Tour '26, Stage 20: Into the Net

I have always wondered about Phil and Bob crying out when something goes wrong for a rider in the Tour, now I know.  I cried out as Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike) fought and lost his bike on a fast corner on the loop around the resort town of Alpe d'Huez.  Kuss was off the front by over twenty seconds even after hitting the ground through the tunnel under a section of the town.  He pressed even harder down the descent in hopes of making up time he lost in the previous fall.  He finished this tumble sitting on the cement wall just at the end of the safety net.  While he never went into it, thank God (or the ASO) that it was there.  As he was on the ground, Richard Carapaz who had been chasing passed by.  Kuss got up and gave chase, but never saw the man in the Maillot a Pois again.  He still finished third on the stage!

In the post-race interview, Kuss laughed and apologized to his wife and his fans for scaring the hell out of them.  He really didn't want to put her through that.  And then said, "But, that is racing."  I am sure with the luck that Visma has had this Tour, they will hope not to have the bib number "13" on a teammates back next year.  The way the numbering works, they won't.  That auspicious number will fall to Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe.

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: "Into the Net TdF26-150" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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

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Tour '26, Stage 20: Preferring to Climb Alone

Sepp Kuss and his Visma-Lease a Bike team has clearly had a plan all day.  And on the Col de Sarenne Sepp launched the final phase.  He jumped clear of his remaining breakaway companions and went alone to the summit.  The climb was so narrow that the ASO who organize the race had prevented fans from getting on the mountain in order to keep the riders safe.  So, I had planned on a bad pun comparing the Sarenne to serene, but it really was a rather serene climb and must have felt great to be free of the noise of the crowds.  I love the quiet of being out on my bike all alone, but I am not working anywhere as hard as this American is.

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: "Preferring to Climb Alone TdF26-148" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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

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Tour '26, Stage 19: Through the Tifosi

These three still had forty-four seconds on the fast-closing Tadej Pogacar as they forced their way through the throngs of fans with another five kilometers to climb.  With everyone pressing so close, it was impossible for either Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike) nor Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) to even think about passing Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious).  At least, the leader of the trio was putting in a good pace prior to the four-kilometer banner when the barriers will hold the crowd back for the rest of the way to the summit of the Alpe d'Huez.  This has often been described as a corridor of noise.  I would add that it is one of fear as well.  At any moment an over exuberant fan could fall into a rider or knock them off their bike (either intentionally or unintentionally).  Fortunately, as far as I know that didn't happen anywhere on this iconic Tour de France mountain.  And to think, we come back up to the summit from another direction 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.

Purchase this painting here: "Through the Tifosi TdF26-140" (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 19: Starting Alpe d'Huez

This quartet that was led first by Thymen Arensman (Netcompany-Ineos) and followed by Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious), Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) with just over three minutes over the group that included the Maillot Jaune.  They were looking at a climb of twelve kilometers they all were hoping that it was enough of a gap to be the ones to vie for the stage win at the summit of the fabled climb of the Alpe d'Huez.  Carapaz was hoping to follow his stage victory with a second in a row.  He also knows that he has the chance to hold the Maillot a Pois outright should he finish the stage in the top three.  And that is true even should Tadej Pogacar be able to chase them down and win the stage.  The crowds at the base of the climb were but a taste of the multitudes awaiting every single rider to scale the Alpe.

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: "Starting Alpe d'Huez TdF26-138" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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

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Tour '26, Stage 15: What Is the Plan?

That was the question on everyone's mind.  What is Visma-Lease a Bike's plan? Why are they on the front of the peloton driving the pace towards the final climb of the day?  Victor Campenaerts and Bruno Armirail had been called back from the breakaway to help the team pull on the front, Armirail has just swung of leaving Campenaerts to continue pulling as Edoardo Affini and Matteo Jorgenson wait for their turn.  Jonas Vingegaard, back into his team kit, rides with Sepp Kuss on his wheel, ready to enact whatever plan the team his running.  Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) in his Maillot Jaune takes advantage of his main rival's team's work as his teammates support him and Isaac Del Toro.  I am sure they, like the rest of us, are trying to figure out what the guys in black and yellow are up to.  We never did find out, but that is for the next 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.

Purchase this painting here: "What Is the Plan? TdF26-109" (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 14: Are You Coming with Me?

While the American Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike) tamped out a rhythm on the front of the reduced peloton for his team leader Jonas Vingegaard, others saw an opportunity to attack.  Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) jumped free of the peloton and found he had Paul Seixas (Decathlon-CMA CGM) on his wheel.  The young Frenchman looked back at the Visma-Lease a Bike guys and Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) perhaps surprised that they didn't respond to his attack.  After all, Seixas started the day in fifth place, and the French are convinced he has the capability of winning the Tour soon.  The Maillot a Pois, and the Maillot Jaune were right not to chase, Seixas was soon back in the fold, but his attack dislodge some other pretenders to the throne.

