2026 UCI Road World Championships, Montreal, Elite Women's Road Race: Chasers & Disrupters

Purchase this painting here: "Chasers and Disrupters UCI26-5" (Original art by Greig Leach)

With her teammate up the road, Puck Pieterse (Netherlands) shifted from launching the attack to disrupting those trying to chase down Demi Vollering.  It was her job now to slow the chase being mounted by Marlen Reusser (Switzerland) and Kasia Niewiadoma (Poland).  Niewiadoma does have a teammate in the trio thirty-one seconds up the road.  With twenty-five kilometers to race, there was still a chance for these women to vie for the podium.  

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 top of this post to purchase this painting. 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.

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

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Tour Femmes '26, Stage 9: Escorting Their Leader

Marlen Reusser (Movistar) has had a rough end of the Tour de France Femmes this year.  Since losing her Maillot Jaune on the climb up to the summit of Mont Ventoux, she has been slowly losing time in the general classification.  Today, on her second descent of Col d'Eze she crashed on a corner coming out of one of the many tunnels on today's course.  She took some time getting back on her bike, but she did. She was with one of her teammates when she crashed but more joined her as they made their way back down into Nice.  She was escorted by back into town by Francesca Barale, Ana Vitoria Magalhaes, Liane Lippert and Paula Ostiz.  She could have easily climbed off her bike once back to the start/finish line, but no, she and her team did the two remaining laps together.  They all came in twenty-five minutes after the stage winner, but she certainly earned even more respect today.  And she paid respect to the Tour de France Femmes as well.

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: "Escorting Their Leader TdFF26-59" (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 9: Are We Good?

I missed all of the controversy about a single turn on the final climb of stage 8 of the Tour de France Femmes.  Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon/SRAM) had accused FDJ United-Suez of intentionally blocking her when their leader attacked on the final climb.  As I watched it, I felt that while it was unfortunate that she could respond to the attack, she had chosen the wrong line into the corner.  I put it down to frustration and fatigue.  At the start of today's final stage of the race both she and Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez) seemed to have a rather lengthy conversation.  While we won't know what was set, I like to think that they settled their differences and decided to let their legs do the talking.  In her post race interview... perhaps not.  Ahead of these two was Marlen Reusser (Movistar) who sits in third place and had lost her Maillot Jaune to Niewiadoma along with her teammate, Paula Ostiz.  Behind the top three of the Tour Femmes is Kim Le Court-Pienaar (AG Insurance-Soudal).  I wonder how much of the argument will fuel the racing 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.

Purchase this painting here: "Are We Good? TdFF26-56" (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 7: The Leaders Are Leading Up Mont Ventoux

You may be able to tell, but I changed the title of this painting between the ink work and the color work adding "the leaders are" to what I had originally written.  Because with just over ten kilometers of climbing to go, it was just the top three on the general classification that were in the lead, alone.  Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez), the European Champion, had made the first attack that separated her, Marlen Reusser (Movistar) in the Maillot Jaune and Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon/SRAM) from all of the other contenders in the Tour de France Femmes.  I do enjoy the young kid bedecked in his freebie polka dot t-shirt and hat passed out by the publicity caravan watching the Tour Femmes with their dad.

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 Leaders Are Leading Up Mont Ventoux TdFF26-44" (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 5: The Perfect Ending

Well, it was a perfect ending for all of the work that Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez) and her team had put in all day long.  She came into Belleville en Beaujolais with Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon/SRAM) and Marlen Reusser (Movistar).  It was Niewiadoma who got the jump on the other two, but faded as Vollering and Reusser chased her down.  They both came around the Polish star with only fifty meters to the line.  In the end it was Vollering in her European Champion's jersey who raised her arms in victory.  Just behind her were Reusser who we can see and Niewiadoma whom we can not.  The three are now the top three in the general classification, with Reusser holding her Maillot Jaune, Vollering in second and Niewiadoma holding the third step of the podium.  There is just over a minute between the three but the first two are only twelve seconds apart.

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 Perfect Ending TdFF26-32" (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 5: Leading Up the Brouilly

Mont Brouilly was the final climb of the day, the final out of eight categorized climbs!  It proved to be the climb that changed the general classification in unexpected ways.  As they climbed, it was Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez) that kept attacking the others hoping to go alone to the finish and into the Maillot Jaune.  But each attacked was matched by Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon/SRAM).  Not quite as quick to respond was Marlen Reusser (Movistar) in the Yellow Jersey.  She did manage to get back on every time, however.  Isabella Homgren (Lidl-Trek) was hanging tough until the descent down the other side of the climb.  She was close to claiming the Maillot Blanc, but that went to Niewiadoma's teammate Antonia Niedermaier.  It was just Vollering, Reusser, and Niewiadoma that came together to sprint it out for the stage in Belleville en Beaujolais.  

