Tour '26, Stage 21: Who Is with Me?

Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) looks back on the way down from the summit of Montmartre to find that Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) is leading the chase.  On the wheel of the Maillot Jaune is Jasper Stuyven (Soudal-Quick Step), Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek), and Micheal Matthews (Jayco-Alula).  The group joined together in hopes of holding of the next group behind.  As they returned to the circle around the l'Arc Triomphe, they were almost all together again.  Now it was down, around the Place de la Concorde and back up the other side of the Champs Elysees.  I imagine that they will be all together just to start the climb again.

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: "Who Is with Me? TdF26-160" (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 17: What He Worked For

Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) had gotten into breaks, been dropped, got back in, got dropped and yet, he got back in one more time.  All of it was for this moment.  He was off the front with a group of five other guys, none of whom factored into the race for the Maillot Vert.  As he opened up his sprint into Colombe he was concerned that Edward Planckaert (Alpecin-Premier Tech) might try and come around.  I should point out that Planckaert is on the team of Jasper Philipsen who sits second in the race for the sprinter's jersey.  Panckaert tried to come around Pedersen to prevent him from getting maximum points in this intermediate sprint.  He didn't have the legs.  Behind these two, the rest were taking advantage of the leaders' speed as they were there for a stage victory in another twenty-seven kilometers.  Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) keeps fighting for a stage.  He is followed by Michal Kwiatkowski (Netcompany-Ineos), Jasper Stuyven (Soudal-Quick Step) and Felix Engelhardt (Jayco-Alula).  All of these guys were there fighting for stage honors at the end of the day, 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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "What He Worked For TdF26-125" (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 → 

Ronde van Vlaanderen '25: Visma Chases

Having missed being able to go with the attack on the Oude Kwaremont, Visma-Lease a Bike was forced to chase.  They had the numbers to bring back the leading trio, so it was Wout van Aert, Matteo Jorgenson, and Tiesj Benoot riding hard together.  They were joined in the effort by two of the former attackers, Stefan Kung (Groupama-FDJ) and Jasper Stuyven (Lidl-Trek).  Despite their collective best efforts, only van Aert was able to rejoin the front of the race, with the others remaing the second group on the road.

Another spoiler, while he did rejoin the leaders, van Aert finished fourth on the day, just off of the podium.  I should point out that his teammates Benoot and Jorgenson finished sixth and 47th respectively.  Kung ended up seventh and Stuyven was fifth.

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.

"Visma Chases RVV25-5" (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 13: You Gonna' Help?

Japser Stuyven (Lidl-Trek) seemed to be getting a bit frustrated with Brent Van Moer (Lotto-Dstny).  Stuyven had come close to winning stage 9 on the gravel roads but was caught within sight of the flame rounge.  Today he was trying to get the jump on the sprinters' teams with just fourteen kilometers left in the stage.  Lidl-Trek has lost their sprinter due to a crash in a mass sprint, so it is left to one of the team members to go in a break away for them to get the coveted stage win in the Tour.  Conversely, Van Moer is trying to be a dead weight to Stuyven's attack to ensure that his sprinter, Arnaud De Lie, will be able to contest for stage honors today.  As he would say to Stuyven, "It is just race tactics, sorry."

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.

"You Gonna' Help? TdF24-74" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 9: There He Goes!

The breakaway was closing in on the final ten kilometers of the stage and were still off the front of the peloton that contained the top places of the general classification.  That meant it was time for those that don't pack a great sprint to try and drop the others.  As the most recent effort by Tom Pidcock (Ineos-Grenadiers) and Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies) came back together, the resulting lull in the pace was the perfect moment for Jasper Stuyven (Lidl-Trek) to make his own attack.  He was able to build a nice solo effort for the ensuing nine kilometers.  Spoiler... Alas, he was caught inside of the final kilometer of today's finish 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.

"There He Goes! TdF24-50" (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 '22, Stage 19, I Know They Are Coming

Sorry that this is out of focus, but then this deep into the Tour I am nearly as exhausted as the racers.  So I just didn't feel like re-shooting the artwork.  The actual painting isn't blurring, just the photograph and since I am not going to offer this as a print, I thought I would just let it go.  The peloton wasn't going to let these three go either.  But Fred Wright (Bahrain-Victorious), Alexis Gougeard (B&B Hotels-KTM), and Jasper Stuyven (Trek-Segafredo) weren't going to make it easy for those behind.  They only had 14 seconds with 9 kilometers left to go.  They did manage to stay off the front until the last kilometer of the stage.  It actually looked like Wright might be able to win the stage with just 500 meters to race.  But the sprinters were set to have their day.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3895290-125-294403/Painting/i-know-they-are-coming-tdf22-126.html

 

Tour '22, Stage 10: The Back of the Front

Once the 22 man break was established it quickly built a nine minute lead over the Maillot Jaune led peloton.  As the break headed up the final climb to the Montee d'Altiport de Megeve, Philippe Gilbert (Lotto Soudal) could be found right a the back of the group.  Ahead of him were Benjamin Thomas (Cofidis), Jasper Stuyven (Intermache-Wanty Gobert) and Pierre Rolland (B&B Hotels-KTM).  Unfortunately, once the attacks started at the front Gilbert and Rolland were quickly dropped.  I was hoping for more from both of these two.  Rolland is on my fantasy team and I, like he, are languishing in the middle of the general classication).

