Tour '26, Stage 21: Attacking and Giggling

Just after Lidl-Trek had their photo op on the front of the peloton as they rode back onto the Place de la Concorde, Quinn Simmons in his USA Champion kit and Mathias Vacek in his Czech Champion kit decided to mime attacking the peloton.  It wasn't out of character for the two to attack, but laughing as they did it was.  Since their teammate in the Maillot Vert, Mads Pedersen, was reacting it was clear they were just goofing around.  It won't be long before the racing starts in earnest.  I should note that Simmons started the day with his hair flowing, so it is unlikely he is planning on going for stage honors.  That task will fall to Pedersen and the team will do their best to make it happen.

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 and Giggling TdF26-157" (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 15: With Conviction

Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) was on fire today.  He jumped from the very small breakaway on the final climb of the day, the Plateau de Solaison.  He chased down Mauro Schmid (Jayco-Alula) the former Swiss champion as they raced near the border with Switzerland.  I thought he would sit on Schmid's wheel for a bit on the HC (outside category) climb, but no, he went straight on by.  He was racing with the conviction that the peloton would worry too much about each other to bother chasing him.  With nine more kilometers to climb to the summit and the end of the stage he still had a minute and forty-five seconds on the group containing the yellow jersey.  That would be plenty of time if it was a flat stage, but this is a climb with an average of a 9% gradient.  

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: "With Conviction TdF26-111" (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 15: High Fiving His Doppelganger

Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) attacked the breakaway with Tom Pidcock (Pinarello-Q36.5) as they started up the Col de la Croisette.  Jumping out of the crowd waving an American flag was an uber-fan.  Perhaps mimicking his greeting of his dad in stage 13, Simmons high fived the fan who dressed as his favorite pro cyclist.  This guy seemed to have a wig and a real mustache in an effort to look like the flamboyant USA National Champion.  Just to make sure everyone knew he was supposed to be, he had Simmons' logo on the front of his tank top and his photo on the back.  The high five will be the topic of conversation for the rest of the fan's life.  NBC/Peacock enjoyed it, too.  They showed it several times, including once in slo-mo.

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: "High Fiving His Doppelganger TdF26-107" (Original art by Greig Leach)

This painting has sold, but digital prints are available at the link above.

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 12: A Quick Salute

While off the front of the peloton Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) reached out to high-five a fan with an American flag on the side of the road.  As the fan turned to cheer on the USA Champion, it was cleared to me that the fan was Quinn's dad.  How cool is it to be in the Tour, off the front of the peloton, and actually find your dad in the crowd at the side of the road.  Of course, Quinn may have known where he would be and went on the attack just so they could have this moment.  I remember when a French rider stopped in a time trial to greet his young son and wife.  The ASO (the group that organizes the Tour) fined him for conducted that reflects poorly on the sport.  And absurd ruling, but will they feel the same about this?  I guess Quinn and his dad are safe since he didn't stop.

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 Quick Salute TdF26-84" (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 12: Trying a Little Dig

With the peloton all together, it was time for others to try and escape the grasp of the peloton.  Or perhaps Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) was doing what he could to shed some of the other sprinters on behalf of his sprinter Mads Pedersen.  The attack by the Champion of the USA came on the last categorized climb of the day, the Cote de Montagny les Buxy.  He was covered by Louis Vervaeke (Soudal-Quick Step).  Vervaeke was riding in defense of his very successful sprinter, Tim Merlier.  I love the way the peloton seems to be peering over the rise in the roadway as they 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.

Purchase this painting here: "Trying a Little Dig TdF26-83" (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: Keeping an Eye on the Break

I like it when I can use a title that can convey two different meanings, both of which are going on here.  First, we can see the TV Moto cameraman keeping the camera's eye on the break (yes, clearly there is another TV Moto in front of the group, too) and, second, the peloton is keeping a close metaphorical eye on the break.  The UAE Team Emirates led peloton isn't letting this group get any sizable advantage today.  Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) opting for white shorts to go with his USA Champion jersey and his teammate Canadian Derek Gee-West are in a group along with Tom Pidcock (Pinarello-Q36.5), Lennert Van Eetvelt (Lotto-Intermarche) and a couple of others only have built up and advantage of a minute-and-a half.  Neither I nor the team of commentators can work out why the peloton are keeping the break so close.  The highest placed member of the break is just shy of ten minutes behind the lead held by Tadej Pogacar of UAE Team Emirates.

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: "Keeping an Eye on the Break TdF26-60" (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: Who Is Where?

