Tour Femmes 26, Stage 1: Minor Adjustments

At the end of the men's Tour de France, I realized that I had neither seen nor painted a mechanic hanging out of the car adjusting something on their rider's equipment.  Today in the early kilometers of the Tour de France Femmes, I saw the EF Education-Oatly mechanic leaning out to of the window to fix Cedrine Kerboal's race radio.  That is when I learned through Anthony McCrossan that it is no longer permitted for safety reasons.  That is a rule I can agree with, but apparently, not EF's mechanic nor Director Sportif.  I guess they won't mind paying the fine they are sure to face either.  It did save time, and Kerboal was swiftly back into 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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "Minor Adjustments TdFF26-1" (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 20: Staying Topped Up

The young American Matthew Riccitello on the French team Decathlon-CMA CGM, was still in the front group as they climbed the Col du Telegraphe.  It seemed that he was up front either for the stage, or as a satellite rider for his even younger teammate Paul Seixas.  With another five kilometers to climb, he wisely dropped back to his team car to get a bidon and some gels.  I am sure he will shortly be back on the wheel of Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) who is currently riding tail gun in the breakaway.  The group has a decent advantage over the peloton with another eighty-eight kilometers in the final mountain stage of 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 work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "Staying Topped Up TdF26-145" (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 11: Nature Break

The question you never really wanted to know the answer to, "How does the peloton deal with the 'call of nature' during a one-hundred-mile stage?"  Usually, the TV camera men (or women - although I do thing they are all men) swing away from any riders relieving themself on the side of the road.  If the race is really on, they will pee as they roll along.  Out of courteousness, they will get out of the peloton so as not to spray those behind them.  Despite the speed of today's stage, Alex Kirsch (Cofidis) pulled over to the side of the road.  As he took care of business, the following caravan of team cars rolled pass.  He will be able to use the draft the cars provide as he works his way back up to the tail of the peloton.  I can't help but sing "Pink Cadillac" every time I see EF Education's team car.  Yes, they were clever enough to get Cadillac to be the car sponsor for the team, after all, the team color is pink.  It was just too good of a fit for all involved.

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: "Nature Break TdF26-75" (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 5: Enjoying the View

I assume that Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates) had stopped for a "nature break."  But I like to image that he was so impressed with the fields of sunflowers that he took the time to stop and enjoyed the view.  The peloton wasn't going to hard, nor were there any climbs to worry about today.  Just ahead you can see someone from Visma-Lease a Bike visiting the team car for ice bags and water.  While it wasn't as hot as yesterday's stage, but it was still another hot sunny day in the south of 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.

Purchase this painting here: "Enjoying the View TdF26-32" (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 2: Coming Back to the Peloton

The Mexican National Champion, Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates) had a mechanical and both of his team cars didn't see him on the side of the road.  Once they realized he was stuck, one of the mechanics got onto his spare bike and rode back down the road to find him.  As of this writing, I don't know if the mechanic, the team, or Del Toro, was fined for going backwards on the racecourse.  I do apologize for getting the flag of Mexico backwards, I only realized my mistake later in the stage (yes, more Del Toro paintings are coming).  He was forced to do a rather scary chase back through the team car caravan on his way back to the peloton.  You will discover in later paintings whether or not the chase took the fire out of his legs for the finale.

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: "Coming Back to the Peloton TdF26-10" (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 '25, Stage 8: Any Advice?

Kim Le Court (AG Insurance-Soudal) drops back from the lead group to talk directly with her sports director.  Sometimes it is easier to chat through the team car window than over a radio.  So, when the peloton slowed down in the valley after the Col de Plainpalais she dropped back for a bit of advice on how to play the rest of the stage.  Despite her wearing the Maillot Jaune and having a number ending in one, she was prepared to help her climbing teammate Sarah Gigante move up the final climb and up the general classification.  I'm sure that she, her teammate and the rest of the team wouldn't mind another stage win, too.  I did film a YouTube video while painting this and talked about the perfect car sponsor for EF Education-Oatly.  They got Cadillac to sponsor them and now they have a pink Cadillac for their team car.

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.

