Paris Roubaix '26: Time to Celebrate

When it came down to just Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) and Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) in the finale on the velodrome it seemed likely it would be Van Aert to take the two-up sprint to win this edition of Paris Roubaix.  After all, Van Aert has won the sprint finale on the Champs Elysees of the Tour de France.  He has been seeking the victory on the velodrome of Roubaix his whole career, so it was now surprise that he broke down in tears after holding off the man many consider the best bike racer of all time.  I'm still in the camp of Eddy Merxyk personally. It should be noted that Pogacar has only competed twice in Paris Roubaix and has taken second place both times.

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.  

"Time to Celebrate PR26-9" (Original art by Greig Leach) - This painting has sold!

Paris Roubaix Femmes '26: Beating the Odds

It was the German Champion, Franziska Koch (FDJ United-SUEZ), who was able to outsprint the veteran Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) to become the next Queen of Paris Roubaix!  She was able to outsprint the Visma duo with both intelligent riding and a strong finishing sprint, thus beating the odds of winning against a pair of teammates.  Chapeau! Or should I say Gluckwunsch!

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.

"Beating the Odds PRF26-5" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix Femmes '26: On to the Velodrome

It was just three women who came onto the fable velodrome at the end of Paris Roubaix Femmes.  They were led into the first lap by the defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Visma-Lease a Bike).  She has made it clear throughout the race that she is here to ride for her teammate Marianne Vos who amazingly has yet to win in Roubaix.  The duo was going to have to contend with the German champion Franziska Koch (FDJ United-SUEZ).  The odds were clearly in the favor of the Visma women, but it still was uncertain who would be crowned the next Queen of Paris Roubaix.  However, it was certain that all three will be on the podium in just over a lap around the Roubaix velodrome.

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.

"On to the Velodrome PRF26-4" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix '25: Sprinting for Third

Had it not been for an ill-timed flat tire, Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) may well have been sprinting for the win with Tadej Pogacar and Mathieu van der Poel.  Instead, he led out the sprint (and took it) in the Roubaix velodrome for third place.  Try as he might, Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike), couldn't get around the Dane.  Claiming fifth was Pogacar's teammate Florian Vermeersch (UAE Team Emirates).  Both van Aert and Vermeersch had crashes over the 259 kilometers of the Hell of the North.  So, all of the top six finishers had either crashes, mechanicals, or both, proving again that it takes both luck and strength to win this iconic Spring Classic.

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 Third PR25-16" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix '25: Three in a Row

As he let us know in his victory salute, Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) won his third Paris Roubaix in a row!  He joins a very short list of now three men who have achieved this very, very, difficult feat.  He pulled away from those chasing behind putting in a minute and eighteen seconds into the second-place finish of Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) and another fifty-three seconds into the sprint for third.

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.

"Three in a Row PR25-15" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix Femmes '25: Prevailing

The title was taken from the announcer on Peacock, Anthony McCrossan, attempting to make a pun out of the winner's name, Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Visma-Lease a Bike).  She came to the line after a lap and a half of the Roubaix Velodrome with just a butterfly to accompany her to the line.  It was a brilliant attack that she was able to make stick through the closing kilometers with no one getting any closer once she had established her break.  She becomes the first Frenchwoman to win Paris Roubiax Femmes in its now five-year history.  I became a fan back in 2014 when she won the UCI Women's Road World Championships, and am thrilled to see her come back to road cycling after conquering almost every other cycling discipline.  I think even the insect world was thrilled for her 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 $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Prevailing PR25-7" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix ‘24: Back to Back

I always enjoy when I can use a title that has two interpretations.  Today Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) won his second Paris Roubaix in a row.  He was three minutes ahead of his teammate, Jasper Philipsen which is two minutes and twenty seconds better than where they finished last year.  Also, he won today in the Rainbow Jersey of World Champion as did Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) in yesterday’s Paris Roubaix Femmes.  So it was back to back wins for World Champions as well.

