Tour '25, Stage 17: Making It Two!

In the last left turn before the peloton lined up for the sprint a large bunch crashed after someone (or two) slide out on the wet road.  Since the wreck happened at the front of the peloton a number of sprinters went down or were held up too long to vie for the stage victory.  I doubt any would have had the legs to get around Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) who claimed his second stage victory of his career and this Tour.  One of those caught out by the crash was Tim Merlier (Soudal-Quick Step) who is the only sprinter to beat Milan to the line, twice.  Today it was Jordi Meeus (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) with Pavel Bittner (Picnic-PostNL) taking the third step of the podium.  Arnaud De Lie (Lotto) sprinted to fourth today.  For Milan, his win today may mean he has done what he needed to keep the Maillot Vert all of the way to Paris.  It really depends on the coming intermediate sprints, and how the new course on the final day in Paris will be raced.

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.

"Making It Two TdF25-116" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 15: Thanks, Guys

Sure, the morning I decide nothing is going to happen early, so I grab and extra half hour of sleep, that's when all of the drama happens early.  After a crash, cross wins, Tadej paying back Jonas for making the peloton wait, and dropped riders, the breakaway finally reached the sprint point in Saint Felix Lavrages.  As the fifteen riders approached the sprint point it was Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) leading them through.  Once he had taken the uncontested maximum points, he swung off thanking Jarrad Prizners (Lotto) and Jake Stewart (Israel-Premier Tech) for not making him have to sprint.  With Jonathan Milan back in the main peloton Van Der Poel will be the only sprinter earning points towards the Maillot Vert today until the end of the stage.  He is now moved closer to Milan's total, just one stage win today would give him the lead in the sprinter's competition. 

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.

"Thanks, Guys TdF25-95" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 11: Stuck in the Middle

This group of five were stuck about halfway between the early breakaway and the peloton.  There were some big names of the Tour pushing the pace as they rode up the Cote de Corronsac.  The fans were thrilled to find Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) chasing a stage victory.  They were joined in the effort by the ever-aggressive American Champion, Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek), Arnaud De Lie (Lotto) and Axel Laurance (Ineos-Grenadiers).  It was funny to me that the gendarme is blowing his whistle as if that was going to calm the screeching fans beside him.  I doubt they even heard him for all the noise they were making themselves.

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. 

"Stuck in the Middle TdF25-69" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 9: For the Second Time

Unfortunately for the early breakaway of Mathieu Van Der Poel and Jonas Rickaert (Alpecin-Deceuninck) Van Der Poel was caught by the charging peloton with roughly 900 meters left to race.  It was a very long shot that may have started as a lark almost came to fruition.  Instead, it was the sprinters who vied to win on the streets of Chateauroux.  The town has given itself the nickname of Cavendish City, since the record holding sprinter had won all three of the sprint stages that ended here.  Without Cavendish still racing, it would be someone new to claim stage honors today.  That honor went to Tim Merlier (Soudal-Quick Step) who edged out Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek), again! This time it was about a half of a bike length rather than a half inch like Stage 3.  It was Arnaud De Lie (Lotto) getting his sprinting legs turning over taking third followed by Pavel Bittner (Picnic-PostNL).  Sadly, my pick for the stage, Biniam Girmay, could only sprint to sixth not even making into the frame.

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.

"For the Second Time TdF25-57" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 8: Beaucoup de Monde

Before the peloton arrived in this village along the course, the team directors warned the teams that there were 'beaucoup du monde' or 'a lot of people' in the next town.  The pace was growning as they neared the intermediate sprint so the peloton was lined out as they were cheered by the thousands of fans along the road.  Jake Stewart (Israel-PremierTech) found himself on the wheel of the Maillot Blanc of Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step) as they went through a left hand turn.

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. 

"Beaucoup de Monde TdF25-48" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 2: Over a Small Climb

At the half-way point of the longest stage of this edition of the Tour de France, the breakaway climbed the first climb of the day at the 105 kilometer mark.  The two sprinted away from their breakaway companions to vie for the single KOM point atop the Cote de Cavron Saint Martin.  The sprint was taken by the Norwegian Champion Andreas Leknessund (Uno X-Mobility) just barely holding off Brent Van Moer (Lotto).  However, the group of four only had about a half of a minute on the chasing peloton, so it seems unlikely either will be able to collect any more points towards the Maillot a Pois today.

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.

"Over a Small Climb TdF25-8" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 2: Not Ideal

Today started in under less than ideal conditions.  The riders face a cold, windy, and rainy start of the day as they rode towards the English Channel.  The rain made for slick roads.  In fact, as Bruno Armirail (Decathlon-Ag2r-La Mondiale) started the break away, he almost went down on the first hard right turn.  He was quickly joined by the Norwegian Champion Andreas Leknessund (Uno X-Mobility), the Qazaqstan Champion Yevigeniy Fedorov (XDS-Astana) and Brent Van Moer (Lotto).  The quartet build up just over three minutes before the peloton decided that was all they were going to get.  

