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

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Tour Femmes '26, Stage 6: Coming Around Right

From being off the back on the penultimate climb of the day to out sprinting the leaders to claim the stage, Kim Le Court-Pienaar (AG Insurance-Soudal) had a rather exceptional stage.  With her efforts she moved herself into the top ten just seventeen seconds behind the woman who finished second today, Cedrine Kerboal (EF Education-Oatly).  Not only did Puck Peiterse (Fenix-Premier Tech) increase her lead in the Queen of the Mountains competition, she finished third on the day, too.  Behind them, it was the local woman (and French Champion) Celia Gery (FDJ United-Suez) only managed fifth.  She was awarded the most combative rider of the day much to the delight of the fans.  Fifth went to Liane Lippert (Movistar).  I feel like she was conflicted on whether to ride for herself or to help pull her teammate and Maillot Jaune closer to these leaders.  The Yellow Jersey group came in half a minute after the winner, but it wasn't enough to affect the top of the general classification, since they were all together.

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 Around Right TdFF26-38" (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 11: Big Names in the Break

Well, maybe two of them are big names, in fact I have never heard of the other two before today.  The title is a play on the low angle shot from the back of the TV Moto. Leading this breakaway is the French favorite Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Pro Cycling).  Perhaps the main reason he is out there is because he is racing near where he grew up.  Swinging off the front is the other name of the peloton, Nelson Oliviera (Movistar) who is in his tenth (I think) Tour.  Behind is Anthon Charmig (Uno X-Mobility) and then Mathis Le Berre (TotalEnergies) both of whom are new to me.  The quartet have built up almost a minute-and-a-half on the peloton.  However, those behind never let them have more of an advantage than that.  I suspect no one wanted to have a hard chase given the on going heat.  They did get a break with a few showers at the start 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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "Big Names in the Break TdF26-74" (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 9: Tete de la Course

The translation of the title is "head of the race."  At sixty-nine kilometers to go, Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Pro Cycling) was in a small breakaway with a twenty-four second gap to the peloton.  Alaphilippe is not having the best of Tours, so it was nice to see him at the right end of the race today.  He and his teammate, Marco Haller, are on one of two teams that are wearing a black kit, not the best color for the hottest day of the Tour's history.  Three of the other hottest days in history are also from this, the 113th, Tour de France.  That may be why Alaphilippe is pouring his water bottle onto his teammates back.  At this point they are joined by Michel Hessman (Movistar), Dorian Godon (Netcompany-Ineos) and Xabier Mikel Zaparren (Pinarello-Q36.5).  I should point out that shortly after I painted this, the group was chased down and absorbed by the peloton.  It was the last time I saw the idol of the French cycling fans 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: "Tete de la Course TdF26-59" (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 '25, Stage 4: Just a Bump in the Road

After having gotten away from both the peloton and the lone leader, this duo of Franziska Koch (Picnic-PostNL) and Ana Vitoria Magalhaes (Movistar) pressed on.  As they went over the lone categorized climb of the Cote de Marigny they still had about a minute and a half on the now chasing peloton.  With thirty kilometers left to go, it wasn't looking real likely that they will be able to outsmart the peloton.  The cote was only a category four so compared to the climbs to come at the end of the week, this was merely a bump in the road.  That didn't stop hundreds of fans to line both sides of the road to cheer them all up and over the 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 work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Just a Bump in the Road TdFF25-20" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 4: Flying Across the Gap

Franziska Koch (Picnic-PostNL) joined up with the Brazilian Ana Vitoria Magalhaes (Movistar) as they left the peloton and chased done the lone leader, Maud Rijnbeek.  They didn't hang around, immediately dropping the Dutch woman as they went off it hopes of beating the odds.  They had another seventy-eight kilometers to race, so it would be a long effort, and a long shot, to vie for stage victory.  Since their team cars couldn't get through the tightly packed peloton, they were being looked after by the Shimano neutral service moto.  

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.

"Flying Across the Gap TdFF25-19" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 3: Analog

The breakaway was a strong one as evidenced by the fact that there were three national champions in the four-woman group.  They had built four minutes on the peloton and with forty-six kilometers they still had roughly two and a half minutes on the peloton.  They were working well together, each taking a pull than like Alison Jackson (EF Education-Oatley) than dropping back to the back of the group to wait for their turn again.  Now it was Clemence Latimier (Arkea-B&B Hotels) on the front followed in turn Catalin Anais Soto (Laboral Kutxa-Fundacion Euskadi) and then Sara Martin (Movistar).  Martin is in her Spanish Champion's jersey, Soto in her Chilean jersey and Jackson her Canadian one.  The peloton wasn't gaining all that quickly mainly due to how well the quartet was working with each other.

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. 

"Analog TdFF25-13" (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 6: Five Chasing Two Chasing One

Given all of the effort it took to get into what will almost certainly be the winning move of the day, it isn't that surprising that these five got dropped first by the lone attack of Ben Healy and then the counter move by both Quinn Simmons and Michael Storer.  This quintet of Will Barta (Movistar), Eddy Dunbar (Jayco-Alula), Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Simon Yates (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Harold (XDS-Astana) had built up three-and-a-half minutes on the peloton containing the Maillot Jaune.  Van Der Poel had started the day a minute-and-a-half behind Tadej Pogacar, after yesterday's individual time trial.  At this point he still had the virtual yellow jersey by two minutes.  We know why he had worked so hard to get himself into this move.  

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. 

