Tour '26, Stage 21: And Now, We Race

Egan Bernal (Netcompany-Ineos) in his Colombian Champion's jersey was lucky enough to have his mechanical before the peloton started to race in earnest.  Just as he joined Tiesj Benoot (Decathlon-CMA CGM), Guillaume Martin (Groupama FDJ-United) and Nicolas Breuillard (TotalEnergies) at the back of the peloton just as the pace ramped up on the front.  As they headed up towards the l'Arc de Trimophe, it was clear that the aggressors were hoping to get free of what they felt would be the grip of the sprinters' teams.  Here we go!

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: "And Now, We Race TdF26-158" (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

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

Learn More About the Artist → 

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 16: All Eyes on Jonas

Visma-Lease a Bike came out with a plan to try and claw back time on Pogacar.  After those that had been in the peloton with Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) had done what they could and dropped away Vingegaard attacked with ten kilometers yet to climb.  He was immediately marked by Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) and the TV Moto behind.  Without seeing him, we know that another TV Moto was just in front of the trio as well.  He bridged up to Tiesj Benoot who was looking back trying to match his pace to that of his team leader.  Benoot had been in the early big break for just this purpose.  Still up the road was another teammate, Victor Campenaert.  Should Vingegaard be able to press on after Benoot has done what he could, it will be Campenaert's turn.  Pogacar is on his own, but thus far he has proved he is up to the task on his own.

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.

"All Eyes on Jonas TdF25-107" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Ronde van Vlaanderen '25: Visma Chases

Having missed being able to go with the attack on the Oude Kwaremont, Visma-Lease a Bike was forced to chase.  They had the numbers to bring back the leading trio, so it was Wout van Aert, Matteo Jorgenson, and Tiesj Benoot riding hard together.  They were joined in the effort by two of the former attackers, Stefan Kung (Groupama-FDJ) and Jasper Stuyven (Lidl-Trek).  Despite their collective best efforts, only van Aert was able to rejoin the front of the race, with the others remaing the second group on the road.

Another spoiler, while he did rejoin the leaders, van Aert finished fourth on the day, just off of the podium.  I should point out that his teammates Benoot and Jorgenson finished sixth and 47th respectively.  Kung ended up seventh and Stuyven was fifth.

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.

"Visma Chases RVV25-5" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Ronde van Vlaanderen '25: Counter Move

With the early breakaway still up the road, these four decided it was time for a counter move.  I believe it was Stefan Kung (Groupama-FDJ) who set things off.  He was joined by Vito Braet (Intermache-Wanty), Davide Ballerini (XDS-Astana) and the ever watchful Tiesj Benoot (Visma-Lease a Bike).  Benoot knew that if this group could join the leaders, it would put his team at an advantage when it came to the closing kilometers of the race.  With 101 kilometers yet to race, they were a little over a minute behind the lead group and they had about three quarters of a minute on the rather large peloton 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 $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Counter Move RVV25-1" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 17: Who's Coming?

Magnus Cort (Uno-X Mobility) looks back over the shoulders of his breakaway companions to see that there is a large group coming after them.  Cort is sporting his new blue mustache that he dyed after reaching 200,000 followers on social media.  A bit unusual for a rest day activity, but one must keep themselves entertained.  Cort had been joined in the break by Romain Gregoire (Groupama-FDJ), Tiesj Benoot (Visma-Lease a Bike), and Bob Jungels (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe).  They had built up about two minutes before this second group started chasing them.  The group of thirty-some riders had left the now sedate peloton that had all of the top ten of the general classification in its ranks.

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.

"Who's Coming? TdF24-104" (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 19: Do You See Who Is Coming?

Looking back over his shoulder, Matteo Trentin (UAE Team Emirates) was a bit surprise to see who was bridging across.  He seemed to gesture to Julian Alaphilippe (Lotto-Quick Step) as Jack Haig (Bahrain-Victorious) listened in, that a group was coming with the Green Jersey and a bunch of other sprinters about to catch their back wheels.  Right now they were just off camera behind Georg Zimmermann (Intermache-Circus-Wanty) and Tiesj Benoot (Jumbo-Visma).  The sprinters' group had gotten off the front at the intermediate sprint and just continued to ride.  All of them wanted to have a chance to vie for stage honors and this break away was spoiling that party.

