Paris Roubaix Femmes '26: We Need to Chase Now!

As the chasing peloton came off of another section of pave, Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) seemed to encourage those with her to help give chase for those up the road.  Her teammate, Blanka Vas was dropped so she was free to try and catch the leaders.  Her move was covered by the American Megan Jastrab (UAE Team ADQ) as Zoe Backstedt (Canyon/SRAM-zondacrypto) tried to join in the effort.  At a minute and a half disadvantage with a mere 26 kilometers to race, it was unlikely that they would ever see the leaders on course again.

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.

"We Need to Chase Now! PRF26-3" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Strade Bianche Donne 2026: Into the Final Corner

Even with the brutal final climb up into old Siena, it was these three that were side by side going into the final turn together.  Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ) in her Italian champion tri-colore jersey led Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon /SRAM-zondacrypto) and Elise Chabbey (FDJ United-SUEZ) into the grand piazza.  However, when they arrived at the line just 200 meters later it was the reverse order with Chabbey claiming the victory followed by Niewiadoma, but Koch was able to get around Longo Borghini to claim third with the Italian settling for fourth despite having been the first to hit the top of the final climb inside of the final kilometer.  Alas, every year the race organizers failed to capture a good image of the winner crossing the line, but then this year it was close enough that Chabbey did not risk a victory salute choosing instead to make sure she won by looking back at her competitors as she rode across the line.

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.

"Into the Final Corner SB26-5" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Strade Bianche Donne 2026: Pushing Her Advantage

With some of her main competitors over three minutes back, the Italian Champion Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ) presses her advantage pulling a rather elite quartet along with her with just under twenty kilometers still to race.  Joining her in the effort to add to their seven second advantage was Noemi Ruegg (EF Education-Oatley), Niamh Fisher-Black (Lidl-Trek), Elise Chabbey (FDJ United-SUEZ).  Keeping a close eye on them all is the ever-wise Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike).  It was beginning to look like these would be the women that would vie for victory in roughly another half hour.

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.

"Pushing Her Advantage SB26-4" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Strade Bianche Donne 2026: Going the Wrong Way

It is a rare occurrence but sometimes a group of riders will go off the racecourse.  That is what happened to a group of about ten women who were chasing the leading group with about 34 kilometers left to race.  While the course is usually well marked, the leading motorcycle went down a dirt road (just like the famous gravel sections that the Strade Bianche is known for) and the leading rider intuitively followed the motorcycle rather than staying on the hard surface road.  Amongst those going off course was Anna Van Der Breggen (SD Worx-Protime), Paula Blasi (UAE Team ADQ), Lucinda Brand (Lidl-Trek), Kim Le Court (AG Insurance-Soudal) and Millie Couzens (Fenix-Premier Tech) the current British Champion.  Others went of course as well.  They were about a minute behind the leading group but by the time they got turned around and back on course they were over three minutes behind the front of the race.  It was already a long shot that they would rejoin the front of the race before their errand turn, but now their chances of a high finished are over.

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.

"Going the Wrong Way SB26-2" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Strade Bianche Donne 2026: Are You Going to Work?

After a hard winter and some other artistic endeavors, I finally got back to painting cycling!  I thought I would start with the women's Strade Bianche in honor of Women's Day happening tomorrow.  Not long after the on-air coverage started it was Elise Chabbey (FDJ United-SUEZ) attacking on the gravel section 6, the Colle Pinzuto.  With 48 kilometers to race the former Swiss champion opened a gap on the 18% climb.  Only the former Polish champion, Dominika Wlodarczyk (UAE Team ADQ) was able to hold onto her wheel.  As they went over the summit, Chabbey looked back to see if Wlodarczyk was going to work with her in the effort to hold off those trying to get organized behind.

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

"Are You Going to Work? SB26-1" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 8: For the Honor in It

Franziska Koch (Picnic-PostNL) and Maeva Squiban (UAE Team ADQ) jumped out of the breakaway to sprint for the intermediate sprint in Chateauneuf.  Neither feature much in the race for the Maillot Vert of the sprint competition, Koch is now over a hundred points behind the leader in green, Lorena Wiebes.  Still there is a nice cash bonus for being first across the line in every sprint point on the road.  The price money goes into the team kitty and is then shared out amongst the riders and the team support personnel in some kind of ethical distribution methodology, either at the end of the race, or the end of the season.  I do think this sprint was more about honoring the fans waiting to see the peloton sprint than much else.

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.

"For the Honor in It TdFF25-47" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 7: Doing the Double

Yesterday, Maeva Squiban (UAE Team ADQ) had dropped the peloton and gone solo for thirty-two kilometers to win the stage.  Today, she waited until kilometer twenty-three before attacking her breakaway companions.  Yesterday she blew kisses to the French fans that lined the final kilometers, today she used several different victory salutes before ending with this.  She raised a single finger on each hand and then put them together over her head.  I get that she was signaling that she had won two stages in a row, but I got the feeling she was just having fun giving herself bunny ears.  Hey, if you have won two stages of the Tour de France Femmes you should have all the fun you have the energy to have!