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-/4008497-575-195767/Painting/back-to-back.-pr24-16.html

Paris Roubaix Femmes ‘24: What She Wanted

Clearly, every woman who started the fourth edition of Paris Roubaix Femmes wanted to win the race, and many had a realistic chance of doing just that, but Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) had built her spring campaign around winning today.  As the five women ramped up their sprint, it looked like the World Champion was going to get boxed in.  As Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek) sprinted shoulder to shoulder on the inside, Kopecky had to swing up high to get around the equally fast closing Pfeiffer Georgi (DSM-Firmenich-PostNL) to contest for victory.  But she wasn’t to be denied today, claiming the title of the Queen of Paris Roubaix.  Georgi wasn’t quite able to just get pass Balsamo with the Italian taking second, and the Brit in third.  Vos came up just a bit short on her bike throw finishing the day in fourth.  Behind them, Amber Kraak (FDJ-Suez) finished fifth.  Ellen Van Dijk (Lidl-Trek) who had done so much for her teammate finished about eight seconds later, with the rest of the chasers coming in nearly a half a minute after Kopecky.

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-/4008379-566-195767/Painting/what-she-wanted.-pr24-7.html

Paris Roubaix Femmes ‘24: On the Velodrome

Having followed the wheel of the British Champion Pfeiffer Georgi (DSM-Firmenich-PostNL), Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek) was able to ride onto the Roubaix Velodrome with the leaders.  She did have a slight advantage despite having gone through a rough patch.  She was the only one in the group with a teammate.  Ellen Van Dijk (Lidl-Trek) was again on the front driving the pace in hopes of aiding her Italian teammate.  On the wheel of Van Dijk was Georgi, who was followed in turn by Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike), Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime), and Amber Kraak (FDJ-Suez).  It was a fairly evenly matched group that started the final lap of the velodrome, but three are all known for their sprinting abilities.  Possibly Balsamo is the best at the sprint game, but just what she has left remains to be seen.

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-/4008378-565-195767/Painting/on-the-velodrome.-pr24-6.html

Paris Roubaix 23: By a Lap!

While it may look like the chasing duo was about to catch Matthieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) as he celebrated his victory in the 120th edition of Paris Roubaix.  In fact, Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) and his teammate, Jasper Philipsen, were a full lap behind.  It was fun that Philipsen was celebrating along with his team leader.  Side note, Philipsen out sprinted Van Aert to give their team a one, two, with Van Aert rounding out the podium.  The next group of three came in another two minutes later and the unfortunate John Degenkolb another minute further behind,  Many other big names in the sport weren’t able to finish the race at all.  The last man to cross the line was a full forty minutes behind the time of the winner.  Alas for him, that was outside of the time limit thus counting as a disqualification.  But finishing the ‘Hell of the North’ is a win in itself.

I am not sure what other races I will be painting before the Tour, but it will most likely include the Dauphine and perhaps some other Spring Classics.

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-/3945330-536-195767/Painting/by-a-lap-pr23-16.html

Paris Roubaix Femmes 23: Still Away

The early break away was still away as the remaining six rolled onto the fabled velodrome in Roubaix.  As they approached the line they were led into the bell lap with Marta Lach (Ceratizit-WNT) on the front.  She was followed by Alison Jackson (EF Education-TIBCO-SVB).  To Jackson’s left was Lisa Klein ISD Worx).  Just after I painted this, Klein crashed.  Surprising since this was the smoothest stretch of road of the entire 145 kilometers of racing.  They were joined in the race for the line by their fellow break away companions, Katia Ragusa (LIV Racing TeqFind), Emilia Fahlin (FDJ-Suez), Martha Truyen (Felix-Deceunick) and Marron Borras (St. Michel-Mavic-Auber93).  So while they only had about 15 seconds on the peloton, their ride is proof that every once in a while the break away actually succeeds. 

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-/3944974-527-195767/Painting/still-away-prf23-7.html

Paris Roubaix '22: Time to Celebrate

I love it when I can use a title that has two different, and correct, meanings.  As Dylan Van Baarle (Ineos-Grenadier) rode around the fabled velodrome in Roubaix, he knew it was time to celebrate his victory of the 119th Paris Roubaix.  With a minute and forty seven seconds lead he also had plenty of time to celebrate the victory for both himself and the first ever for his team.  Paris Roubaix is one of the very few races that has eluded Ineos-Grenadiers or its previous names while they seem to have won every other race on the pro calender over the last nearly two decades.

