Tour '26, Stage 17: Attacking Near 4 K

I was confused why Victor Campenaerts (Visma-Lease a Bike) was helping chase down the six-man breakaway.  Now I understand.  His teammate, the American, Matteo Jorgenson attacked on a final roller inside of the four-kilometer banner.  When he went only two guys could go with him.  Not really visible are Derek Gee-West (Lidl-Trek) and Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) finding shelter behind the broad shoulders of the American.  Dropping of but still off the front is the former world champion Michal Kwiatkowski (Netcompany-Ineos).  Being a fan of Jorgenson, I was hoping this would stick, but the sprinters wanted their final chance.  Well, the sprinters that were still in the vastly reduced peloton.

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: "Attacking Near 4 K Tdf26-126" (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 17: What He Worked For

Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) had gotten into breaks, been dropped, got back in, got dropped and yet, he got back in one more time.  All of it was for this moment.  He was off the front with a group of five other guys, none of whom factored into the race for the Maillot Vert.  As he opened up his sprint into Colombe he was concerned that Edward Planckaert (Alpecin-Premier Tech) might try and come around.  I should point out that Planckaert is on the team of Jasper Philipsen who sits second in the race for the sprinter's jersey.  Panckaert tried to come around Pedersen to prevent him from getting maximum points in this intermediate sprint.  He didn't have the legs.  Behind these two, the rest were taking advantage of the leaders' speed as they were there for a stage victory in another twenty-seven kilometers.  Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) keeps fighting for a stage.  He is followed by Michal Kwiatkowski (Netcompany-Ineos), Jasper Stuyven (Soudal-Quick Step) and Felix Engelhardt (Jayco-Alula).  All of these guys were there fighting for stage honors at the end of the day, 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.

Purchase this painting here: "What He Worked For TdF26-125" (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 15: Family Time

Three days ago, we had the American Quinn Simmons spying his dad in the throngs along the side of the road.  Today, it was Michal Kwiatkowski (Netcompany-Ineos) pulling out of the long line of the peloton to greet his children.  It was dear to see just how excited to see their dad "at the office."  The camera didn't stay with the scene long enough to see how he greeted his wife.  I do hope they will get to spend the rest day as a family tomorrow.  After a special yet brief moment, it was back on to the saddle and into the peloton for the former World Champion.

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: "Family Time TdF26-106" (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 '24, Stage 18: Another First

With a brilliantly timed sprint, Victor Campenaerts (Lotto Dstny) gets his first Tour de France stage win of his career.  He also gets the first win in this Tour for his team.  He is sixth guy to win his first ever Tour stage.  Plus, his team is one of a dozen teams to have won at least one stage this year. Two of those teams have never won a stage in the Tour de France before.  It was Matteo Vercher (TotalEnergies) getting the better of Michal Kwiatowski (Ineos-Grenadiers).  While Kwiato had done the lion share of the work to make this a three-man sprint, he may have spent too much energy to have much of a sprint in Barcelonnette.  I am sure he was disappointed for both himself and his team.  Still, there are three more stages for Ineos-Grenadiers and the other nine teams to try to get onto the record board.

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. 

"Another First TdF24-116" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 18: Bowing to the Devil

The ever-popular Didi Stenft (the Devil) was along the side of the road to cheer on each group of the race as they rode pass.  I'm not sure why he had a small chalkboard with 31 written on it.  I can only assume it was for how many Tours he has cheered with his presence.  It seemed that Victor Campenaerts (Lotto-Dstny) bowed his head as he went by.  The trio of escapees was still being led by the former World Champion Michal Kwiatkowski (Ineos-Grenadiers) followed by the French Tour neophyte Matteo Vercher (TotalEnergies) and of course Campenaerts.  Each man was looking for the stage win, as were there teams.  Only Vercher's TotalEnergies had managed to have a team member win a 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.  

"Bowing to the Devil TdF24-115" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 18: Three Free to Fly

Both Victor Campenaerts (Lotto-Dstny) and Matteo Vercher (TotalEnergies) were finally able to bridge up to Michal Kwiatkowski (Ineos-Kwiatkowski).  Kwiato was hoping he could break the stage win dry spell in this Tour for his team.  The legacy of Ineos-Grenadiers is vast and very successful with about a decade of Tour Yellow Jersey with three different men.  Here we are almost to the end of stage 18 and they have yet to win a stage.  Arguably the strongest of the three, it seems this will be the chance to break the drought.  With a mere twenty-five kilometers to race, the trio had twenty seconds on the five-man chasing group, another minute and twenty seconds to the main chasers, and a whopping thirteen minutes back to the peloton containing all of the leaders' jerseys.

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.

