Tour Femmes '26, Stage 7: Her First Was Huge!

It is surprising that this is the first time Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon/SRAM) has won a stage of the Tour de France Femmes.  Don't get me wrong, she has won the race two years ago, but this is the first time she has won an individual stage.  She picked a big one to win, and she won it big.  She was a minute and sixteen seconds ahead of Demi Vollering at the summit and it was a further half of a minute to the erstwhile Maillot Jaune, Marlen Reusser.  I say erstwhile because of this ride, Kiewiadoma is the new leader of the Tour de France Femmes with just two more stages to race.  It isn't like they are easy stages either, and she only has fifteen seconds over Vollering who remains in second place both on the stage and the general classification.  It is clear to me that this race will go all of the way to the final kilometer on the coastline of Nice.

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: "Her First Was Huge! TdFF26-47" (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: Joining Forces

With three more kilometers to climb, this the third group on the road that included Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team L'IMAD) and her teammate Paula Blasi, Cedrine Kerbaol (EF Education-Oatly) and Antonia Niedermaier (Canyon/SRAM) have just about caught the two chasers up the road.  Their quarry, Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez) and the Maillot Jaune Marlen Reusser (Movistar) were losing time to the lone leader now a further kilometer up the road.  Blasi and Niedermaier were also competing for the Maillot Blanc of the best young rider currently on Niedermaier shoulders.  The two came to the summit together leaving the jersey where it was.

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: "Joining Forces TdFF26-46" (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: Her Goal Is in Sight

Somehow, I don't think I have grasped just how desolate the top of Mont Ventoux actually is.  It may have to do with fans being banned from the final five kilometers of the stage due to wildfire fears.  I'm not sure what could burn here, but I did notice firetrucks and firefighters at multiple points during the climb.  Regardless, Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon/SRAM) had waited until her rivals had taken a break from their attacks to launch her own counter move.  She got free of the top two women in the general classification and quickly built a nice gap with the summit of Mont Ventoux now in eyesight.  With just under three and a half kilometers to ride, she had already secured the Maillot Jaune Virtuale.  Given the way she is riding, I am sure she will have the actual lead by the time she reaches that tower in the distance.

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: "Her Goal Is in Sight TdFF6-45" (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 7: Paying for Yesterday

Celia Gery (FDJ United-Suez), the French Champion, had a brilliant stage yesterday despite coming up short in the sprint in Rhone.  While she didn't get the stage, she was awarded the title of Most Combative Rider for stage 6.  She may have gone a bit too deep in that effort.  As the climb up Mont Ventoux began its bite, she wasn't able to hold onto the ever-reducing peloton with just over twelve kilometers to climb.  I know she wanted more, but she is riding the stage with the green bib number to celebrate her efforts during stage 5.

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: "Paying for Yesterday TdFF26-43" (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: We've Done Our Part

As the peloton approaches the base of the Mont Ventoux, the leaders' domestiques begin to pop off the front of the group with their jobs done.  So it was with Francesca Barale and her Movistar teammate Sara Martin. Barale reaches out and pats her teammate's back congratulating her on the work she has done for their team leader, Marlen Reusser, who started the day in the Maillot Jaune.  These two have done their part in making sure she will still be leading the Tour after the climb of Mont Ventoux.  A mere nineteen kilometers will reveal the fruit of their collaborative efforts.

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: "We've Done Our Part TdFF26-42" (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 Femmes '26: Stage 7: Mont Ventoux Awaits

Since the course of the fifth edition of the Tour de France Femmes all eyes have been focused on the end of this stage.  It was proposed that women couldn't climb the big mountains that are in the men's Tour to which the current Maillot Jaune, Marlen Reusser, responded, "People were stupider then."  I am sure there are some in the peloton that weren't looking forward to the effort that would be required off them in roughly another ten kilometers.  But I think both the peloton, and all of us watching, were excited to see how the climb up to that research tower atop the Mont Ventoux was going to play out.

