2026 UCI Road World Championships, Montreal, Elite Men's Road Race: Having to Chase

Purchase this painting here: "Having to Chase UCI26-13" (Original art by Greig Leach)

With two groups of three up the road it was time to chase down the leaders for two young men Paul Seixas (France) and Isaac Del Toro (Mexico).  The two stars of the Tour de France efforts were being thwarted by Matteo Jorgenson (USA) and Tom Pidcock (Great Britian) since they have teammates in the leading groups.  Joining in the efforts are Michael Matthews (Australia) and Santiago Buitrago (Colombia).  It looks like they are counting on Del Toro and Seixas to do the pulling to put them back into the fray in the remaining forty-nine 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 top of this post to purchase this painting. 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.

Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

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Tour '26, Stage 15: High Fiving His Doppelganger

Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) attacked the breakaway with Tom Pidcock (Pinarello-Q36.5) as they started up the Col de la Croisette.  Jumping out of the crowd waving an American flag was an uber-fan.  Perhaps mimicking his greeting of his dad in stage 13, Simmons high fived the fan who dressed as his favorite pro cyclist.  This guy seemed to have a wig and a real mustache in an effort to look like the flamboyant USA National Champion.  Just to make sure everyone knew he was supposed to be, he had Simmons' logo on the front of his tank top and his photo on the back.  The high five will be the topic of conversation for the rest of the fan's life.  NBC/Peacock enjoyed it, too.  They showed it several times, including once in slo-mo.

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: "High Fiving His Doppelganger TdF26-107" (Original art by Greig Leach)

This painting has sold, but digital prints are available at the link above.

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 13: Just Enough Road

While you can see the eight former companions of the leading duo, it wasn't as close as it seemed.  Both Mauro Schmid (Jayco-Alula) and Harold Tejada (XDS-Astana) had slowed down, each trying to force the other to the front as they rode in the final kilometer of the stage.  Schmid said in a post-race interview that he was trying to get Tejada to jump first as the chasers closed in.  It worked. Tejada opened up the sprint looking like he would get the stage.  He faded in the final meters, and Schmid was able to get the victory.  As he crossed the line, he first pulled up his front wheel then smashed it down in a celebration of his win.  Not a move I remember seeing before.  Closest thing would be Peter Sagan's wheelies as he went over mountain top summits while in the groupetto.  Behind, Tom Pidcock (Pinarello-Q36.5) was able to outsprint the others for a well-deserved third place 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 work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "Just Enough Road TdF26-92" (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 13: Not Closing

Despite their best efforts these eight guys were gaining on the two former companions now twenty-one seconds up the road.  Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates) usually was most skilled at chasing down breaks, it is kind of his job on the UAE team.  His teammate the American Brandon McNulty was hoping that Wellens would spend the energy that allowed him to go for the stage victory.  Behind Wellens is Jordan Jegat (TotalEnergies) who is followed by his countryman Clement Braz Alfonso (Groupama FDJ-United).  The rest of the group was comprised of the man to be named the most combative rider of the day, Tom Pidcock (Pinarello-Q36.5), Luke Plapp (Jayco-Alula), Kevin Vauquelin (Netcompany-Ineos) and Maxim Van Gils (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe).  I suspect these eight will be vying for the final step of the podium in Belfort.  Regardless, Pidcock has moved way up the general classification into fourth place now.  He turned out to be the one to beat the others across the line to claim third 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 work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "Not Closing TdF26-91" (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 13: Over the Summit

I learned today that the Ballon d'Alsace was the first mountain ever climbed in the Tour de France.  It was introduced to the Grand Boucle back in 1905.  We just missed celebrating the 120th anniversary of this climb by a year.  I doubt that was foremost in the mind of Tom Pidcock (Pinarello-Q36.5) as he led the breakaway over the summit of the Category One climb.  Pidcock is known as an incredible descender so he may have wanted to be the first to start down the other side of the mountain.  He was followed in turn by Luke Plapp (Jayco-Alula) and Plapp's teammate Mauro Schmid.  The next two over the summit were the two Frenchmen Jordan Jegat (TotalEnergies) and Kevin Vauquelin (Netcompany-Ineos).  As they crested the Ballon, the peloton was back down the mountain almost eight-and-a-half minutes behind.  At this point Pidcock has moved into second place virtually.  I suspect that the peloton will start chasing under the impetuous of those teams whose leaders are losing their places 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: "Over the Summit TdF26-89" (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 13: The Next to Go

With the peloton out of the equation, the breakaway set about trying to shed the dead weight on the climb of the Ballon d'Alsace.  After multiple attacks, each counter by another, all of the sprinters and many of the domestiques were already off the back.  As they neared the summit, Luke Plapp (Jayco-Alula) was the next to have a go.  He got clear of Tom Pidcock (Pinarello-Q36.5) whom no one else seemed willing to help in the chase.  Pidcock was marked by Kevin Vauquelin (Netcompany-Ineso), Maim Van Gils (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), and the other four guys left off the front of the splintering breakaway.