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-2023/3966634-127-297438/Painting/do-you-see-who-is-coming-tdf23-127.html

Tour de France 23, Stage 12: Wanting the One that Got Away

These six were all after the one who got away on the final descent of the day.  Well, one isn't chasing.  Guillaume Martin (Cofidis) had a lone teammate up the road so he was either on the back getting a free ride, or like now, on the front trying to slow the chase.  Martin was in the group with Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies), Matteo Jorgenson (Movistar), Tiesj Benoot (Jumbo-Visma), the French hero Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ), and Tobias Johannessen (Uno-X).  With fourteen kilometers to race, it was beginning to look like they will be racing for second place today.  On the other hand both Martin and Pinot were working hard to increase their time gains on those ahead of them on the general classification.  Fortunately for them, while many were ahead of them, all of them were behind.  At the end of the day, both move up five places each.  That put Thibaut Pinot into the top ten, just 32 seconds behind his own team leader, David Gaudu.  They are now the two top placed Frenchmen 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-2023/3965365-74-297438/Painting/wanting-the-one-that-got-away-tdf23-74.html

Tour de France 23, Stage 12: We've Got Company

Tiesj Benoot (Jumbo-Visma) looks back over the heads of his break away companions, Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) and Dylan Teuns (Israel-Premier Tech) to see that there are three more guys coming to join them.  While it cuts these three guys' odds of winning the stage, it equally doubles their collective chances of staying off the front of today's racing.  With 91 kilometers to race there is truly strength in numbers.

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-2023/3965329-69-297438/Painting/weve-got-company-tdf23-69.html

Tour '22, Stage 21: Cheers!

Wout Van Aert and Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) clink glasses as they team celebrates their victories.  Tiesj Benoot waits for his turn as the sports directors and mechanics celebrate in the team cars behind.  Vingegaard has won both the Maillot Jaune and the Maillot a Pois and Van Aert has broken the record for the highest number of points earned towards the Maillot Vert.  All in all a great result for the team and the five members who made it all of the way to Paris.  Actually, right after this, Sepp Kuss almost ran into Vingegaard as he struggle to balance both his bike and his champagne.

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, and yes, international shipping is available. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3895593-143-294403/Painting/cheers-tdf22-137.html

Tour '22, Stage 21: It's Tradition

There are a number of traditions that must be followed on the final day of the Tour on the ride to Paris.  First there are the photo ops, clowning around, a chance for everyone to talk over what they have just been through. And then finally  the Maillot Jaune's team leads the peloton onto the Champs Elysees.  Then it is time fo rthe opportunitists and the sprinters to fight it out for stage honors on the biggest cycling stage in the world  The nice touch that Jumbo-Visma brought to this moment was not only did Wout Van Aert, Jonas Vingegaard, Tiesj Benoot, Sepp Kuss, and Christophe Laporte link arms for the cameras, but they also held up the bib numbers of the three members of the team who weren't able to finish the race.  Extra special was Laport holding up Kruijswijk's number 13 upside down.  Riders will pinned this number on upside down to ward of the bad luck.  I don't think it worked this year.

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, and yes, international shipping is available. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3895592-142-294403/Painting/its-tradition-tdf22-136.html

Tour '22, Stage 11: Attack Yellow

I probably meant to write "Attacking Yellow." but this might be a more accurate title.  I can just imagine the pre-race meeting in the Jumbo-Visma bus.  "First, Wout, you go get max points for the Green Jersey, than everyone... Attack Yellow!"  Anybody know if that was a direct quote, because it sure was the direct game plan by them today?  

As the peloton hit the lower slopes of the Col du Telegraphe, it was Tiesj Benoot (Jumbo-Visma) who  lead out their best placed man on the GC, Jonas Vingegaard.  Both Sepp Kuss (Jumbo-Visma) and Primoz Roglic watched to see how the Maillot Jaune would react.  Sensing that this might be a move that would stick, and not wanting to give any time away, Adam Yates (Ineos-Grenadiers) swung out of the pack to get onto the Jumbo-Visma train.  With all of the Col de Telegraphe, the Col du Galibier, and the assent of the Col du Granon yet to come, it was going to be a long hard day for everyone today.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3893489-60-294403/Painting/attack-yellow-tdf22-60.html

