Tour Femmes '26, Stage 6: Stripes and Polka Dots

I'm sorry, I couldn't resist the title.  As they neared the base of the final climb of the day, the Cote de Bouciou le Roi it was the Maillot a Pois accompanied by both the French and Italian National Champions.  I loved the symmetry of seeing the two tricolores of Celia Gery (FDJ United-Suez) and Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team L'IMAD) joining up with the polka dots of the Queen of the Mountains, Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Premier Tech).  The trio had a couple of other women with them a good thirteen seconds ahead of what was left of the peloton containing the race leaders.  The champions were after the stage victory, whereas Pieterse was after the last QOM points on the final climg of the day.  At this point, they were happy to work together to achieve different goals.

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: "Stripes and Polka Dots TdFF26-37" (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 1: Two Champions, One Team

It was the last two guys from Netcompany-Ineos, that hit the bottom of the final climb.  Both are their nations' time trial champions, Tobias Foss for Norway and Filippo Ganna for Italy.  The two worked together until Foss could no longer hang with the three-time Italian champion.  Ganna went to the line on his own claiming the hot seat of stage leader in the process.  With eight more teams to finish it was not a sure thing that he would win the day in the end, but he laid down a tough challenge for those yet to make the final climb.  He didn't quite hold first, but finished second by a deficit of a mere eight seconds.

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: "Two Champions, One Team TdF26-4" (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 → 

Strade Bianche Donne 2026: Into the Final Corner

Even with the brutal final climb up into old Siena, it was these three that were side by side going into the final turn together.  Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ) in her Italian champion tri-colore jersey led Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon /SRAM-zondacrypto) and Elise Chabbey (FDJ United-SUEZ) into the grand piazza.  However, when they arrived at the line just 200 meters later it was the reverse order with Chabbey claiming the victory followed by Niewiadoma, but Koch was able to get around Longo Borghini to claim third with the Italian settling for fourth despite having been the first to hit the top of the final climb inside of the final kilometer.  Alas, every year the race organizers failed to capture a good image of the winner crossing the line, but then this year it was close enough that Chabbey did not risk a victory salute choosing instead to make sure she won by looking back at her competitors as she rode across the line.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Into the Final Corner SB26-5" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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)

Fleche Wallone Femmes ‘24: Up the Mur d’Huy

First, I am amused that in my excitement with the finale of Fleche Wallone Femmes, I forgot to sign and date the penultimate painting of the race today.  Should you purchase this painting, it will be signed. 

Last year’s winner, Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime) chose to lead up the climb of the Mur d’Huy.  As the peloton climbed it came down to just Elisa Longo-Borghini (Lidl-Trek) and Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM) that could hold onto the Dutch Champion’s wheel.  The trio had just two more kilometers to climb and it certainly looks like Vollering will be repeating her win of the Fleche Wallone Femmes.

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.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Professional-Womens-Cycling/4009723-80-207546/Painting/up-the-mur-dhuy.-fw24-3.html

Strade Bianche Donne 24: Two Champions

Inside of the last ten kilometers of the 2024 Strade Bianche Donne, the race had come down to two champions and former winners of the race.  The Italian national champion Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek) was battling it out with the world champion Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime).  Both women had teammates in the small group just fourteen seconds behind, but neither seemed willing to let anyone join them as they pedal their way back into the heart of Sienna.  Their every move was being captured both by the helicopter camera overhead and by one of the cameramen standing astride a speeding motorcycle riding beside them on the Tuscan roads.

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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/4002670-76-207546/Painting/two-champions-sb24-5.html

Strade Bianche Donne 24, Gritty

The title seemed to capture both Katarzyna Niewiadoma’s (Canyon-SRAM) expression and the gravel roads of Tuscany.  She used the steepest section of the final gravel section, Le Tolfe, to attack the peloton. She got a small gap, but then it was Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime) that got back to the Polish woman’s wheel.  In turn hiding behind Vollering was her teammate Lotte Kopecky with the Italian Champion Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek) struggling to stay within reach of the other three.  With just twelve kilometers to race and no more gravel roads, any group that got away now, may be the one that went to contest the finale in Sienna.  Racing on the roads of Italy, the Italian Champion wasn’t about to let anyone get away from her on home soil.

