Tour '26, Stage 21: The Team that Won the Tour

Despite starting on the Champs Elysees in the heart of Paris, the teams made sure to have the ceremonial traditions before they got down to race for victory in the final stage of the Tour.  Tadej Pogacar poses with his six UAE Teammates that made it to ride up and down the Champs Elysees.  Starting from his left it is Isaac Del Toro in the Maillot Blanc, then Tim Wellens and Felix Grosschartner.  One Tadej's right side his Nils Politt, then Florian Vermeesch and finally, Adam Yates.  The team has changed to an all-white jersey with yellow high lights and a big yellow number five along with white shorts.  Only Del Toro opted for black shorts perhaps to contrast with his Maillot Blanc.  The team was also riding new yellow bikes, with again the exception of Del Toro, who opted for a white bike to match his white jersey.  The one teammate missing is the American Brandon McNulty.  He had to drop out of the raced due to illness during stage 18.

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 Team that Won the Tour TdF26-155" (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 5: Safe in the Peloton

Race commentators will refer to the "commentator's curse," meaning that as soon as they talk about the possibility of something going wrong, it often does.  I feel like this is my "artist curse."  Shortly after painting and titling this watercolor, there was a crash just outside of five kilometers to go that tied up all of those in this painting.  The location is important, if they were inside of five kilometers to go, they would have been given the same time as the finishing time of those they were with.  In this case, that means the time of the entire peloton.  As it happened, the Maillot Jaune of Torstein Traeen (Uno X-Mobility) along with his teammate Tobias Johannessen were able to catch back onto the tail of the peloton as they reached Pau.  In fact, everyone here including Edoardo Affini and his Visma-Lease a Bike teammates Matteo Jorgenson and Jonas Vingegaard along with Nils Politt and his UAE Team Emirates teammate Isaac Del Toro were all given the same time thus saving everyone's position in the general classification.  Naturally, that means the Traeen holds his Maillot Jaune for a second day, only Vingegaard has managed to keep yellow for more than one day thus far this Tour.

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: "Safe in the Peloton TdF26-36" (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 3: On to French Soil

It was Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates) leading his teammates Nils Politt, Isaac Del Toro, and the rest of the peloton out of Spain and onto French soil for the first time in the 113th Tour de France.  As it has been most of the day, Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) followed by the Maillot Jaune of his teammate Jonas Vingegaard were stuck to the wheels of the UAE Team.  Not far behind is Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) making sure he doesn't miss a move when it comes.  The Tour will remain in France for the remaining eighteen stages.  

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: "On to French Soil TdF26-20" (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 21: It Takes a Team

Yes, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) won his fourth Tour de France, but it takes a team, even the one guy who didn't make it to Paris, Joao Almeida who called it quits during Stage 9 succumbing to his injuries from an earlier crash.  The rest of UAE posed together in the traditional linked arms before having to dodge more road furniture.  Along with Pogacar, it was Adam Yates, Marc Soler, Nils Politt, Pavel Sivakov, Tim Wellens, and Jhonathan Narvaez worked together to make the dream become a reality.  The team celebrated the win by rolling out splashes of yellow on their jerseys, yellow bar tape, and yellow socks.  The two wearing national champion's jerseys added a yellow band to their sleaves instead. Admittedly, you can't see those here.  I didn't see any champagne toast at the start today.  Everyone was unsure how the stage would play out, so best stick with the program until the last guy rolls across the line on the Champs Elysees.

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.  

"It Takes a Team TdF25-140" (Original art by Greig Leach)

This painting has sold.

Tour '25, Stage 10: Waving Goodbye

Day after day, Nils Politt (UAE Team Emirates) has been working hard on the front for his team leader Tadej Pogacar.  Clearly, his work has been well worth the effort.  As the very small peloton rode up the Cote de Guery, Politt swung off the front of the line.  He had done all he could over the first 111 kilometers.  Now it would be up to his other teammates to keep Pogacar in the Maillot Jaune.  As he dropped back, he waved farewell to the TV moto who filmed his pain.  Regardless of which direction he was headed, he was cheered on by the fans that line virtually every inch of the road from Lille to 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.

"Waving Goodbye TdF25-61" (Original art by Greig Leach)

This painting has sold!

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 1: Sprinting for One Second

With the early two-man breakaway still up the road, there was only a one second bonus available at the intermediate sprint in Montlucon.  It was a bit of a surprise to see Visma-Lease a Bike jump clear of the peloton.  Less so to see Nils Politt (UAE Team Emirates) joining the effort.  It was a strong lead-out for Matteo Jorgenson by his teammate, Per Strand Hagenes, but it turned out to be unfruitful.  At the last moment, Politt was able to get around the two Visma guys to take the bonus second.  I think he was riding defensively, not wanting to give anything away to Jorgenson who finished second in the 2024 Criterium du Dauphine.  He was making sure his team leader, Tadej Pogacar, would be as close to the first yellow jersey as possible.

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.

