Tour '26, Stage 13: Why He Chased

It was debated whether Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) would have anything left in his legs after the long chase down of the breakaway.  While he didn't win the intermediate sprint in Melisey, he did just manage to nip pass Biniam Girmay (NSN Pro Cycling) to take second with the maximum points going to Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech).  Pedersen needed to be up here to gain as many points as possible since Philipsen is closing in on the lead in the race for the Maillot Vert.  Pedersen's second goes a long way to keeping him in green.  Philipsen's successful intermediate sprint moves him to second in the sprinters' competition.  He has done well in the intermediate sprints, but Philipsen has yet to put together a sprint for a stage win this Tour.  It is unlikely that he, or any of the pure sprinters, will have another chance to win a stage with the possible exception of the final stage into 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 work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "Why He Chased TdF26-87" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '26, Stage 9: Oh, No You Don't!

The intermediate sprints have become hotly contested this Tour.  Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) has been sprinting it out against Biniam Girmay (NSN Cycling) anytime the peloton arrives intact at any of the in-stage sprints.  It seems like the two have fought to an even split thus far.  As far as the final sprint goes either Pedersen is winning the fight being the only one to win a stage (of the two).  Or one could argue that it goes to Girmay since he has placed consistently higher the first eight stages of the race.  Ultimately, Pedersen is the one in the Green Sprinter's Jersey... not Girmay.

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: "Oh, No You Don't!" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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

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Tour '26, Stage 8: Two in a Row!

Once the peloton had caught the lone escapee remaining, it was eyes down for the sprint.  Tim Merlier (Soudal-Quick Step) came from a long way back to claim his second stage victory in a row in Bergerac. It was looking like Biniam Girmay (NSN Cycling) was about to get his first stage at the Tour de France in two years until Merlier came from seemingly nowhere.  On his wheel was Olav Kooij (Decathlon-CMA CGM) who was hoping he would be the sprinter to win two stages in the 113th Tour de France. Tomorrow, we go back to the hills, so I expect it won't be a day for these pure sprinters.  Will it be the breakaway that succeeds or will it be a GC 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 work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "Two in a Row! TdF26-57" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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

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Tour '26, Stage 7: A Clear Victory

Tim Merlier (Soudal-Quick Step) was able to work through the crowded field of sprinters to take the stage victory in Bordeaux!  He had a clear win over Soren Waerenskjold (Uno X-Mobility) and Biniam Girmay (NSN Cycling).  It is worth pointing out that neither Merlier nor Waerenskjold vied for points at the intermediate sprint (Girmay did).  That may have been the difference between winning the stage and merely collecting points towards the Green Jersey.

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: "A Clear Victory TdF26-51" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '26, Stage 7: The Usual Suspects

I'm hoping you get the famous line from Casablanca that this title is referencing.  Or is my age showing, again.  Today's intermediate sprint in Landrias was for third best since the two-man break was still up the road.  It was the usual group of sprinters that we have seen most every stage vying for the most sprint points still up for grabs.  Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) added to his advantage and ensure that he would continue to wear the Maillot Vert even if he scores no points in Bordeaux at the end of the day.  He was followed across the line in turn by Biniam Girmay (NSN Cycling), Max Kanter (XDS Astana) and Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech).  I admit that until this Tour I had never heard of Kanter, but he continues to impress me.  I wouldn't be surprised to see him take a stage in the near future.  Of course, my heart is pulling for Girmay.  Yes, I do have my favorites.  Admit it, you do, 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: "The Usual Suspects TdF26-48" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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

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Tour '26, Stage 5: A Clean Set of Wheels

I feel I may need to explain the title.  A clean set of wheels means that someone as such an advantage at the finale, that no one is anywhere near them, thus a clean set of wheels refers to no one in their slipstream or threatening to pass them.  That is just how strong of a sprint Olav Kooij (Decathlon-CMA CGM) was able to mount. He has now won his first Tour de France stage and in so doing got the first stage win for his French team as well.  Unable to match his burst of speed but still holding on for second was the guy who took the intermediate sprint, Max Kanter (XDS-Astana).  The final step of the podium in Pau went to Tim Merlier (Soudal-Quick Step) followed in turn by Huub Artz (Lotto-Intermarche).  Biniam Girmay (NSN Cycling) only managed to finish sixth, but did add some more points in his quest for the Maillot Vert.  I am not sure where the current wearer of the sprinter's jersey finished, but Mads Pedersen did hold on to his Green Jersey.  In fact, none of the leader's jerseys changed shoulders today.  I doubt that will be the case tomorrow as they race over the Tourmalet before ending atop Gauarnie-Gedre.

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: "A Clean Set of Wheels TdF26-37" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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

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Tour '26, Stage 5: Dry Run

With just one guy off the front and the peloton all together, the intermediate sprint was the chance for a dry run of the expected sprint finale in another 45 kilometers' time.  I was surprised to see Max Kanter (XDS-Astana) pop out to grab second place ahead of some of the marquee sprinters of the peloton.  He had a bike length or two on the Maillot Vert of Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) and Biniam Girmay (NSN Cycling).  A little bit further back was the French sprinter Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies) who seems to be hanging around near the front of the sprints, but not quite getting the right jump on the others.  I'm not quite sure what this says about the coming sprint in Pau, but I do know it should be an exciting one.

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: "Dry Run TdF26-34" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '26, Stage 4: Maximum Points

Most of the marquee sprinters had managed to get into the large breakaway.  For the first time this Tour they were all able to sprint for maximum points at the intermediate sprint.  Again, it was Biniam Girmay (NSN Cycling) getting the better of both Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech) and Mads Petersen (Lidl-Trek) at the line in Quillan.  Pedersen's third place moves him much closer to his target of wearing the Maillot Vert of the Green Jersey.  It is worth noting that all three of these guys have won the jersey in previous Tours.  Now that they have gotten what they hoped for out of the intermediate sprint, will they sit up and go back to the trailing peloton?  Only Pedersen pressed on in the breakaway, the other two went back in hopes of saving their energy for the sprint stage tomorrow.

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: "Maximum Points TdF26-26" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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

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Tour '26, Stage 2: First Sprint

I was thrilled to see Biniam Girmay (NSN Cycling) take the best of the rest in the first intermediate sprint of this Tour de France.  He was chased to the line in Viladecans by Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek), Michael Matthews (Jayco-Alula), Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies), and Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech).  With the breakaway still off the front, the peloton didn't get the chance to sprint for maximum points, so most likely, the next Maillot Vert will go to whomever wins today's 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: "First Sprint TdF26-9" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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

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Learn More About the Artist →