"Any Advice? TdFF25-44" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 4: Here, Hold My Bike

I just love everything about this moment during today's stage!  Everything.  I love that this fan had set up outside of her house to watch in her purple floral dress.  When Christina Schweinberger (Fenix-Deceuninck) had a problem with her bike, she stopped right in front of this older couple.  At first the woman was waving her arms to alert Schweinberger's team car as to where the Austrian was.  Next as the mechanic jumped out and went to get a new bike, Schweinberger handed her bike over and pulled out her water bottle.  After the mechanic had gotten his rider sorted, he came back over as this lovely woman lifted and passed the non-functioning bike over.  Road racing has to be the only sport where this kind of athlete and fan interaction could ever happen.  Our purple clad fan played an important role in this rider's Tour.  I was also amused that the man that I assume is her husband just stood there the whole time.  I am also amused that everyone tries to tell me that there are no overweight people in Europe, clearly that is a myth.  If you don't believe me, just watch the fans as the Tour speeds by.

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.

"Here, Hold My Bike TdFF25-21" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 4: Staying Hydrated

The sun has returned to the Tour de France today!  With the sun comes an even bigger need to make sure one keeps topping up the fluids.  As the breakaway continued to push on despite now having only a minute-and-a-quarter on the peloton, the riders kept grabbing water bottles from their team cars.  Kasper Asgreen (EF Education-EasyPost) reaches out to get a drink and a bit of advice from his sport director as he keeps the pace going.  Behind him it is the same trio off the front from the start of the stage, Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious), Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno X-Mobility) and Thomas Gachignard (TotalEnergies).  At this point, they are hoping to get over at least one of the climbs before they are swallowed up by the peloton.  Their problem there is that the intermediate sprint comes between the first and second (of four) climbs of the stage.  With all of sprinters still in the peloton, the pace is ratcheting up behind.

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.

"Staying Hydrated TdF25-19" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 3: Tight Squeeze

It can be complete chaos in the caravan following the peloton.  It is further compounded when riders are working their way back through the vehicles in an effort to rejoin the group ahead.  As he snaked his way through town, Gregor Mulhberger (Movistar) had a close call with the Soudal-Quick Step team car.  Both he and the car were trying to navigate the roundabout and all of its traffic islands and signposts.  They came quite close to crashing each other as the road narrowed.  Fortunately, they did not.  The bright yellow rectangle is one of the pads that are set out by the race organizers. hat both minimize damage to the riders and help to alert them at the same 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. 

"Tight Squeeze CdD25-12" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix '25: A Tactical Advantage

As the saying goes, there is strength in numbers.  That was definitely the case for the closing kilometers of Paris Roubiax.  After a great chase back by Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceunick) to catch back up to his teammate Mathieu van der Poel, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) found himself in a tough spot having two guys from the same team working against him.  Just the fact that Philipsen could drop back to the team car, leaving van der Poel free to keep applying the pressure.  It is no small factor that the Alpecin-Deceuninck duo have finished first and second for the past two years.  Would Pogacar be able to thwart that record?

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 Tactical Advantage PR25-12" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Nice '25, Stage 2: Forced to Chase

As the speeding peloton went through a sharp right corner a crash tangled up many and ended the day for one of Arkea-B&B Hotels riders.  Many found themselves off the back and forced to chase down the still flying peloton.  One of those chasing (and sitting right on the bumper of his team car) was the Maillot Jaune of Tim Merlier (Soudal-Quick Step).  He was joined in this chase group by the Australian Champion, Luke Durbridge (Jayco-Alula) as well as, Miles Scotson (Arkea-B&B Hotels) and the two guys from Movistar, Will Barta and Jefferson Alveiro Cepeda.  They all caught back on.  Unfortunately for Durbridge he went down again in the intermediate sprint in Bellegarde.  The second time he didn't get back on the bike, ending his Paris Nice before it had really gotten started.  

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.

"Forced to Chase PN25-6" (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)

Women's Tour Down Under '25, Stage 1: Rolling Adjustments

After getting both wheels changed, Megan Armitage (EF Education-Oatley) rode alongside her team car as the mechanic tried to make some further adjustments.  As they speed along the roads on the way back down to Snapper's Point, her mechanic leaned dangerously out of the car working on her gearing.  At one point, he snapped his hand back most likely having hit his knuckles in the spokes of her rear wheel.  It seems that with both the wheel change and the time spent with the mechanic trying to make adjustments, it would have been better to just give her her repalcement bike to begin with.