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: "Are You Coming with Me? TdF26-101" (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 14: Maintaining

As the peloton containing all of the race favorites climbed the Ballon d'Alsace for the second time this Tour de France, it seems everyone was comfortable to maintain their positions in the general classification.  The group a was being led by the UAE Team Emirates trio of Isaac Del Toro, Felix Grosschartner, and Tadej Pogacar in his Maillot Jaune.  Next in line were Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike).  He is wearing the Maillot a Pois on loan from Pogacar since he is in second place in the competition for the King of the Mountains title.  Vingegaard is looking back to his teammate the American Sepp Kuss.  I wonder what the conversation was about.  It is usual Kuss who sets up an attack for Jonas, just as Del Toro does for Tadej.

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: "Maintaining TdF26-97" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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

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Learn More About the Artist →    

Tour '26, Stage 6: The Race for Third

With Tadej Pogacar up the road about to win the stage and Jonas Vingegaard in between this sextet was racing for third place on the stage.  They may also be racing for third place in the Tour de France as well.  Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) was using his time trial prowess in hopes of pulling those two back.  He may have been riding for himself or, perhaps, for his teammate Florian Lipowitz.  Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike) was riding in case they do catch Vingegaard.  Should they, he would be ready to bury himself for his team leader.  Paul Seixas (Decathlon-CMA CGM) and Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious) were riding to minimize their disadvantage to Pogacar and Vingegaard.  Just out of frame is Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates) who was the one who managed third on the stage, and now sits third on the general classification 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 work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "The Race for Third TdF26-44" (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: Who & When?

Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates) were the last two teammates left to the two race favorites Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar. They were separated by only six seconds, so an attack was sure to come as they neared the final kilometer of the stage. Brushing shoulders with the Maillot Jaune was the man starting the day wearing the Maillot Blanc, Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek).  On Pogacar's shoulder was the teammate of the French hopeful, Tiesj Benoot (Decathlon-CMA CGM) guiding Paul Seixas up to the leaders in hopes he could get a jump on the main rivals.  With just over a kilometer to go everyone knew the jump had to come soon.  Question is, who was going to go first?

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 & When? TdF26-22" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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

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Learn More About the Artist → 

Tour '25, Stage 18: Sepp Ups the Pace

Once all of his teammates had done what they could, it was Sepp Kuss' (Visma-Lease a Bike) turn to work of his team leader Jonas Vingegaard.  As they climbed towards the top of the Col du Madeleine, they got a small (and short-lived) gap on Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates).  The gap back to Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) was bigger and lasted for the rest of the climb.  While Pogacar was able to hold onto the wheel of his primary rival, his teammates who you can just make out in the distance, where dropped completely.  Remember, Visma-Lease a Bike has another guy up the road who will be able to work for Jonas 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 work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Sepp Ups the Pace TdF25-120" (Original art by Greig Leach) 

Tour '25, Stage 18, Setting the Stage

I didn't even realize the double ententre that I had created when titling this painting.  Visma-Lease a Bike went out with a mission today.  They need to pull back four minutes and fifteen seconds on the main in the Maillot Jaune, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates).  They have Matteo Jorgenson up the road and are putting pressure on both Pogacar and the Maillot Blanc of Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe).  They still have Tiesj Benoot, Simon Yates, and Sepp Kuss, shepherding Jonas Vingegaard in his efforts to get some of his lost time back.  Pogacar still has two teammates with him.  He has Simon Yates' twin brother Adam on his wheel along with Jhonatan Narvaez ready to set the pace for him whenever it becomes necessary.

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.  

"Setting the Stage TdF25-118" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 14: I'm Ready!

As the "peloton" of the leaders of the Tour approach Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike) looks over his shoulder at his teammate Jonas Vingegaard.  He had been off the front all day, perhaps for just this moment to be there to help his team leader.  He was with Ben O'Connor (Jayco-Alula) and Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious) who were clearly there for their own purposes.  I do believe that Martinez has already achieved his.  Alas, Kuss had spent too much energy already, so he was only able to join the back of the group for a little while.  He was soon spit off the back along with Martinez and O'Connor.  Still, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

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.

"I'm Ready! TdF25-92" (Original art by Greig Leach)

 

Tour '25, Stage 14: Chasing Over the Aspin

After Lenny Martinez went over the Col d'Aspin first, it was the American Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal-Quick Step) chasing him as hard as they could.  Off to their left the Danish fans were waiting to cheer for their man, Jonas Vingegaard.  The mist had settled over this climb, too.  These two were able to close to Martinez down the other side despite the slippery wet roads.  Happily, everyone got down this climb, and I think all of the descents, safely.