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: "Mont Ventoux Awaits TdFF26-41" (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 '25, Stage 16: Un Pour la France

Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) launched his final attack on the final bend of the road up to the weather station atop Mont Ventoux.  The Frenchman Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal-Quick Step) was able to just get around the Irishman to claim the first stage victory of this Tour for his very happy countrymen.  Healy has now had a first, a second, and a third in stages in this Tour de France.  Four seconds behind was Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain-Victorious).  He had been chasing the other two since they dropped him near the bottom of the stage.  He just barely ran out of roadway, or he may have been there for the sprint himself.  With Soudal-Quick Step losing there GC man two days before the rest day, this will go a long way to lighten the hearts of the team.  The French fans are displeased either.

He did just about lose his balance given the effort it took to win the stage.  I think he barely had the energy to salute the crowd, but needs must.

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.

"Un Pour la France TdF25-110" (Original art by Greig Leach)

 

Tour '25, Stage 16: Attacking Near the Summit

Both Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) and Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal-Quick Step) had started the climb minutes behind the leading quartet on Mont Ventoux.  With just three and a half kilometers to the summit they traded attacks dropping the erstwhile leader of the stage Enric Mas (Movistar).  This move by Healy opened up enough of a gap on Mas that he is out of the frame in this painting of the attack.  The peloton was chasing behind but with the trading of attacks was keeping those behind from catching back onto 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.

"Attacking Near the Summit TdF25-108" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 16: All Eyes on Jonas

Visma-Lease a Bike came out with a plan to try and claw back time on Pogacar.  After those that had been in the peloton with Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) had done what they could and dropped away Vingegaard attacked with ten kilometers yet to climb.  He was immediately marked by Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) and the TV Moto behind.  Without seeing him, we know that another TV Moto was just in front of the trio as well.  He bridged up to Tiesj Benoot who was looking back trying to match his pace to that of his team leader.  Benoot had been in the early big break for just this purpose.  Still up the road was another teammate, Victor Campenaert.  Should Vingegaard be able to press on after Benoot has done what he could, it will be Campenaert's turn.  Pogacar is on his own, but thus far he has proved he is up to the task on his own.

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.

"All Eyes on Jonas TdF25-107" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 16: Holding His Own

Not long after the previous painting, Simone Velasco went backwards, and Enric Mas (Movistar) jumped clear of his former companions.  At eleven kilometers to climb he had built a thirty second lead over the two still chasing and was holding the Yellow Jersey group to five and a half minutes.  I should point out that the guy watching from the side of the road in the polka dot t-shirt is just pulling his hands out of his pockets to applaud the Spanish climber.  I am amused that the woman in pink was too busy looking at her phone to see the beginning of the race go pass.  Will Mas be able to give Spain its first Tour victory in two 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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Holding His Own TdF25-106" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 16: Starting Ventoux with 6 Minutes

This quartet hit the start of the only climb of the day, Mont Ventoux, with six minutes on the peloton containing the Yellow Jersey.  They were being led up to the official start of the climb (they have been climbing for a while now) by Thyme Aremsman (Ineos-Grenadiers).  The Dutchman was followed in turn by Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Pro Cycling), Enric Mas (Movistar), and Simone Velasco (XDS-Astana).  The group will be cheered all of the way up by the tens of thousands of fans lining virtually every meter of the climb.  While they have six minutes over the peloton the bulk of the remainder of the large early breakaway is now climbing behind them in multiple groups ahead of the Maillot Jaune.

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.

"Starting Ventoux with 6 Minutes TdF25-105" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 16: The Monster Is Waiting

These six had broken free of the breakaway and were speeding their way to Mont Ventoux.  The mountain has the eerie nickname of the Monster of Provenance, and for those racing in the Tour de France, that is an apt name.  Undaunted, Thymen Arensmen (Ineos-Grenadiers) pushes on followed by Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Pro Cycling) with his teammate Matteo Trentin, Enric Mas (Movistar), Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno X-Mobility) and Fred Wright (Bahrain-Victorious).  With fifty-three kilometers to the summit of the monster it is likely that these guys may well vie for stage honors.

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.

"The Monster Is Waiting TdF25-104" (Original art by Greig Leach)

This painting has sold!

