Strade Bianche Donne 2026: Into the Final Corner

Even with the brutal final climb up into old Siena, it was these three that were side by side going into the final turn together.  Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ) in her Italian champion tri-colore jersey led Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon /SRAM-zondacrypto) and Elise Chabbey (FDJ United-SUEZ) into the grand piazza.  However, when they arrived at the line just 200 meters later it was the reverse order with Chabbey claiming the victory followed by Niewiadoma, but Koch was able to get around Longo Borghini to claim third with the Italian settling for fourth despite having been the first to hit the top of the final climb inside of the final kilometer.  Alas, every year the race organizers failed to capture a good image of the winner crossing the line, but then this year it was close enough that Chabbey did not risk a victory salute choosing instead to make sure she won by looking back at her competitors as she rode across the line.

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

"Into the Final Corner SB26-5" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Strade Bianche 24: Operatic!

As he rode into the square in Siena, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) had plenty of time to celebrate his victory with the crowds lining the barriers.  I love the way the race winds through the narrow shadowed streets before bursting into the bright sunlight of the piazza.  It was as if the stage lights were raised as the tenor finished his aria to the delight of the audience.  At the finish line, Pogacar stopped and held his bike over his head, first to the cameras and then to the crowds.  It was truly a monumental victory of the not yet honored sixth monument.  The two that chased behind came home three minutes later with Toms Skujins (Lidl-Trek) dropping Maxim Van Gils (Lotto Dstny) for second place and Van Gils four seconds later for the final step of the podium.  The winner from last year (who had done a long break away to win himself), Tom Pidcock (Ineos-Grenadiers) another minute later.  The rest of the finishers came in in dribs and drabs as Pogacar made his way through the end of the race protocol.

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-/4002740-559-195767/Painting/operatic-sb24-12.html

Strade Bianche Donne 23: Between Teammates

We were all curious if the SD Worx teammates would decide who was going to win the day between themselves, by team order, or if they would race each other as all cycling buddies do.  It was close and perhaps it could have been Lotte Kopecky’s second victory in a row had she timed her bike through a bit better.  As I watched the over head shot, I could see that Demi Vollering had one or two pedal strokes more than her teammate once she had thrown her bike at the line.  After the finish they didn’t seem to want to speak to each other, but by the time they got to the podium, they were all smiles and hugs.  

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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3938130-60-207546/Painting/between-teammates.-sb23-7.html

Strade Bianche Donne 23: Catching Their Prey

Within the final 600 meters of the race the SD Worx duo of Lotte Kopecky and Demi Vollering  were able to catch Kristen Faulkner (Jayco-Alula).  The two caught the lone American of the 15% gradient up to the old city of Sienna (or Siena if you want to use the English name).  I assume Faulkner was moving to the right to allow the duo to pass, but she ended up putting Vollering up against the barriers.  Vollering had to pause and then get back up to speed on probably the steepest climb of the day.  It had to be heart breaking of Faulkner to see the multi-colored jerseys join her so close to the finish.  She can take some comfort in know that she still would stand on the podium no matter what happens in the remaining meters.  The greatly reduced peloton was another two minutes behind this trio.  Now, will Vollering ride to give Kopecky her second victory of Strade Bianche Donne in a row?  Or would they simply see who had the better legs of the team on the day?

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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3938118-59-207546/Painting/catching-their-prey.-sb23-6.html

Strade Bianche Donne: Rewarding!

The title of this one goes several different ways.  Team SD Worx had been working all day knowing full well that they were going up against one of the greats in the women's peloton, Annemieke Van Vleutin (Movistar).  So it was the reward that their Belgium Champion, Lotte Kopecky was able to out position herself in the final corner of the race, thus setting herself up to out sprint Van Vleutin.  And of course, it had to be very rewarding for Kopecky herself to take such a well race victory in one of the hardest one day races on the Women's World 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 $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3870241-34-207546/Painting/rewarding-sbd22-6.html