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: "The Next to Go TdF26-88" (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 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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Tour '26, Stage 9: Badly Timed Mechanical

Tom Pidcock (Pinarello-Q36.5) had fought to get into the break, then to get up to the escapees from the break.  After going over the Cote de la Croix du Pey first, he had the unfortune of having his electronic gearing fail.  He was stuck in his climbing gears as he tried to fly down the other side of the climb with his breakaway companions.  After gesticulating furiously and kicking his derailleur, he kept on spinning his legs in hopes of staying close while he awaited his team car.  Surprisingly, his gears suddenly started working again.  Perhaps his battery had been loose, and he kicked it back into connection.  Or after beating them senseless, the gears decided they best behave.  I will say that he claims that they failed again in the final sprint to the line.  More about that later.

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: "Badly Timed Mechanical TdF26-62" (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: Keeping an Eye on the Break

I like it when I can use a title that can convey two different meanings, both of which are going on here.  First, we can see the TV Moto cameraman keeping the camera's eye on the break (yes, clearly there is another TV Moto in front of the group, too) and, second, the peloton is keeping a close metaphorical eye on the break.  The UAE Team Emirates led peloton isn't letting this group get any sizable advantage today.  Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) opting for white shorts to go with his USA Champion jersey and his teammate Canadian Derek Gee-West are in a group along with Tom Pidcock (Pinarello-Q36.5), Lennert Van Eetvelt (Lotto-Intermarche) and a couple of others only have built up and advantage of a minute-and-a half.  Neither I nor the team of commentators can work out why the peloton are keeping the break so close.  The highest placed member of the break is just shy of ten minutes behind the lead held by Tadej Pogacar of UAE Team Emirates.

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: "Keeping an Eye on the Break TdF26-60" (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 1: Launched by the Team

Tom Pidcock (Pinarello-Q36.5) had stayed on the back of the team's formation as they sped through the flat opening section of the course through the streets of Barcelona.  It seems that every team was saving their team leader or climber until the final 800 meters of the stage when the course rose up to the Stadium Olympic overlooking the city and the Mediterranean coastline.  Pidcock managed to claim the second-best time as he crossed the line of the opening stage of this Tour de France.  Admittedly, his team was the sixth team to start, so I doubt the second place will last until the end of the day.

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

Purchase this painting here: "Launched by the Team TdF26-2" (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 → 

 

Paris Olympics 2024, Men's Mountain Biking: Who Will It Be?

It was truly amazing to see Tom Pidcock (Great Britain) fight his way back to the front of the race after having a flat tire.  I am quite sure that neither Victor Koretzky (France) nor Alan Hatherly (South Africa) were overjoyed to see the Brit.  Pidcock has just come off of the Tour de France, so he has a deeper fitness and stamina then most anyone else in the race.  These three just have about another kilometer to race and it is unclear who will take which medals, but it will be these three for the top three places.  Koretzky had one more attack in him and dropped Pidcock for a bit.  Pidcock did come back and passed the Frenchman on a narrow stretch making contact in the effort.  Koretzky had to pull a foot out of his cleats and there went his Gold Medal.  Pidcock repeated his Tokyo Olympics Gold, with Koretzky finishing with the Silver, and Hatherly the Bronze.  The Bronze is the first Olympic Mountain Biking medal for his country, his continent and his hemisphere.  Well done all three!

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 Will It Be? PO24-23" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Men's Mountain Biking: Leading Them Around

Unlike the women's race yesterday, the men stayed in a large peloton as they made their way around the first two laps of the four and a half kilometer Mountain Bike course.  They were led up the climb again by Mathias Flueckiger (Suisse) who was closely watched by Victor Koretzky (France) and Tom Pidcock (Great Britain).  Just peeking into the frame is his teammate Nino Schurter.  Each country is only allowed a maximum of two men in the race, but most are the only one representing their country.

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.