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: "Leading Up the Brouilly TdFF26-31" (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 4 ITT: Sprinting for Seconds

As Marlen Reusser (Movistar) came up the finishing straight she came up out of the saddle to sprint to the line in hopes of taking the stage in the discipline that she is the World Champion of.  It worked she finished just four seconds ahead of the woman who had been in the hot seat for most of the day, Leike Nooijen (Visma-Lease a Bike).  But she did more than win the stage, she is the new Maillot Jaune, the leader of the Tour de France Femmes.  And that she holds by fourteen seconds over the woman she out rode by seventeen 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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "Sprinting for Seconds TdFF26-23" (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 de France Femmes 23, Stage 8: Almost a Minute

As Marlen Reusser (SD Worx-Protime) in her European Time Trial Champion's jersey made the final turn of the out and back course in Pau, it was looking like she might beat the just set new best time of Grace Brown (FDJ-Suez) by a minute.  When she got to the line it he time was forty seconds better than the Australian Champion.  She had the new best time, a time that won her the stage even after the Maillot Jaune finished her ride.  The only two to seriously challenge her lead were her own teammates.  Clearly, there is a reason that SD Worx-Protime have the yellow bib numbers of the best team in the Tour.  It does seem appropriate that the markings on the road seemed to mimic the checker flag of the winner of the 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 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-2023/3969044-191-297438/Painting/almost-a-minute-tdff23-47.html

 

Tour de France Femmes 23, Stage 5: Chasing Champions

I suppose I should have titled this "Champions Chasing."  This duo used the final descent to break free of the peloton and go after the lone break away.  The two had ten seconds on the peloton but still had to make up another twenty-three seconds on Ricarda Bauerfiend with just two and a half kilometers to race.  The German Champion, Laine Lippert (Moivstar) and the Swiss Champion, Marlen Reusser (SD Worx-Protime) seemed to be more concerned about trying to out smart the other to be able to work together to chase the rider up the road.  In addition, each were riding in defense of their respective team leaders, so at least they can hope to suck up any remaining bonus seconds at the finish line.  

The two never got closer than twenty-two seconds to Bauerfiend, and the peloton never got closer than the ten seconds that they have right now.

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-2023/3968195-174-297438/Painting/chasing-champions-tdff23-30.html

 

Gent-Wevelgem 23, Women's Race: Showing Her Colors

Ever the professional, Marlen Reusser (SD Worx) had the wherewithal to unzip her rain jacket so her team's rather brightly colored jersey would be visible to fans and photographers alike.  Equaling her professional finale was the way she was not only able to hold off the chasing peloton, but she continued to build on her lead.  When she saluted the crowd at the finish she had to wait almost three minutes to see who would be joining her on the podium at the award ceremony.

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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3942741-66-207546/Painting/showing-her-colors-gw23-12.html

 

Gent-Wevelgem 23, Women's Race: Solo Over the Kemmelberg

I suspect that the rather elite chasing peloton thought they would be able to catch Marlen Reusser (SD Worx) on the final trip up the Kemmelberg.  Instead, as she went up the fabled cobble climb, she opened up another handful of seconds.  It was beginning to look like she might not be caught at all.  By now she had a minute and seven seconds on the chasers with another 35 kilometers left to go.

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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3942704-64-207546/Painting/solo-over-the-kemmelberg-gw23-10.html

Gent-Wevelgem 23, Women's Race: Using Her Skill Set

Marlen Reusser (SD Worx) was able to get away from the peloton on the final climb of the Baneberg.  She opened up a few seconds on the chasers but then used the time trial skills that won her the European Time Trial Gold Medal back in 2019.  She uses those same skills to chase down breaks and set a tough pace in service of her teammates.  Today, she was able to use those same skills on her own behalf.  By the time she turned onto the main road back towards the Kemmelberg she had already put a minute into those behind.

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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3942695-63-207546/Painting/using-her-skill-set-gw23-9.html

Tour Femmes, Stage 4: Time to Celebrate

You can read this title either way.  Either Marlen Reusser's (SD Worx) minute and twenty-four seconds means she has plenty of time to celebrate her stage victory.  Or as she crosses the line it is time for her and her team to celebrate their first stage win in the Tour de France Femmes.  Behind her what I can only assume is an executive for Zwift sticks their cellphone out the window to capture their view of Reusser's victory salute.  Zwift is a title sponsor of the race, so officially this is the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.  Not to be outdone, the grocery store, E. Leclerc has stuck their logo on top of the race commissare's car.

