Tour Femmes '26, Stage 9: Winding Their Way Up

It was just nine women that came to the final ascent of Col d'Eze together... Well, there is one woman still off the front, but she is only about twenty seconds ahead.  This was the last time up, but the first time going this way.  It was a truly stunning climb of steep switch backs line with houses, villas, and apartment buildings all looking back towards the sea.  This is one of those climbs that I like to think I want to try but know I would hate myself about halfway up.  With the exception of the fans on the side of the road, it was just race vehicles and fans back behind the tiny 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: "Winding Their Way Up TdFF26-61" (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 9: How Much?

As the peloton came through Nice to start the second of four laps, both Malwina Mul (Cofidis) and Paula Ortiz (Movistar) had managed to get off the front of the of the reduced group.  They each peeked to see if they were getting much of an advantage.  Racing through the downtown area it was Ostiz's turned to peer back to assess where the chasers were.  The peloton wasn't too concerned.  The first trip up Col d'Eze had dropped about have of the one hundred and twenty some women who had started the final stage.  It was safe to assume that these two would most likely suffer the same fate.

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: "How Much? TdFF26-57" (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 8: Left Alone

Once Maeva Squiban had crashed, Loes Adegeest (Lidl-Trek) had no choice but to try and hold off the closing peloton.  With ten kilometers to race she now only had thirty seconds on the motivated peloton behind.  Without anyone to help in the effort, her day long breakaway was certainly doomed.  While she didn't wreck, as far as the stage victory was concerned, she might as well have.  This is my first, and probably last attempt to paint the rather spectacular paint job on the trek bikes.  They have out done themselves to celebrate the company's fiftieth anniversary.

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: "Left Alone TdFF26-52" (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 →

Paris Nice '25, Stage 8: A Collaborative Effort

Once Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) had gone through the intermediate sprint on the Col d'Eze, thus winning the final Maillot Vert, he then collaborated with Magnus Sheffield (Ineos-Grenadiers) on the way into the finale in Nice.  The two were hoping to vie for stage honors in another thirteen kilometers whilst holding off a chasing Matteo Jorgenson.  It worked out that Sheffield dropped the spent Pedersen shortly after this moment.  It is perhaps what Pedersen was telling the American on the British team.  I don't have much left; but I'll give you one more pull before I pull the plug.  Pedersen was the twentieth guy to come across the line, but no matter he had kept the green points jersey.  Whereas Sheffield went on to take the stage by twenty-nine seconds over Jorgenson, finally giving his team the stage win they had hoped for all week long.

Sheffield moved himself into fourth overall, just behind his teammate (and team leader) Thymen Arensman. Again, there just wasn't a good enough image of Sheffield winning along the marina on the Boulevard des Anglais, so this will have to function as his winning painting.

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.

"A Collaborative Effort PN25-36" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Nice '25, Stage 8: Come and Take It

After multiple attacks from the rest of the reduced peloton, it was the Maillot Jaune himself, Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) who went off the front on the Col d'Eze.  As he looked back over his shoulder, he seemed to say to those who would challenge his lead, just try and catch me.  With twenty-five kilometers left in Paris Nice, there were just two guys up the road that might spoil his perfect day.  Despite leading the race by at least thirty-seven seconds on those five seconds or more behind him, he has yet to win a stage in this year's edition of the Race to the Sun.  

He didn't manage to catch both leaders, but he did take second on the stage sealing his second victory in a row of Paris Nice.  There wasn't a great image of his victory salute as he crossed the line twenty-nine seconds behind the stage winner.

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.

"Come and Take It PN25-35" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Happily, this painting has sold!

Tour '24, Final Stage: The Stage & the Tour!

It is normally and unusual sight to see a rider celebrating a victory as they cross the line in a time trial, but such was the ride of Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) that he had more than enough time to enjoy the moment and win yet another stage.  He wins the stage by just over a minute and the Tour by nearly six minutes.  In the process he has won six stages, five of those in yellow.  Notably, he won the last three stages this year.  I think I heard that matches a record set some forty-five years ago.  But then I suspect that Pogacar will be setting new records for many years to come.  

Mark Cavendish knew this.  When he was congratulated by Pogacar when he won his 35th stage, Mark told him, "Don't you break it!" He then playfully tapped his face and held it a moment.  If Cavendish was a movie character in a mobster movie, that would be the pivotable threat of the plot.  Pogacar's tally is now 16 stages and he is still only 25.

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. 

"The Stage & the Tour! TdF24-142" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Final Stage: The Final Corners

Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step) made the final turns on the Promenade des Anglais in his effort to win the final stage of the Tour de France.  Evenepoel had won the first time trial of this Tour and is the reigning world champion in this discipline.  He is also the best young rider in the Tour, thus is lack of the Rainbow Jersey of World Champion.  He did post the best time when he finished in Nice.  But that result only lasted until the next man came in, and that until the last man finished.  Evenepoel finished the day in third, and finished the Tour in third as well.  Not a shotty debute in the Tour de France, not bad at all.