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 Over the Aspin TdF25-90" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 13: Slightly Better

Technically, Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike) was doing considerably better than his teammate Simon Yates.  While, yes, they came to the line together with Kuss crossing a few seconds before Yates, actually Yates had started a minute-and-a-half ahead of Kuss.  As you may know, each rider goes out of the start gate in timed intervals with the idea of preventing them coming together out on course.  In fact as the top ten start, their gap is a two-minute interval.  Kuss finished his ride in eighth but dropped to twenty-first as the rest of the peloton came over the Peyragudes.  Side note, with this painting of Sepp Kuss, I have now painted all of Visma-Lease a Bike's team in the 2025 Tour de France.

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.

"Slightly Better TdF25-84" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 6: Looking After His Mates

It was rather amazing to watch Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike) zoom pass most of the peloton to bring up bidons and gels to his teammates Matteo Jorgenson and Jonas Vingegaard.  They were riding through the valley before starting the final paired ascents of the day.  It was soon that the real work would begin and it was important that everyone had plenty of reserves to fuel the final effort.

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.

"Looking After His Mates CdD25-31" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Volta ao Algarve '25, Stage 4: A Bit Sticky

With a bit of a lull in the action during the final road stage of the Volta ao Algarve, Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike) dropped back to grab some water bottles for his teammates.  It seemed that he and his director sportif hung onto the bottle a bit longer than was necessary.  I doubt that the commissares would care too much since it wasn't done to get him back into the race or pull him up a mountain.  I guess we could paraphrase the old saying to, "no help, no foul."

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.

"A Bit Sticky VA25-11" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France 23, Stage 21: Toasting the Team

While this Tour has been anything put normal, still some traditions must be upheld.  One of the classics on the final day of the Tour, long before reaching Paris, is for the team of the Yellow Jersey to sip some champagne as they pose for the press.  Jumbo-Visma brought all of their team through the Tour except for one.  Wout Van Aert had left just after his team leader, Jonas Vingegaard, had opened up a seven minute lead on the man sitting in second.  Of course, that was not why he went home, it was to get there in time for the birth of his son.  So it was seven who toasted towards the camera on each side of Vingegaard.  To his left was Sepp Kuss, who's crash almost took him out of the Tour yesterday, then Wilco Kelderman, and Dylan Van Baarle, going the other way are Nathan Van Hooydonck and Christophe Laporte.  Vingegaard may have won the Tour but he couldn't have done it without the entire team.  To prove it, the team also was the winning team in this Tour, and unusual feet for the team of the 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 painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra. 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2023/3967234-144-297438/Painting/toasting-the-team-tdf23-139.html

Tour de France 23, Stage 17: Back to Help

Both UAE Team Emirates and Jumbo-Visma had put two riders into the early break with the thinking that they could either go for the stage win, or be there to help their leaders on the final climb of the day.  UAE left their guys in the break when Tadej Pogacar got into trouble at his encouragement.  Conversely, as Jonas Vingegaard's domestiques started to drop away, they pull back each of their guys one by one to come help increase the gap between Vingegaard and the struggling Pogacar.  Wilco Kelderman looks back to gauge the speed of Sepp Kuss so that his Jumbo-Visma teammates won't have to slow as they come up to his wheel.  At this point, Carlos Rogdriguez (Ineos-Grenadiers) was getting a "free" ride up the Col de la Loze with the hope of back into third place (if not higher).

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2023/3966376-116-297438/Painting/back-to-help-tdf23-116.html

Tour de France 23, Stage 14: The Elite of the Tour

With just about five kilometers left to climb of the Col de Joux Plane it was looking like the plan of Jumbo-Visma turned out to be a draw.  But as Sepp Kuss (Jumbo-Visma) led his teammate up the climb, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) had just Adam Yates to do the same job as Kuss for him.  Unassisted were the two guys riding third and fourth in the general classification, Jai Hindley (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Carlos Rodriguez (Ineos-Grendiers).  At this moment they are riding in the opposite order of where they stand in the GC.  Just dropping of the back is the one guy who didn't really belong with this group, Felix Gall (Ag2r-Citroen).  He is the only other guy to wear the Maillot a Pois in this Tour.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2023/3965625-90-297438/Painting/the-elite-of-the-tour-tdf23-90.html

 

 

Tour de France 23, Stage 14, Watching & Waiting

Rafal Majka (UAE Team Emirates) went to the front of the drastically reduced peloton up the final climb, the Col de Joux Plane.  Majka set the pace, ahead of Sepp Kuss (Jumbo-Visma).  Each was riding for their team leaders, Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard respectively.  Despite all of Jumbo-Visma's efforts to isolate Pogacar, it was UAE who had the extra man, Adam Yates.  Yates started the day in fifth place over all, so he was not only riding for Pogacar, it had to be acknowledged that he was also helping himself as well.  Kuss was not quite as well placed at the start, but he was just in the top ten in the Tour.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra. 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2023/3965624-89-297438/Painting/watching-waiting-tdf23-89.html