Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 7: Riding in Hope

There are many ways Romain Bardet (Picnic-PostNL) could be hoping this would play out.  Naturally he was hoping for a final stage victory to end his career tomorrow.  But that would require the GC riders to watch each other on the final climb, not exactly Pogacar's skill set.  Instead, they hit the final climb with fire.  About four kilometers into the ascent to Valmeiner 1800, Bardet saw the inevitable and waved to the camera as he pulled the pin on his effort.  At the end of the day, with his father standing beside him on the podium, he was awarded the Most Combative rider of this stage.  I won't be surprised if he gets that honor for the entire Criterium du Dauphine.  I am sure he will give it one more go tomorrow.  Not a bad way to end one's racing career.

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.

"Riding in Hope CdD25-37" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 7: Flying Off the Croix de Fer

The early breakaway of about eight guys went over the top of the Croix de Fer with just about ten seconds over the greatly reduced peloton containing all of the top men in the general classification.  After sprinting to fourth over the top of the second climb of the day, he went on the offensive.  He is a very skilled descender and used that skill to his advantage.  By the time he reached the valley below, he had over a minute on the chasers that were a combination of the break and the peloton.  Clearly, he saw his opportunity to try once again for a stage victory.

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.

"Flying Off the Croix de Fer CdD25-36" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 6: Not His Day

I love that Romain Bardet (Picnic-PostNL) keeps attacking this race.  He got into the early breakaway in hopes that it would be a winning move.  It wasn't until they started climbing the Cote du Mont Saxonnex that he found the going too tough.  As the remaining members of the break rode off, he looked back to see if he would be getting any help to chase back on.  I admire is desire to end his career on a high note.  He did manage to win his first ever Maillot Jaune in his final Tour de France last season, so perhaps he can win a stage in his final race as a pro.  With this dropping off of the pace with two more climbs to go a Maillot Jaune here is just out of the question.  Perhaps we should credit it to the curse of Friday the thirteenth.

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.

"Not His Day CdD25-29" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 4 ITT: Alone for the Last Time

"Romain, Merci!"  Romain Bardet (Picnic-PostNL) picked the Criterium du Dauphine as his last race in his thirteen years of being a professional cyclist.  It pleases me that his career coincides with my painting of professional cycling.  The title comes from the fact that today is his last time trial with a race number pinned to his jersey.  Fans all along the road held up signs showing their love of the French icon.  So, as the kid's sign says, "Allez, Romain!"  

He had a good ride, but then this is not his best discipline.  He finished the day over two minutes off of the stage winning time.

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. 

"Alone for the Last Time CdD25-18" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 2: Local Knowledge

Racing just outside of his hometown, Romain Bardet (Picnic-PostNL) put his local knowledge of the road to his advantage.  He jumped clear of the peloton on the climb of the Cote de Nonette, a hill he used to train on when he was twelve years old.  This will be the last time he climbs this hill with a number pinned to his jersey.  While last year was his final Tour de France, this will be his last race before retiring atop the Col du Mont Cenis in six days' time.  It is fun to realize that he turned pro the same year I started painting bike racing back in 2012. 

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.

"Local Knowledge CdD25-8" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Volta ao Algrave '25, Stage 2: It Had to Happen

Despite a group of four up the road (a different four then the last post), it was Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) who attacked the peloton on the final climb.  As he went with two kilometers to climb of the Alto de Foia, his move was covered by Primoz Roglic (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), Joao Almedia (UAE Team Emirates), and Romain Bardet (Picnic-PostNL).  Just dangling off the four top riders is Tao Geoghegan Hart (Lidl-Trek).  Do they have enough road to catch the leaders?

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.

"It Had to Happen VA25-6" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Final Stage: One More Time

Romain Bardet (DSM-Firmenich-PostNL) rolled down the start ramp and got up to speed in his final stage of the Tour de France.  He has hopes of posting a good time as he got underway in Monaco.  I do think as he realized that he wasn't going to have much chance of winning the stage, he began to really enjoy his final race on the roads of France (well technically, he is in the Principality of Monaco right now). Thank you for the great years of entertainment, and congratulations on a day in Maillot Jaune.

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. 