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3893276-56-294403/Painting/the-back-of-the-front-tdf22-56.html

Gent-Wevelgem Men '22: A Moment of History

It feels like a long time coming, but it was just that much more of a special edition of Gent-Wevelgem when a Black African cyclist raised his arms in victory.  It was a first in the cobbled classics of Europe, but most certainly not the last.  Biniam Girmay (Intermache-Wanty Gobert) launched a long sprint from the back of the group and had enough in the legs after  249 kilometers to hold off Christophe Laporte (Jumbo-Visma) along with Dries Van Gestel (TotalEnerties) taking third, and Jasper Stuyven finishing fourth in a historical sprint in Wevelgem.  Now he goes home to his family (and a hero's welcome) in Eritrea.  Don't worry, he will be back in Europe for the start of the Giro d'Italia.  I, however, will not be painting that race as I may actually be able to go back to work by then.

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-/3875469-477-195767/Painting/a-moment-of-history-gw22-7.html

Gent-Wevelgem Men '22: Under the Red Kite

It has always been a bit difficult to get a good image of the front of the race as the enter the final kilometer of any race.  Today, I think I found a way to show just what happens as the leaders go pass the banner adorned with the red triangle signifying the final kilometer of the day's racing.  As you may notice, Christophe Laporte (Jumbo-Visma) is looking back over his shoulder as he prepares to attempt to leave Dreis Van Gestel (TotalEnergies), Jasper Stuyven (Trek-Segafredo), and Biniam Girmay (Intermache-Wanty Gobert) behind.  With just twenty seconds over the peloton and even less to the one rider trying to come across, they couldn't really afford to start attacking each other.  And yet they did start to play "cat and mouse" each trying to get the jump on the other in hopes of being the one to raise their arms in victory in just a thousand meters.

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-/3875466-476-195767/Painting/under-the-red-kite-gw22-6.html

Gent-Wevelgem Men '22: Building Their Gap

It was a strong foursome that got away from the vastly reduced peloton on the road back into Wevelgem.  Biniam Girmay (Intermache-Wanty Gobert) was sharing equal pulls with Dries Van Gestel (TotalEnergies), Christophe Laporte (Jumbo-Visma) and Jasper Stuyvens (Trek-Segafredo).  They had the perfect position.  Each had teammates behind that were capable of taking out the sprint in the group behind should they be caught, or they were going to have the legs to race for victory in their own right.  With a 34 second lead and only another thirteen kilometers to race, it was looking like the winner was going to come out of these four guys.

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-/3875465-475-195767/Painting/building-their-gap-gw22-5.html

Flanders 2021: Four Chasing One

With fifteen kilometers to race, this foursome was just 12 seconds behind the lone figure of Julian Alaphilippe (France).  Michael Valgren (Denmark) was on the front with Jasper Stuyven (Belgium) having just swung off the front.  Both Dylan van Baarle (Netherlands) and Nielson Powless (USA) were resting in the Dane’s draft before it was their turn to push the pace.  But try as the quartet might, they were continuing to lose time against the defending World Champion.  They never did catch him, leaving these four to fight it out for the remaining two steps of the podium.  Those went to Valgren, who took bronze, and Dylan van Baarle (Netherlands) who claimed silver.  After all the work that Team Belgium had but in all day, they missed out on the medals with Stuyven managing a fourth place.  The American, Powless, took fifth place ahead of a fast closing Thomas Piddcock (Great Britain).

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 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/Flanders-2021/3839019-33-292177/Painting/four-chasing-one-uci21-33.html

TDF, Stage 19: Attacking the Break

It was a large group of 20 that had left the peloton far behind.  The problem for the break away is that is too many to have everyone keep working together all the way to the finish.  Just after Phil Liggett and Bob Roll had been discussing who would be the one to go off the front, it was in fact Jasper Stuyven (Trek-Segafredo) that went off the front as predicted.  His attack was chased down by Silvan Dillier (Alpecin-Fenix) with Brent Van Moer (Lotto Soudal) and Georg Zimmermann (Intermache-Wanty Gobert) joining in the chase.  This attack was neutralized, but now everyone would be trying to get away until it eventually works.  With the peloton almost eleven minutes behind, the stage winner was going to be one of these guys in the break.  That meant all the more reason to try and get off 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 painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors 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/2021-Tour-de-France/3824342-126-291436/Painting/attacking-the-break-tdf21-125.html

Dauphine, Stage 3: Finally!