Gent-Wevelgem Men '22: Around the Corner

There are a couple of different ways to consider the title of this painting.  First way to consider the title is that the top of the Barenberg was just around the corner.  Another way is to consider the title is that the peloton was just out of sight behind the corner that Tiesj Benoot (Jumbo-Visma) and Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo) were climbing.  It was a treat to see so many cycling fans lining the roads again.  I'm not ready to be out there in crowds yet, but that doesn't mean I wish I could have been on the side of the road as these guys went 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 painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3875464-474-195767/Painting/around-the-corner-gw22-4.html

Men's Omloop: Alone with a Crowd

Tiesj Benoot (Jumbo-Visma) used the previous climb to escape the clutches of break and the closing peloton.  As he went off the front he hit the famed Kapelmuur 10 seconds ahead off the rest of the field.  I would say that he was all alone, but at long last the climb was lined with hundreds of mainly unmasked cycling fans.  Could it mean that he was going to win today, and that the lovely curse of Covid is finally getting behind us?

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3868964-457-195767/Painting/alone-with-a-crowd-ohn22-5.html

TDF, Stage 6: Wrapping Up

Tiesj Benoot (DSM) dropped back of the tail of the peloton to visit the doctor.  I am not aware that there were any crashes during the stage, but I do know that he had fell victim to at least one of the many crashed in earlier stages.  Perhaps he felt his bandage wasn't staying on well enough.  It was clear that the rolling doctor's visit was about redressing his wounded elbow.  I stand in awe of what the riders (men and women) can handle pain wise and still keep competing in such a truly difficult event.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct 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/2021-Tour-de-France/3821493-34-291436/Painting/wrapping-up-tdf21-33.html

Tour, Stage 16: Hoping to Get Across

Pierre Rolland (B&B Hotels-Vital Concept) had set off on his own in an attempt to join the break away going up the road.  He had to squeeze through the barage being established on the front of the peloton to go catch the large group of escapees a minute or two up the road.  While riding across the gap, he was caught by the Sunweb duo of Tiesj Benoot and Casper Pedersen.  Rolland has a red bib number showing that he was awarded the most aggressive (or Combative) rider of Stage 15 the day before yesterday's rest day.  Behind another five riders were hoping to join up with what was looking like would be the successful break of the day.  He did eventually join up with the leaders and took maximum points over the second climb of the day.  If he can do the same on the next climb, and then get any points on the final, the Monte Saint Nizier de Moucherotte, he will take over the Maillot a Pois, a jersey he has worn in past Tours.

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/Tour-de-France-2020/3701494-106-282744/Painting/hoping-to-get-across-tdf20-100.html

Tour, Stage 12: They've Left the Peloton

The peloton never let the break have much of a gap, which means everyone in the main group thought they could get away for the stage victory.  After a long day of Bora-Hansgrohe putting down the hammer to rid itself of all of Sagan's Maillot Vert rivals, it was time for the opportunists to take their shots.  Soren Kragh Andersen (Sunweb) and his teammate, Tiesj Benoot went on the offensive.  Joining the duo was Marc Soler of Movistar on the climb of the Cote de la Croix du Pey.  What remains to be seen is what the peloton will due and/or is this a move by Sunweb to set up another of their teammates?

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/Tour-de-France-2020/3698127-74-282744/Painting/theyve-left-the-peloton-tdf20-68.html

Tour, Stage 4: Everybody Working?

Tiesj Benoot (Sunweb) checks over his shoulder as he swings over from his pull on the front of the six man break away.  Benoot may well have been checking to see if anyone was skipping turns at the back of the group.  Behind him, Quentin Pacher (B&B Hotels-Vital Concept) prepares to ride through for his turn on the front.  Nils Politt (Israel Start Up Nation) waits in the wings for his turn.  With this kind of shared effort, the break may have a chance of staying away from the peloton.  Not likely, however, since this is the first mountain top finish of this Tour, the earliest in a Tour ever.

Later, Benoot had a frightening crash over a guard rail that busted his bike to pieces, fortunately, he and his bones remained intact.  But that was the end of his day off the front of the race.

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/Tour-de-France-2020/3689189-26-282744/Painting/everybody-working-tdf20-20.html