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.

"Not Ideal TdF25-7" (Original art by Greig Leach)

This painting has sold!

Gent-Wevelgem '25: Losing Ground

Despite their best efforts, the trio of Victor Campenaerts (Visma-Lease a Bike), Marco Haller (Tudor Pro Cycling) and Arjen Livyns (Lotto) kept losing time to the flying Mads Pedersen.  Haller was the sole survivor of the early breakaway.  Both Campenaerts and Livyns had bridge up to Haller in the last twenty kilometers or so.  With thirty-two kilometers to race, they were now a minute and a half behind the lone leader and roughly a minute ahead of the reduced chasing peloton.  It did want to do this piece since I so enjoyed the inflatable of the sun created by Eneco.

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 Ground GW25-4" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Men's Omloop Nieuwsblad '25: Problems

Arnaud De Lie (Lotto) really wasn't having the best days.  Having already had a flat tire and a bike change, he was still struggling to get his bike right with 65 kilometers to go.  Behind him, the race juror is stopped with his fist in the air to warn those behind that a rider is stopped on the side of the road.  As De Lie got his chain back on the chainring, his team car pulled up on the right side of the road.  He was back onto his original bike and chasing, again.  But as the race got to the business end of the day, his efforts had sapped his legs.  He found himself unable to go with the pace on the final climbs of the day.  A sad turn of events for the Belgium Champion on the opening day of racing in Belgium.

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.

"Problems OHN25-5" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Women's Omloop Nieuwsblad '25: A Very Big Advantage

By the time the live coverage of the women's Omloop Nieuwsblad came on air there were only another thirty-six kilometers left to race.  This four-woman breakaway had built up quite the lead on the chasing peloton.  In fact, I would argue a ten-and-a-half-minute lead with so little road left to cover meant that one of these four women will be the next to win the Omloop today.  Lotte Claes (Arkea-B&B Hotels) had the most experience of the group as they climbed the Leberg.  On her wheel was Aurela Nerlo (Winspace Orange Seal), followed in turn by Elena Pirrone (Rolands) and Mieke Docx (Lotto).  None of them have a Women's World Tour victory in their palmares yet, so someone should be having a very momentous day today.

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 Very Big Advantage OHN25-1" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Volta ao Algarve '25, Stage 4: A Tough Finale

The final sprint (but not the final stage) saw Milan Fretin (Cofidis) take a clear win in a clean uphill sprint.  He was able to get the better of the Green Jersey of the points leader, Jordi Meeus (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe).  Filippo Ganna (Ineos-Grenadiers) claimed the last step of the stage podium edging out Arnaud De Lie (Lotto) and Biniam Girmay (Intermache-Girmay) at the line in Faro, Portugal.  Tomorrow, the race wraps up with an individual time trial.  It will be interesting to see how much the general classification is shaken up over the twenty kilometer course that ends atop the Malhao Category Two climb.

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 Tough Finale VA25-13" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Volta ao Algrave '25, Stage 3: It Counts this Time

This time when Jordi Meeus (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) outsprinted the peloton, it counted.  Behind him was Alberto Dainese (Tudor Cycling) followed by Biniam Girmay (Intermache-Wanty) and the Belgium Champion Arnaud De Lie (Lotto).  While I didn't see a problem, Dainese was relegated so Girmay and De Lie moved up a step on the stage podium.  With his win today Meeus moves into the Green Jersey of the points leader.  Plus, I'm thrilled to see Girmay back at the pointy end of a stage after his brilliant 2024 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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"It Counts this Time VA25-10" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Volta ao Algrave '25, Stage 2: The Remaining Four

By the time the early break had hit just 38 kilometers to race, they had dwindled from eleven men to these four.  Hugo Nunes (Credibom/LA Aluminios/Marcos Car) along with Brent Van Moer (Lotto), German Tivani (Aviludo-Louletaqno-Loule), and Tobias Bayer (Alpecin-Deceuninck) still had roughly two and a half minutes on the chasing peloton.  At this point, Tivani had regained the lead in the King of the Mountians competition that had been stripped from him with the odd decision over the finale yesterday.  However, there are still a category two and category one climb yet to come.  Since the final climb is the finish, it will be unlikely he will be wearing the jersey at the start of stage 3.  Had he not lost his points from stage one, he would be.

