Tour '26, Stage 3: Flying to Victory!

Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) used the short climb up to the summit at Les Angles to get the jump on the remaining peloton of race favorites.  He opened a small gap on Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) as the Maillot Jaune looked back to see if anyone else was attacking.  That look back seemed to make him lose the wheel of the rainbow jersey, a mistake that left a two second gap between the two main rivals for the win in Paris.  And in so doing, not only did Pogacar win the stage, with the time bonus he drew equal in time with Vingegaard.  That means he will be the next to wear the coveted Maillot Jaune.  Behind, it was Vingegaard in second, followed by Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) in third and Paul Seixas (Decathlon-CMA CGM). Everyone else keeps their positions in the General Classification.  However, Del Toro will be wearing the Maillot Blanc of best young rider, Vingegaard will be wearing the Maillot Vert (he is second in that competition) as Pogacar will be in the Maillot Jaune.  Of course, Alex Baudin will be in the Maillot a Pois despite not being present at the finale of 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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "Flying to Victory TdF26-23" (Original art by Greig Leach)

 Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

And learn about Leach's published books at The Art of Cycling: Cycling Books by Greig Leach

Learn More About the Artist → 

Tour '25, Stage 19: An Unbelievable Finish

For the second time in this Tour de France, Thymen Arensman (Ineos-Grenadiers) covered his face in disbelief as he won a mountain top finish in the rain.  He did it in the Pyrenees with Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) and Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) chasing him all of the way up the climb.  The first time he had been in the early breakaway and just manage to be the last member of the early break that wasn't caught by the Tadej.  Today, he actually attacked the group with the yellow jersey on the way up the final climb.  When he went, Tadej and Jonas looked at each other and neither went after the tall Dutchman.  Behind him, almost catching him in the last fifty meters, was Vingegaard just getting the better of Pogacar.  Just in the distance you can see the white jersey of Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) who lost the leading two in the last kilometer of the stage.  Those three represent the top three of this Tour.  Most likely the podium is now set.  Likewise, the jersey seemed to be set, too.  Pogacar has both Yellow and Polka Dots.  Lipowitz has the White, and way, way, way down the mountain Jonathan Milan has the Green Jersey.  The mountains are now done, and there are just two more stages to race including Paris.  

Tomorrow starts the Tour de France Femmes and I will be painting them every stage, every 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. 

"An Unbelievable Finish TdF25-102" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 4: Stirring Things Up

With just twelve kilometers to go Visma-Lease a Bike went to the front of the reduced peloton and put the hammer down.  Victor Campenaerts led them off with Jonas Vingegaard on his wheel.  In the wings were Matteo Jorgenson and Wout Van Aert ready to keep the pace high after Comapenaerts had done all he could.  Behind Wout Van Aert Jhonathan Narvaez (UAE Team Emirates) struggled to hold their wheels in hopes of keeping his leader Tadej Pogacar in contact with his main rival.

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. 

"Stirring Things Up TdF25-21" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 2: Watching for the Move

I love to create titles that can be interpreted in more than one way, this is the first of just such a title.  Either the crowds lining the Saint Etienne au Mont climb were watching to see if they could see an attack, or the favorites were all watching each other sure that one would attack the other.  As they went up the penultimate climb of the day, Tiesj Benoot (Visma-Lease a Bike) set the pace for his two teammates, Jonas Vingegaard and Matteo Jorgenson. On Benoot's wheel was his countryman, Mathieu Van Der Peol (Alpecin-Deceunick) hoping to be the one to take out the stage honors now that his teammate had lost his grip on the front group.  Ever present was the rainbow jersey on the shoulders of the defending Tour Champion, Tadej Pogacar (UAE-Team Emirates).  The only guy not really expected to be in this elite leading group was the Frenchman Romain Gregoire (Groupama-FDJ). He was hoping to get the jump on the others as they all watched each other.  At least one of the fans on the climb had to be disappointed to not see Arnaud De Lie (Lotto) since they had sprayed his name on the roadway.

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.

"Watching for the Move TdF25-10" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 8: Mutual Respect

After the finale of the Criterium du Dauphine both Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) and Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) shook hands.  It was clear that they truly respect each other and each other's abilities on the bike.  Today they were seen (and painted) having an extended conversation on the way up the final climb.  Later Vingegaard attacked and was covered by Pogacar.  As they neared the line, Vingegaard went for the sprint and surprisingly Pogacar let him go.  Clearly the Slovenian's lead was much greater than a mere four second time bonus could reverse, but it still was out of character for the man in the Maillot Jaune who just loves bike racing.  

In the end each can take away some positive from this Dauphine, but it is Pogacar takes away the overall victory in yet another race.  At this point in his career, he has won 98 races.  He did say he wanted to save winning his 100th for the Tour de France.

This is the last race I will be painting until the Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes.  I'll hope you all will check back 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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Mutual Respect CdD25-48" (Original art by Greig Leach)