Tour '26, Stage 16 ITT: First Goes Last

With an individual time trial the best placed rider in the general classification starts last, with the lowest placed rider going first.  Naturally, the order continues up through the classification.  It gives Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) the extra advantage of knowing the times of all of his competitors as he races the twenty-six kilometers down to the coast of Lake Geneva. While he may have known the times he needed to best his legs weren't able to deliver the speed required.  For the second stage in a row he took second place to the same person (I'll reveal who later).  Before any of his fans panic, he does have a five-minute buffer between himself and the next best rider in the general classification.

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: "First Goes Last TdF26-118" (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

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Tour '25, Stage 17: Making a Well-Timed Attack

It usually is a bad sign if you have to explain a joke, but that is the case with this title. (unless you get it).  Tissot is a watch company that is also responsible for all of the race timing at the Tour de France and many other sporting events.  Once the peloton had gotten close to the break, Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) jumped free of the peloton in a quest to join up with the four-man break up the road.  Wout got withing twenty seconds, but not further.  After about five kilometers off the front he was reeled back in by the group chasing behind.  I think the sprinter's teams were confident that they could catch the break that had been out in the front all day, but a strong man like Van Aert with fresh legs may well be a very different matter.  

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.

"Making a Well-Timed Attack TdF25-114" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 11: Out Thrown

Both Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno X-Mobility) and Mauro Schmid (Jayco-Alula) had managed to drop the other three members of the breakaway.  They were chased by Mathieu Van Der Poel.  He had lost a stage on a breakaway effort in the final meters of a stage.  Today, he was unable to catch the break and was about at the same point when he was caught then as he was now when these two sprinted for stage victory.  Schmid had the misfortune of being on the front for the final kilometer but came oh so close to outsprinting the Norwegian on the Norwegian team.  It came down to the quality of each man's bike throw.  Abrahamsen had the better lunge for the line claiming his first Tour de France stage victory of his career.  You may remember he spend days in the Maillot a Pois and a day or two in the Maillot Vert last year, but this is the first time he has taken a Tour stage.

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. 

"Out Thrown TdF25-72" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 5 ITT: The Last to Start

It is the honor of holding the Maillot Jaune that you are the last to start down the ramp in an individual time trial.  So it was for Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) today.  He held little hope that he would be still in yellow tonight.  He wasn't wrong, but he gave it all he could to hold on to the golden fleece.  He started the day tied with Tadej Pogacar so he would need to go at least one second faster over the Slovenian.  Instead, he was almost a minute-and-a-half slower and dropped to eighteenth to start the day 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.  

"The Last to Start TdF25-20" (Original art by Greig Leach)

UCI Worlds, Zurich 2024, Elite Men's Road Worlds: Stretching Their Advantage

Both Tadej Pogacar (Slovenia) and Pavel Sivakov (France) both look over at the timekeeper's motorcycle to see just how far back the chaser are.  With 73 kilometers the duo from UAE Team Emirates were stretching out their advantage to just shy of a minute over those closest behind them.  Pogacar had waited for Sivakov at the top of a climb after they escaped the breakaway.  He knew that despite his strength there was still too many kilometers to try and go it alone to the finish line.  However, he eventually found the Slovenian's pace just too much to stay on his wheel.

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.  

"Stretching Their Advantage Z24-11" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Final Stage: One More Time

Romain Bardet (DSM-Firmenich-PostNL) rolled down the start ramp and got up to speed in his final stage of the Tour de France.  He has hopes of posting a good time as he got underway in Monaco.  I do think as he realized that he wasn't going to have much chance of winning the stage, he began to really enjoy his final race on the roads of France (well technically, he is in the Principality of Monaco right now). Thank you for the great years of entertainment, and congratulations on a day in 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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"One More Time TdF24-136" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes, Stage 8, Just Underway

It was a treat to see Grace Brown (FDJ-Suez) start out the final stage of this Tour de France Femmes in her Australian National TT Champion's jersey.  I've got to say that FDJ know how to make a great looking national jersey for both the women and the men.  I'm talking to you UAE Team ADQ and UAE Team Emirates.  Brown got underway in Pau to a ride that was the best time as she finished her loop out and back to Pau.  She ended her day in fourth overall once those vying for the podium of the Tour had had their say.  She did well to finish the Tour in 35th as she rode in service of her teammates throughout the previous seven days of racing.