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.

"Doing the Double TdFF25-42" (Original art by Greig Leach)

This painting has sold!

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 7: Are You Coming?

Wearing her green bib number indicating she was voted the most aggressive rider from stage 6, Maeva Squiban (UAE Team ADQ) looks back at the TV Moto as if to ask if he is going to come with her.   She is on the tail of the day's early breakaway.  Beside her seeming to try and guest what Squiban is looking at is Susanne Andersen (Uno X-Mobility).  Just in front of her is the Belgian Champion, Justine Ghekiere (AG Insurance-Soudal).  Had I known how this stage was going to end, I may have read something else into this look over her shoulder.

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.

"Are You Coming? TdFF25-36" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 6: Blowing Kisses

As Maeva Squiban (UAE Team ADQ) rode alone to the line in Amberet she had plenty of time to celebrate with the local fans lining the barriers.  She blew kisses to those cheering her before waving her arms encouraging them all to cheer louder.  She finally did the more traditional two-armed salute as she crossed the line a full minute and nine seconds ahead of her countrywoman Juliette Labous (FDJ-Suez) who was another four seconds ahead of the Maillot Jaune - Kim Le Court.  Her third place added two more seconds to the four she picked up twelve kilometers ago.  As I was working on this painting, I was so happy with the asymmetrical composition that I thought it would be best to leave the red race director's car out of the painting.  Ah, the advantages of not being a photographer...

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.  

"Blowing Kisses TdFF25-35" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 6: Flying Home

Actually, today's stage started in Maeva Squiban's (UAE Team ADQ) hometown of Clermont Ferrand, so the title should be, "Flying Away from Home."  Squiban escaped the lead peloton before the bonus sprint on the way up the Col du Chansert.  She climbed well over the last climb, but, boy, she went down that hill fast!  Her team has lost three of her seven teammates, so I believe she is on a mission to bring a little joy to the team bus waiting in Amberet.

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. 

"Flying Home TdFF25-33" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 6: Running with the Polka Dots

There are millions and millions of cycling fans that line the roadways of grand tours and all of the other races in the ProTour calendar, this is another that seems to be making a name for himself like Didi Stenft as the Devil has.  Problem is, I don't know who he is.  I saw him most every day on the men's Tour, and here he is running with the women's Tour as well.  I have seen him way back at the US Pro Challenge and the Tour of California when those races still existed.  Today he was running along with the lead group.  He does seem to give the riders their space, even being sure to go behind the soigneurs waiting to pass bidons to their riders.  Elise Chabbey (FDJ-Suez) seems to be more concerned about QOM points with both Brodie Chapman (UAE Tema ADQ) and Liane Lippert (Movistar) on her wheel than the man with the antlers on a football helmet.  Another watching both the uber fan and the Maillot a Pois is Silke Smulders (Liv-Alula-Jayco) who is vying for the polka dots, too.

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. 

"Running with Polka Dots TdFF25-31" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 6: Who's Still Here?

With another five kilometers to the summit of the Col de Beal, Elise Chabbey (FDJ-Suez) in her Maillot a Pois, looks around attempting to access who will challenge her for the QOM points at the top.  On her elbow is Brodie Chapman (UAE Team ADQ).  The pair were watched by Yara Kastelijn (Fenix-Deceuninck), Morgane Coston (Roland-Le Devoluy), and Liane Lippert (Movistar).  Chabbey has a good lead in the race for the Queen of the Mountains but she wants to gain as many points as possible on every stage.  This group is also hoping to hold off the closing peloton.  They have a mere forty-one seconds on the Maillot Jaune peloton.  If she doesn't keep this group motivated, she may not get any points at all.

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.

"Who's Still Here? TdFF25-30" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 5: Down to Three

After the ascent of the Cote de Charannes where two of their companions couldn't handle the pace, the breakaway is now just these three women. The gap has now narrowed to just under two minutes as they race down the other side of the climb.  As Francesca Barale (Picnic-PostNL) swings off the front she looks over at Brodie Chapman (UAE Team ADQ) followed by Alison Jackson (EF Education-Oatley).  The trio are now living in hope that they can stay away.  However, there are two more climbs and an all-important bonus sprint between here and the finish line in Gueret.  

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.

"Down to Three TdFF25-26" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 5: With a Big Advantage

Although you can only see four women, there is a fifth on the front of the group.  Anneke Dijkstra (VolkerWessels) has just swung off from doing her effort to maintain the three and a half minutes that she, along with Caralina Anais Soto Campos (Laboral Kutxa-Fundacion Euskadi), Alison Jackson (EF Education-Oatley), and Brodie Chapman (UAE Team ADQ) were defending.  It is a strong group, two are their nation's champions and one is the former champion of her nation.  I almost painted the peloton going through this same point but had decided the image wasn't strong enough before I realized I had almost done another repeat location.