First, I admit that I take pleasure that the two Americans in this painting are both Quinns.  Silly, I know, but then so am I (at times).  Sean Quinn (EF Education-EasyPost) looks back to see where is rival to take the Maillot Jaune today is.  Both he and the Norwegian Torstein Traeen (Uno X-Mobility) have a very strong chance of being the next to pull on the Maillot Jaune with they reach Foix.  Quinn will have to gain thirty-three seconds on Traeen to have the honor of the Yellow Jersey.  Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) is looking back to make sure his team's sprinter Mads Pedersen is still in the group.  I am sure he would love to win the stage for himself, but he and another teammate are there for their sprinter to have the best chance at a stage win and claiming the Maillot Vert.  Mixing it with the Americans and the Norwegian are Ramses Debruyne (Alpecin-Premier Tech) and Pablo Castrillo (Movistar) along six other hopefuls.  I should point out here that Traeen did gain enough time to claim the Maillot Jaune with an almost eight-minute advantage over Tadej Pogacar.  Sean Quinn sits in second 28 seconds behind the Norwegian. Mathias Vacek (Lidl-Trek), also a member of the breakaway, rounds out the third step of the podium in Foix.

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: "Who Is Where? TdF26-28" (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: Looking for Assistance

Fifty kilometers into the race the breakaway had yet to form.  Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) the USA Champion tried to get another attempt going without much success.  He was looking back to see if the guys from EF Education-EasyPost, Cofidis, and Uno X-Mobility would contribute to the effort.  Sadly for the American champion, or the rest of this group, this was not the move to get away from the peloton.  Nor when the breakaway did get free were any of them in it.  It takes legs and luck to make it into the breakaway, and luck was not with Quinn 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: "Looking for Assitance TdF26_16" (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: An American in Paris

I confess, I couldn't resist.  Once Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) attacked after helping his sprinter take the final intermediate sprint all I had to do was wait for him to come back down the other side of the Champs Elysees.  I realize that the previous painting was very similar, but come on, the title was just sitting there.  Simmons has either been on the front of the peloton or off the front seemingly every stage of this Tour de France, so why wouldn't he attack in Paris.  At the end of the race NBC cameras caught him proposing to his girlfriend.  Judging by her leaping into his arms, I would say the answer was yes.

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. 

"An American in Paris TdF25-142" (Original art by Greig Leach)

This painting has sold.

Tour '25, Stage 19: That Should Seal It

Lidl-Trek hit the front as soon as Prudhome waved the flag at kilometer zero.  They were off with one sole purpose today and that was to get the maximum sprint points for their man Jonathan Milan.  With this intermediate sprint he should now have enough points to carry the Maillot Vert all of the way to Paris.  Should Tadej Pogacar not win the stage that should make it mathematically impossible for the yellow jersey to win the green one too.  So yet again, Milan out sprinted everyone within his group at the intermediate sprint out gunning Biniam Girmay (Intermarche-Wanty) and Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies).  His team has been so strong that the USA Champion Quinn Simmons who is on his team took fourth in the sprint.  Even he had the legs to outsprint Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno X-Mobility).  Although, I discovered moments later that Abrahamsen was preparing for the post sprint counter move to start the 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. 

"That Should Seal It TdF25-125" (Original art by Greig Leach)

This painting has sold!

Tour '25, Stage 15: Has the Fire Gone Out?

The seven guys who had been with Tim Wellens had tried hard to chase down the former Belgium time trialist.  At twelve kilometers to go they had lost a minute and thirty-nine seconds to the lone leader.  It just seemed to me that the fire had gone out of the chase as Michael Storer (Tudor Pro Cycling), Alexey Lutsenko (Israel-Premier Tech), Victor Campenaerts (Visma-Lease a Bike), Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek), Alexsandr Vlasov (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), Warren Barguil (Picnic-PostNL), and Carlos Rodriguez (Ineos-Grenadiers) free-wheeled down one of the many rollers into the finish town of Carcassone.  Perhaps they had switched their thinking to how can I get second on the stage.  Carlos Rodriguez was the only one with GC aspirations.  If he could keep the group's advantage over the peloton he would move up from tenth to nineth ahead of tomorrow's rest day.

Side note, with just two kilometers to race, Campenaerts jumped free and claimed second over the combined chase groups led home by none other than Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Pro Cycling) who had started his day on the ground holding his injured shoulder.

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.

"Has the Fire Gone Out? TdF25-100" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 15: One of These Four?

With forty-five kilometers yet to race, it was beginning to look like the break from the breakaway would be the ones to fight it out for the stage victory when they reach Carcassonne.  There are four more guys behind this quartet of Victor Campenaerts (Visma-Lease a Bike), Michael Storer (Tudor Pro Cycling), Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) and Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates).  They do have nineteen seconds on those chasers, with the rest of the early break strewn over the course as much as four minutes behind.  Even further back is the peloton tooling along over six minutes later.  I should note, there is an even bigger group of sprinters and other even further back then the 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.

"One of these Four? TdF25-98" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 11: Stuck in the Middle

This group of five were stuck about halfway between the early breakaway and the peloton.  There were some big names of the Tour pushing the pace as they rode up the Cote de Corronsac.  The fans were thrilled to find Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) chasing a stage victory.  They were joined in the effort by the ever-aggressive American Champion, Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek), Arnaud De Lie (Lotto) and Axel Laurance (Ineos-Grenadiers).  It was funny to me that the gendarme is blowing his whistle as if that was going to calm the screeching fans beside him.  I doubt they even heard him for all the noise they were making themselves.