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-2023/3969042-190-297438/Painting/just-underway-tdff23-46.html

 

Tour de France Femmes 23, Stage 5: Seconds Matter

With two riders up the road there was just one more time bonus of two seconds still available as this trio broke free of the peloton of favorites.  Ashleigh Moolman-Passio (AG Insurance-Soudal-Quick Step) sprinted for the seconds despite Liane Lippert (Movistar) trying to grab the bonus in defense of her teammate Annemeik Van Vleutin.  Also vying for the bonus is Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime).  Moolman-Pasio got there first (well third actually) moving her into second place just two seconds ahead of three others and just over a minute ahead of Vollering.  She is still trailing the Maillot Jaune by forty-nine seconds.

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-2023/3968190-171-297438/Painting/seconds-matter-tdff23-27.html

 

Wollongong 2022, Men's ITT: Down the Ramp

Neilson Powless (USA) was the first of the two Americans to compete in the Elite Men's Time Trial.  Powless got off to a good start but, alas, it wasn't to be his day.  Both he and I will have to wait until the weekend to have another go for the rainbow bands.  Unless he is in the mixed team time trial in the middle of the week.

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/Wollongong-2022-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3906186-8-295031/Painting/down-the-ramp-uci22-8.html

Tour Femmes '22, Stage 4: On Her Own

Marlen Reusser (SD Worx) used her time trial skills to ride away from every woman still in the Tour de France Femmes.  With nine kilometers to go she had build up a forty one seconds on the three who were trying to get across to her.  She has just over a minute on the group that contains the Maillot Jaune and all of the other high up on the general classification.  She has just gone through the time bonus point out on course.  So while she isn't a GC factor, she just took three seconds off of her total time thus far in the Tour.  She is riding alone save the race referee's car, the Shimano neutral service, and just visible is one of a flotilla of race motorcycles.  I can't image anyone catching her now, she is adding to her advantage with nearly every pedal stroke on her wasy to Bar sur Aube.

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-2022/3896050-167-294403/Painting/on-her-own-tdff22-26.html

Tour '22, Stage 20: Farewell Tour

This Tour de France has definitely been a changing of the guard.  This is another reason why, Philippe Gilbert (Lotto Soudal) is rolling down a start ramp for the last time in the Tour de France.  He has announced that he will retire at the end of this season.  He turned 40 in the middle of this Tour de France, and that is a pretty common age to step off the bike.  He is a former Belgium champion, and World Champion.  I suggest looking at his wikipedia page to see just how great his career has been.  He didn't exactly burn up the course today finishing in 115th place.  Still that is considerably faster than I have ever been able to ride.  He rode an average of just over 44 kph!

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-2022/3895454-128-294403/Painting/farewell-tour-tdf22-129.html

Tour 22, Stage 1: Here We Go!

Here we go!  The 2022 Tour de France is officially underway as Jeremy LeCroq (B&B Hotels-KTM) rolls down the start ramp in Copenhagen, Denmark.  The Tour will spend the next three days in Denmark until returning to LeCroq's home country of France, coincidentally, it ends in his hometown of Paris in 24 days.  Naturally, he posted the best time when he finished his 13+ kilometer time trial.  However, it did stand as the best time for quite a few riders.  He did end the day 82nd overall, or about the dead middle of the pack.

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-2022/3891616-1-294403/Painting/here-we-go-tdf22-1.html

TDF,Stage 20: Just Ahead

As Stefan Kung (Groupama-FDJ) went through the second time check he was a quarter of a second faster than Kasper Asgreen.  Kung is both the Swiss naitonal champion and the European time trial champion.  The European jersey takes pecedence over the national jersey so here he is in a white jersey with blue bands and gold stars.  Unfortunately for Kung, he faded a bit over the last six kilometers of the course finishing the day fourth on the stage.

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 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/3824549-132-291436/Painting/just-ahead-tdf21-131.html

Tour, Stage 20: Points to Fight For

 I think it is rather unusual that there is actually a chance to score KOM points on an indidivual time trial, but this has been an unusual Tour for many, many reasons.  We might as well add KOM points as yet another stop on this crazy train ride.  Richard Carapaz (Ineos-Grenadiers) had taken the Maillot a Pois on stage 18 while is teammate claimed the stage win, a decision they made to share the spoils of victory.  Today he is just 2 points ahead of the man in second place, and in the Maillot Blanc, so his ride will not be for stage honors, just to be the fastest from the bottom to the top of the final climb.  Alas, he was not. Sorry for this image being out of focus, but I am shooting this work (along with creating it) in a make shift studio while I am in the hospital recovering from kidney donation.  I may try to replace it once I get home.

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/Tour-de-France-2020/3704426-132-282744/Painting/points-to-fight-for-tdf20-124.html