Tour '26, Stage 21: And Now, We Race

Egan Bernal (Netcompany-Ineos) in his Colombian Champion's jersey was lucky enough to have his mechanical before the peloton started to race in earnest.  Just as he joined Tiesj Benoot (Decathlon-CMA CGM), Guillaume Martin (Groupama FDJ-United) and Nicolas Breuillard (TotalEnergies) at the back of the peloton just as the pace ramped up on the front.  As they headed up towards the l'Arc de Trimophe, it was clear that the aggressors were hoping to get free of what they felt would be the grip of the sprinters' teams.  Here we go!

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: "And Now, We Race TdF26-158" (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 19: Starting Alpe d'Huez

This quartet that was led first by Thymen Arensman (Netcompany-Ineos) and followed by Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious), Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) with just over three minutes over the group that included the Maillot Jaune.  They were looking at a climb of twelve kilometers they all were hoping that it was enough of a gap to be the ones to vie for the stage win at the summit of the fabled climb of the Alpe d'Huez.  Carapaz was hoping to follow his stage victory with a second in a row.  He also knows that he has the chance to hold the Maillot a Pois outright should he finish the stage in the top three.  And that is true even should Tadej Pogacar be able to chase them down and win the stage.  The crowds at the base of the climb were but a taste of the multitudes awaiting every single rider to scale the Alpe.

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: "Starting Alpe d'Huez TdF26-138" (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 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

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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 17: Not Amused!

Dorian Godon (Netcompany-Ineos) was very annoyed with the driver of the Shimano Neutral Service car when they passed on the inside of a corner.  It is understood that the cyclists always gets dibs to all of the roadway during the race.  Who amongst us cyclists haven't made this gesture at a driver who has just done something stupid that endangered us?  Godon and his companion Anders Skaarseth (Uno X-Mobility) were off the back of the peloton trying to get back to the peloton.  The duo did eventually get back on, and got there safely.

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: "Not Amused! TdF26-122" (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 → 

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

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Tour '26, Stage 14: Coming Across

Thymen Arensman (Netcompany-Ineos) had the misfortune of having a flat tire on the previous climb.  The guy he was with has now joined the leaders of the stage, but he is continuing to try and chase back on.  At this point he is still twenty-four seconds behind them.  As he continues to climb the Col du Page he still has two-and-a-half minutes on the peloton containing all of the leaders' jerseys including the Green Jersey of the sprinters.  But then, that is on the shoulders of Mads Pedersen who is a decent climber for a sprinter.  Sadly, Arensman never made it back to the breakaway.  Under the advice of his director sportif, he sat up and joined back up with the peloton further up the Col du Page.

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 Across TdF26-96" (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 14: View from the Back

Bruno Armirail (Visma-Lease a Bike) sits at the back of the early breakaway as they drop off of the Grand Ballon.  It is a tradition (and a superstition) to wear the number 13 upside down to ward off the bad luck.  It hasn't worked so well for Armirail who has crashed at least twice during this Tour.  Maybe if the bib number was pinned on upside down, rather than printed upside down it may have worked better.  He is following Lennert Van Eetvelt (Lotto-Intermarche), Simone Velasco (XDS-Astana), Egan Bernal (Netcompany-Ineos) and the rest of the large break down the sweeping turns.  Given the speeds that the modern peloton descends, they really don't have time to take in the majestic vistas just to their left.  I have heard ex-pros talk about never seeing so many of the sites along the course of the Tour (or most any professional race).

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 View from the Back TdF26-94" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Learn More About the Artist →    

Tour '26, Stage 13: Over the Summit

I learned today that the Ballon d'Alsace was the first mountain ever climbed in the Tour de France.  It was introduced to the Grand Boucle back in 1905.  We just missed celebrating the 120th anniversary of this climb by a year.  I doubt that was foremost in the mind of Tom Pidcock (Pinarello-Q36.5) as he led the breakaway over the summit of the Category One climb.  Pidcock is known as an incredible descender so he may have wanted to be the first to start down the other side of the mountain.  He was followed in turn by Luke Plapp (Jayco-Alula) and Plapp's teammate Mauro Schmid.  The next two over the summit were the two Frenchmen Jordan Jegat (TotalEnergies) and Kevin Vauquelin (Netcompany-Ineos).  As they crested the Ballon, the peloton was back down the mountain almost eight-and-a-half minutes behind.  At this point Pidcock has moved into second place virtually.  I suspect that the peloton will start chasing under the impetuous of those teams whose leaders are losing their places 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: "Over the Summit TdF26-89" (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 →   

Tour '26, Stage 13: The Next to Go

With the peloton out of the equation, the breakaway set about trying to shed the dead weight on the climb of the Ballon d'Alsace.  After multiple attacks, each counter by another, all of the sprinters and many of the domestiques were already off the back.  As they neared the summit, Luke Plapp (Jayco-Alula) was the next to have a go.  He got clear of Tom Pidcock (Pinarello-Q36.5) whom no one else seemed willing to help in the chase.  Pidcock was marked by Kevin Vauquelin (Netcompany-Ineso), Maim Van Gils (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), and the other four guys left off the front of the splintering breakaway.

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 Next to Go TdF26-88" (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 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 '26, Stage 4: Down the Back

The story of today is the very large breakaway that got off the front of the peloton today.  At one point there were 34 men in the escape group representing all by five teams that started the Tour in Barcelona.  It was nice to see the tri-colore of the French Champion Romain Gregoire (Groupama FDJ-United).  He was hanging around the back of the group with his countryman Kevin Vauquelin (Netcompany-Ineos), the Czech Champion Mathias Vacek (Lidl-Trek), Nelson Oliviera (Movistar), and Michael Matthews (Jayco-Alula).  The group has built up just over five-and-a-half minutes on the peloton containing all of the race favorites.  It feels like the peloton is taking a big risk, but then the two guys that are currently in the virtual first and second places are not realistic threats to carry the Maillot Jaune all of the way to Paris.  Given that UAE Team Emirates chased down yesterday's breakaway (and got a lot of grief online about that) it remains to be seen if they will pull this group back.  Conversely, this many members of the break will make it difficult to reel them back in if they don't start chasing soon.

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: "Down the Back TdF26-24" (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 1: Two Champions, One Team

It was the last two guys from Netcompany-Ineos, that hit the bottom of the final climb.  Both are their nations' time trial champions, Tobias Foss for Norway and Filippo Ganna for Italy.  The two worked together until Foss could no longer hang with the three-time Italian champion.  Ganna went to the line on his own claiming the hot seat of stage leader in the process.  With eight more teams to finish it was not a sure thing that he would win the day in the end, but he laid down a tough challenge for those yet to make the final climb.  He didn't quite hold first, but finished second by a deficit of a mere eight seconds.

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 Champions, One Team TdF26-4" (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 →