"Sprinting for One Second CdD25-1" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Seeing the Devil on the Rise

Long time followers of my cycling art will know that I can't pass up a title with a double meaning, nor can I pass up a chance to paint Didi Stenft, aka "the Devil."  With the way domestic and international politics are going, it seems that the Devil is on the rise.  But I may have been referring to the peloton, led by Marc Soler (UAE Team Emirates) and his teammate Nils Politt seeing the Devil as they started climbing towards the end of Stage 11.  Behind the yellow helmets of the leading trio you can just see the Maillot Blanc on the shoulders of Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step) peeking out from behind his own teammates.

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.

"Seeing the Devil on the Rise TdF24-59" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix ‘24: Racing for Second

With the race leader now three minutes up the road, Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek), and Nils Politt (UAE Team Emirates) have resigned themselves to racing for second place in this edition of Paris Roubaix.  Last year it was Philipsen coming in a distant second to his teammate currently up the road, Mathieu Van Der Poel.  Pedersen was fourth last year, and would dearly like to make it onto the podium this year.  Politt was in the top ten last year as well.  This year has been both faster and dryer, but equally exciting (despite knowing who would win the race for the least forty kilometers).  As expected, the sprinter Philipsen took second again, and Pedersen moved up to third this year.  Politt missed the podium finishing fourth on the day.  But in a race that just finishing is a feet, fourth and bad!  The stats are that only 110 finished inside the time limit, with another 18 coming in too late to have their results counted.  Another 43 did not finished the race, with just one rider being disqualified.  Three who were scheduled to start today were unable to even start the Hell of the North.

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 $95 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.  

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/4008496-574-195767/Painting/racing-for-second.-pr24-15.html

Paris Roubaix ‘24: Leading for Now

After a flurry of attacks on the previous pave sectors, this threesome got away.  It was started by Gianni Vermeersch (Alpecin-Deceuninck) who was quickly joined by Nils Politt (UAE Team Emirates) and Stefan Kung (Groupama-FDJ).  Politt had been having a tough go, but once he had the near miss (see my early post) he was on fire.  With 73 kilometers to go, the trio has built up a twenty two second lead on the group of favorites behind.  All three have at least one teammate in the group behind, so it will be left to others to chase them down.

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 $95 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/4008483-570-195767/Painting/leading-for-now.-pr24-11.html

Paris Roubaix ‘24: Tight Squeeze

Nils Politt (UAE Team Emirates) was having a tough race.  He has been plagued by bad luck.  He has been forced to chase back on several times already.  At least this time fortune smiled.  The race referee’s car, trying to get around a slow team car cut the corner short just missing the former German champion.  Perhaps he can take it as a sign that his Paris Roubaix luck has started to swing to his favor.  Just ahead is Tom Pidcock (Ineos-Grenadiers) also chasing back from a spot of misfortune.  The two teamed up and got back onto the tail of the leading 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 painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/4008476-568-195767/Painting/tight-squeeze.-pr24-9.html

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Men’s Race: An Emphatic Win!

Jan Tratnik (Visma-Lease a Bike) had out foxed the seasoned Nils Politt (UAE Team Emirates) in the final kilometers of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.  Not only had he made the German do most of the work in the final five kilometers, he made sure he was on the front as the went under the flame rouge.  Politt is not the best of sprinters (his strengths lie elsewhere), so he had little hope of being able to drop the smaller Tratnik once he started his sprint.  As the Visma man went away, Politt dropped his head in defeat then looked back to make sure the chasers weren’t going to steal his podium spot.  Meanwhile, Tratnik celebrated his well ridden victory (and that of his team) as the crush of the cycling press photographed away.  Moments later, Tratnik’s teammate Wout Van Aert out sprinted the rest of the field to claim third in this year’s Omloop.

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 $95 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/4001385-553-195767/Painting/an-emphatic-win-ohn24-10.html

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Men’s Race: Won’t You Work?

The former German National Champion Nils Politt (UAE Team Emirates) was getting a bit frustrated with Jan Tratnik (Visma-Lease a Bike).  Politt had made the move that got away from the rest of the leading group and then was joined by Tratnik, a move that Visma had been pulling repeatedly over the last fifty kilometers.  However once the man in yellow had joined Politt, he left the German to do all of the work.  Politt wanted to stay away from the chasers that contained some strong sprinters.  His only hope was to ride alone into the final meters of the race.  There seemed to be no way that Tratnik was going to let that happen.  The two had eighteen seconds on those behind with under six kilometers left to 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 painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/4001382-552-195767/Painting/wont-you-work-ohn24-9.html

Tour de France 23, Stage 15: Making Progress

It took a long time to get a break away established today.  Finally after over thirty kilometers raced this foursome started to make a bit of progress getting of the front.  I never did catch the name of the Ag2r-Citroen rider was.  By the time my broadcast came back from the commercial break, he was gone.  But leading the group is the ever aggressive, Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal-Quick Step).  He was joined by Alexey Lutsenko (Astana-Qazaqstan) and Nils Politt (Bora-Hansgrohe).  The other three pressed on and were eventually joined by a rather large group.  In fact, at one point in the first third of that race, there were as many in the break as were chasing in the peloton behind.  With all of the climbs in the second half of the day, everyone hoped to either go for stage glory or get a head start so they would be ensured not to miss out on the time limit with the worst climbs coming at the end 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 painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2023/3965797-94-297438/Painting/making-progress-tdf23-94.html