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-2022/3896052-168-294403/Painting/time-to-celebrate-tdff22-27.html

Tour Femmes '22, Stage 4: On Her Own

Marlen Reusser (SD Worx) used her time trial skills to ride away from every woman still in the Tour de France Femmes.  With nine kilometers to go she had build up a forty one seconds on the three who were trying to get across to her.  She has just over a minute on the group that contains the Maillot Jaune and all of the other high up on the general classification.  She has just gone through the time bonus point out on course.  So while she isn't a GC factor, she just took three seconds off of her total time thus far in the Tour.  She is riding alone save the race referee's car, the Shimano neutral service, and just visible is one of a flotilla of race motorcycles.  I can't image anyone catching her now, she is adding to her advantage with nearly every pedal stroke on her wasy to Bar sur Aube.

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-2022/3896050-167-294403/Painting/on-her-own-tdff22-26.html

Liege Bastogne Liege Femmes '22: Annoyed with the Tactics

Once Annemiek Van Vleutin (Movistar) went on the attack it was only Marlen Reusser (SD Worx) who could hang onto the Dutch woman's wheel.  Much to Van Vleutin's frustration, Reusser was only there to make sure she didn't get too far up the road.  Reusser was riding in defense of her team leader, Demi Vollering.  As much as Van Vleutin flicked her arm for Reusser to take a turn on the front the Swiss Champion wasn't doing a damn thing to help her pull away from her teammates.  While Van Vleutin may have been frustrated, it just a traditional team racing tactic.  On the other hand, it doesn't strike me as a good idea to anger such a strong rider like Annemiek.  More on that later...

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 $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3881382-50-207546/Painting/annoyed-with-the-tactics-lbl22-10.html

Women's Omloop: Just Three on the Kapelmuur

Having dropped one of their fellow escapees, it was this trio that made the iconic climb up the cobbled hill to the church at the summit of the 18% grade of the Kopelmuur.  Now it is Marlen Reusser (SD Worx) setting the pace with Liane Lippert (DSM) on her wheel.  With the crest of the climb in sight, Ellen Van Dijk (Trek-Segafredo) was letting their wheels go just a tiny bit.  She knew she would easily catch back on on the sweeping smooth descent down the other side.  Again, it is a treat to see the course line with fans.  Although it does make me a bit nervous, I'm not ready to find myself in a crowd yet.

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 $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3868988-25-207546/Painting/just-three-on-the-kapelmuur-ohm22-9.html

Women's Omloop: Building a Gap

Using the climb of the Elverenberg-Vossenhol, this quartet got off the front of the peloton.  As she had on the previous climb, Ellen Van Dijk (Trek-Segafredo) lead the other up the climb including Liane Lippert (DSM), Anna Henderson (Jumbo-Visma) and the Swiss Champion, Marlen Reusser (SD Worx).  With 30 kilometers left to race they had built up a 27 lead over the chasers, and their advantage over the peloton was continuing to 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 painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3868985-24-207546/Painting/building-a-gap-ohm22-8.html

Flanders 2021: Better Line Up, Better Speed

The trio of Elise Chabbey, Nicole Koller, and Marlen Reusser found it necessary to reset their riding order as the kilometers ticked by.  Reusser was hitting a brutal pace on the front and Chabbey just couldn’t pull through when her teammate needed to drop off of the front.  As she struggled, Koller moved up to the front to take over the pace making for the team.  It wasn’t long after the Chabbey had to surrender to the pace of Reissner (who plans to attempt the hour record next week) and left it to her two country women to finish the leg of the Mixed Team Time Trial.  They just barely lost out on the bronze medal by a fraction of a second to Italy.  Was this the moment it happened?

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 from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Flanders-2021/3838531-17-292177/Painting/better-line-up-better-speed.-uci21-17.html

Flanders 2021: Leading All the Way to Brugge

Marlen Reusser (Switzerland) was posting the new best times as she went through both the first and second time checks.  She was holding off Annemiek van Vleutin (Netherlands) behind her.  I am sure that her sport director was yelling encouragement in her ear the whole 30 kilometers to Brugge.  Ellen van Dijk (Netherlands) had a brilliant final kilometers actually increasing her pace as she got closer to Brugge.  Reusser wasn't quite able to accomplish the same acceleration coming up just 10 seconds shy of van Dijk's time.  So it wasn't the Rainbow Jersey for the Swiss woman, but she does end the day with the silver medal.

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 from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Flanders-2021/3837725-13-292177/Painting/leading-all-of-the-way-to-brugge-uci21-13.html