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. 

"Stuck in the Middle TdF25-69" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 10: Are They Still There?

Shortly after Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) found his parents along the side of the road on the climb of one of the uncategorized hills, he went off on his own.  With twenty-seven kilometers to go, he was hoping to improve his previous second place behind the man that is chasing him right now.  I now know that my suspicion about what is going to happen when Simmons tucks up his hair.  He came to the start today with his hair up under his helmet, I think he had a plan tucked up under there too.  Chasing the American champion is the former Irish champion, Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) along with Anders Halland Johannessen (Uno X-Mobility), Pablo Castrillo (Movistar), and Michael Woods (Israel-Premier Tech).  At this point in the stage, Ben Healy was the virtual leader of the Tour.  Now he has to rely on his legs, and a detente between the leaders of the Tour about five minutes back down the road.

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. 

"Are They Still There? TdF25-62" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 10: Unchallenged

With the lone attack of Ben O'Connor pulled back into the leading breakaway, it was Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious) who jumped clear in search of the King of the Mountain points just a few meters up the road.  He was unchallenged by the group behind containing Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek), Michael Woods (Israel-Premier Tech), Simon Yates (Visma-Lease a Bike), and Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost).  From this group he was the lone Frenchman hoping to make his mark on this Bastille Day.  In addition, with these points he becomes the virtual Maillot a Pois.  And with this climb, he is ensured that the French will have one of their own on the podium on their day of independence.  

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.

"Unchallenged TdF25-59" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 6: Attacking His Companion

Having missed the leader's solo attack, Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) and Michael Storer (Tudor Pro Cycling) had worked together after dropping the rest of their erstwhile breakaway companions.  As Simmons realized they weren't getting any closer to the sole escapee up the road, it was time to go after him alone.  It was cleared that the USA National Champion had come out to try and take the stage today.  I think I have figured out his tell (to use a poker reference).  If is hair is down, he is there to work for the team, or to take the day off.  However, if he has tucked his hair up under his helmet, it is game on!  He wasn't able to get rid of Storer until the climb up to the finish, but it was for second place on 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. 

"Attacking His Companion TdF25-38" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 6: The Ones that Finally Got Away

Over a hundred kilometers into the stage the seven-man breakaway was finally established.  The group containing Eddie Dunbar (Jayco-Alula), Will Barta (Movistar), Simon Yates (Visma-Lease a Bike), Harold Tejada (XDS-Astana), and Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) amongst two others have now built up a minute and twenty seconds.  It is a little different to find two Irishmen and two Americans of the front of a stage of the Tour de France, most of the other guys hail from countries more commonly seen on the move in the Grande Boucle.  Will this be the move that goes all of the way to the line?

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. 

"The Ones that Finally Got Away TdF25-34" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 6: Is It Established?

After multiple attempts to get a breakaway started it looks like it may have finally formed.  As they flew down the first categorized climb of the day it was Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) in his USA National Champion jersey pushing the pace to increase the gap from its current forty-five seconds.  He was joined by his countryman Will Barta (Movistar) and the erstwhile Maillot Jaune, Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck).  Both the parcours of the stage and the composition of this five-man group meant this could be a stage winning move.  It really does all depend on how the battle for the general classification plays out in the peloton behind.

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. 

"Is It Established? TdF25-33" (Original art by Greig Leach)

This painting is sold!

Tour '25, Stage 1: The Job at Hand

With a small but strong breakaway up the road, it fell to the teams of the sprinters to keep them honest.  It seemed that every time we saw the front of the peloton it was the two-time USA National Champion, Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) as his team's sole representative keeping the escapees in check.  He was joined in the effort by the lion share of Alpecin-Deceunick with Silvan Dillier doing most of his team's workload.  With 165 kilometers to race, it was the Stars and Stripes jersey that started pulling down the two-and-a-half-minute gap up to the five-man breakaway.

With the Tour starting the day after July 4th, this will have to do as my patriotic July 4th 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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"The Job at Hand TdF25-1" (Original art by Greig Leach)

I am happy to say that this painting has sold!

UCI Worlds, Zurich 2024, Elite Men's Road Race: Trying to Cover Pogacar

Knowing that the real race was up the road, Tadej Pogacar (Slovenia) attacked the peloton on Witikon Climb.  The first to attack was Quinn Simmons (USA) but when the Slovenian superstar came up to him, he just couldn't stay on the wheel of the lime green express train.  Michael Matthews (Australia) was fading away just as quickly as the American.  With 100 kilometers to go, I don't think anyone really expected him to launch so early, but it wasn't like the Slovenian teammates didn't telegraph the impending attack.  However, knowing Tadej is going to go, and being able to go with him are two entirely different things.

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.

"Trying to Cover Pogacar Z24-9" (Original art by Greig Leach)