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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/4002668-75-207546/Painting/gritty-sb24-4.html

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Women’s Race: Still Own Her Own

Ten kilometers later, Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek) was still not caught by the chasers, the only difference was now there was no longer anyone ahead of her to catch.  She had built a twenty second lead on the group of chasers, but they were slowly reeling her back in cutting her lead almost in half with another nineteen kilometers left to race.  Unfortunately for the reigning Italian Champion, there were two short steep climbs between her and a possible solo victory.

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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/4001043-68-207546/Painting/still-on-her-own.-ohn24-2.html

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Women’s Race: Here Comes the Chase

While there were still five women up the road, the race was shaping up after Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek) jumped clear of the peloton.  The next group of chasers, lead by Demi Vollering (SD Worx) and Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike), used the climb of the Berendries to try and reel the Italian Champion back into their midst.  With another 29 kilometers to race, it was looking like the 57 second advantage of the leaders would soon be swept away.

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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/4001034-67-207546/Painting/here-comes-the-chase.-ohn24-1.html

Paris Roubaix Femmes '22: Ready for Her Close Up

 I enjoy when the camera operators get each other into one of their shots.  Here the helicopter is not only showing us Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo) alone with a 38 second advantage, but they are also letting us see one of the TV moto guys standing on the back of the motorcycle so we can see a close up of the Italian Champion looking like she will be the second queen of Paris Roubaix Femmes.  I pharaphrased Gloria Swanson's famous line,"I'm ready for my close up Mister DeMille" to title this painting.  I feel certain now that Elisa will get a close up as she crosses the finish line in the fabled Roubaix velodrome in another four and a half kilometers.  I don't think it will be a group photo 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 $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3879610-490-195767/Painting/ready-for-her-close-up-pr22-6.html

Paris Roubaix Femmes '22: A Change of Plan

Within moments of her teammate Elisa Balsamo (Trek-Segafredo) being pulled off the bike in disqualifcation, Elisa Longo Borghini went off on her own.  She quickly built up a lead of fifteen seconds as she left yet another section of pave.  Obviously, with their team leader out of the race, it was time to change the race plan.  I don't know if this move was the Italian Champion's own idea, or it came from the team director, but it did help set the team's delimma to rights.  They were even better off with two more members of the team in the chase group behind this Elisa.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3879572-489-195767/Painting/a-change-of-plan-pr22-5.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 1: Taking the Lead in the Dance

It was Elia Viviani (Deceuninck-Quickstep) that struck first in the Tour Down Under.  Viviani's sprint was something to behold, threating the needle between competitors and the barrier to fly past Maximilian Richard Walscheid (Sunweb).  Walscheid may have gone too early into the wind, while it seemed like Viviani had left it too late.  Before the race, the Italian Champion had said he hoped to start the teams season with a win, just as they had in 2018.  Last year the then Quickstep team went on to dominate the Grand Tour sprints, and just about every other Pro Tour sprint.  Rounding out the podium was Jakub Marecko (CCC) claiming the first podium pedestal step for the new CCC Team.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3284051-121-194179/PaintingTaking-the-Lead-in-the-Dance--TDU19-3.html

Vuelta, Stage 11: Who's Back There?

Having done what he could on the front for Chris Froome (Sky) Gianni Moscon (Sky) joined up with one of the groups further down the final climb up to the observatory and the end of the stage.  He was with a group that contained the Italian National Champion, Fabio Aru (Astana) and Michael Woods (Cannondale-Drapac) both of whom were losing more time to Froome.  On the front of this the third group is David de la Cruz (Quickstep) who had an ill-timed puncture and was riding hard to limit his loses.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Vuelta-2017/3023717-8-239162/PaintingWho's-Back-There?-V-9.html

Tour de France, Stage 19, Most Defiant

Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) showed the form today that had won him the 101st edition of the Tour de France.  The Italian Champion had attacked on the first climb of the day just 10 kilometers into the stage.  While there are those that question whether he should have attack at the moment he did, his legs showed what he thought of those questions.  After joining forces with Pierre Rolland on the descent of the Col du Mollard, the Italian dropped the Frenchman on the way up the final climb of the day, La Toussuire.  Nibali punched the air in his most defiant stage victory.  His efforts had moved him up from eighth overall all the way up to fourth.  Leap frogging over Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) and the early fading Geraint Thomas (Team Sky).  Now the question remaining... Does he have anything left in his legs for the final Alpine stage that ends atop the fabled Alp d'Huez?