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. 

"The Final Corners TdF24-141" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Final Stage: Both Gaming & Losing Time

Given that I titled my painting of Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) "Gaining Time" in the first individual time trial, I thought I should be a bit more accurate this time.  Vingegaard was one an incredibly strong ride on the way into Nice.  He was setting new best times at every check point enroute.  A particularly positive sign since Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step) was the rider ahead of him on the road.  Not so positive was that the next guy on the road, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) was also setting new best times that were better than Vingegaard's.  Therefore, Vingegaard was gaining time on Evenepoel who was in third, and losing time on Pogacar who will remain in first.

The results mean that Vingegaard is both second on the stage and in the Tour.  And, Evenepoel is both third on the stage and in the Tour as well.  Although he hasn't finished yet, Pogacar will be both first on the stage (his sixth of this Tour) and in his third Tour de France.

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. 

"Both Gaining & Losing Time TdF24-140" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Final Stage: A Beautiful Ride

I'm a big fan of titles that have more than one meaning.  This is just such a title.  The roads up above Nice just strike me as a beautiful place to ride a bike.  I imagine they are usually choked with holiday traffic most of the year, but then I've never been all that bothered by traffic.  (to my own down fall on ten different occasions)  And of course, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) has had a beautiful ride around France and parts of Italy.  And finally, he is on one beautiful individual time trial, setting new best times all along the route into 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 $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.  

"A Beautiful Ride TdF24-139" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Final Stage: Mark's Last Trip Around

I am not afraid to admit that I thought that Mark Cavendish (Astana-Qazaqstan) would pull out of the Tour prior to the Pyrenees since he had already won the mythical thirty-fifth stage.  With no more sprint stages in which to ply his trade and add to his total number of Tour stage wins, I couldn't quite see the point.  I missed the all important one, Cav respects the Tour, the sacrifices of his team, and of his family.  There was no way he was going to pull out unless his body wouldn't let him continue.  He already had my respect, but this shows the caliber of the man both on and off the bike.  Chapeau!

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.  

"Mark's Last Trip Around TdF24-134" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Nice 23, Stage 8: Taking a Bow

Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) must have had plenty of time to think about his victory celebration as he rode down the Avenue d’Anglais and around the wharf to the end of Paris Nice.  He had treated us to a show of cycling prowess, strength, and well executed strategy through the seven days of racing.  Perhaps the one day that was canceled helped him, but I doubt by anymore than it helped the rest of the peloton.  It does leave questions about what everyone else will be able to do to out ride this Slovenian in the Tour, or just how will he be able to maintain (or rebuilt) this level of form come July 1st.  But today, he left in no doubt who was the strongest rider to start (and finish) the “Race to the Sun.”

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 $90 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3939928-113-272742/Painting/taking-a-bow-pn23-31.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 8: Racing for Second

Each of this quartet had tried their best to out ride Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) on the Col d’Eze. Instead they found themselves racing each other for second place in the final stage of Paris Nice.  As long as this group stays together David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) will be taking the second step of the podium at the award ceremony on the waterside of Nice.  Just ahead of Gaudu now, is the man almost a minute behind him, Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma).  Joining those two lower steps of the podium are Simon Yates (Jayco-Alula) and the American Matteo Jorgenson (Movistar).  Jorgenson is racing in the Maillot Blanc of best young rider, but he sits in second in that competition, but is merely holding it for the man that will win three of the four jersey of Paris Nice, Tadej Pogacar.  It should be noted that the Maillot Vert is his due to the abandonment of Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo)).

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 $90 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3939923-112-272742/Painting/racing-for-second-pn23-30.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 8: Going to Nice Alone

Simon Yates (Jayco-Alula) may have been the first to attack, but it was Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) whose attack stuck.  On the final climb of Paris Nice, the Col d’Eze, the Maillot Jaune counter the attacks by those just behind them in the general classifications.  He opened up a forty second gap on them in an amazingly short amount of time.  He looked back as he neared the summit, but I doubt he could see anyone such was his advantage on the others.  As he said in his post race interview, the best defense is a strong offense.

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 $90 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3939910-111-272742/Painting/going-to-nice-alone-pn23-29.html

Paris Nice 2022: Winning the Stage But Not the Race

Simon Yates (BikeExchange-Jayco) had done all he could in the final kilometers to pull out an upset in Paris Nice today.  He had built up a gap at the summit of the Col d'Eze that might allow him to move into the lead with the ten second time bonus of a stage victory.  Alas, the Maillot Jaune had a teammate with him to help chase back the Brit on the Australian team.  As Yates celebrated his stage victory he looked back to see the Jumbo-Visma duo of Wout Van Aert and Primoz Roglic just coming into view on the Avenue des Anglais at the line in Nice.  Yates had done enough to win a stage, but couldn't pull off the race win due mainly to the efforts of Wout Van Aert in support of his team leader Primoz Roglic.  Still, nothing to hang his head about and it sure made for an exciting finale.

