Tour Femmes '26, Stage 5: Unchallenged

Despite one rider being up the road, Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) was unchallenged for the remaining sprint points available in Monsols.  Just as Mads Pedersen had done in the men's Tour, she got herself over the opening climbs of the day with the peloton just so she could grab these sprint points.  She had her teammate, Elena Cecchini on her wheel just to make sure no one tried to come around her.  On their wheels were Maeva Squiban (UAE Team L'IMAD) and the Women's World Champion Magdeleine Valliers (EF Education-Oatly).  I think this is the first time I have had the opportunity to paint her since she claim the title in Rwanda last fall.  The rainbow stripes look good on her!

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: "Unchallenged TdFF26-26" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

And learn about Leach's published books at The Art of Cycling: Cycling Books by Greig Leach

Learn More About the Artist →   

Tour Femmes '26, Stage 4 ITT: A Day Out

It was an intense day out on the bike for all of the Tour de France Femmes peloton racing the individual time trial.  Anna Van Der Breggan (SD Worx-Protime) road pass that family on the side of the road on her way to a fourteenth place on the day.  I was struck by the father and son paying close attention to everyone as the sped pass.  It looked to me as if the kid was trying to sketch the riders as the flew by.  Naturally, that made me smile.  On the other hand, it seems the other child was considerably less interested.  So it goes.

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 Day Out TdFF26-20" (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 Femmes '26, Stage 3: Stuck in the Middle

Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) jumped free of the peloton with fifty-eight kilometers to go.  She was after the lone leader who was four minutes ahead when she attacked.  With another forty-five kilometers to race she had closed to within a minute and thirteen seconds behind.  She narrowed that gap to thirteen seconds in the closing kilometers of the stage.  However, she never got to the leader.  In fact, while she finished second on the stage, she was a minute and twenty-four seconds behind the stage victor. 

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: "Stuck in the Middle TdFF26-15" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

And learn about Leach's published books at The Art of Cycling: Cycling Books by Greig Leach

Learn More About the Artist →  

Tour Femmes '26, Stage 2: This Time in Yellow

Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) had burnt through her team just to have the chance to sprint for another stage victory in Geneva.  Normally, she has a lead-out team, but they spent themselves chasing down the lone leader, Riejanne Markus.  They didn't catch her until the final kilometer of the stage.  That actually played into Wiebes hands.  As the peloton move to the left to get around the much slowing rider from Lidl-Trek, Wiebes took the opening to wind up her sprint catching the other hopeful sprinters looking the wrong way.  Once she was up to speed, there was no one who was going to catch her!  She took the stage by three or more bike lengths, making it two wins in a row.  But this time it was even sweeter winning in the Maillot Jaune of race leader.  She increases her lead to fourteen seconds for the yellow jersey and now has a commanding lead in the green jersey competition of the sprinters.  When the mountains start, she may not hold onto yellow, but she will certainly retain her lead in the Maillot Vert.

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: "This Time in Yellow TdFF26-12" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

And learn about Leach's published books at The Art of Cycling: Cycling Books by Greig Leach

Learn More About the Artist →   

Tour Femmes '26, Stage 2: Calm and Controlled

With twenty-eight kilometers until the finish in Geneva, SD Worx-Protime had control on the front of the peloton as they chased the lone woman up the road.  At this point Lorena Wiebes in her Maillot Jaune following the wheels of her teammates including Micha Bredewold and Nienke Vinke, felt comfortable in her team's ability to reel in Riejanne Markus.  Tucked in behind the work of the team of the yellow jersey were Loes Adegeest (Lidl-Trek) and her teammate Amanda Spratt.  Those two weren't going to help in the chase since Markus was on Lidl-Trek, too.  It wasn't until they hadn't gotten any closer in the next fifteen kilometers that the team began to lose the coolness and feared they may not have things under control after all.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "Calm and Controlled TdFF26-10" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

And learn about Leach's published books at The Art of Cycling: Cycling Books by Greig Leach

Learn More About the Artist →    

Tour Femmes '26, Stage 1: The First in Yellow

It was Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) raising her arms in victory atop the final climb of the day in Lusanne.  Her victory in the opening stage means she will pull on the first Maillot Jaune of the Tour de France Femmes.  Behind her are Kim Le Court (AG Insurance-Soudal) - who will wear the Maillot Vert on loan from Wiebes - and then the European Champion, Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez) taking 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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "The First in Yellow TdF26-6" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

And learn about Leach's published books at The Art of Cycling: Cycling Books by Greig Leach

Learn More About the Artist →  

Paris Roubaix Femmes '26: We Need to Chase Now!