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/Spring-Classics-/3879927-499-195767/Painting/time-to-celebrate-pr22-15.html

Paris Roubaix Femmes '22: The Second Queen

There is a certain symmetry in Elisa Longo Borghini's (Trek-Segafredo) win today.  Last year she took third as her teammate Lizzie Deigan won the first Paris Roubaix Femmes and Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma) took second.  This year Deigan didn't race and Vos had to pull out before the race start due to a positive Covid test.  I hope she recovers quickly and completely.  (Not that she didn't win today on her own merit!)  Her 23 second advantage over the six women chasing behind was no fluke, clearly she had the legs today to avenge her team leader's disqualification.  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 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/Spring-Classics-/3879613-491-195767/Painting/the-second-queen-pr22-7.html

Paris Roubaix Femmes: The First Queen of Roubaix

Winning a race is always special, winning the very first Paris Roubaix that women can race is surely an amazing moment in anyone’s life.  Today, it was the moment being savored by Lizzie Deignan (Trek-Segafredo).  And she did it by going free on the very first section of pave over eighty kilometers earlier.  And she did it literally all on her own.  Chapeau! And chapeau to the ASO and UCI for finally making this happen.  Now let’s work on equal prize monies, equal distances, and equal base salaries.

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 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/Spring-Classics-2021/3839953-55-290150/Painting/the-first-queen-of-roubaix-pr21-8.html

Paris Roubaix Femmes: She Should Be the First

As Lizzie Deignan (Trek-Segafredo) took the bell for her final lap around the Roubaix Velodrome, it was looking like she would be the first woman to win the first Paris Roubaix Femmes.  As the rain fell her closest competitor was over a minute behind.  As long as she didn’t slip on the wet concrete of the velodrome her name will go down yet again in the history of cycling.  

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 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/Spring-Classics-2021/3839952-54-290150/Painting/she-should-be-the-first-pr21-7.html

Paris Roubaix: A Long Time Coming

Philippe Gilbert (Decenunick-Quick Step) is one of the senior statesmen of the peloton, and one of the more victorious.  He has a stated goal of winning all of the Monuments before he retires.  Until today, the Hell of the North had eluded him.  So it was with great joy that he spread his arms in victory on the legendary velodrome of Roubaix.  Nils Politt (Katusha-Alpecin) had to content himself with a hard fought second place.  The trio finished at least thirty seconds ahead of  Gilbert's teammate, Yves Lampaert.  Gilbert's bold attack with 15 kilometers to race was the moment of victory since it was only Politt who could match the acceleration of the former World Champion.  Chapeau, Gilbert!

I plan to paint on or two more of the Spring Classics ahead of the Tour of California and the Tour de France.

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/Spring-Classics-/3319286-439-195767/PaintingA-Long-Time-Coming--PR19-10.html

Paris Roubaix: A Monumental Win

You know I wasn't going to paint a whole race without slipping at least on pun in a title...

With the chasers unable to close the space between themselves and this duo of Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Silvan Dillier (Ag2r La Mondiale), it was not a surprise to see Sagan out sprint the last member of the days early break.  Immediately after this victory salure, Sagan reached out to congratulate Dillier and to thank him.  Had it not been for Dillier's efforts, it is certain that Sagan would have been caught.  This is the first time the wearer of the Rainbow Jersey has won Paris Roubaix since Miguel Indurain did it in 1981.  Let's hope that Sagan will continue to build on Indurain's achievements.  Chapeau!

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.

This painting is sold!

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3141719-413-195767/PaintingA-Monumental-Win--PR18-10.html

Paris Roubaix: On to the Velodrome

Down to just two riders, it was the more experienced Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) that got to the back as Silvan Dillier (Ag2r La Mondiale) let them onto the Velodrome.  With less than a kilometer to go Dillier has now been off the front of the peloton for over 200 kilometers.  Regardless of the finale, it would be a long shot if he were to out sprint Sagan, he has ridden a brilliant Paris Roubaix.  The roar of the crowd as one of cycling's favorites road into the arena was near deafening.  It is now clear that the chasers just didn't have the legs to bring back the World Champion.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3141716-412-195767/PaintingOn-to-the-Velodrome--PR18-9.html