Strade Bianche Donne: All Out with 1/2 a Kilometer to Go

I don't know why I used the mathmatical symbol rather than writing the word "half" I guess I'll blame my mathmatician father.  Whatever.  With just a half of a kilometer left to race, Annemieke Van Vleutin (Movistar) launches one hell of an attack on the final climb, a climb of 18%, to try once more to go for victory.  She was responding to the final effort of Ashleigh Moolman (SD Worx).  However, she wasn't able to shake Moorman's teammate, Lotte Kopecke, off of her wheel.   The pair had been sharing pulls to stay away from the peloton, yet the time for collaboration was 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 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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3870239-33-207546/Painting/all-out-with-half-a-kilometer-to-go-sbd22-5.html

Strade Bianchi Donne - To Perfection

 As the duo of Chantel Van Den Broeck-Blaak (SD Worx) and Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek Segafredo) the race commentators where saying there was no way Chantel would be able to out climb nor out sprint Elisa.  "If she is going to have any chance, she is going to have to time her attack to perfection."  Chantel had forced Elisa to ride the last 6 or 7 kilometers on the front thus hoping to have tired the Italian National Champion's legs out before the final climb.  As the duo neared the crest of the climb, Chantel jumped from the back and had the legs to leave her erstwhile companion behind to take the win in what she claims will be her last time racing the Strade Bianchi Donne.  Chapeau!

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow th edirect link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above.  Since ti is an original work of art, it is a first come first seved reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburth 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-2021/3798895-11-290150/Painting/to-perfection-sbd21-5.html

Strade Bianchi Donne - She Can See Them

 Inside the final kilometer and on the final climb of the day Marta Cavalli (FDJ Nouvelle Aquitaine Futuroscope) was away from the others and in sight of the two leaders just up the road.  She put everything into the move to bridge across, but she just didn't have the legs.  She was caught by both the World Champion and the European Champion (neither of whom could bridge across either) and then dropped by the top of  this brutal climb.  However, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow th edirect link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above.  Since ti is an original work of art, it is a first come first seved reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburth 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-2021/3798893-10-290150/Painting/she-can-see-them-sbd21-4.html

Strade Bianche, Celebrating Alone

Just like Annemiek Van Vleuten (Mitchelton-Scott) before him, her countryman Wout Van Aert (Jumbo Visma) came alone to the finish line in the old square in Siena.  And like Van Vleuten, Van Aert had only the cameras to salute to as he celebrated his victory in the "sixth monument"

I will be back next week painting another of the classic Italian races, Milan-Sanremo.  I do believe I will have access to the women's race as well.

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/2020-Bike-Racing-Revised-Season/3609840-11-280747/Painting/celebrating-alone-sb20-11.html

Strade Bianche, The Final Section

Greg Van Avermaet (CCC Pro Cycling) was joined by Zdenek Stybar (Deceuninck-Quickstep) as the two dropped down onto the final gravel section of the day.  The duo was a minute behind the chasing threesome, and another six seconds behind the sole leader on the road.  With just under thirteen kilometers left to race, it was unlikely either would be taking the day. 

I was impressed to see the race marshall, with his warning flag under his arm, wearing his face mask, and wearing it properly.  We all need to be wearing one whenever we are out if we want to get back to watching bike racing and all of the other things (and people) we love.

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/2020-Bike-Racing-Revised-Season/3609835-10-280747/Painting/the-final-section-sb20-10.html

Strade Bianche - Women, Waving for the Camera

Annemiek Van Vleuten (Mitchelton-Scott) showed why she has the rainbow bands across her chest and arms.  She was able to chase down the lone leader and the group that Margarita Garcia Canellas (ALE BTC Ljubljana) had left behind.  Van Vleuten dropped the ALE rider with just about 2 kilometers left to the finish and Siena.  Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, there were no crowds massed at the finish line in the old city square.  So instead, Van Vleuten waved to the press core and the TV cameras as thought it was the crowded Italian Piazza.  This makes it two Strade Bianches in a row for the on fire Dutch phenom.

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/2020-Bike-Racing-Revised-Season/3609424-4-280747/Painting/waving-to-the-camera-sb20-4.html