 "Finally!"  That had to be on the lips of Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain Victorious) as he took his third mass sprint in a row.  However, this time it was for stage honors.  The last two sprints had been after a sole rider had already crossed the line seconds ahead of the closing peloton.  Unable to get around the Italian were Alex Aranburu (Astana-Premier Tech), Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates) and Jasper Stuyven (Trek Segafredo).  McNulty was smart to grab some bonus seconds towards his general classification aspirations.  Stuyven may have been left wondering how he could have fared had he not been forced to chase back to the peloton earlier.  And then while relieved, Colbrelli fell just two seconds shy of claiming the Maillot Jaune with this victory, but he did increase his lead in the Maillot Vert competition.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above.  Since ti is an original work of art, it is a first come first seved reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburth watercolors 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/Criterium-du-Dauphine/3814735-98-185083/Painting/finally-cd21-14.html

Dauphine, Stage 3: Pilot Fish

 It is the Irish time trial specialist, Ryan Mullen, that is serving as the pilot fish for his teammate Jasper Stuyven (Trek-Segafredo).  Stuyven was the team's hope for the anticipated sprint finale.  But with an apparent mechanical, it was Mullen who was tasked with bringing the Belgium sprinter back through the caravan of cars and onto the tail of the peloton.  With 27 kilometers still to race, he would have plenty of time to recover from this effort and to be ready for the next.  With the team director's car just ahead, they knew they were almost back.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above.  Since ti is an original work of art, it is a first come first seved reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburth watercolors 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/Criterium-du-Dauphine/3814721-96-185083/Painting/pilot-fish-cd21-12.html

Milano-Sanremo 2021 - Surprising Them All

 The title of this painting says it all.  Jasper Stuyven (Trek-Segafredo) surprised the peloton for a solo run to the finish on the Via Roma in Sanremo.  He left it all out on the road. His lobsided victory salute shows just how completely spent he was from the effort.  After crossing the line, he collapsed into his soigneurs' arms, eventually laying on the ground still clipped into his bike.  Behind it was Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal) winning the sprint of the peloton for second place followed by Wout Van Aert (Jumbo Visma), a resurging Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix) rounding out the top five.  Peter Sagan was diagnosed with Covid-19 at the start of 2021 and has clearly now re-found his racing legs.  I, and I will assume you, am very relieved he has recovered so well.

This is the last for Milano Sanremo.  I will be painting Ronde Van Vlaanderen (hopefully both the men and the women) followed by Paris Roubaix (also hoping to be able to paint both the men and the women).  The current plan is then to paint the Dauphine and the Tour de France.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow th edirect link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above.  Since ti is an original work of art, it is a first come first seved reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburth watercolors 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-2021/3801746-18-290150/Painting/surprising-them-all-ms21-7.html

Milano-Sanremo 2021 - He Has the Gap

 If a rider wants to avoid a sprint and still win Milano-Sanremo he has four choices.  Go away on the Cipressa, yet no one could today.  Go away on the climb of Poggio, again no one was able to drop enough of the peloton to avoid a sprint.  Ride off the front on the tricky descent of the Poggio, and despite Pidcock's best efforts, no one was able to pull away from the equally skilled group behind him.  So the final method is to catch everyone napping at the base of the descent and attack off the front.  That is exactly what Jasper Stuyven (Trek-Segafredo) was able to do with just two kilometers left to race.  It is a tall order to make this kind of effort against the best in the world after racing for over 290 kilometers, but the Belgium seemed to have the legs to pull it off.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow th edirect link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above.  Since ti is an original work of art, it is a first come first seved reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburth watercolors 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-2021/3801739-17-290150/Painting/he-has-the-gap-ms21-6.html

Tour, Stage 9, Making a Move

Somehow I missed that Jasper Stuyven (Trek-Segafredo), Jan Tratnik (Bahrain Merida) and Tiesj Benoot (Lotto Soudal) were responding to an attack from the break.  I thought it was Benoot who had started the attacks and Tratnik and Stuyven were joining him in the effort.  The break away had grown to 15 guys and more importantly had over ten minutes on the peloton back down the road.  With that kind of gap the stage winner was coming from the break (again) and some weren't doing their share of the work.

Quite a bit was made of the motos in the Tour providing a draft to some riders during the finale of yesterday's race.  Given the hub-bub I thought I should include one in at least one painting.  I don't think it was much of a big deal.  As Jens Voigt said, "If you want the advantage that usually goes to the attackers, then go on the attack."

See this painting come to life in this time lapse film clip:

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.

Be sure to check out my daily videos on You Tube

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202019/3359809-46-263530/Making%20a%20Move%20%20TDF19-46.html

Tour, Stage 14: Reducing the Group

With such a large group off of the front, some of the riders get frustrated with others not doing their share of work.  The easiest way to correct the problem in a large group is to attack them on a climb.  That is just what Gorka Izaguirre (Bahrain-Merida), the Spanish National Champion, did.  He was joined near the summit of the Col du Pont sans Eau by Tom-Jelte Slagter (Dimension Data) and Jasper Stuyven (Trek-Segafredo).  Slagter was the one to get over the climb first, where he pressed on his advantage for another 46 kilometers hoping to solo to victory in Mende.

Apparently, the fans had been shamed about what had happened on Alpe d'Huez where a fan's camera caught the handlebars of Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain Merida) and threw him to the tramac.  He got up and finished the stage, but then learn he had broken a vertabrae in the crash.  Today the fans stood well back from the riders and enjoyed the racing without influencing it.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2018/3191766-76-251072/PaintingReducing-the-Group--T18-75.html