"Five Chasing Two Chasing One TdF25-37" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Final Stage: The Bell Lap

The three men in the breakaway, including surprisingly Alejandro Valverde, are looking over to see the ringing of the bell that signals the start of the final lap of the Champs Elysees and the 100th Tour de France.  The bell lap is used in every circuit race from the small club races that I rode as a teenager to the big tours like the Giro, the Tour de France and the Veulta de Espana.  The Gendarme of France look on as the peloton closes in on the three in front of the press and VIP viewing boxes.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by visiting my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the final stage of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2184503---186227/Painting.html#.UfKKn8_D_IU

This painting is sold.

Criterium dju Dauphine Stage One: Joyous Salute

David Veilleux made all of his effort pay huge dividends in Stage One of the Dauphine, his haul for the day included the stage win, the yellow jersey of race leader, the green jersey of points leader and the polka dot jersey of best climber.  Not bad for four hours of racing.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and is available through my artist web site.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2161035---185083/Painting.html#.Ubkuis_D_IU

Criterium du Dauphine Stage One: Going It Alone

On the second to last climb of the day, Canadian (and Quebecquoi) David Veilleux decided his fellow break away riders were slowing down, weakening and jumped away.  It looked like he was just sprinting for the Mountain Jersey points, but then really used some dare-devil descending skills to pull away from his former allies.  They never did get to see the Team Moviestar rider again.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by visiting my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2161019---185083/Painting.html#.Ubktus_D_IU

Criterium du Dauphine Stage One: Peloton Going Up

The peloton let the leading break away get over 10 minutes up the road in the first stage of the Dauphine at that point two of the teams of the main contenders, came to the front to set about chasing them down.  Moviestar and Team Sky must feel they have the best chances for winning the Yellow Jersey, or at least they were willing to do the work to catch the break.  As rare as it is for a break to work, this was a day where it paid off for at least one of those up the road.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and is available through my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2161003---185083/Painting.html#.Ubksz8_D_IU

Giro Day Twenty Two: Plowing the Way

Often times the phrase "plowing the way" is a figurative reference to the act of plowing snow out of the following groups way.  Today, it was as close to literal as I have ever seen in a Grand Tour.  These three, Cappecchi, Brambelli and Weening, have ridden away from the Maglia Rosa group hoping to win the stage while the contenders are willing to protect their positions and only race against each other.  Alas, for these attackers, they didn't count on Nibali wanting to stamp his authority on the race with back to back stage wins.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by going to my artist website and adding this an many others to your shopping cart.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2154179---184157/Painting.html#.Uaafl8vD_IU

Giro Day Twenty: Two Guys Down

I don't recall ever seeing three guys come into the end of a time trial together.  Eros Capeechi riding for Moviestar caught two of his minute men, while one of them had also caught the other, bringing them all in together.  I didn't catch the names of either the Saxo Tinkoff rider on the member of Team Cannondale.  Capeechi's ride was enough to move him into first place for a little while, but there were faster guys to come.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and like all of the work in this series, it was created using cake watercolors, brushes and paper from www.richesonart.com.   They are a great family run business that make truly excellent art supplies.  This work is available for purchase at my artist website.   Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2153399---184157/Painting.html#.UaVZZM_D_IU

Giro Day Nineteen: Making Sure He Is Alone

Visconti made a bold move jumping out of the peleton on the final climb (and only climb) of the day, quickly passéd the three other riders up the road and dove into Vincenza for a solo win.  Like all experienced racers he check behind at the 600 meter sign to make sure he was still alone.  The Maglia Rosa group was coming hard, Cadel and Scarponi kept jumping to get away from Nibali, but he covered every move.  The attacks kept their speed seesawing and helped to ensure Visconti's move succeed.  For the record this is his second stage win, with the first coming in heavy snow on the top of Galibier, today was a totally different victory but sweet just the same.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours through a short 3 day auction on ebay.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post, but hurry the auction begins as soon as this post is published.

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Giro Day Nineteen: Visconti Goes

Only one climb in Stage 17 but it was enough for Giovanni Visconti to jump away from the peleton in search of Di Luca, Rubiano and Durbridge.  He quickly found each of them and slipped right on by.  I don't know if his intention was a solo break for the line, but when he noticed he was alone at the crest, he certainly went hard for the finish.  He managed to get away from no less than Scarponi, Nibali, Sanchez and Evans.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase in a 3 day auction on ebay.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post, but hurry the auction begins as soon as this post is published.

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Giro Day Eighteen: Running Tifosi

Tifosi are the exuberant cycling fans that run along side of the racers cheering sometimes in costumes, sometimes nearly naked, always joyful and excited to be so close to these international athletes.  I am sure that alcohol frequently figures into the equation.  This group seem to be conjuring up bumble bees, the guys were in black and yellow striped dresses (that would stay up) and their female companion wore a brilliant big shouldered yellow blouse with a tight black jump suit.   All of this is being caught by the following TV Moto.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase through my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2153331---184157/Painting.html#.UaVQss_D_IU

Giro Day Fourteen: Last Climb of the Day

The early break away of eight riders has been reduced to these three, Boem for Bardiani, Lastras for Moviestar and Lars Bak for Lotto.  They have worked hard all day, successfully attacked their fellow break riders, and held off the second group of chasers to come after them.  All that remains is to beat the peleton to the finishing line.  I am thinking you can guess just how successful that final goal was.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and is available for purchase through my artist website,  just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2152761---184157/Painting.html#.UaQNu8vD_IU

Giro Day Fourteen: Shaking Out a Cramp

Stage 13 was the longest stage of the 2012 Giro d'Italia and this group of riders spent the lion share of the day out front in a long breakaway.  Having just crested a steep hill and the cyclist for Fantini-Selle Italia started shaking out his quad muscles trying to ease some cramping muscle, we can only assume that the Argos-Shimano rider is drinking water to help prevent the same fate.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and is available for purchase through my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2152767---184157/Painting.html#.UaQR0MvD_IU