Tour Femmes '26, Stage 5: Unchallenged

Despite one rider being up the road, Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) was unchallenged for the remaining sprint points available in Monsols.  Just as Mads Pedersen had done in the men's Tour, she got herself over the opening climbs of the day with the peloton just so she could grab these sprint points.  She had her teammate, Elena Cecchini on her wheel just to make sure no one tried to come around her.  On their wheels were Maeva Squiban (UAE Team L'IMAD) and the Women's World Champion Magdeleine Valliers (EF Education-Oatly).  I think this is the first time I have had the opportunity to paint her since she claim the title in Rwanda last fall.  The rainbow stripes look good on her!

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: "Unchallenged TdFF26-26" (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 '26, Stage 2: This Time in Yellow

Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) had burnt through her team just to have the chance to sprint for another stage victory in Geneva.  Normally, she has a lead-out team, but they spent themselves chasing down the lone leader, Riejanne Markus.  They didn't catch her until the final kilometer of the stage.  That actually played into Wiebes hands.  As the peloton move to the left to get around the much slowing rider from Lidl-Trek, Wiebes took the opening to wind up her sprint catching the other hopeful sprinters looking the wrong way.  Once she was up to speed, there was no one who was going to catch her!  She took the stage by three or more bike lengths, making it two wins in a row.  But this time it was even sweeter winning in the Maillot Jaune of race leader.  She increases her lead to fourteen seconds for the yellow jersey and now has a commanding lead in the green jersey competition of the sprinters.  When the mountains start, she may not hold onto yellow, but she will certainly retain her lead in the Maillot Vert.

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: "This Time in Yellow TdFF26-12" (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 '26, Stage 2: Calm and Controlled

With twenty-eight kilometers until the finish in Geneva, SD Worx-Protime had control on the front of the peloton as they chased the lone woman up the road.  At this point Lorena Wiebes in her Maillot Jaune following the wheels of her teammates including Micha Bredewold and Nienke Vinke, felt comfortable in her team's ability to reel in Riejanne Markus.  Tucked in behind the work of the team of the yellow jersey were Loes Adegeest (Lidl-Trek) and her teammate Amanda Spratt.  Those two weren't going to help in the chase since Markus was on Lidl-Trek, too.  It wasn't until they hadn't gotten any closer in the next fifteen kilometers that the team began to lose the coolness and feared they may not have things under control 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 work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "Calm and Controlled TdFF26-10" (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 '26, Stage 1: The First in Yellow

It was Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) raising her arms in victory atop the final climb of the day in Lusanne.  Her victory in the opening stage means she will pull on the first Maillot Jaune of the Tour de France Femmes.  Behind her are Kim Le Court (AG Insurance-Soudal) - who will wear the Maillot Vert on loan from Wiebes - and then the European Champion, Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez) taking third.  

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: "The First in Yellow TdF26-6" (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 →  

Paris Roubaix Femmes '26: We Need to Chase Now!

As the chasing peloton came off of another section of pave, Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) seemed to encourage those with her to help give chase for those up the road.  Her teammate, Blanka Vas was dropped so she was free to try and catch the leaders.  Her move was covered by the American Megan Jastrab (UAE Team ADQ) as Zoe Backstedt (Canyon/SRAM-zondacrypto) tried to join in the effort.  At a minute and a half disadvantage with a mere 26 kilometers to race, it was unlikely that they would ever see the leaders on course 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.

"We Need to Chase Now! PRF26-3" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 4: She Found Her Way Through

Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) got a bit boxed in at the start of the spint, even using her shoulder to make a little room to find some open space.  She finally had a lane when the American Chloe Dygert (Canyon/SRAM-zondocrypto) opened her sprint a bit early.  Wiebes' kick for the line left everyone chasing with only Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) able to hold the Green Jersey's wheel.  But again, as it was in stage 3, Wiebes took the win with Vos in second unable to get around the sprinter.  Behind Dygert faded to fourth when Lara Gillespie (UAE Team ADQ) got around her for third in Poitiers.  Today is the first day that none of the leaders' jersey changed hands.  I don't think that will hold true tomorrow.

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.

"She Found Her Way Through TdFF25-22" (Original art by Greig Leach)

This painting has sold!