"Leading Them Around PO24-20" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 9: The Dash to the Line

Derek Gee (Israel-Premier Tech) was the first to open up his sprint followed quickly by Tom Pidcock (Ineos-Grenadiers).  The pair got beat to the line by Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies).  Turgis' win makes the third stage won by a Frenchman this Tour.  It is also the fifth first time Tour win this year.  Or sixth if you want to count the one guy, Biniam Girmay, who has won two stages, but they were the first he has ever won in the Tour.  This has been a Tour of first, for riders, for teams with the notable exception of Mark Cavendish's 35th Tour stage win earlier this week.  Just off the podium, and barely in the frame of this artwork, is Alex Aranburu, the Spanish Champion on Movistar.  His team had three men in the break for most of the day, so it is even more frustrating for him that he couldn't finish it off at the line in Troyes.

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.

"The Dash to the Line TdF24-51" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 9: There He Goes!

The breakaway was closing in on the final ten kilometers of the stage and were still off the front of the peloton that contained the top places of the general classification.  That meant it was time for those that don't pack a great sprint to try and drop the others.  As the most recent effort by Tom Pidcock (Ineos-Grenadiers) and Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies) came back together, the resulting lull in the pace was the perfect moment for Jasper Stuyven (Lidl-Trek) to make his own attack.  He was able to build a nice solo effort for the ensuing nine kilometers.  Spoiler... Alas, he was caught inside of the final kilometer of today's finish in Troyes.

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.

"There He Goes! TdF24-50" (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

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Men’s Race: Still Working Together

The late break of the day was a dream come true for Visma-Lease a Bike.  They had managed to get three of there guys into the break.  While Christophe Laporte was one the front driving the pace of the group of escapees, Matteo Jorgenson and Wout Van Aert were able to conserve their energy at the back.  It was a nightmare for the other three in the group.  Tom Pidcock (Ineos-Grenadiers), Toms Skujins (Lidl-Trek) and Arnuad De Lie (Lotto-Dstny) were going to be forced to chase each of the moves one of the Visma guys made or conversely, should any one of them try an attack one of the Visma guys can chase while the others continue to save themselves for the finale.  All the while, these six were continuing to build a gap on the peloton that was now over a minute 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/Spring-Classics-/4001329-549-195767/Painting/still-working-together.-ohn23-6.html

Tour de France 23, Stage 20: Hoping for the Stage

Yes, everyone went out today hoping that this, their last chance, would be the stage to win.  Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) a local favorite was pushing the pace up the Petit Ballon, a climb he has ridden many, many times.  He has a fellow countryman on his wheel, Warren Barguil (Arkea-Samsic) along with the Brit Tom Pidcock (Ineos-Greandiers).  Pidcock was hoping to move up on the general classification, not the Pinot nor Barguil would have minded that either.  But the Frenchmen were looking mainly for stage honors on this the last competitive day 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-2023/3966832-134-297438/Painting/hoping-for-the-stage-tdf23-134.html

 

Tour '22, Stage 12: Coming Out on Top

Once away from all of those in the break Tom Pidcock (Ineos-Grenadiers) seemingly flew up the Alpe d'Huez.  He had flown down the first climb of the day to join his former break away companions.  So somehow it seems fitting that he flew up the final climb.  With this climb the Tour will put aside the Alps until next year.  But for all of you climbing fans, the Pyrennes lie in wait next week.  

There is a lot of racing yet to do.  I, for one, am very excited at what lays ahead!

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-2022/3893857-76-294403/Painting/coming-out-on-top-tdf22-76.html 

Tour '22, Stage 12: Not Gone, Yet

With just under ten kilometers left to climb of the fabled Alpe d'Huez Tom Pidcock (Ineos-Grenadiers) was pushing his advantage over the remnants of the break.  He looked back to see his erstwhile fellow attacker, Louis Meintjes (Intermache-Wanty Gobert) was dropping off the Brit's pace.  With the group of the Maillot Jaune marking each other it look like this may well be the move that would win the day.  Remember he flew down the Galibier like a ski racer to get into this move.  Apparently, he can go up just as well as he goes down.

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-2022/3893851-73-294403/Painting/not-gone-yet-tdf22-73.html

Tour '22, Stage 12: Flying Off the Galibier

Like Giulio Ciccone before him, Tom Pidcock (Ineos-Grenadiers) realize the stage victory had gone up the road.  Unlike Ciccone, Pidcock use the desent of the Galibier to bridge up to the break away.  Pidcock is a skilled cyclo-cross rider and an Olympic gold medalist in mountain biking, so bike handling is a strong part of his skill as a rider.  He hit speeds of over 50 mph in his search for those down the road.  Behind him, the peloton wasn't willing to take the risk the Brit was taking to keep in under their control, so he quickly (and I do mean quickly) he build up minutes on those 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 $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available. 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3893745-71-294403/Painting/flying-off-the-galibier-tdf22-71.html