Tour Femmes '26, Stage 5: Chasing the Tail

With seventy-eight kilometers to race, the peloton stretched out into a long single-file line as it started up yet another climb.  As she crossed a small bridge (I always know the descent is over once I cross a bridge) Nadia Gontova (Liv-Alula-Jayco) struggled to hold onto the tail of the speeding peloton.  I had thought of a dog chasing its tail, but I didn't want to go there with the title.  I wouldn't want anyone to misunderstand me nor my admiration for these amazing athletes.  Sometimes, I know when to keep my thoughts to myself - oops, I guess not always.

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: "Chasing the Tail TdFF26-27" (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 Femmes '25, Stage 6: Running with the Polka Dots

There are millions and millions of cycling fans that line the roadways of grand tours and all of the other races in the ProTour calendar, this is another that seems to be making a name for himself like Didi Stenft as the Devil has.  Problem is, I don't know who he is.  I saw him most every day on the men's Tour, and here he is running with the women's Tour as well.  I have seen him way back at the US Pro Challenge and the Tour of California when those races still existed.  Today he was running along with the lead group.  He does seem to give the riders their space, even being sure to go behind the soigneurs waiting to pass bidons to their riders.  Elise Chabbey (FDJ-Suez) seems to be more concerned about QOM points with both Brodie Chapman (UAE Tema ADQ) and Liane Lippert (Movistar) on her wheel than the man with the antlers on a football helmet.  Another watching both the uber fan and the Maillot a Pois is Silke Smulders (Liv-Alula-Jayco) who is vying for the polka dots, 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. 

"Running with Polka Dots TdFF25-31" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 2: With Fifty Meters to Spare

Against the odds, Mavi Garcia (Liv-Alula-Jayco) was able to hold off the fast-sprinting peloton over the final climb and through the finish at Quimper.  Behind her it is Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) trying desperately to catch Garcia, but must settle for second place on the second stage of Tour de France Femmes.  Kim Le Court's (AG Insurance-Soudal) third place just ahead of Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) with its four second time bonus meant that she will be the second woman to wear the Maillot Jaune in as many stages.  I would have expected Garcia to figure in the GC now, but she was so far back at the start of the stage, that while she moved up 39 places, she is still just shy of five minutes off of Le Court's 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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"With Fifty Meters to Spare TdFF25-11" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25. Stage 2: Out of Sight

Mavi Garcia (Liv-Alula-Jayco) used a lull on the front of the peloton once the breakaway had been caught to launch her solo attack.  She used her climb prowess to go on a rise.  She quickly opened up an eighteen second gap on those behind who seemed unsure who was responsible to chase the lone escapee down.  As she started up the Cote du Chemin de Troheir for the final time, she saw no one chasing as she peeked back over her shoulder.  It is a long shot to think she can hold them off for just over another six kilometers, but it is mainly uphill to the finish in Quimper.

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. 

"Out of Sight TdFF25-10" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 2: Sprinting for More

Elise Chabbey (FDJ-Suez) wasn't about to lose the sprint for maximum Queen of the Mountains points again.  As she and Silke Smulders (Liv-Alula-Jayco) approached the summit of the Cote de Locronan she jumped hard on the pedals to secure her Maillot a Pois for tomorrow's stage.  I continue to be impressed with just how many fans have turned out to watch the women's ProTour race through northern France.  The pair will need to continue to work together if they want to get to the final two climbs on the finish circuit.  The peloton is still just forty-one seconds behind although they have stretched out their advantage since the previous 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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Sprinting for More TdFF25-8" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 2: Keep It Going

Even though Elise Chabbey (FDJ-Suez) had been outsprinted over the first climb of the day she encouraged Silke Smulders (Liv-Alula-Jayco) to press on in their breakaway.  The pair only had seventeen seconds on the peloton, but they were beginning to increase the gap now.  The have another fifty-seven kilometers to race, and three more categorized climbs, so there is plenty to race for.  Earlier, Chabbey's team had told her to sit up, but then changed their mind as the second climb approached.

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.

"Keep It Going TdFF25-7" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix Femmes '25: First to the Cobbles

The duo of Quinty Ton (Liv-Alula-Jayco) and Aurela Nerlo (Winspace Orange Seal) were the first to hit Sector 17 of Paris Roubaix Femmes.  The had built up about a two and a half minute advantage over the smoother roads of the first sixty-four kilometers of the race.  But we all know, the racing doesn't really start until the cobbles are under the wheels.  With another eighty-two kilometers to go, they were facing just shy of forty kilometers of cobbles.

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.

