Tour '26, Stage 6: Even the Devil Is a Fan

This is the second time I was able to see Didi Stenft (aka The Devil) at this Tour.  And it is the second day I've noticed that he was standing on something to get a better view of the race as it goes by.  Time was he would leap high in the air, but perhaps age is finally catching up to this wonderful fixture of the Tour de France.  After all, I have been painting him since I started painting the Grand Boucle back in 2012. Clearly, he is fourteen years older than when I first spied him on the side of the road leaping with the joy of the Tour.  He cheered enthusiastically as Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) flew by on his way to a very decisive stage victory.  Is it the move that will win him his fifth Tour de France?  Only time... and fifteen more stages will tell.

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: "Even the Devil Is a Fan TdF26-45" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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

And learn about Leach's published books at The Art of Cycling: Cycling Books by Greig Leach

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Liege Bastogne Liege '26: The Expected Three

As the reduced peloton climbed the Col du Rosier with sixty-six kilometers to go the trio of favorites were keeping a very close eye on each other.  Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) was led up the climb by his teammates with the teenage Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM) and Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) stuck to the World Champion's wheel.  The faith in this trio's abilities will prove to be well founded, but more about that later.

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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 Expected Three LBL26-2" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Strade Bianche Donne 2026: Chasing Champions

With a nineteen second gap up to the leaders with only seventeen kilometers to race, it was the current World Champion, Magdeleine Vallieries (EF Educations-Oatley) going to the front to chase down the leaders.  She was followed by the German National Champion, Franziska Koch (FDJ United-SUEZ) and the Polish Champion, Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon/SRAM-zondacrypto).  It was going to take some strong legs and a bit of luck for these women to rejoin the leaders by the time they arrive in the grand piazza in Siena.

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.

"Chasing Champions SB26-4" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 11: Self Service

Just outside of the five-kilometer banner (I think) everyone held their breath as Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) clipped the wheel of another rider and went sliding across the road in Toulouse.  He managed to lift his head as his body slid into the curbing thus avoiding possible head trauma.  He jumped up quickly and started trying to get his chain back onto the chainring.  Just after I painted this, Shimano neutral service ran up and got his bike ready to go.  Has he was up and riding, the peloton sat up to wait for him.  It is a tradition not to attack either the Maillot Jaune, nor one of the main Tour top five.  This one is a bit slippery, it really just applies to the yellow jersey, so the rest of the Tour hopefuls would have every right to go hard in hopes of getting some time back on the current UCI Road World Champion.  The NBC pundits were split on whether they should have attack or not, I think everyone wants to win based on their abilities rather than the misfortunes of your competitors. So, I concur with the decision to wait.

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. 

"Self Service TdF25-71" (Original art by Greig Leach)

This painting has sold!

Tour '25, Stage 2: Lunging into Yellow!

Many expected this stage to go to Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck).  He had worked hard to make sure that his teammate, Jasper Philipsen, took the opening stage and the first Maillot Jaune of this Tour.  Today, he was free to ride for himself.  In so doing, he took the coveted jersey off of his teammate and on to his own shoulders.  A little unsuspected was just how hard Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) pushed the puncher taking second on the stage.  Just a few feet further back was Jonas Vingegaard losing just two seconds of bonus time to his main rival, Pogacar.  Tomorrow, we go back to a flatter stage, so it is possible that Van Der Poel will be able to hold the jersey 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.

"Lunging for Yellow! TdF25-12" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Ronde van Vlaanderen '25: On His Own, Now

Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) use the last time up the Oude Kwaremont to rid himself of all of his competitors.  While he has gone from much further out to win a race, he still found himself racing to victory in another Monument with fourteen kilometers to go.  With a twenty-six second gap (and growing) to the four behind, it was clear this race was going to be his.  In fact, the strength of this painting and the lack of a really good image at the finish, I let this symbolize his victory 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.

"On His Own, Now RVV25-6" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Flanders 2021: With Plenty of Time to Celebrate

With the four guys chasing him over a half of a minute behind, Julian Alaphilippe (France) had plenty of time to celebrate winning his second consecutive UCI Road World Championship.  The last to win two in a row was Peter Sagan (Slovakia) who managed three in a row from 2015-2017. Alaphilippe becomes only the fourth man to win two Rainbow Jerseys in a row in the 100 year history of the race.  Others have won two jerseys, but not consecutively.  I am hoping we will get to see Alaphilippe in the jersey next weekend in the fabled Paris-Roubaix.  And yes, I will be painting both the women’s race and the men’s starting this Saturday.  I suspect we will see newly minted rainbow stripes in both races.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Flanders-2021/3839020-34-292177/Painting/with-plenty-of-time-to-celebrate-uci21-34.html