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company, www.richesonart.com.  They are a small family run art supply business in the mid-west of the United States.  This painting is available, along with all of my cycling art, at my artist website, www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is an original painting, so once it has sold, it is gone.  I would recommend not delaying.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2584731-132-210122/Painting.html#.VbKnIPlViko

Tour de France, Stage 19: Let's Go Together

Ignorant of the drama behind, Pierre Rolland (Europcar) had pressed his advantage from the summit of the Col du Chaussy to pry open a nice lead on the descent.  He continued his attack across the valley and over the top of the Col du Mollard.  Ignoring his possible faux pas, Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) continued his attack on the group containing the Maillot Jaune and the rest of the big names of the Tour, eventually catching the Frenchman leading the stage.  As Nibali caught up to Rolland, he reached out to encourage the rider for Movistar to join him in a combined effort to leave the rest of the peloton behind.  Perhaps he even offered the stage victory to Rolland if he helped him gain as much time on the others as possible.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company, www.richesonart.com.  They are a small family run art supply business in the mid-west of the United States.  This painting is available, along with all of my cycling art, at my artist website, www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is an original painting, so once it has sold, it is gone.  I would recommend not delaying.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2584707-130-210122/Painting.html#.VbKikflViko

Tour de France, Stage 18: Trying to Chip Away

After Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) had been stuffed back into the Maillot Jaune group, it was Vincenzo Nibali's (Astana) turn to go.  The Italian Champion was quickly joined by the Maillot Blanc of Nairo Quintana (Movistar).  Now this was an attack on the way up the Col du Glandon that Team Sky couldn't let gain any time.  Nibali was a ways behind the lead of Froome, but Quintana sat only a little over three minutes behind the Kenyan born leader of Team Sky, so without panic, Geraint Thomas (Team Sky) lifted his pace to catch this duo.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Co., www.richesonart.com.  They are a small US based family run art supply company that has really wonderful products for art making.  This painting, and all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Be aware that because it is an original one of a kind work, once it has sold it is gone. So, don't delay.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2584007-120-210122/Painting.html#.VbFG0vlViko

UCI World Championships Elite Men's Road Race: Under Italian Escort

Florence was the stage for the World Championships all this past week concluding with the Men's Elite Road Race with one of the longest courses that was slogged out in horrible storms and slippery wet roads of central Italy.  The Italian national team came to the front as the peloton hit the steep climb working hard to break apart the group, shed the sprinters and chase down the break up the road.  After all they were all racing on home roads, to bad the weather was more like the opening stages of the Tour of Britain, oddly the entire British team dropped out before the race had covered 170 of the over 240 kilometers of  the water logged course.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that has been created using cake watercolors, brushes and paper from www.richesonart.com  This painting is available by leaving me a comment and we can arrange payment and shipping.

Giro Day Twenty: Aero Italiano

Dario Cataldo was one of the few riders that went for full time trialing attire.  Most went with road bikes with aerobars in an effort to keep the weight down since this was more about weight to power ratio than a pure power and aerodynamics of a typical time trial.  Cataldo, riding for Team Sky, is the Italian National Time Trial Champion, so his racing kit includes the markings of the Italian flag.  He had a great ride today, good enough to take first place until even stronger riders stormed up the mountain.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting a brief 3 day auction on ebay and placing the winning bid.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post, but act quickly, the auction begins as soon as this post is published.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251279733026

Giro Day Six: An Italian Coversation

Every nation (well almost every nation) awards a national champion each year for both road racing and time trialing.  There are champions for women, Under 23, and every other cycling discipline as well.  This is Italy's Road Champion, Franco Pillizotti, chatting with his fellow Androni Giocattoli -Venezuela team mate as they ride through the groves of olive trees and fields of crops on the Italian coast.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and like all of the works in this series, was created with Richeson Company's watercolors, brushes and paper. (their web site is www.richesonart.com ).  All of the work is for sale, including this one at my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2149191---184157/Painting.html#.UZmfGc_D_IU