"Three Free to Fly TdF24-113" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 18: Using the Descent

After going over the Cote des Demoiselles first, Michal Kwiatkowski (Ineos-Grenadiers) used his descending skills to build a gap on the large breakaway behind.  I love using the directional arrows that the Tour organization uses to warn the riders that the turn is tighter than it may seem going in.  It seems that there should be padding behind the yellow and black zebra stripes.  Usually however, they hay bales are wrapped in white and red diagonal plastic.  I am sure they have appeared in a number of my paintings over the past twelve years.

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.

"Using the Descent TdF24-112" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 14: Strong Climbers

In the valley between the Col du Tourmalet and the Hourquette d'Ancizan this five-man group came together off the front of the remnants of the breakaway.  As they started up the climb it was Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) leading them through the switch backs.  Healy had an incredible group of strong climbers on his wheel.  Right behind him is Michal Kwiatkowski (Ineos-Grenadiers), followed in turn by Louis Meintjes (Intermache-Wanty), Oier Lazkano (Movistar), and David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ).  This may well be the break that stays to the finale on the top of the Pla d'Adet.  That is IF the top of the general classification men don't decide to attack each other.  All of the top three would very much like to have the ten bonus seconds that come with winning 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.

"Strong Climbers TdF24-80" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 13: Breaking the Break

Michal Kwiatkowski (Ineos-Grenadiers) looks back to see just who came with him from the larger breakaway group.  He was joined in the breakaway from the breakaway by the two Frenchmen Romain Gregoire (Groupama-FDJ) and Julien Bernard (Lidl-Trek).  Sandwiched between the French duo is the Dane Magnus Cort (Uno-X Mobility).  The foursome was frustrated with the size and pace of the group they had just left.  Plus, the peloton was closing in, so if they wanted to stay off the front, this was the only option they had.

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.

"Breaking the Break TdF24-71" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France 23, Stage 13: Keeping the Chase at Bay

Every cycling pundit I listened to was sure that none of those in the break away had a snowball's chance of holding off the elite of this Tour de France.  But here Michal Kwiatwoski (Ineos-Grenadiers) was raising his fist in a defiant salute.  He had held off the big names of the Tour by almost a minute to claim the stage.  This is the first stage win for his team, and the second time in a row that they have won the stage on Bastille Day.  

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-2023/3965510-82-297438/Painting/keeping-the-chase-at-bay-tdf23-82.html

 

Tour de France 23. Stage 13: Reading the Race

Michal Kwiatkowski (Ineos-Grenadiers) knew at the start of the day that there would be a break away and he had best be in it.  He also read the stage enough to know that it would be another tale of two races if the break opened up enough of a lead on the general classification riders that were back in the peloton.  Finally, he was aware that any Frenchman in the break would bury themselves in hopes winning on Bastille Day.  Given all of that input, he was ready to go for it once the last guy off the front was caught.  At eight kilometers left to climb up the Grand Colombier, he had forty-one seconds on those that he had dropped, and three and a quarter minutes on the peloton of the elite of this year's Tour.  Does he have it in his legs to hold off those who's goal is to win the Tour in Paris?

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-2023/3965508-80-297438/Painting/reading-the-race-tdf23-80.html

Tour de France 23, Stage 10: Searching for the Leading Group

The trio of Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek), Michal Kwiatkowski (Ineos-Grenadiers) and Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal-Quick Step) caught up to Warren Barguil (Arkea-Samsic) as they searched for a total of six guys up the road.  Barguil was drifting back on the final climb of the day, the Cote de la Chapelle Marcousse.  He couldn't hold the pace of the leaders, but perhaps he was waiting for these three guys so they could chase the leaders together.  Alas, they never quite caught more than a sight of them for the rest of the day.

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-2023/3964978-59-297438/Painting/searching-for-the-lead-group-tdf23-59.html

Tour de France 23, Stage 3: Stretching It Out

It was a wide relatively straight run in to what was looking like a bunch sprint to end stage 3 of this Tour de France.  With five kilometers to go, it was still a struggle to gain control of the peloton for very long.  It was a little odd to see Michal Kwiatkowski (Ineos-Grenadiers) hit the front without any teammates on his wheel, it wasn't like his teammate Tom Pidcock was the right kind of sprinter for this mass dash.  On his wheel was most of Soudal-Quick Step being lead by Yves Lampearts with the rest of the peloton strung out behind.  I think it is Christophe Laporte (Jumbo-Visma) trying to slide back in line to help his sprinter, Wout Van Aert.  More about that with the final painting 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 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-2023/3963469-17-297438/Painting/stretching-it-out-tdf23-17.html

 

Milano Sanremo: On the Final Climb

Having watch Paris Nice this scene felt all too familiar.  Here was the peloton with Christophe Laporte (Jumbo-Visma) was driving the pace up the Poggia de Sanremo in hopes his team leader, Wout Van Aert would be able to get away from the field behind.  Instead it was Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) that was the first to attack as his teammate Diego Ulissi finished his turn driving the pace.  At first it was just Michal Kwiatkowski (Ineos-Grenadiers) who could go with the two time winner of the Tour de France.  However, this attack, and the next two were pulled back by Wout Van Aert and the rest of the peloton.  It was beginning to look like it was going to be a small bunch sprint of the elites of the peloton sprinting for victory on the Via Roma.