"One More Time TdF24-136" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 20: Up the Final Climb

Not only is the chalkboard being used to let the riders know the time gaps a bit archaic, the breakaway didn't even seem to pay it any mind, despite the board, the riders and the motorcycle all being bright yellow.  This quintet was all that was left of the breakaway with just twelve kilometers to the top of the climb, and the end of the road stages of this Tour de France.  Wilco Kelderman (Visma-Lease a Bike) was just taking over the pacing from Romain Bardet (DSM-Firmenich-PostNL).  The others were all working in turn in hopes to be able to vie for stage honors before the GC men caught them up.  Joining in the efforts of the two on the front were Enric Mas (Movistar), Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) and the heavily bandaged Tobias Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility) as they scaled the Col de la Couillole.

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. 

"Up the Final Climb TdF24-129" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 20: Chasing Up the Mountain

The theme for Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) is to miss the move when it goes, and then to chase it down.  Fortunately for him, he has consistently been able to chase across this final week of the Tour.  I'm sure Romain Bardet (DSM-Firmenich-PostNL) wasn't upset to have such a good wheel to follow up the Col de Turini.  The two had about another twenty seconds to catch the three men up the road.  Carapaz was definitely on a mission to make sure his lead in the King of the Mountains competition would be unassailable by the end of the stage.

I did learn today that while EF Education-EasyPost has worn the Miallot a Pois before, they have never won the King of the Mountain title in their history at the Tour de France.  Bardet was hoping to strike gold again and win another stage in this Tour.  He has no chance of taking yellow with the win like he did in stage one, but going out with a road stage win on the final day of road racing in his Tour career would be grand.

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. 

"Chasing Up the Mountain TdF24-125" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 13: Rolling Repair

Just before I paused the race to paint this, we saw Romain Bardet (DSM-Firmenich-PostNL) jumping on his bike as if he was trying to check his tire pressure.  Then I noticed that he seemed to be stuck in a very high (hard) gear.  As he signaled for his team car, he kept pointing at his rear wheel.  When the team car pulled up alongside him, it was clear he was having a gearing problem.  The mechanic was able to lean out the window and get him sorted without Bardet having to stop and get his spare bike.  I am always amazed and nervous when the mechanics do this move.  So much could go wrong.  Fortunately, this time it did not, and he was able to quickly rejoin the peloton.

It is nice to see that many of the teams are using all electric vehicles in the race caravan, DSM-Firmenich-PostNL is using a Volvo EV.  While cycling is inherently a green sport, all of the support to make the race happen (and for us to see it happen) is considerably less so. 

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.

"Rolling Repair TdF24-73" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 11: Zone Bardet

While the race for the stage was going on further up (and over) the mountain, Romain Bardet (DSM-Firmenich-PostNL) was celebrating with his hundreds of fans.  Bardet is from nearby and I think the whole town came out to cheer him up the climb of the Pul Mary Pas de Peyrol.  I think that they and he were hoping he would be the one off the front leading the entire peloton on his way to another stage victory.  The fact that he had been dropped and was already minutes off of the pace didn't seem to matter to either him or his fans.  This is the last time he will make this climb with a race number on his jersey and he was clearly making the most of it.  I wonder if he will be fined by the UCI 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 $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Zone Bardet TdF24-61" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 10: Coming Back to the Peloton

Romain Bardet (DSM-Firmenich-PostNL) was another to fall victim to the rash of flat tires on the stage today.  He got a new bike rather than wait around for a wheel change since they were now inside of the final 25 kilometers of the stage.  Not to stressed, he worked his way back through the caravan of team cars, support vehicles and gendarme motorcycles.  Once anyone catches the red Skoda of the race commissare they know that they have reached the tail of 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 $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Coming Back to the Peloton" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 1: Can It Be First & Second?

The short answer is, yes!  Romain Bardet and his teammate Frank Van Der Broek (DSM-Firmenich-PostNL) were able to hold off the charging peloton of sprinters by five seconds.  It means that not only did the break away succeed in the opening stage of the Tour, but Van Der Broek is now the best place young rider, and Bardet takes the lead.  It also means that Van Der Broek is the leader in the sprint competition as well.  Since Bardet will start in the Maillot Jaune, and Van Der Broek in the Maillot Blanc, the Maillot Vert will fall to Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) since he finished third on the stage.  Or you could say he won the bunch sprint behind the break away duo.

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.

"Can It Be First & Second? TdF24-5" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 1: Teaming Up

Once his team leader, Romain Bardet (DSM-Firmenich-PostNL) jumped clear of the chasing peloton, Frank Van Der Broek dropped out of the break away to help out.  He quickly brought Bardet back to the break and then the pair dropped his former companions.  The two flew down the Cote de San Marino on their way to the finish in Rimini.  It was a tall order to hold of the chasing peloton, but thus far they seemed to be equal to the task.  It is just as easy for the break away as it is for the peloton on the descent, but the flats into down will be the real test.