As the chasing peloton came off of another section of pave, Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) seemed to encourage those with her to help give chase for those up the road.  Her teammate, Blanka Vas was dropped so she was free to try and catch the leaders.  Her move was covered by the American Megan Jastrab (UAE Team ADQ) as Zoe Backstedt (Canyon/SRAM-zondacrypto) tried to join in the effort.  At a minute and a half disadvantage with a mere 26 kilometers to race, it was unlikely that they would ever see the leaders on course again.

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.

"We Need to Chase Now! PRF26-3" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix Femmes '26: Is the Podium Here?

Now that this quartet has almost a minute and a half on the chasers with only 26 kilometers left to the velodrome in Roubaix, it was beginning to feel certain that three of these women will be on the podium later today.  The defending queen Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Visma-Lease a Bike) was doing a lot of the work for her teammate Marianne Vos.  Both Blanka Vas (SD Worx-Protime) and Franziska Koch (FDJ United-SUEZ) were the beneficiaries of the Visma duo's work.  They were cheered on by fans as the negotiated one of the cobbled corners in Sector 6 labeled Bourghelles a Wannehain.

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 the Podium Here? PRF26-2" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix Femmes '26: Getting Off the Front

Despite not going live with the race coverage until just 50 kilometers in the women's Paris Roubaix, there was still a lot of racing (and cobbles) yet to go.  Just before the coverage came on air, this foursome led by the defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Visma-Lease a Bike) had managed to get off the front of the main peloton.  Her move was covered by her teammate, Marianne Vos, along with the Hungarian champion, Blanka Vas (SD Worx-Protime) and the German champion, Franziska Koch (FDJ United-SUEZ).  With just over 44 kilometers to Roubaix, they have opened up a sixteen second advantage over the other hopefuls.

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.

"Getting Off the Front PRF26-1" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Strade Bianche Donne 2026: Going the Wrong Way

It is a rare occurrence but sometimes a group of riders will go off the racecourse.  That is what happened to a group of about ten women who were chasing the leading group with about 34 kilometers left to race.  While the course is usually well marked, the leading motorcycle went down a dirt road (just like the famous gravel sections that the Strade Bianche is known for) and the leading rider intuitively followed the motorcycle rather than staying on the hard surface road.  Amongst those going off course was Anna Van Der Breggen (SD Worx-Protime), Paula Blasi (UAE Team ADQ), Lucinda Brand (Lidl-Trek), Kim Le Court (AG Insurance-Soudal) and Millie Couzens (Fenix-Premier Tech) the current British Champion.  Others went of course as well.  They were about a minute behind the leading group but by the time they got turned around and back on course they were over three minutes behind the front of the race.  It was already a long shot that they would rejoin the front of the race before their errand turn, but now their chances of a high finished are over.

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.

"Going the Wrong Way SB26-2" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 9: Over the Top Alone

Anna Van Der Breggan (SD Worx-Protime) has been off the front since the early kilometers of the final stage of the Tour de France Femmes.  As she went over the summit of the Col de Joux Plane she still had forty-three seconds over a very motivated group of chasers.  They chased hard down the otherside trying to drop some of those ahead of them in the general classification.  While they weren't chasing her per se, they did catch her on the final climb twenty-three kilometers later.  

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.

"Over the Top Alone TdFF25-56" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 9: Teaming Up

SD Worx-Protime came out of the gate attacking the stage.  After multiple attempts, Anna Van Der Breggan finally broke the grip of the peloton with her teammate Femke Gerritse opened up twenty-one seconds with another 109 kilometers left of the fourth Tour de France Femmes.  It wasn't long after the start of the first climb of the day when Van Der Breggan was off on her own with the entire peloton chasing.

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.

"Teaming Up TdFF25-53" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 5: Chasing the Bonus

With the breakaway now back in the fold, or on out the back of the peloton, it was time to wind up the time bonus sprint.  In three separate stages of this Tour, there are sprints late in the stage that award bonus seconds.  Actually, they give you a bonus of subtracted seconds from your overall time.  The American Chloe Dygert (Canyon/SRAM-zondacrypto) was leading out her teammate in the Polish National Champion's Jersey, Katarzyna Niewiadoma who was chased in turn by Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Visma-Lease a Bike), an apparently recovered Demi Vollering (FDJ-Suez). Pauline took second in the sprint, followed by Katarzyna getting four seconds and two seconds removed from their overall time respectively.  Demi just missed out getting a bonus.  It is Anna Van Der Breggen (SD Worx-Protime) who is just sneaking into the frame of this 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.