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.

"With a Big Advantage TdFF25-25" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 4: She Found Her Way Through

Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) got a bit boxed in at the start of the spint, even using her shoulder to make a little room to find some open space.  She finally had a lane when the American Chloe Dygert (Canyon/SRAM-zondocrypto) opened her sprint a bit early.  Wiebes' kick for the line left everyone chasing with only Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) able to hold the Green Jersey's wheel.  But again, as it was in stage 3, Wiebes took the win with Vos in second unable to get around the sprinter.  Behind Dygert faded to fourth when Lara Gillespie (UAE Team ADQ) got around her for third in Poitiers.  Today is the first day that none of the leaders' jersey changed hands.  I don't think that will hold true 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.

"She Found Her Way Through TdFF25-22" (Original art by Greig Leach)

This painting has sold!

Women's Tour Down Under '25, Stage 3: Once and Final Queen

Having lost her Queen of the Mountains Jersey in stage two when she was out sprinted by Dominika Wlodarczyk (UAE Team ADQ), Alyssa Polites (ARA Australian Cycling) made sure she had the legs to get over the Stirling Climb first.  With that sprint, she has two points over the Polish Champion to claim the final polka dot jersey of this Tour Down Under.  Wlodarczyk now changes her focus on trying move up one placing in the general classification to grab the final step of the final podium.  Spoiler, she didn't make it.

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.

"Once and Final Queen TDU25-14" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Women's Tour Down Under '24, Stage 3: Getting Something Started

With 77 kilometers left of the Women's Tour Down Under, Niamh Fisher-Black (Lidl-Trek) decided it was time to enliven the final stage.  Her move was quickly covered by a rider from Canyon/SRAM, Marie Le Net (FDJ-Suez) and someone from UAE Team ADQ.  A few others tacked onto their wheels as they escaped the clutches of the peloton.  Like other escape attempts, this one was chased down.  It was to risky to led Fisher-Black go given that she sits in ninth place at the start 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 $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Getting Something Started TDU25-12" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Women's Tour Down Under '25, Stage 2: Who Do We Have Here?

With another 77 kilometers to race, 10 women escape the clutches of the peloton.  As they built up a 21 second advantage, Marie Le Net (FDJ-Suez) dropped back along the line checking out who had managed to join in the effort.  She found Rachel Barbieri (Picnic-PostNL) at the rear.  The Italian was led in turn by Greta Marturano (UAE Team ADQ), Babette van der Wolf (EF Education-Oatley), Kristyna Burlova (Ceratizit) and Katia Ragusa (Human Powered Health) amongst some others.  The group was hoping to get a head start for the two trips up Willunga Hill that awaits them in the last twenty kilometers of the stage.  Footnote, it didn't work.

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 Do We Have Here? TDU24-7" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Women's Tour Down Under '25, Stage 2: Points to Be Had

Today's stage started with a climb just ten kilometers in.  As the peloton neared the top of Windy Point, Alyssa Polites (ARA Australian Cycling) jumped free chased by the Polish Champion Dominika Wlodarczyk (UAE Team ADQ).  Unfortunately for Polites in her Polka Dot Jersey, Wlodarczyk was able to get around the young Australian to claim maximum points.  Her effort allowed her to pull even in points with Polites.  Later in the stage, the Polish Champion gained one more Queen of the Mountain points on the fabled Willunga Hill climb.  So it was brief tenure in the mint polka dots for Polites as Wlodarczyk will trade in her national jersey for the Queen of the Mountains Jersey 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 $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Points to Be Had TDU25-6" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 5: You Take Mine

Erica Magnaldi (UAE Team ADQ) went down on her own in a corner about halfway down the peloton.  It seemed odd, she simply lost her rear wheel and slide out on a left-hand bend.  Her teammate Mikayla Harvey stopped to help her pace back to the peloton.  Magnaldi wasn't able to get her chain sorted so Harvey passed her bike over.  Harvey would then wait for a replacement bike and catch up her protected rider.  One small problem, no pun intended, Harvey's bike was too big for the diminutive Italian.  Magnaldi wasn't able to sit on the saddle and pedal her teammates bike.  So in the end, she had to keep riding standing up until her team car got Harvey on her spare, and then caught up to give Magnaldi her spare bike.  Just a case of making a quick decision that actually cost time rather than saving it.  Fortunately, there was still fifty-one kilometers left in the stage, so at least Magnaldi was able to rejoin the peloton long before the end 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 $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"You Take Mine TdFF24-23" (Original art by Greig Leach)