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.

"Teaming Up TdF24-4" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Nice 23, Stage 7: Quick Change

 

Pulling the title from my time working in the theatre, Romain Bardet (DSM) has a quick bike change at the rear of the peloton with another 48 kilometers to race.  While it is never great to have a mechanical problem, it was as good as possible since it came twenty kilometers before the final climb of the day.  I should mention that there was no Stage 6, so that is why it isn’t appearing in this blog.  It was a day of dangerous high winds.  I tell my own story of riding it high winds while filming one of my YouTube post of today’s stage.  Bardet was able to rejoin the peloton and factor in the finish 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 $90 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3939661-102-272742/Painting/quick-change.-pn23-20.html

Tour '22, Stage 17: They Need to Catch Up

Romain Bardet (DSM) had left the peloton earlier but was then caught on the way up the final climb, the Peyragudes.  He fell away from the hot pace in the leader's group of three, but found the legs to start coming back.  He did pass the diesel of Geraint Thomas (Ineos-Grenadiers) who was slowly clawing back as well.  Thomas was able to join forces with the Frenchman.  Bardet ended climbing up into 7th on the general classification whereas Thomas lost some time, but stayed on the final step of the podium.  Thomas must be desperate to figure out how he can catch either Pogacar in second or Vingegaard in the leader's jersey.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The 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-2022/3894984-107-294403/Painting/they-need-to-catch-up-tdf22-108.html

Tour, Stage 13: Not Where He Wants to Be

 Nairo Quintana (Arkea-Samsic) was not where he wanted to be with 60 kilometers to race. He was one of several who went down in a high speed crash off of the Cote d'Anglards de Salers.  While he was banged up, poor Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo) broke his collard bone and had to leave the Tour.  IN the supersition category, Mollema was sitting 13th on the GC when he crashed out on Stage 13.  Quintana was being paced back to the peloton by his teammate Wnner Anacona. Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale) is also in this group having gone down in the same crash.  At this point those three have joined up with the Maillot Vert, Sam Bennett and his teammate Michael Morkov (Deceuninck-Quick Step) as they spent a little too much time behind their team car.  This title may have been some foreshadowing, Quintana did not finish the stage where he wanted to be either.  Nor Bardet for that matter, both may have been more injured than they realized.

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-2020/3699133-83-282744/Painting/not-where-he-wants-to-be-tdf20-77.html

Tour, Stage 9: Still Racing

With tons of guys dropping off of the pace on the final climb it was a true heart warming moment ot see Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) still on the back of the main peloton.  He was with quite a few other team leaders (just look for the bib numbers that end in 1) including Rigoberto Uran (EF Pro Cycling), Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo), Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale) and Guillaume Martin (Cofidis).  I was convinced that Thibaut would not come out to race today, so seeing him still with the leaders on the Col de Marie Blanque was truly impressive.  He did drop off a bit at the top, but nothing like yesterday.  His will is still very strong even if is back has let him down in this year's Tour.

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-2020/3693443-57-282744/Painting/still-racing-tdf20-52.html

Tour, Stage 8: Getting Patched Up

There are no time outs, or subsitutions, in cycling.  So after a fall, riders must get up and finish the stage, or their Tour is over.  Sadly a couple of guys have already crashed out of the Tour already.  Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale) had a fairly minor crash that left him a bit bloody.  Along with EMT and ambulances back with the broom wagon, the Tour has a medics car at the front of the caravan ready to assists riders with their medical issures.  Bardet was quickly cleaned and patched up to go on with his stage.  Spoiler, Bardet not only caught back onto the peloton, but ended the day pulling back a couple of seconds on his main GC rivals.

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-2020/3693048-48-282744/Painting/getting-patched-up-tdf20-43.html

Paris Nice, Final Stage: On the Offensive

With virtually no chance of taking over the Maillot Juane, Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale) jumped clear of the reduced peloton of the Yellow and Green Jerseys in a bid to win the stage.  Those behind didn't feel the need to go after this move.  Instead they would just keep grinding and hope the Frenchman would fad before the top of the climb (and the end of Paris 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/Paris-Nice/3492489-34-272742/Painting/on-the-offensive-pn20-34.html