Tour '26, Stage 20: This Is Mine

It took getting over the HC climb of the Col de Croix de Fer and then chasing down the breakaway, but Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) was there to sprint for maximum points at the intermediate sprint in Saint Julien Mont Denis.  As he wound up his sprint he looked back at Tobias Johannessen (Uno X-Mobility) as if daring him to dare to steal a single point from him.  With this sprint, he sealed up the race for the Maillot Vert.  All he need do is finish this stage and the final stage in Paris and he will have one the sprinter's jersey in all three Grand Tours.  On Johannessen's wheel are Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) and his teammate Bruno Armirail clearly having a plan for the day.  Another in this leading group was Thymen Arensman (Netcompany-Ineos) hoping to have an even better stage than yesterday.  Today is the true final stage of the Tour, although the new circuit in Paris does mean there will be more than just a sprint on the Champs Elysees.

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: "This Is Mine TdF26-144" (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 18: Who Among Us?

This title amused me.  But it was what this sextet was thinking, "Who among us will win this stage?"  With the chase group losing ground, and the peloton still over five minutes behind, it was clear that this is who is racing for stage honors today.  Only Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal-Quick Step) doesn't have to win the stage to have achieved his goal of the day.  If he crosses the line in third or better, he will take over the lead in the King of the Mountains competition.  He did not.  He finished fourth on the day.  So Mauro Schmid (Jayco-Alula) was hoping to get a second stage victory. Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) was hoping to win the stage to rewrite the current story of his team. The rest, Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost), Tobias Johannessen (Uno X-Mobility) and Raul Garcia Pierna (Movistar) were hoping to win their first stage of this Tour.  For Carapaz, Jorgenson, and Gacia Pierna it would also be the first stage win for their team also.  Not everyone will achieve their goals.  But then that is bike 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 work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "Who Among Us? TdF26-133" (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 18: One More Peek

After three categorized climbs and just shy of one hundred and forty kilometers, Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) was finally able to sprint for the maximum sprint points on offer in Corps.  As he did his almost token sprint, he looked back one more time to make sure no one would dare challenge him.  They did not.  Had they done so the breakaway would have collapse right then.  Mauro Schmid (Jayco-Alula), Tobias Johannessen (Uno X-Mobility) his teammate Mathias Vacek and the rest of the breakaway have been counting on the Dane's power to help keep them off the front and away from those chasing behind.  Now, what will happen now that Pedersen has achieved his goal for the day.  I suspect he will help Vacek as much as possible before he runs out of steam.

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: "One More Peek TdF26-131" (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: Still Not Established

Despite the stage starting with a big climb after a very early intermediate sprint even at 117 kilometers to go of a 184-kilometer stage the breakaway was still not established.  This group of six have only built a sixteen second advantage over the peloton. Michael Matthews (Jayco-Alula) reached out to grab a bidon from the Shimano Neutral Service Moto.  The sprinter on the Australian team has managed to team up with Xabier Mikel Azparren (Pinarello-Q36.5), Tobias Johannessen (Uno X-Mobility) and his teammate Anders Skaarseth, as well as Tim Van Dijke (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe).  There is somebody on the front from Cofidis, but this group never even had their names displayed on the screen.  It wasn't very long before they were absorbed by 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: "Still Not Established TdF26-104" (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 14: Dropping the Last One

As Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) and Tobias Johannessen (Uno X-Mobility) scaled the final kilometers up the Col du Haag, Carapaz was finally able to drop the last of his day long breakaway companions.  The Norwegian fans on the side of the road must have been thrilled to see their countryman at the front so close the end of the stage.  With another fourteen-and-a-half kilometers to race, Carapaz only has just under a minute on the closing peloton of favorites.  His first goal is to get to the summit first, so he can become the new King of the Mountains, then it is on to trying to win the stage.  Alas, neither came to fruition.

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: "Dropping the Last One TdF26-100" (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 14: Twin Brothers and Teammates in the Break

Not since the Yates brothers fought out for the opening stage victory (and the Maillot Jaune) have we had a pair of twins in a breakaway in the Tour de France.  Today, it is Tobias and Anders Johannessen (Uno X-Mobility) are together in the breakaway on the uncategorized climb prior to the final ascent of the day.  Unlike the Yates, these guys are on the same team, and they are actually the two in the Tour of a trio of triplets.  Will we see their third sibling in the Tour next year?  Just ahead of the brothers is Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) still riding for points and the stage victory.  They still had hope of getting to the line first, but the peloton is just under two minutes behind them.