I'll be back painting some more of the one day classics in the coming weeks so be sure to check back in 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 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/Paris-Nice/3872122-82-272742/Painting/winning-the-stage-but-not-the-race-pn22-45.html

Tour, Stage 2: So Very Close

So very close describes to different aspects of this sprint finish.  One that Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step) only beat Marc Hirschi (Sunweb) by not quite a bike length, and two, that the fast closing peloton finished just two seconds behind the gutsy Frenchman.  With the second place bonus seconds atop the final climb, and the eight seconds bonus for the win, Alaphilippe will be the new Maillot Jaune.  The man in second, Hirschi, becomes the new Maillot Blanc, the best place young rider in the Tour.  Just peeking around the shoulder of Hirschi is Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) whose third place and bonus seconds on the stage moved himself in to second place on the General Classification. Yates was the only other rider who was able to go with the two escapees, although he crossed the line on the Promenade des Anglais a second behind the other two, and a second ahead of the Greg Van Avermaet (CCC) led peloton.

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-2020/3687341-18-282744/Painting/so-very-close-tdf20-12.html

Tour, Stage 2: Just About Back

Daniel Felipe Martinez (EF Pro Cycling) had the misfortune of crashing on the penultimate descent of the day, the Col d'Eze.  With just three teammates up the road, two of whom were the teams GC contenders, it took some time of the only available teammate, Hugh Carthy, to drop back to help out.  The EF duo road incredible hard through the streets of Nice in their successful attempt to rejoin the peloton.  Sadly for Martinez, the effort left him unable to hang on to the peloton on the final climb up the Col des Quatre Chemins.  The lost time most likely ruined his chances of repeating his Maillot Jaune winning Criterium de Dauphine, but the team still has two cards to play in the race for the Yellow Jersey.

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-2020/3687333-16-282744/Painting/just-about-back-tdf20-10.html

La Course, Off the Climb

Annemiek Van Vleutin (Mitchelton-Scott) leads the chase off of the final climb of La Course.  On her wheel are Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo Women) and Demi Vollering (Parkhotel Valkenburg).  It is a bit unusual for Van Vleutin to be the one chasing in hopes of catching the leaders.  It is her usual style to simple ride away from her competitors as she did in Strade Bianche this season.  However, it is certainly possible that with 23 kilometers to go, that it could still go down as usual.

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-2020/3687238-10-282744/Painting/off-the-climb-lc20-5.html

La Course, One of These Six?

It was looking like these six had made the move of the day.  They had slipped off the front of the main peloton at the summit of the Cote de Rimiez and pushed their advantage on the rolling climb and following descent back down to Nice.  Anna Hendersen (Sunweb) took a drink as she rolled to the back of the pace line.  Ahead of her were Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (FDJ Nouvelle Aquitaine Futuroscope), Lotte Kopecky (Lotto Soudal Ladies), Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon SRAM), and Christine Majerus (Boels Dolman). It was Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo Women) that was driving the pace on the highway back into Nice.

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-2020/3686989-7-282744/Painting/one-of-these-six-lc20-2.html

Tour, Stage 1: A Norwegian on the English Promenade

I was truly excited to see Alexander Kristoff (UAE-Team Emirates) take the first stage of the Tour.  Kristoff has been quiet as of late, but today's stage win gives him both the Maillot Jaune of race leader (his first ever) and the Maillot Vert of the best sprinter of the Tour.  On the Norwegian's wheel was the reigning World Champion, Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo) and Cees Pol (Sunweb).  Just behind those three was the new European Champion, Giacomo Nizzolo (NTT Pro Cycling) and just out of frame in fifth is Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe).  Nizzolo is also the Italian National Champion, but the European jersey takes precedent.

So at the end of the first stage it is Kristoff in both the Yellow and Green Jerseys, Mads Pedersen in the White Jersey, and Michael Schar in the Polka Dot Jersey.

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-2020/3683840-5-282744/Painting/a-norwegian-on-the-english-promenade-tdf20-5.html

Tour, Stage 1: Slow It Down!

Several riders had already crashed on the wet twisty roads of the Alpes Maritime. Others had been trying to get the peloton to slow it down when Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) came up to Omar Fraille (Astana) he shouldn't have got any complaint, and yet he did.  Fraille's pace had seen his own team leader slide off the road and into a sign on the treacherous, wet descent.  Fortunately Miguel Angel Lopez did not seem to be hurt, but his bike was left in pieces.  From here until the flat lands with just 15 kilometers to race, calm and safety took over the mindset of the peloton.  Although there will still crashes, with an important one coming with just under three kilometers to race. 

It will be interesting to see who handle their crashes best as tomorrow will be the earliest mountain stage in decades.  Sore muscles, bad road rashes, and low morale could lose someone the Tour on just the second stage of the race.

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-2020/3683793-4-282744/Painting/slow-down-tdf20-4.html