"Chasing the Bonus TdFF25-27" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 4: She Found Her Way Through

Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) got a bit boxed in at the start of the spint, even using her shoulder to make a little room to find some open space.  She finally had a lane when the American Chloe Dygert (Canyon/SRAM-zondocrypto) opened her sprint a bit early.  Wiebes' kick for the line left everyone chasing with only Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) able to hold the Green Jersey's wheel.  But again, as it was in stage 3, Wiebes took the win with Vos in second unable to get around the sprinter.  Behind Dygert faded to fourth when Lara Gillespie (UAE Team ADQ) got around her for third in Poitiers.  Today is the first day that none of the leaders' jersey changed hands.  I don't think that will hold true 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 work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"She Found Her Way Through TdFF25-22" (Original art by Greig Leach)

This painting has sold!

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 4: A Bit of a Replay

The intermediate sprint in Soudon looked exactly like the finish of Stage 3 into Anger.  The riders and placing were the same, just the jerseys had changed.  It didn't seem like the duo of Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) nor Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) really had their hearts in it.  That being said, they easily pulled away from the rest of the peloton to claim the points still available after the breakaway had passed through.  Wiebes added to her total towards her Maillot Vert in hopes that she can keep it once the lumpy stages begin.  Her closest competitor for that jersey is right behind her wearing the Maillot Jaune for now.  She most likely will take over the Green Jersey again on those same lumpy 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.

"A Bit of a Replay TdFF25-20" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 3: Welcoming Victory

Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) spreads her arms wide seemingly to embrace her Tour de France Femmes stage victory in Angers.  Behind her Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) matched her pedal stroke for pedal stroke but wasn't able to come around the European Champion's wheel.  Wiebes victory means that she will take over the ownership of the Maillot Vert.  Don't worry for Vos, the time bonus for her second place means that she will trade her Maillot Vert for the Maillot Jaune.  It was a vastly reduced bunch that sprinted for victory, but the two most successful sprinters hit the front regardless of how many were behind them.

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.

"Welcoming Victory TdFF25-17" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 2: With Fifty Meters to Spare

Against the odds, Mavi Garcia (Liv-Alula-Jayco) was able to hold off the fast-sprinting peloton over the final climb and through the finish at Quimper.  Behind her it is Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) trying desperately to catch Garcia, but must settle for second place on the second stage of Tour de France Femmes.  Kim Le Court's (AG Insurance-Soudal) third place just ahead of Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) with its four second time bonus meant that she will be the second woman to wear the Maillot Jaune in as many stages.  I would have expected Garcia to figure in the GC now, but she was so far back at the start of the stage, that while she moved up 39 places, she is still just shy of five minutes off of Le Court's 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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"With Fifty Meters to Spare TdFF25-11" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 1: First Points

The first pass through the finish line at Plumelec counted as the intermediate sprint today.  Jumping clear of the peloton was the European Champion Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) to claim the first sprint points towards the Maillot Vert.  She will need to come in at least second to have the jersey at the start tomorrow.  That being said, she will wear it unless she wins the stage because whomever wins will be wearing the first Maillot Jaune of this Tour de France Femmes.  Taking second in the sprint is the German Champion Franziska Koch (Picnic-PostNL).  While she didn't mind getting some points, she was starting her countermove off the front after the sprint.  Generally speaking, the peloton sits up after the sprint, so it is a great time to go on the offensive.

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. 

"First Points TdFF25-3" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix Femmes '25: Going Together

With just one woman up the road, it was Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) and her teammate Lorena Wiebes going on the attack.  The duo of champions used the four-star pave sector 12 to attack the vastly reduced peloton of favorites to go on the offensive.  Working together, they quickly built up a twenty second advantage.  It was hard to tell who was working for whom between the World Champion and the European Champion.  However, it was easy to tell that it was working either way.

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.

"Going Together PR25-3" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Final Stage: Winning Atop d'Huez!

Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime) had done what she could to win today.  She definitely won the stage, and by dropping Pauliena Rooijakkers (Fenix-Deceuninck) in the final meters to the line, she had set herself up to win the third Tour de France Femmes as well.  She just now has to wait and see just how much time she put into Katarzyna Niewiadoma.  That is what will determine who is the final Maillot Jaune this year.  Spoiler, she did not win the overall, but she finished second with the woman behind her in this painting rounding out the final step of the Tour de France Femmes podium.

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.

"Winning Atop d'Huez TdFF24-45" (Original art by Greig Leach)