"First to the Cobbles PR25-1" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Women's Tour Down Under '25, Stage 3: A Sterling Sprint

I couldn't resist the pun for the title of this painting.  First off, it was truly a sterling solo attack that carried Chloe Dygert (Canyon/SRAM-Zondacrypto) to the stage victory in Stirling.  But I had to go for the play with the name of the town that the peloton began and ended the final stage of the 25th Women's Tour Down Under, Stirling.  Dygert was chased by the woman sitting second in the general classification, Silke Smulders (Liv-Alula-Jayco), but showed a clean set of wheels by the time she crossed the line.  Smulders was hoping to score enough bonus seconds and real seconds to take over the Ochre Jersey, but it didn't quite work out.  She did pull within thirteen seconds of the Tour Down Under Victory but will have to content herself with second place.

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 Sterling Sprint TDU25-15" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Women's Tour Down Under '25, Stage 2: The Leading Four

As the peloton sped through Willunga at the base of the final climb, it was Niamh Fisher-Black (Lidl-Trek) who attacked first in hopes of climbing to the summit of Willunga Hill alone.  However, she was soon caught by Neve Bradbury (Canyon/SRAM-Zondacrypto), the Swiss Champion Noemi Reugg (EF Education-Oatley) and Silke Smulders (Liv-Alula-Jayco).  The foursome shadow boxed up the two and a half kilometer climb, letting those behind catch back up.  Regardless of the delay, two of these women took the top to steps of the podium at the summit, all of them were in the top nine of the 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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"The Leading Four TDU25-10" (Original art by Greig Leach) 

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 6: Knowing When to Go

All along the side of the road today fans have been waving signs, create yard art, and generally cheering on one of their own, Juliette Labous (DSM-Firmenich-PostNL).  Once the peloton had caught the last of the women in the early breakaway, the French Champion used her knowledge of her local roads to launch an attack on the Cote des Fris.  Her move was covered by Mavi Garcia (Liv-Alula-Jayco) and another Frenchwoman Cedrine Kerbaol (Ceratizit-WNT).  The trio got a bit of a gap, but they were all to high up in the general classification to be allowed much of a gap.

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.

"Knowing When to Go TdFF24-30" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 6: Losing Contact

Traditionally sprinters don't like it when the road goes up.  So it was when Charlotte Kool (DSM-Firmenich-PostNL) started climbing the Cote De Laviron.  Her teammate Rachele Barieri looks back to make sure she can help get the Maillot Vert over the climb.  The problem for Kool is that Marianne Vos, who has now pulled even in sprint points, is still off the front of the peloton and showing no fear of the remaining climbs of the day.  Ahead of these two are Barbara Guarischi (SD Worx-Protime) and the Australian Ruby Roseman-Gannon (Liv-Alula-Jayco).  They can see the tail of the peloton rounding the corner ahead, but it is always a bad sign when the Shimano Neutral Service car goes by.  She did catch back on about 24 kilometers later but was off again on the final climb of the 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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Losing Contact TdFF24-28" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 2: You Okay?

There are many reasons that I love women's cycling, but mainly I love it because of the compassion that the riders feel for each other.  And that they take the opportunity to show it to each other.  Admittedly, this was inside of the final three kilometers that there was a pile up of riders as they crossed one of the many bridges in downtown Rotterdam so there was no risk of losing time.  Nevertheless, it was nice to see Josie Talbot (Cofidis) reach down to check on Amber Pate (Liv-Alula-Jayco) before getting back to racing.  Pate seemed to appreciate the gesture, claimed she was fine, and found her mechanic and a new bike fairly quickly.  All of the riders who went down, got up and finished the stage.  Unfortunately for them, they have an individual time trial in just a few hours 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.

"You Okay? TdFF24-9" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 1: Collecting Points

With the peloton now all back together, the sprinters were sprinting for maximum points at the intermediate sprint in Groeneweg.  I think I now know where the sprinter Dylan Groeneweggen's name comes from now.  It was Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) showing that she still has the sprint legs that won her the Silver Medal at the Paris Olympics road race just over a week ago.  She got the better of Australian champion Ruby Roseman-Gannon (Liv-Alula-Jayco) and Marthe Truyen (Fenix-Deceuninck).  Her points were enough for her to finish the day in second place in the race for the Maillot Vert.  She will be wearing that jersey at the start of the day tomorrow since the leader in that competition will be wearing the Maillot Jaune instead.  I must say that I prefer the special jersey that the women's Visma-Lease a Bike team has over the one worn by the men in their Tour.  The female symbol on the front and back just makes it that much better.

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.

"Collecting Points TdFF24-4" (Original art by Greig Leach)