Tour Femmes '26, Stage 7: Making Their Own Luck

If you notice, these two, Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Sophie Von Berswordt (VolkerWessels) both have bib numbers that end in a seven.  If the bib number thirteen is bad luck then a bib number with a seven must bring good luck.  Perhaps they were testing the theory by going clear of the peloton in hopes of catching the leaders a minute or so up the road.  Spoiler, they did not.  But then, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

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: "Making Their Own Luck TdFF26-39" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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

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Paris Roubaix Femmes '26: Beating the Odds

It was the German Champion, Franziska Koch (FDJ United-SUEZ), who was able to outsprint the veteran Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) to become the next Queen of Paris Roubaix!  She was able to outsprint the Visma duo with both intelligent riding and a strong finishing sprint, thus beating the odds of winning against a pair of teammates.  Chapeau! Or should I say Gluckwunsch!

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.

"Beating the Odds PRF26-5" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix Femmes '26: On to the Velodrome

It was just three women who came onto the fable velodrome at the end of Paris Roubaix Femmes.  They were led into the first lap by the defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Visma-Lease a Bike).  She has made it clear throughout the race that she is here to ride for her teammate Marianne Vos who amazingly has yet to win in Roubaix.  The duo was going to have to contend with the German champion Franziska Koch (FDJ United-SUEZ).  The odds were clearly in the favor of the Visma women, but it still was uncertain who would be crowned the next Queen of Paris Roubaix.  However, it was certain that all three will be on the podium in just over a lap around the Roubaix velodrome.

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.

"On to the Velodrome PRF26-4" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix Femmes '26: Is the Podium Here?

Now that this quartet has almost a minute and a half on the chasers with only 26 kilometers left to the velodrome in Roubaix, it was beginning to feel certain that three of these women will be on the podium later today.  The defending queen Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Visma-Lease a Bike) was doing a lot of the work for her teammate Marianne Vos.  Both Blanka Vas (SD Worx-Protime) and Franziska Koch (FDJ United-SUEZ) were the beneficiaries of the Visma duo's work.  They were cheered on by fans as the negotiated one of the cobbled corners in Sector 6 labeled Bourghelles a Wannehain.

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.

"Is the Podium Here? PRF26-2" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix Femmes '26: Getting Off the Front

Despite not going live with the race coverage until just 50 kilometers in the women's Paris Roubaix, there was still a lot of racing (and cobbles) yet to go.  Just before the coverage came on air, this foursome led by the defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Visma-Lease a Bike) had managed to get off the front of the main peloton.  Her move was covered by her teammate, Marianne Vos, along with the Hungarian champion, Blanka Vas (SD Worx-Protime) and the German champion, Franziska Koch (FDJ United-SUEZ).  With just over 44 kilometers to Roubaix, they have opened up a sixteen second advantage over the other hopefuls.

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.

"Getting Off the Front PRF26-1" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Strade Bianche Donne 2026: Pushing Her Advantage

With some of her main competitors over three minutes back, the Italian Champion Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ) presses her advantage pulling a rather elite quartet along with her with just under twenty kilometers still to race.  Joining her in the effort to add to their seven second advantage was Noemi Ruegg (EF Education-Oatley), Niamh Fisher-Black (Lidl-Trek), Elise Chabbey (FDJ United-SUEZ).  Keeping a close eye on them all is the ever-wise Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike).  It was beginning to look like these would be the women that would vie for victory in roughly another half hour.

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.

"Pushing Her Advantage SB26-4" (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)

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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: 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, A Tandem Celebration

Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Visma-Lease a Bike) had gotten away at the base of the final ascent of the Cote du Cadoudel and opened up a seemingly unsurmountable lead over the chasing peloton.  As she got to the last hundred meters it seemed that Kim Le Court (AG Insurance-Soudal) was about to get pass her, so her teammate Marianne Vos kicked in her afterburners to take the first stage of the Tour de France Femmes.  With her win, Vos pulls on the first Maillot Jaune.  She also claims the first Maillot Vert.  Naturally, Visma-Lease a Bike now leads the Team competition, 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. 