TDF, Stage 11: Two Young Bucks

While, yes, there were three guys up the road, but this is where the real race was today.  As expected, Richard Carapaz (Ineos-Grenadiers) finally went on the offensive.  But as usual, the Maillot Jaune, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) had the measure of him.  And then drop him and the other hopefuls along with him - just as he had the two previous times others tried.  The difference today is what the other young rider in the Tour did.  Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) wearing Pogacar's Maillot Blanc, looked back into the eyes of the young Slovenian and saw what no one else had yet seen, weakness.  So off Vingegaard went.  He was the first to open a gap on this Maillot Jaune.  The downside of the move would be the down side of Mont Ventoux.  The young Dane was caught by the Pogacar on the descent, and the other two chasers, Rigoberto Uran (EF Education-Nippo) and the man who set it all off, Richard Carapaz.  The four finished together.  The effort moved Uran into second on the GC and Vingegaard onto the podium in third.  Today may have shown weakness, and if it is there, the rest of the mountain stages will be wild.

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/3822576-70-291436/Painting/two-young-bucks-tdf21-69.html

TDF, Stage 11: Teaming Up

Once Wout Van Aert had left him behind, Kenny Elissonde's (Trek-Segafredo) sports director had him wait for his teammate, Bauke Mollema.  Elissonde didn't seem too bothered, he wasn't gaining on the Belgium champion, so he might as well wait for Mollema.  Together, they will be stronger than they would be apart.  Plus they want to open up a bigger gap on those behind, they both have a good chance to move up the general classification at the end of the day.  They are racing for second and third, at least, on the stage.

Spoiler alert... it was Elissonde in second and Mollema in third on the day.

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/3822574-69-291436/Painting/teaming-up-tdf21-68.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

TDF, Stage 11: Who's Coming?

Kenny Elissonde (Trek-Segafredo) was the first to jump clear of the leading foursome on the second trip up the feared Mont Ventoux.  Elissonde had been off the front for a little while when he looked back over his shoulder to see what was happening.  He was thrilled to see two riders dropping away, but he may have had a sense of dread when he saw the Belgium champion's jersey on the shoulders of Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) coming across.  I can only imagine that when one is riding on the limit, seeing someone ride towards you with apparent ease must be a depressing sight.

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/3822556-67-291436/Painting/whos-coming-tdf21-66.html

TDF, Stage 11: Chasing Up the Beast

Once the lead group broke free from the tree line on Mont Ventoux these two found themselves having to chase back up to the leaders.  Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo) and Pierre Rolland (B&B Hotels) could see the weather station that marks the summit of the climb.  With that insight that could judge just how much longer they would need to suffer in hopes of getting back on terms.  I don't know if that is an asset or a deficit, however.  I haven't ridden this mountain, but it is on my bucket list.  Not that I am a good climber, but some things just beg to be done.  It was inspiring to see just how many of the fans along the road were in their cycling clothes with their bikes nearby.  It will be a wild mass ride back down the mountain after the race passes by the second time.

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/3822549-66-291436/Painting/chasing-up-the-beast-tdf21-65.html

 

Tour, Stage 12: Going One Better

Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal) managed on Mont Ventoux what he could not achieve on Stage 5 on the way into Le Lioran.  Then he claimed the Maillot a Pois of the King of the Mountain, but finished second on the day.  This time it was both the stage and the Polka Dot Jersey.  After he and Serge Pauwels (Dimension Data) had dropped each other several times, it was De Gendt who made the final move when it mattered most.  Throwing his arms wide at the line that came six kilometers earlier than originally planned, he had little idea (nor did we) that his victory was about to be seriously upstaged.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2823790-88-224974/PaintingGoing%20One%20Better%20TdF87-Greig-Leach.html#.V4hFeLgrLIU

Tour, Stage 12: Just These Two

Tired of chasing the attackers, once Chris Froome (Team Sky) had lost the last of his teammates, the leader of Sky and the race launched one of his own.  The duo of Froome and his former teammate, Richie Porte (BMC) road the rest of the contenders off of their wheels.  Nairo Quintana (Movistar) and the Maillot Blanc of Adam Yates (Orica-BikeExchange) tried and failed to go with the attack.  The fans behind these two are pointing at the one rider who was coming across the gap.  Unexpectedly, it was Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo) who had the legs to give chase to the leader of the race and the leader of the team that is leading the race.  As the riders climbed ever closer to the end of the stage, the crowds grew in number and enthusiasm.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2823787-87-224974/PaintingJust%20These%20Two%20TdF86-Greig-Leach.html#.V4hB5rgrLIU