 

Ronde Van Vlaanderen 23, Men's Race: The Help He Wanted

The German Champion, Nils Politt (Bora-Hansgrohe) was happy to see Axel Zingle (Cofidis) ride up to him.  Politt had attacked the peloton in hopes of bridging up to the leaders, but had been struggling on his own, caught in no-man's land between the two groups, he was unable to make more progress until Zingle came along.  The pair joined up with the leaders just in time for the big names to start attacking 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 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/Spring-Classics-/3943938-516-195767/Painting/the-help-he-wanted-rvv23-3.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 7: Looking Around at the Front

Javier Romo (Astana) seemed to have the better legs of his own teammate in the early break away.  He is one of five who slipped away from the other dozen as they got ready to climb the Col de la Couiollole.  Both Nils Politt (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Pascal Eenkhoorn (Lotto-Dstny) seemed to have a lot to say to Romo and Jeremy Cabot (Total Energies).  As I painted this, I noticed that Eenkhoorn had his bottle in his hand, and was gesturing to his team car (off to the left as you view this) that he needed another bid on before he started the final climb of the 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 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/3939677-104-272742/Painting/looking-around-at-the-front.-pn23-22.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 3: Leading Them Home

Nils Politt (Bora-Hansgrohe) drove hard all of the way through the finish line keeping as many seconds to the team’s advantage as possible.  Behind the big German, his countryman and team leader, Maximilian Schachmann was pulling faces just to stay on his wheel. The duo gapped Marco Haller and another teammate in the final meters of the team time trial course.  They finished 29 seconds off of the best time, leaving Schachmann 28 seconds out of first place going into the mountain top finish 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 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/3938701-90-272742/Painting/leading-them-home.-pn23-8.html

Tour '22, Stage 19: Keep It Going

It was most likely a fools errand but these five went out in a break away on a day earmarked for the sprinters.  It looked like Nil Politt (Bora-Hansgrohe) was trying to get the rest to keep working together in hopes that they could get a bigger gap on the motivated peloton behind.  I do wonder what Taco Van Hoorn (Intermache-Wanty Gobert) had to say in response.  Leading the group was the ever present break away artist, Quinn Simmons (Trek-Segafredo) along with Mikkel Honore (Quick Step-Alpha Vinyl) and Matej Mohoric (Bahrain-Victorious).  Both Politt and Mohoric are the only members of the  group  who have won a stage of the Tour, a total of three between them.  All of those wins have come from them going in a break away that made it to the end.  It is unlikely either will repeat the feat 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 painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3895278-122-294403/Painting/keep-it-going.html 

Tour '22, Stage 15: You Good?

The duo of Nils Politt (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Mikkel Honore (Quick Step-Alpha Vinyl) were never able to build up a big advantage over the peloton behind.  I don't think they ever got over a two minute advantage.  After going over the Cote d'Ambialet, Politt looked back at Honore seemingly asking how he was doing.  The other question perhaps was, "should we keep going, or is this worthless now?"  Every rider must ration their efforts over the three week of the Tour.  Think of a box of matches, you only have so many to strike before your box is empty.  So it is with a three week Tour, you can only put in but so many hard days before your body is simply empty.  Hopefully, one will not burn one's matches vainly.

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, and yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3894177-90-294403/Painting/what-do-we-do-now-tdf22-91.html

Tour '22, Stage 15: What Do We Do Now?

The champion of Germany, Nils Politt (Bora-Hansgrohe) was out in the early three man break with MIkkel Honore (Quick Step-Alpha Vinyl).  Earlier, the Maillot Vert, Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) had been out there with them, but he was called back to the peloton by his team.  They actually sent a team car up to him to tell him directly to sit up and come back to the fold.  More on that later.  With the break down to two men, Politt wanted some advice from his sports director about whether he should continue the effort or not.  With the day the last possible day for a sprint finish before Paris, it was unlikely the sprinters' teams were going to let a break away succeed.

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, and yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3894177-90-294403/Painting/what-do-we-do-now-tdf22-91.html

Tour '22, Stage 9: Making Sure

The day started with an early break that was clear over the first climb.  However there was a sprint point, before the big mountains rose up ahead of the peloton today.  So never wanting to leave points on the table, Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) got himself across to the leading group.  As the twenty-some riders approached the intermediate sprint in Semsales, it looked like Luis Leon Sanchez (Bahrain-Victorious) was thinking about going for the maximum points on offer.  A few quick, perhaps choice, words from Van Aert, about not trying to outsprint him and Sanchez eased up so the Belgium could add to his lead in the Maillot Vert.  The way it is going, it is going to take some very bad luck for Van Aert not to carry the Green Jersey all of the way to Paris.  On his wheel, the current German Champion, Nils Politt (Bora-Hansgrohe) knew better than poke the bear in this sprint.  He just contended himself with using Van Aert's draft to power along the break away.

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, and yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3892895-46-294403/Painting/making-sure-tdf22-46.html