Tour '26, Stage 13: He Chased Them Down

Somehow, Mads Pedersen nor any of his Lidl-Trek teammates made the very large breakaway today.  He helped to form another break of about 26 riders, and with was mainly his effort, the two groups came together before the intermediate sprint.  The sprint came late in this the longest Tour de France stage this year, so he had plenty of time to set things to rights.  He chased because is primary rival for the Maillot Vert was in that front group.  Downside, he pulled his other rival along with him.  Once merging to the two groups, he rode up to the front to see just who was were.  He found Fred Wright (Pinarello-Q36.5) in his new British Champion's Jersey, along with Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Pro Cycling) and Raul Garcia Pierna (Movistar) on the front of the now very, very large escape.  With fifty-six guys in the front, it wasn't much smaller than the peloton that was now just shy of seven minutes back down the road.  I think it is safe to say, that today will be a day for the 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: "He Chased Them Down TdF26-86" (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 11: Big Names in the Break

Well, maybe two of them are big names, in fact I have never heard of the other two before today.  The title is a play on the low angle shot from the back of the TV Moto. Leading this breakaway is the French favorite Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Pro Cycling).  Perhaps the main reason he is out there is because he is racing near where he grew up.  Swinging off the front is the other name of the peloton, Nelson Oliviera (Movistar) who is in his tenth (I think) Tour.  Behind is Anthon Charmig (Uno X-Mobility) and then Mathis Le Berre (TotalEnergies) both of whom are new to me.  The quartet have built up almost a minute-and-a-half on the peloton.  However, those behind never let them have more of an advantage than that.  I suspect no one wanted to have a hard chase given the on going heat.  They did get a break with a few showers at the start of 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: "Big Names in the Break TdF26-74" (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 9: Tete de la Course

The translation of the title is "head of the race."  At sixty-nine kilometers to go, Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Pro Cycling) was in a small breakaway with a twenty-four second gap to the peloton.  Alaphilippe is not having the best of Tours, so it was nice to see him at the right end of the race today.  He and his teammate, Marco Haller, are on one of two teams that are wearing a black kit, not the best color for the hottest day of the Tour's history.  Three of the other hottest days in history are also from this, the 113th, Tour de France.  That may be why Alaphilippe is pouring his water bottle onto his teammates back.  At this point they are joined by Michel Hessman (Movistar), Dorian Godon (Netcompany-Ineos) and Xabier Mikel Zaparren (Pinarello-Q36.5).  I should point out that shortly after I painted this, the group was chased down and absorbed by the peloton.  It was the last time I saw the idol of the French cycling fans 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 work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "Tete de la Course TdF26-59" (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: No Contest

When Mads Pederson (Lidl-Trek) managed to bridge up to the breakaway, I figured it was just for this.  He seems to be amassing sprint points in hopes of claiming the Maillot Vert.  These uncontested maximum points in Campdevanol put him in the virtual jersey, but the climbs to come may prove his undoing.  He looks back just to make sure neither Alex Baudin (EF Education-EasyPost) nor Joris Delbove (TotalEnergies) were going to try and jump him in the final meters to the line.  Behind those three, Marc Hirschi (Tudor Pro Cycling) and Harold Tejada (XDS-Astana) were just keeping an eye out.  Oft times someone will launch an attack just after the intermediate sprint.  It is a great chance to surprise the others since most sit up after the sprint effort waiting for the group to come back together.  Today, the break just got back to the task of trying to gain more time on the following 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: "No Contest TdF26-17" (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 → 

Fleche Wallonne '26: Not Where He Should Be

As the peloton climbed the Cote de Cherave for the first of three times, the camera man picked out Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Cycling) dangling at the back of the pack.  He was struggling to hold onto the wheel of Anders Halland Johannessen (Uno X-Mobility).  With another 78 kilometers to race it was looking unlikely that he will not be winning his fourth Fleche Wallonne.  I could have been that he was faking weakness, but he did pull out of the race not too long after I painted this.  At least, I think it wasn't soon after, I do know he didn't finish this edition of this iconic race.

I hope all of you who visit here will like and subscribe to my youtube channel.  I could really use the help!

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 Where He Should Be FW26-2" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 17: Allez, JaJa!

Naturally fans come out to cheer on their favorite members of the ProTour and the Frenchman, Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Pro Cycling) is very, very, very popular throughout France.  The yellow shape up the road from the Alaphilippe sign is a cut-out of France, with an enlarged photo of Julian, nicknamed "JaJa."  He is coming back through the team cars having gotten caught up in a crash just a kilometer or two back down the road.  He has just taken a bidon from his team car and is slotting it into his bottle cage before getting back into the embrace of 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.