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 Adjustments TDU25-4" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Women's Road Race: Chasing the Chasers

It was the crash of Chloe Dygart (USA) that broke the peloton apart as they started up the Montmartre climb.  Once she got back up and underway, she spent a great deal of time chasing down those ahead of her on the road.  By this point she had dropped the third group on the road, enough so that her team car has been able to slide in behind her.  She chased for the rest of the day, almost catching the chase group as they finished the race in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower.  She finished the day in 15th just over three and a half minutes behind the new Olympic Gold Medalist.

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 the Chasers PO24-65" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 16: Total Fatigue

One has to feel for Johannes Kulset (Uno-X Mobility).  He had already crashed and was just missed by a teammate in a sharp corner.  As he went to get onto his spare bike, he overshot and went back down onto the roadway.  He was narrowly missed by the passing team cars.  Then, as the car paced him back towards the peloton, it missed the turn off of the roundabout and almost hit the other Uno-X team car.  He did managed to regain the peloton not long after.  Despite have just had a rest day, fatigue was clearly setting into both the riders and the support personnel of all of the teams.  I'm wearing down doing all of these paintings and I'm not out riding hundreds of kilometers throughout Italy and 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 $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.  

"Total Fatigue TdF24-97" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 12: Getting Things Done

Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X Mobility) drops back off of the wheel of Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies) and his other two breakaway companions to stock up on bottles and advice before the final climb of the day.  Abrahamsen his wearing the Maillot a Pois on loan from the leader of both the King of the Mountains competition and the leader of the Tour, Tadej Pogacar.  Abrahamsen has already gotten the two of the three points available out on the course.  If he manages to grab the last point in seventeen kilometers he will draw even with Pogacar.  Pogacar will remain in the lead tonight, but again, Abrahamsen will be wearing the Polka Dots at the start 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 $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Getting Things Done TdF24-67" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 11: Last Chance Saloon

With the peloton closing in on the early breakaway, the team cars will soon be pulled out of the gap.  Paul Lapeira (Decathlon-Ag2r-Mondiale) in his tri-colore French National Champion jersey wisely grabbed a bottle and some food while he still had the chance.  Lapeira was joined in the break by his fellow Frenchman Guillaume Martin (Cofidis) in the now ten-man group.  With another 61 kilometers left in the stage, the peloton was just too close for these guys to still have any hope of a stage win.  With four more climbs to come, it most likely means they won't have much chance to amass King of the Mountain Points either.

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.

"Last Chance Saloon TdF24-58" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix ‘24: Tight Squeeze

Nils Politt (UAE Team Emirates) was having a tough race.  He has been plagued by bad luck.  He has been forced to chase back on several times already.  At least this time fortune smiled.  The race referee’s car, trying to get around a slow team car cut the corner short just missing the former German champion.  Perhaps he can take it as a sign that his Paris Roubaix luck has started to swing to his favor.  Just ahead is Tom Pidcock (Ineos-Grenadiers) also chasing back from a spot of misfortune.  The two teamed up and got back onto the tail of the leading 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 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-/4008476-568-195767/Painting/tight-squeeze.-pr24-9.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 2: Last Call

It might be that I work as a bartender, but I couldn’t resist the urge to title this painting as though it was the last chance for Jardi Christian Van Der Lee (EF Educationi-EasyPost) to get a drink from his team car. It may have been the last chance for his team car to get up to him in the break away, since the peloton had closed within a minute and a half of the early two man break.  The official last chance for riders to get a drink from the team is normally twenty kilometers left to ride.  At this point Van Der Lee had another 30 kilometers to try and hold off those chasing behind.

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-Down-Under/3995729-184-194179/Painting/last-call.-tdu24-7.html

Tour de France Femmes 23, Stage 6: Tuning the Radio

I'm sorry, the title was just too tempting.  The UCI Road World Champion, Annemiek Van Vleutin (Movistar) and the defending champion of the first Tour de France Femmes, had been raising her arm to call up her team car.  It was first suspected that one of her tires were going flat, but that turned out not to be the case. As she rode out of the intermediate sprint town of Hameau de Rastel, apparently, her race radio had failed.  Unable to tell the team what was wrong, or to find out information from the team director, she dropped back to get it fix.  The mechanic must have been relieved not to have to put his fingers anywhere near the spinning wheels to set things right.  With no time outs, and the commissares being rather strict, the mechanic had to do the repair while out the window of the fast moving car.   

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-2023/3968624-180-297438/Painting/tuning-the-radio-tdff23-36.html