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: "Twin Brothers and Teammates in the Break TdF26-99" (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 14: Becoming King

Still fighting with each other to claim the Maillot a Pois, it is again Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal-Quick Step) outsprinting Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) over the summit of the Ballon d'Alsace.  The pair were followed by Tobias Johannessen (Uno X-Mobility) and the rest of the eight-man breakaway.  With just one more climb in today's stage Paret-Peintre is the virtual Maillot a Pois, but the final climb is very close to the end of the stage.  He will need to still be off the front which may be tough if the guys fighting for a better position on the general classification attack on the way up the Col du Haag.  However, he may be wearing it tomorrow regardless assuming Pogacar keeps the lead in the King of the Mountains.  Only time, and climbing, will tell the tale.  Alas, the end of the stage, and Paret-Peintre's legs made it so he now sits second in his quest to own the Maillot a Pois.  Carapaz sits just four points behind him, now in the third ahead of Jonas Vingegaard.

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: "Becoming King TdF26-98" (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 9: Winning from the Front

Not only did Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) win from the front group, he was also forced to start his sprint from the front of the four-man breakaway that just made it to the line.  The foursome that included Van Der Poel, Tobias Johannessen (Uno X-Mobility), Tom Pidcock (Pinarello-Q36.5) and Alex Baudin (EF Education-EasyPost), risked everything by slowing down, each trying to get the other to jump first.  In a post-race interview, Pidcock said his only hope of outsprint Van Der Poel was to get him to start his sprint too early, so they all waited as the peloton charged up behind them.  It was MVDP who went first, but he had the legs to outsprint them all.  The only one who even got close was Johannessen, claiming second for the second time in this Tour de France.  As I wrote in the previous post, Pidcock claimed that his gears failed again, making it impossible for him to mount a successful sprint.  I didn't see it, but I don't know.  They played with fire, the peloton lead by Flippo Ganna (Netcompany-Ineos) and Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) came home just six seconds behind Van Der Poel.  

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: "Winning from the Front TdF26-64" (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 9: Can They Stay Away?

This quartet only had forty-seven seconds on the peloton with another fourteen kilometers left to Ussel.  Conventional wisdom says that they don't have enough of a gap to stay away from the chasing peloton, but that doesn't take into account the quality of these four guys.  Now that his gears are funtioning, Tom Pidcock (Pinarello-Q36.5) was doing his part to pull his companions along.  Tobias Johannessen (Uno X-Mobility) will pull next followed in turn by the powerhouse of the group, Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech).  It is the erstwhile Maillot a Pois, Alex Baudin (EF Education-EasyPost) who is slipping to the back to get a bit of a breather having done his turn on the front.  Are we going to be treated to a successful breakaway or will it be heartbreak like yesterday's 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.

Purchase this painting here: "Can They Stay Away? TdF26-63" (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 5: Safe in the Peloton

Race commentators will refer to the "commentator's curse," meaning that as soon as they talk about the possibility of something going wrong, it often does.  I feel like this is my "artist curse."  Shortly after painting and titling this watercolor, there was a crash just outside of five kilometers to go that tied up all of those in this painting.  The location is important, if they were inside of five kilometers to go, they would have been given the same time as the finishing time of those they were with.  In this case, that means the time of the entire peloton.  As it happened, the Maillot Jaune of Torstein Traeen (Uno X-Mobility) along with his teammate Tobias Johannessen were able to catch back onto the tail of the peloton as they reached Pau.  In fact, everyone here including Edoardo Affini and his Visma-Lease a Bike teammates Matteo Jorgenson and Jonas Vingegaard along with Nils Politt and his UAE Team Emirates teammate Isaac Del Toro were all given the same time thus saving everyone's position in the general classification.  Naturally, that means the Traeen holds his Maillot Jaune for a second day, only Vingegaard has managed to keep yellow for more than one day thus far 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 work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "Safe in the Peloton TdF26-36" (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 19: On to the Final Mountain

This is the last mountain stage of this Tour and the peloton of the elite are just now hitting the final climb in the Alps.  Well, actually, the final HC climb of this years' Tour de France.  Jhonatan Narvaez (UAE Team Emirates) looks back to make sure his team leader, Tadej Pogacar is still on his wheel.  He is.  Right on the wheel of the Maillot Jaune is Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) wearing the Maillot a Pois on loan from Pogacar.  Vingegaard has little hope of pulling back over four minutes to move into first, conversely, he has little worry that anyone will pull back over four minutes on him either.  The final step of the podium is a different matter altogether.  Massing behind are Aurelien Paret-Peintre (Decathlon-Ag2r-La Mondiale) riding for his team leader, Tobias Johannessen (Uno X-Mobility), and Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost).  The stage ends at the top of this climb up La Plagne, so the final podium will be much clearer at the top in about eighteen kilometers.