"Allez, JaJa! TdF25-113" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 16: Starting Ventoux with 6 Minutes

This quartet hit the start of the only climb of the day, Mont Ventoux, with six minutes on the peloton containing the Yellow Jersey.  They were being led up to the official start of the climb (they have been climbing for a while now) by Thyme Aremsman (Ineos-Grenadiers).  The Dutchman was followed in turn by Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Pro Cycling), Enric Mas (Movistar), and Simone Velasco (XDS-Astana).  The group will be cheered all of the way up by the tens of thousands of fans lining virtually every meter of the climb.  While they have six minutes over the peloton the bulk of the remainder of the large early breakaway is now climbing behind them in multiple groups ahead 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 work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Starting Ventoux with 6 Minutes TdF25-105" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 16: The Monster Is Waiting

These six had broken free of the breakaway and were speeding their way to Mont Ventoux.  The mountain has the eerie nickname of the Monster of Provenance, and for those racing in the Tour de France, that is an apt name.  Undaunted, Thymen Arensmen (Ineos-Grenadiers) pushes on followed by Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Pro Cycling) with his teammate Matteo Trentin, Enric Mas (Movistar), Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno X-Mobility) and Fred Wright (Bahrain-Victorious).  With fifty-three kilometers to the summit of the monster it is likely that these guys may well vie for stage honors.

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 Monster Is Waiting TdF25-104" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '25, Stage 16: Eyes Down

This title comes from the expression 'eyes down' meaning it is time to get to work.  I was playing with the idea that the helicopter above had its eyes (and therefore ours) on the move off the front from Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Pro Cycling).  He had been in a very large break of thirty-one guys and clearly didn't want to go to the base of the final climb with such a big bunch.  Behind him, Pascal Eenkhoorn (Soudal-Quick Step) was looking to see if he was going to get any help chasing down the fleeing Frenchman.  The French have yet to win a stage of this Tour.  I believe Alaphilippe was intent on changing that reality.

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.

"Eyes Down TdF25-102" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 15: One of These Four?

With forty-five kilometers yet to race, it was beginning to look like the break from the breakaway would be the ones to fight it out for the stage victory when they reach Carcassonne.  There are four more guys behind this quartet of Victor Campenaerts (Visma-Lease a Bike), Michael Storer (Tudor Pro Cycling), Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) and Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates).  They do have nineteen seconds on those chasers, with the rest of the early break strewn over the course as much as four minutes behind.  Even further back is the peloton tooling along over six minutes later.  I should note, there is an even bigger group of sprinters and other even further back then 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.

"One of these Four? TdF25-98" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 11: Amongst the French

Obviously, the Tour de France is spent amongst the French both in the race and lining nearly every kilometer of the Grande Boucle.  Marco Haller (Tudor Pro Cycling) was the lone Austrian amongst this five-man group that has gone off in search of the breakaway.  He was attacking with two Frenchmen on one French team, Alexandre Delettre and Matteo Vercher of TotalEnergies and an additional two Frenchmen on another French team, Clement Berthet and Bastien Tronchon of Decathlon-Ag2r-La Mondiale.  Unfortunately for the quintet, they were caught by the peloton not long after I painted this with another 102 kilometers that will bring them back to where they started in Toulouse. 

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. 

"Amongst the French TdF25-67" (Original art by Greig Leach)

This painting has sold!

Tour '25, Stage 8: Cruising

The long flat stage designed to be one for the sprinters had the peloton at more of a cruising pace.  For those at the back, it was almost a day off.  With the first mountain stage looming Mauro Schmid (Jayco-Alula) - the Swiss Champion - and Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Pro Cycling) could be forgiven to try can get as much rest as one can at 30 miles per hour.  While there was no one off the front of the peloton the sprinters' teams were keeping the pace locked in to prevent anyone from trying to escape before the intermediate sprint in Vitre.

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. 

"Cruising TdF24-47" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 7: Still Here

It was a bit different to see a former winner of the Tour de France off the front in a five-man breakaway.  But here is Geraint Thomas (Ineos-Grenadier) stocking up on gels as he rides along the Emerald Coast.  He joined Ivan Romeo (Movistar), Marco Haller (Tudor Pro Cycling), Ewan Costiou (Arkea-B&B Hotels) and Alex Baudin (EF Education-EasyPost) in another valiant effort to take stage honors away from the GC men.  With the quick final double climb of the Mur de Bretagne, it wasn't likely that any of the sprinters were going to be around for the finale, so it was a reasonably good chance for a break to succeed again today.  However, at 97 kilometers to race, the UAE led peloton has kept the break to only a minute and forty second advantage.

This is Geraint's final Tour de France, so I did want to take the opportunity to paint him one last time. He won back in 2018, the second year the time-lapse videos of my artwork were shared during the NBC Sports broadcasts of the Tour.  