"A Tandem Celebration TdFF25-5" (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)

UCI Road World Championships, Zurich 2024, Elite Women's Road Race: Holding a Minute

 As in every UCI Worlds the Dutch fans were out in force all along the 154-kilometer course in and around Zurich with ever wilder fan costumes, flags, and banners.  Just as noticeable are their orange clad racers setting the pace off the front of the peloton.  One the wheel of her teammate Reijane Markus, Marianne Vos (Netherlands) helps pull the quartet in their effort to stay away from some of the other favorites for the day.  On Vos' wheel is Justine Ghekiere (Belgium).  Looking back to see just how close the chasers are is the Australian, Ruby Roseman-Gannon.  The foursome had built a lead of just over a minute, but as they rode by the large painted Dutch flag the gap had dropped to fifty seconds.

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.

"Holding a Minute Z24-3" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 7: We Can Do This!

Both Justine Ghekiere (AG Insurance-Soudal) and Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) had gotten into the early breakaway both in search of adding to the point totals in their respective jerseys.  I'm guessing that the peloton let them go thinking both would come back to the peloton after they achieved their jersey goals.  They forgot that it was Marianne Vos they let go.  The escape group was about eight strong but with forty-two kilometers to go the pair of jerseys and Ruth Edwards (Human Powered Health) on a move off the front.  Vos seemed to look back and encourage the others to keep going believing that they had a chance of staying away from the peloton.  After all they had around five minutes advantage with just over forty k to go.  The regular formula is that the peloton can pull back a minute every ten kilometers, so the math says they have a chance.  The caveat is that formula applies to flat stages, and the end of this one was anything but flat. 

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.

"We Can Do This! TdFF24-33" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 6: Leaving the Others Behind

Using the climb of the Core de la Rouche du Pretre, these six women jumped clear of the breakaway that they had been with most of the day.  Leading the escapees is Sheyla Gutierrez (Movistar) followed in turned by the Olympic Time Trial Gold Mealist Grace Brown (FDJ-Suez), Justine Ghekiere (AG Insurance-Soudal), Soraya Paladin (Canyon/SRAM).  It is Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) bringing up the rear of the group.  Ghekiere has been grabbing Queen of the Mountain points all day and is now the virtual owner of the Maillot a Pois.  She is also the current virtual Maillot Jaune too, but that isn't likely to stand.  She did become the new Queen of the Mountains at the end of the day, conversely, she lost placings in the general classification.

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.

"Leaving the Others Behind TdFF24-29" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 6: She Wants Green Back

Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) hasn't made it a secret that she wants to win the Maillot Vert this year.  She wore it for two days and then lost it in the true sprint stages in Belgium.  Today, she went into the early break for this moment.  She jumped clear of the break to take the maximum points in the intermediate sprint in Sancey.  With this win she pulled even with Charlotte Kool.  Vos will need to score at least one point at the end of the stage to take over the sprinter's jersey.  Spoiler, she took second on the stage, but she had to work hard for it.  Behind her the former wearer of the Maillot Blanc of best young rider Anniina Ahtosalo pushed the veteran Vos but wasn't able to stay on her wheel when they got to the line.  Ahtosalo is the current national champion of Finland thus the white jersey with the big blue cross.

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.

"She Wants Green Back TdFF24-27" (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)

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)

Paris Olympics 2024, Women's Road Race: Almost There

Kristen Faulkner (USA) has been chasing hard with little help from the race favorite Lotte Kopecky (Belgium).  Kopecky may be excused she worked very hard to bridge up to the chasers after getting caught behind the crash on the first circuit through the streets of Paris.  As the two chasers rode through the grounds of the Louvre they could see the two leaders riding out through the gates on the other side.  It was looking like it would be a four woman race for the three medals available at the Eiffel Tower.  Not at all what both Marianne Vos (Netherlands) and Blanka Vas (Hungary) were hoping to see.  Since this is the last painting of the four women, I'll tell you that one slipped off the front.  The other three sprinted for the two remaining medals, with Vos just getting the better of Kopecky for Silver and Bronze respectfully.

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.

"Almost There PO24-66" (Original art by Greig Leach)