Tour '26, Stage 14: Racing to the Podium

With Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) having already won the stage, this trio was racing for the remaining two steps of the stage podium.  It could be argued that his teammate Isaac Del Toro, Paul Seixas (Decathlon-CMA CGM) and Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) were also racing for the podium in Paris as well.  The sprint went to Del Toro, followed by Seixas at the same time.  Vingegaard let another six seconds open up between him and the other two.  Plus, they earned small time bonuses for their second and third places.  Seixas also took over the Maillot Blanc of the best younger rider in the Tour, his time bonus helped but he would still be in White tomorrow regardless.  At nineteen years of age, he is the youngest guy to start the Tour de France since 1905!  He is now in fourth, with Del Toro in seventh.  Vingegaard holds his second place but loses more time to Pogacar.  

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: "Racing to the Podium TdF26-103" (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

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Tour '26, Stage 6: Creating Some Space

With another five kilometers to climb up the Tourmalet, Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates) up the pace with his teammate Tadej Pogacar on his wheel.  The two champions opened up a bit of a gap on Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) and the youngster Paul Seixas (Decathlon-CMA CGM).  Pogacar has had his team on the front for the last fifty kilometers and now it was time to try and drop everyone else and go off the front.  Would the Dane be able to regain his composure and get back to his main rival's wheel?  I think you already know the answer.

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: "Creating Some Space TdF26-42" (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 '26, Stage 5: Enjoying the View

I assume that Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates) had stopped for a "nature break."  But I like to image that he was so impressed with the fields of sunflowers that he took the time to stop and enjoyed the view.  The peloton wasn't going to hard, nor were there any climbs to worry about today.  Just ahead you can see someone from Visma-Lease a Bike visiting the team car for ice bags and water.  While it wasn't as hot as yesterday's stage, but it was still another hot sunny day in the south of 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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "Enjoying the View TdF26-32" (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 '26, Stage 2: Well Played

The first person to congratulate Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates) was his team's main rival, Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike).  I honestly think Del Toro was surprised by the gesture and sportsmanship of the Maillot Jaune.  I should point out that Vingegaard then sought out Pogacar to congratulate him for a well-run race. The two champions embraced before Tadej went in search of his victorious teammate and the rest of the team.  After two stages the top five are only nineteen seconds apart as the peloton returns to 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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "Well Played TdF26-15" (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 → 

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Tour '26, Stage 2: Celebrating Together

The UAE Team Emirates teammates, Tadej Pogacar and Isaac Del Toro, had managed to drop both Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe).  So, as they came to the line Pogacar shout to Del Toro to go for the win.  The pair crossed the line atop the Cote deChateau de Montjuic, each gesturing to the other in celebration of the team's (and their) victory.  With the one-two stage wins, Pogacar moves into second place just six seconds behind Vingegaard who finished fourth on the stage. Evenpoel's third place moved him into third on the general classification and Del Toro moves up to fourth place all within sixteen seconds of each other.  Tomorrow Pogacar will be back in his rainbow jersey, but Del Toro will be in the Maillot Vert with the most points in the sprint 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.

Purchase this painting here: "Celebrating Together TdF26-14" (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 → 

This painting has sold!

Tour '26, Stage 2: Coming Back to the Peloton

The Mexican National Champion, Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates) had a mechanical and both of his team cars didn't see him on the side of the road.  Once they realized he was stuck, one of the mechanics got onto his spare bike and rode back down the road to find him.  As of this writing, I don't know if the mechanic, the team, or Del Toro, was fined for going backwards on the racecourse.  I do apologize for getting the flag of Mexico backwards, I only realized my mistake later in the stage (yes, more Del Toro paintings are coming).  He was forced to do a rather scary chase back through the team car caravan on his way back to the peloton.  You will discover in later paintings whether or not the chase took the fire out of his legs for the finale.

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: "Coming Back to the Peloton TdF26-10" (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 '26, Stage 1: Losing Some Time

It was a bit of a surprise to see Tadej Pogacar's team, UAE Team Emirates, losing time against their main rivals.  As they went through the second time check led by the American Brandon McNulty, followed in turn by the Mexican Champion Isaac del Toro, the Austrian Champion Felix Grosschartner, and then Tadej Pogacar himself, they have already dropped fourteen seconds off of the best time.  It is Tim Wellens who has just swung off the front of the UAE line preparing to slot back into the line in hopes of being able to give it another turn in the wind.  Pogacar closed a little bit of time on the final climb ascending at the fastest pace from the final time check to the finish line.  That feat was enough to give him the first Maillot a Pois but dropped him into third place 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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "Losing Some Time 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 →