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/Spring-Classics-/3873552-468-195767/Painting/on-the-final-climb-ms22-5.html

Flanders 2021: Rolling Out

Most times my paintings do what they should, but then there are others...  this is a bit of the latter.  Michal Kwiatkowski rolled off the start ramp on the coast in hopes of a strong ride.  It is his ability to ride miles after miles on the front of the peloton that makes his team, Ineos-Grenadiers, so hard to keep out of a leader's jersey.  I am sure he was hoping his legs would deliver that kind of a ride for some personal glory.  It should be pointed out that he is a former UCI World Champion on the road yet I don't think he was one of the main contenders for the rainbow jersey in the time trial.

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-2021/3837377-3-292177/Painting/rolling-out-uci21-3.html

TDF, Stage 11: When Will It Happen?

I have now decided to use any video that strikes my interest, and this shot definitely did.  I am not quite sure what Ineos-Grenadiers was hoping to achieve by riding on the front for the entire day.  As the peloton started up Mont Ventoux for the second time they were down to just three guys.  Richie Porte was leading Michal Kwiatkowski and Richard Carapaz with the shreds of the peloton on their wheels.  Rafal Majka (UAE Team Emirates) was there for Tadej Pogacar's Maillot Jaune.  The pair were waiting, wondering when Carapaz would launch is inevitable attack.  The others keeping an eye on the Ineos-Grenadiers train were Wilco Kelderman (Bora-Hansgrohe), Enric Mas (Movistar) and Rigoberto Uran (EF Education-Nippo).  There are others, they just didn't make the painting as they were further down the line of riders.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above.  Since ti is an original work of art, it is a first come first seved reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburth 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/2021-Tour-de-France/3822560-68-291436/Painting/when-will-it-happen-tdf21-67.html

Milano-Sanremo 2021 - Making It Hard

 As the peloton went up the penultimate climb of Milano-Sanremo (the Capo Cipressa) Sam Oomen (Jumbo Visma) hit the front setting a hard pace for his team leader, Wout Van Aert.  Van Aert was using the strategy that if the pace was super fast on this climb no one would be able to launch the traditional race winning attack.  He was right. Lined out behind the two from Jumbo Visma were Ineos-Grenadiers including Luke Rowe, Tom Pidcock (in his race debute), and Michal Kwiatkowski.  It was looking like it was either going to be an attack on the final climb of the Poggio or it would be down to a sprint finale.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow th edirect link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above.  Since ti is an original work of art, it is a first come first seved reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburth 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/Spring-Classics-2021/3801733-15-290150/Painting/making-it-hard-ms21-4.html

Tour, Stage 18: You Should Take It

 Given how far back the rest of the splinter peloton was from Michal Kwiatkowski (Ineos-Grenadiers) and his teammate Richard Carapaz were, the duo had time to decide how to divide the spoils of the stage.  Carapaz had done enough with Kwiatkowski's help to take over the lead in the King of the Mountains, giving the team something to cheer about in their less than ideal Tour.  It appeared that Carapaz was telling his racing buddy that he should take the stage victory, that was they would both be on the podium at the finish line in La Roche Sur Furon.  In the end the came across the line together holding arms,but it was Kwiatkowski wheel that was the one to cross first.  I enjoyed this image more than that one, this really should the heart of these teammates and their respect for each other.  See cycling really is a team sport.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2020/3703987-128-282744/Painting/you-should-take-it-tdf20-121.html

Tour, Stage 18: Alone Together

 It was the Ineos-Grenadiers guys, Michal Kwiatkowski and Richard Carapaz, who were the first to hit the gravel section on the top of the Montee du plateau de Glieres.  The announcers on NBC Sports were equating this stretch of road to Paris Roubaix, but it is more clearly a mini Strade Bianchi.  Perhaps Phil Liggett didn't want to draw attention to a race that NBC doesn't broadcast.  

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2020/3703959-125-282744/Painting/alone-together-tdf20-118.html

Tour, Stage 18: "What Do You Want Me to Do?"

 I am assuming that was what Michal Kwiatkowski (Ineos-Grenadiers) was asking as this trio came off of the Col des Aravis.  The other possiblity was he was trying to find out what happen to Marc Hirschi (Sunweb) who had been in the group at the start of the descent.  Hirschi had crashed, he was up quickly but he wasn't going to see the front group again.  On the wheel of the former World Champion was his teammate Richard Carapaz and Pello Bilbao (Bahrain McLaren). It was beginning to look like this trio was going to be the winning move of the day.  Others were chasing by these three were holding off those behind.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2020/3703919-123-282744/Painting/what-should-i-do-tdf20-116.html