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 4: A Bit of a Replay

The intermediate sprint in Soudon looked exactly like the finish of Stage 3 into Anger.  The riders and placing were the same, just the jerseys had changed.  It didn't seem like the duo of Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) nor Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) really had their hearts in it.  That being said, they easily pulled away from the rest of the peloton to claim the points still available after the breakaway had passed through.  Wiebes added to her total towards her Maillot Vert in hopes that she can keep it once the lumpy stages begin.  Her closest competitor for that jersey is right behind her wearing the Maillot Jaune for now.  She most likely will take over the Green Jersey again on those same lumpy stages.

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.

"A Bit of a Replay TdFF25-20" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 3: Welcoming Victory

Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) spreads her arms wide seemingly to embrace her Tour de France Femmes stage victory in Angers.  Behind her Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) matched her pedal stroke for pedal stroke but wasn't able to come around the European Champion's wheel.  Wiebes victory means that she will take over the ownership of the Maillot Vert.  Don't worry for Vos, the time bonus for her second place means that she will trade her Maillot Vert for the Maillot Jaune.  It was a vastly reduced bunch that sprinted for victory, but the two most successful sprinters hit the front regardless of how many were behind them.

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.

"Welcoming Victory TdFF25-17" (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: It Was Close

Lorena Wiebes (AG Insurance-Soudal) and Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) jumped clear of the peloton to mop up the remaining points towards the Maillot Vert behind the three-woman breakaway.  It was wise of Vos to sprint for the points, she is also the current holder of Green, but of course, the Maillot Jaune takes precedence.  The European Champion was looking to move herself up in her points tally today.  I'm sure she would love to trade in the white and blue stripes with stars in for that green on green jersey of the best sprinter in the Tour de France Femmes.  The rest of the peloton came through a few seconds later.  It looked like these two were going to go on, but the peloton was soon on their wheels.

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.

"It Was Close TdFF25-6" (Original art by Greig Leach)

 

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 1: First Points

The first pass through the finish line at Plumelec counted as the intermediate sprint today.  Jumping clear of the peloton was the European Champion Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) to claim the first sprint points towards the Maillot Vert.  She will need to come in at least second to have the jersey at the start tomorrow.  That being said, she will wear it unless she wins the stage because whomever wins will be wearing the first Maillot Jaune of this Tour de France Femmes.  Taking second in the sprint is the German Champion Franziska Koch (Picnic-PostNL).  While she didn't mind getting some points, she was starting her countermove off the front after the sprint.  Generally speaking, the peloton sits up after the sprint, so it is a great time to go on the offensive.

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. 

"First Points TdFF25-3" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix Femmes '25: They Caught Us

After the attack by Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) and her teammate Lorena Wiebes were caught by the quartet containing Jelena Eric (Movistar), Chloe Dygert (Canyon/SRAM-zondacrypto), Alison Jackson (EF Education-Oatley) and Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) the sextet didn't really seem to want to keep riding.  With a motivate group behind, it wasn't too long before Kopecky looked back to see the chasers almost on their wheels.  For the SD Worx-Protime duo and Eric, no help was arriving, but the rest found they now had reinforcements to help in their bids to win the fifth Paris Roubaix Femmes.  With just another thirty-three kilometers to race, I was a little surprised that they let themselves be caught by a group of another eight women.

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.

"They Caught Us PR24-4" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix Femmes '25: Going Together

With just one woman up the road, it was Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) and her teammate Lorena Wiebes going on the attack.  The duo of champions used the four-star pave sector 12 to attack the vastly reduced peloton of favorites to go on the offensive.  Working together, they quickly built up a twenty second advantage.  It was hard to tell who was working for whom between the World Champion and the European Champion.  However, it was easy to tell that it was working either way.

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.

"Going Together PR25-3" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 4: Sprinting in Green

Charlotte Kool (DSM-Firmenich-PostNL) continued to show just how strong of a sprinter she is this year.  Already in the sprinters' Maillot Vert, she outsprinted both Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx) - again! - and Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) to take the maximum points still available at the intermediate sprint in Pepinster.  Further back, Anniina Ahtusalo (Uno X-Mobility) in her Maillot Blanc decided against spending the extra energy for just a couple of points more or less.  Despite that decision, she dropped out of the best young rider's jersey given who won today's stage.  And the fact that she came in almost seventeen minutes after the stage winner didn't help her quest to stay in white.  On the other hand she did move into fifth in the race for the Maillot Vert.

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.

