gap 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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Getting No Closer TdF24-114" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 17: Passing the Devil

With the lone figure of Simon Yates (Jayco-Alula) going up the road, Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) is cheered on by Didi Stentf, aka the Devil, in his efforts to bridge up to the Brit.  Steven Williams (Israel-Premier Tech) does his best to hold onto the wheel of the Ecuadorian climber.  Carapaz has had the Maillot Juane for one stage this Tour, but is still looking for his first Tour de France stage win in his career.

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 the Devil TdF24-105" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 12: One More!

Only two countries have won three stages of this Tour de France, France and now Eritrea.  However, for Eritrea it was just one man doing the winning, Biniam Girmay (Intermache-Wanty).  It is also true that only one team has won more than one stage, at that obviously is his team.  They Maillot Vert was able to win the stage, add to his points in the sprinters' competition and out sprint Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike), Arnaud Demare (Cofidis), Pascal Ackermann (Israel-Premier Tech), and everyone's favorite, Mark Cavendish (Astana-Qazaqstan) in Villeneuve sur Lot.  I have given you their names in the order that they finished behind the surprise sprinter of this Tour. I don't see any way that he will not carry the Green Jersey all of the way to Nice.  At this point, all he has to do is finish the remaining nine stages inside the time limit and it should be his.  It would be better if he continued to add to his total, but his lead is becoming unsurmountable.

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.

"One More! TdF24-69" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 10: Finally Getting a Stage!

Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) finally got to celebrate a stage victory in this year's Tour.  He combined a perfect lead-out by his team with a clean sprint to claim victory in Saint Amand Montrond.  He held of a closing Biniam Girmay (Intermache-Wanty) and got pass Pascal Ackermann (Israel-Premier Tech).  He was understandably thrilled to get the monkey off his back.  He has finished second twice, one of those result in being relegated for dangerous sprinting.  So it was a relief for him to win, and to do so without endangering any of the others vying for 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 $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Finally Getting a Stage! TdF24-56" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 9: The Dash to the Line

Derek Gee (Israel-Premier Tech) was the first to open up his sprint followed quickly by Tom Pidcock (Ineos-Grenadiers).  The pair got beat to the line by Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies).  Turgis' win makes the third stage won by a Frenchman this Tour.  It is also the fifth first time Tour win this year.  Or sixth if you want to count the one guy, Biniam Girmay, who has won two stages, but they were the first he has ever won in the Tour.  This has been a Tour of first, for riders, for teams with the notable exception of Mark Cavendish's 35th Tour stage win earlier this week.  Just off the podium, and barely in the frame of this artwork, is Alex Aranburu, the Spanish Champion on Movistar.  His team had three men in the break for most of the day, so it is even more frustrating for him that he couldn't finish it off at the line in Troyes.

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.

"The Dash to the Line TdF24-51" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 9: On to the Next Sector

The lead group hits Sector 9 of the gravel roads with another 67 kilometers to race.  They only have a little over a minute advantage on the group containing the marquees of this Tour.  Derek Gee (Israel-Premier Tech) leads Alexey Lutsenko (Astana-Qazaqstan), Jasper Stuyven (Lidl-Trek) with the other six that were in the lead group into the choking dust of the gravel roads.  I do truly appreciate the camera motos getting these shots so we can see what is happening, but they are the ones kicking up huge clouds of dust into the faces of each of the groups of riders.

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 to the Next Sector TdF24-48" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 8: The Final Meters

The finale of stage 8 was an uphill sprint to the line.  On paper it was a sprinter's stage, one that was tailor made for the guy who didn't start today, Mads Pedersen.  As they got to the final meters of the stage it looked like Bryan Coquard (Cofidis) was in perfect shape as his leadout man was still setting the pace.  He did have the Maillot Vert of Biniam Girmay (Intermache-Wanty), the best sprinter is this Tour, on his wheel.  It was Pascal Ackerman (Israel-Premier Tech) who had the cat bird seat, the wheel of Girmay.  Would Cofidis get a stage win for the second year in a row, or would someone further back get the jump on everyone in this 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 $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"The Final Meters TdF24-44" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 4: Still Taking Second

Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ) started the day in second in the King of the Mountains competition, but since the leader had another jersey he is wearing the Maillot a Pois on loan.  He went out in the early break in hopes of taking the lead in the KOM outright, but Steven Williams (Israel Premier Tech) had other ideas.  It was Williams just outsprinting the surprised Madouas to the top of Sestrieres.  The two then lead the race onto French soil 100 meters later.  Bienvenue le Tour!

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.

"Still Taking Second TdF24-17" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Men’s Race: Who Do We Have Now?

With a teammate up the road, both Wout Van Aert and Christophe Laporte (Visma-Lease a Bike) soft pedaled to discourage others from chasing Matteo Jorgenson.  The problem was, that allowed those chasing behind to join in to the mid race break away.  Toms Skujins (Lidl-Trek) seems to be scolding Laporte for letting Ivan Garcia Cortina (Movistar), Dylan Teuns (Israel-Premier Tech) and Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates) back into the race.  Just behind this group, another was just seconds behind.  After looking like the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad was going to come down to a six man race, everything suddenly changed with just eleven kilometers left to race.  It was looking like it may come down to a field sprint after 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 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/Spring-Classics-/4001378-551-195767/Painting/who-do-we-have-now-ohn24-8.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 6: Leaving No Doubt

Much was made about how the final climb up Mount Lofty and the end of the stage might play out.  Stephen Williams (Israel-Premier Tech) had started the day tied with Oscar Onley (DSM-Firmenish-PostNL) and just a five second lead on Jhonatan Narvaez (Ineos-Grenadiers).  But as they sprinted for the line, Williams was able to get around Narvaez (and the rest of those looking to take either the stage or the jersey) to claim the stage, a ten second time bonus, and the 2024 Tour Down Under.  While Narvaez claimed second and a six second bonus it left him in second place overall.  Finishing the stage in third thus moving himself in third was a former wearer of the Ochre Jersey, Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates).  Bart Lemmen (Visma-Lease a Bike) finished in fourth on the day, and fifth in the Tour.  Just peeping in behind this group was the man who started the finale attacks, Laurence Pithie (Groupaman-FDJ).

This is the finale of the Tour Down Under.  I will be back painting some of the Spring Classics and Monuments over the coming months.  But now it is on to finishing a cycling art commission and then preparing for an exhibition of my large scale figurative works at the end of March in Richmond, VA.

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-Down-Under/3996273-205-194179/Painting/leaving-no-doubt.-tdu23-28.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 6: The Fight for Ochre

Inside of the final three kilometers of the climb of Mount Lofty, it was time to make a play for the Ochre Jersey of race leader.  Having covered the first attack the erstwhile leader of the Tour Down Under, Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates) found himself on the front being covered by the former Spanish Champion, Jhonatan Narvaez (Ineos-Grenadiers).  The Spaniard was just five seconds behind the lead of Stephen Williams (Israel-Premier Tech), so Williams was staying glued to his wheel in hopes of keeping his leader’s jersey.   Now tacked onto the back was the guy who started the attacks, Laurence Pithie (Groupama-FDJ) who still had hopes of winning the final stage of the 2024 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 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-Down-Under/3996272-204-194179/Painting/the-fight-for-ochre.-tdu24-27.html