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

"Still Here TdF25-41" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 6: Attacking His Companion

Having missed the leader's solo attack, Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) and Michael Storer (Tudor Pro Cycling) had worked together after dropping the rest of their erstwhile breakaway companions.  As Simmons realized they weren't getting any closer to the sole escapee up the road, it was time to go after him alone.  It was cleared that the USA National Champion had come out to try and take the stage today.  I think I have figured out his tell (to use a poker reference).  If is hair is down, he is there to work for the team, or to take the day off.  However, if he has tucked his hair up under his helmet, it is game on!  He wasn't able to get rid of Storer until the climb up to the finish, but it was for second 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. 

"Attacking His Companion TdF25-38" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 2: Out of Nowhere

With just over six hundred meters to the line, Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor) seemed to pop out of nowhere to challenge for stage honors.  He was chased by Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and Oscar Onley (Picnic-PostNL).  Never to miss an opportunity, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) kept everyone in sight, and in striking distance, as the peloton prepare to sprint for a stage victory.  While the stage didn't go to Alaphilippe he did take fifth on the day with Onley taking sixth.  More about the others in the next painting.

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 of Nowhere TdF25-11" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 1: Winding It Up

Alpecin-Deceuninck had led out the final fifteen kilometers of the opening stage of the Tour beautifully.  With just about 75 meters to go, the deliver Jasper Philipsen to the front at full speed.  Try as they might Biniam Girmay (Intermache-Wanty) wasn't able to come around him.  Jasper took the stage by roughly five bike lengths, with Girmay taking second.  Behind, Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies) was fourth, Matteo Trentin (Tudor) fifth, Clement Russo (Groupama-FDJ) sixth, and Soren Werenskjold (Uno X-Mobility) took the third step of the peloton.  The result puts Philipsen in both the Maillot Jaune and the Maillot Vert, with Girmay in the Maillot Blanc of best young rider.  Girmay sits second in both the sprint competition and 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.

"Winding It Up TdF25-6" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Gent-Wevelgem '25: Losing Ground

Despite their best efforts, the trio of Victor Campenaerts (Visma-Lease a Bike), Marco Haller (Tudor Pro Cycling) and Arjen Livyns (Lotto) kept losing time to the flying Mads Pedersen.  Haller was the sole survivor of the early breakaway.  Both Campenaerts and Livyns had bridge up to Haller in the last twenty kilometers or so.  With thirty-two kilometers to race, they were now a minute and a half behind the lone leader and roughly a minute ahead of the reduced chasing peloton.  It did want to do this piece since I so enjoyed the inflatable of the sun created by Eneco.

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.

"Losing Ground GW25-4" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Nice '25, Stage 7: Winning in the Snow

Despite the miserable conditions, Michael Storer (Tudor Pro Cycling) was thrilled to raise his arms in the wet snow as he celebrated his victory.  It is the first win for his team in Paris Nice - it is a new team.  Hopefully, his win and the presence of Julian Alaphilippe on the team will go a long way to Tudor Pro Cycling a wild card invitation to this year's Tour de France.  Both this race, and the Tour are organized by ASO, so this will surely be a positive influence on that decision.  At least no one has to race back down this mountain 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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Winning in the Snow PN25-32" (Original art by Greig Leach) 

Paris Nice '25, Stage 7: On His Own

After a very hard pull by his teammate Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Pro Cycling) pulled off the front of the breakaway, it was Michael Storer's chance to lay a hard attack.  Once inside the final two kilometers, Storer looked back across the snow-covered corner to make sure no one was bridging back up to him.  Since there is no racing descent off of this climb, the organizers weren't worry that it may well start snowing again.  As he peered back, he wouldn't have seen any of the main chase group, he has almost a minute and a half on them.  I was struck by his choice to just wear a speed suit for this final ascent up to the Auron ski slopes.

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. 

"On His Own PN25-31" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Nice '25, Stage 7: Some Big Names Out Front

It was a large group of fifteen riders that got off of the front of the peloton today.  It was a shorten stage due to the foul weather.  With only 110 kilometers to race, these guys building an over three-minute lead on the peloton containing the Maillot Jaune was significant.  To names that I was surprised to see let lose were Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Pro Cycling) and Neilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost).  The former was here riding for his teammate Michael Storer, but Powless was hoping to make up for suffering so much in the cold these past two stages.  Joining these two are Josh Tarling (Ineos-Grenadiers), Fred Wrightk (Bahrain-Victorious) and Bruno Armirail (Decathlon-Ag2r-La Mondiale) amongst others.  With just thirteen kilometers of climbing left, it was looking likely that one of these fifteen would be vying for stage honors in the Queen Stage of Paris Nice.

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. 

"Some Big Names Out Front PN25-30" (Original art by Greig Leach)