"Sprinting in Green TdFF24-17" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 2: Winning in Yellow

As expected the short flat sixty-nine kilometer stage ended in a bunch sprint in downtown Rotterdam.  Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) looked like she had the sprint in the bag as she held of Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) in the Maillot Vert.  But both were surprised when Charlotte Kool (DSM-Firmenich-PostNL) jumped out from behind them both and flew to the line.  When she was interviewed after the opening stage she had said that she had to goals.  One she had achieved, winning the Yellow Jersey.  The other was to win a stage wearing the Maillot Jaune.  It could be argued that no matter what else happens, she has already had her dream Tour de France Femmes.  Behind that trio it was Lotta Henttala (EF-Oatley-Cannondale) in fourth and Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek) rounding out the top five 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 $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Winning in Yellow TdFF24-10" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Women's Road Race: Time to Chase!

Caught behind the earlier crash and the medals going up the road, it was time to chase.  Behind by 49 seconds with only twenty-eight kilometers left to ride, it was Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Poland) who used the Montmartre climb to try to set her race to rights.  She was followed by Carolin Andersson (Sweden) and Lorena Wiebes (Netherlands).  Wiebes was in a bit of a tough spot, it was her teammate up the road so she wasn't going to help in the chase, but then again, she needed to be there if the leaders were caught.  Conversely, it was a very strong group that she was trying to chase down.

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.

"Time to Chase! PO24-63" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes 23, Stage 3: Mass Sprint After All

It looked like there was the slimmest of chances that Julie Van De Velde (Fenix-Deceuninck) would pull off the upset on her solo break, but no, she was caught with about 150 meters to go.  The pace was driven by Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) in her Maillot Jaune leading out her teammate Lorena Wiebes (the European Champion).  Pushing the two was a resurgent Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma).  The stage went to Wiebes with Vos just missing and taking second.  Kopecky was third keeping both her Yellow and her Green Jerseys.  Chiara Consonni (UAE Team ADQ) and then Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek) rounded out the top five on the stage.  So the only jersey to change hands was the Maillot a Pois.  Although it will be Wiebes borrowing the Maillot Vert from her teammate for the day in Stage 4.

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-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2023/3967646-160-297438/Painting/mass-sprint-after-all-tdff23-16.html

 

Tour de France Femmes 23, Stage 3: Sprint Points

As in every stage with the exception of the time trial, there are sprint points to be had out on course.  Today they maximum points had been taken by the lone woman in the break away just shy of two minutes earlier.  As the peloton got to Badefols, it was Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) coming out of the group outsprinting both the current wearer of the Maillot Vert, Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (AG Insurance-Soudal-Quick Step) and her teammate in the Maillot Jaune (who is the owner of the Green Jersey, too) Lotte Kopecky.  With this move she pulls a few points closer to wearing the Maillot Vert either on loan or outright.  It does all depend on who finishes where when we get to Montignac Lascaux in just over twenty-six kilometers.

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-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2023/3967643-158-297438/Painting/sprint-points-tdff23-14.html

 

Paris Roubaix Femmes 23: Down in Front!

As this chase group of 16 got close to the early break away on Pave Sector 9, the Pont Thibaut, last year’s winner, Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo) lost control of her bike on the muddy cobbles.  As she went down the rest of the group either went down with her or were caught behind the twisted pile of bikes and bodies.  Somehow, only Romy Kasper (AG Insurance-Soudal-Quick Step) manage to stay upright.  She was able to push on as Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) and her teammate in the WWT points jersey fell over the former Italian champion.  As I said in an early post, Paris Roubaix can have a way of changing riders’ fortunes in a blink of an eye.

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, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3944955-524-195767/Painting/down-in-front-prf23-4.html

Tour Femmes '22, Stage 5: Winning a Power Sprint

The gradual rise up to the line in Saint Die des Vosges it was clear it was going to take a strong power sprinter to win on the day.  Just before the sprint was a sweeping right turn, for some reason Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo) went left through the gap to let all of the race vehicles divert from the finishing straight.  As I am writing this, I don't know if that mistake cost her time (and positions) in the general classification, or if the three kilometer rule was followed and she was given the same time as the lead group.  So she was out of the sprint so it was her teammate (and World Champion) Elisa Balsamo mixing it up with Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma) and Lorenas Wiebes (DSM) for stage honors.  The victory went to the pure sprinter, Wiebes, with Balsamo claiming second.  The third step of the podium went to Marianne Vos in her Maillot Jaune.  The erstwhile Maillot Blance, Maike Van Der Duin (Le Col-Wahoo) was in the mix in fifth place.  This may be my favorite painting of the Tour de France Femmes thus far.  And definitely my favor sprint finish painting of either 2022 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 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-2022/3896130-174-294403/Painting/winning-a-power-sprint-tdff22-33.html