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 Remaining Four VA25-5" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Volta ao Algrave '25, Stage 2: Chatting Down the Back

With the early break away well up the road, the peloton wasn't flat out yet with another 49 kilometers to race.  The back of the peloton seemed rather relaxed.  Jasper De Buyst (Lotto) was at ease enough to have an extended conversation with his treammate, Jarrad Drizners.  Perhaps they were discussing the will end to the opening stage of the 51st Volta ao Algrave and the even more bizarre decision to nullify the entire stage.  The entire peloton was marked as 'did not finish' and no jersey points nor time bonuses were awarded.  I think that was the worst possible resolution to the mayhem of 80% of the peloton going off course with less than a kilometer to race.

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.

"Chatting Down the Back VA25-4" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Dauphine Stage Five: Tete de la Course

Tete de la Course, which literally translates to "head of the race" and is how the race TV coverage lets you know where you are in the race.  On mountain stages, the racers end up all over the course with break aways, the group containing the yellow jersey, or the contenders and the riders who are attacking or being dropped from one group or another.  It becomes difficult to understand who is where.  This is Wellens riding for Lotto, taking a drink and pushing on up the mountain.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase at my artist website.   Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2162013-21-18-185083/Painting/Sports.html#.Ubu47s_D_IU

Dauphine Stage 3: Two By Two

This is the third stage of the Criterium du Dauphine, the third day with a break away, and the third day that there were four riders in the break.  The title refers back to the numbers in the break and the two escorting motorcycles just behind the riders.  The rider at the back right now is Juan Antonio Flecha, one of my favorites in the pro peloton, another is the young American rider for Garmin Sharp, Jacob Rathe.  Beppu for Orica GreenEdge and Cordeel for Lotto round out the group.  Cordeel tried to pull the same stunt that won the Yellow Jersey for Veilleux, but the peloton wasn't going to make the same mistake twice.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that was created using cake watercolors, brushes and paper from www.richesonart.com   In addition, this work is available for purchase through a quick 3 day auction on ebay.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

This painting is sold.

Giro Day Twenty Two: Drinks for Everyone

It is the final mountain stage of the 2013 Giro d'Italia and snow is playing a role again today.  The snow is falling on the mountain tops forcing RCS Sports, the race organizers, to change the route again today.  For the riders safety, two climbs were removed, more for the danger of descending in snow and icy conditions, but they left the final climb to the finish where it continues to snow heavily upon the waiting tifosis heads.  Somehow it doesn't seem to be dampening the party along the route.  Along with the neutral service cars, there are several motorcycles that carry spare wheels and water bottles for all of the riders, regardless of team.  This is an early stage winner, Adam Hansen having a drink with his fellow break away riders, Yaroslav Popovich, Ermeti and Brutt.  They all hope to spoil the plans of the contenders on the final climb of the Giro.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and like all of the other works in this series, it has been created using cake watercolors, brushes and paper from www.richesonart.com.  I highly recommend all of their art making products.  This painting can be yours by visiting my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2154127-124-120-184157/Painting/Sports.html#.UaaWKM_D_IU

Giro Day Nineteen: Nice and Flat

Today was no exception to the pattern of early break aways getting five or six minutes on the peleton but the anticipation of another mass sprint made this effort as doomed as most.  The stage was dominantly flat today as the cyclist spun through vineyards, factories and cities.  This break was comprised of Belkov of Katusha, Rubiano of Androni, Dockx of Lotto and Durbridge the Australian National Champion and rider for Orica-Greenedge.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and it can be yours by visiting my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2153371---184157/Painting.html#.UaVUEs_D_IU

Giro Day Nineteen: On Ancient Roads

The scenery in Italy is stunning with ruins, castles, gardens, vineyards and sweeping vistas (and villas).  And the earliest paved roads were built by the Romans, I was struck by the beauty of the break away passing under this ruined gate way before they crossed the river into the town of Valeggio Sul Mincio.  Fortunately for the riders the road has been modernized since the days of the Roman Empire.  I had the chance to try to cycle on the Appian Way outside of Rome, there was no way my little skinny tired road bike was going over those stones!  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and like all of the work in this series was created with cake watercolors, brushes and paper all from www.richesonart.com   The works are also available for purchase at my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2153367---184157/Painting.html#.UaVTV8_D_IU

Giro Day Fourteen: Last Climb of the Day

The early break away of eight riders has been reduced to these three, Boem for Bardiani, Lastras for Moviestar and Lars Bak for Lotto.  They have worked hard all day, successfully attacked their fellow break riders, and held off the second group of chasers to come after them.  All that remains is to beat the peleton to the finishing line.  I am thinking you can guess just how successful that final goal was.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and is available for purchase through my artist website,  just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2152761---184157/Painting.html#.UaQNu8vD_IU