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. 

"On to the Final Mountain TdF25-129" (Original art by Greig Leach)

This painting has now sold!

Tour '25, Stage 14: Not Pleased!

I am not sure what Tobias Halland Johannesen (Uno X-Mobility) did to so piss off Thymen Arensman (Ineos-Grenadiers), but Arensman had quite a lot to say to the Norwegian.  Behind the two combatants, Lenny Martinez just got on with trying to gain as many King of the Mountains points as he could.  Perhaps Johannesen should have provoked the Belgium.  Just after I painted this, Arensman attacked, and neither of his current companions ever saw him again.  Martinez went over the Peyresourde second thus locking up his reclamations of his Maillot a Pois for at least one more 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 work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Not Pleased! TdF25-91" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 8: Watching & Waiting

As Uno X-Mobility drove hard on the front of the peloton for Tobias Johannessen, as the main two guys of the Dauphine watched and waited to see what might happen on the last climb of the day.  On the Norwegian's wheel was Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates) chaperoning his leader in the Maillot Jaune, Tadej Pogacar.  Today Pogacar's constant shadow has been Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike).  He in turn looked back to see who was still in the peloton, or at least what was passing for the peloton of favorites.

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.

"Watching & Waiting CdD25-44" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 20: Up the Final Climb

Not only is the chalkboard being used to let the riders know the time gaps a bit archaic, the breakaway didn't even seem to pay it any mind, despite the board, the riders and the motorcycle all being bright yellow.  This quintet was all that was left of the breakaway with just twelve kilometers to the top of the climb, and the end of the road stages of this Tour de France.  Wilco Kelderman (Visma-Lease a Bike) was just taking over the pacing from Romain Bardet (DSM-Firmenich-PostNL).  The others were all working in turn in hopes to be able to vie for stage honors before the GC men caught them up.  Joining in the efforts of the two on the front were Enric Mas (Movistar), Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) and the heavily bandaged Tobias Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility) as they scaled the Col de la Couillole.

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. 

"Up the Final Climb TdF24-129" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 15: In with a Chance

The remnants of the breakaway hit the bottom of the final climb, the Plateau de Beille, with just shy of three minutes advantage on the group with the Maillot Jaune, Blanc, and a Pois.  With twenty-four kilometers up the side of a Pyrenean mountain it might just be enough to keep them away.  That is certainly what Tobias Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility), Laurens De Plus (Ineos-Grenadiers), Enric Mas (Movistar), Jai Hindley (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) and of course Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) were hoping for.  All they can do is get up the mountain as fast as they can.  They can hope that the leaders of this Tour don't decide to attack each other.  If those behind call a truce for the day, then it is highly likely that one of these five will win the day.  It is, however, very unlikely that a truce will be called between the three top men 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 $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"In with a Chance TdF24-89" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 15: I Can Help You, Mate

Just as I prepared to paint this, I heard someone say, "I can help you, mate."  I assumed it was Simon Yates (Jayco-Alula) offering to help himself and Tobias Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility) pace back up to the front split of the early breakaway.  Given Yates reputation, and the use of the word "mate" it seemed logical that it was Yates speaking, but minutes later it was clear that wasn't the case.  Johannessen rode away from the Brit and went off on his own in search of the leaders on the road.  Yates dropped back to the peloton, perhaps he just wanted to find his twin brother Adam.  Now that they are no longer on the same team, they may like to catch up whenever the opportunity presents itself.

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.

"I Can Help You, Mate TdF24-86" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 13: Pushing Their Advantage

Using the first climb of the day as a launching point, Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) jumped out of the peloton.  In what was first a defensive move for his teammate in the Maillot a Pois, Tobias Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility) went with the Ecuadorian.  The two build up a bit of a gap on the group containing the Maillot Jaune (and the Maillot a Pois) as they dove down the other side of the Cote de Blachon.  Carapaz has been trying to get a stage win ever since he lost his yellow jersey during stage 3 of 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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Pushing Their Advantage TdF24-72" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 4: Down to Four

As they climbed the infamous final climb of the day, the Col du Galibier, the early break was down to just four guys from the original seventeen.  Christopher Juul-Jensen (Jayco-Alula) kept dangling off the back and then regaining the others.  It was looking like Oier Lazkano (Movistar) may be stronger than the others. But David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) was motivated to gain another stage victory for the French now that the race was back on French soil.  And finally, Tobias Halland Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility) may have been there to soak up King of the Mountain points to defend his teammates lead in the competition to wear the Maillot a Pois.  His teammate kept the jersey for another day, but it really wasn't due to Johannessen's efforts.

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.

"Down to Four TdF24-18" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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