Flanders 2021: Watching Every Move

Ruth Winder (USA) and Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Poland) had been keeping a close eye (and wheel) on every single move they were making.  This attack by Annemiek van Vleutin (Netherlands) was no exception.  Of course, Elisa Longo Borghini (Italy) was never far off the front being equally vigilant as those just in front of her.  With just another seven kilometers to race, there wasn’t a woman who was going to let anyone get away if they could possibly help it.  I am excited by this grouping.  I am a big fan of van Vleutin and Borghini, plus as an American I have to root for Winder.  And then finally, I first painted Niewiadoma back in 2015 when she led the women’s peloton down Main Street in Richmond, VA (my adopted hometown) in the UCI Worlds.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above.  Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Flanders-2021/3838701-26-292177/Painting/watching-every-move.-uci21-26.html

 

Tour, Stage 2: That Was Fun

Two of the marquee sprinters of this Tour, Fernando Gaviria (Quick Step) and Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) chat after going after each other in the first intermediate sprint at Beaulieu sous la Roche.  Sagan took the sprint (getting around the Frenchman Arnaud Demare - Groupama FDJ), but Gaviria glued himself to the World Champion's wheel.  I imagine that Sagan was letting him know that they would be sprinting for the stage in another hour.  And propably let him know he intended to repeat the success then.  Or perhaps it was Gaviria just letting Sagan know that he hadn't gone flat out.  Peeking over their shoulders are Demare and Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates) in his European Champion's jersey.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2018/3184889-8-251072/PaintingThat-Was-Fun--T18-8.html

Paris Roubaix: On to the Velodrome

Down to just two riders, it was the more experienced Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) that got to the back as Silvan Dillier (Ag2r La Mondiale) let them onto the Velodrome.  With less than a kilometer to go Dillier has now been off the front of the peloton for over 200 kilometers.  Regardless of the finale, it would be a long shot if he were to out sprint Sagan, he has ridden a brilliant Paris Roubaix.  The roar of the crowd as one of cycling's favorites road into the arena was near deafening.  It is now clear that the chasers just didn't have the legs to bring back the World Champion.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3141716-412-195767/PaintingOn-to-the-Velodrome--PR18-9.html

Paris-Roubaix: Into the Arenberg

Both Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) and his teammate, Marcus Burghardt, led the peloton on to the most famous, and difficult section of pave through the forest of Arenberg.  Riding tight on the wheel of the German National Champion are riders from Trek-Segafredo, EF Education First and Bahrain-Merida.  The entire course is now line with thousand of screaming fans of cycling and of the hell that is Paris-Roubaix.  For the hearty, they have already seen a junior's version and the professional women's peloton ahead of the main event.  With still another 93 kilometers to race, about 25 kilometers of pave, it is still most anyone's race.  I must say though, that Bora-Hansgrohe seems to be setting it up for the World Champion, Peter Sagan.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3141647-408-195767/PaintingInto-the-Arenberg-PR18-4.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 2: Unexpected

Every commentator, and most teammates, didn't think Caleb Ewan (Mitchelton-Scott) had a chance of taking the stage up to Stirling.  They were wrong.  And Ewan was followed across the line by his teammate, Daryl Impey.  Third place was taken by Jay McCarthy (Bora-Hansgrohe), who was aided by none other than his teammate, the UCI Road World Champion, Peter Sagan.  Sagn finished the day in fourth.

In winning the stage, Ewan also pulls on the Ochre Jersey of race leader.  Sagan's finish was enough to move him into second overall.  Unfortunately for the virtual Ochre Jersey of William Clarke (EF Education First-Drapac) the positions of Ewan and Sagan, leave Clarke in third overall.  I suspect we will seem him in the break again tomorrow.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. To purchase this artwork, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3098505-103-194179/PaintingUnexpected-TDU18-10.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Men's Road Race: Throwing for His Third

When the Elite Men finally reappeared into the stationary camera lens, it was clear that Julian Alaphilippe (France) and Gianni Moscon (Italy) had been caught by the cream of the men's peloton.  And that we were going to be treated to an intense mass sprint for the line, and for the World Road Championship.  It was looking like Alexander Kristoff (Norway) was going to pay back all of his countrymen and women along the sides of the road in Bergen.  Seemingly he had the better of the two time defending world champion, Peter Sagan (Slovakia).  But it was Sagan's perfectly timed bike throw (a move similar to a runner throwing their chest out to break the tape at the line) that won him an unprecidented third Men's Road World Championship.  It was Michael Matthews (Australia) pounding his handle bars in frustration taking the bronze medal and Matteo Trentin (Italy) finishing just off the podium in fourth.  For Kristoff, while disappointing not to win his home country Worlds, he can consol himself knowing he provided Norway with their only medal in the 2017 UCI Road World Championships.

He will have a tough time equally Jeannie Longo (France) who has taken the title four times in a row from 1995-89 (there was no race in 1988 due to disputes between Russian and the United States over boycotting the Olympics).  She came back in 1995 to get her fifth title.

But for now he can claim the honor of the most consistent Men's UCI Road World Champion!  Chapeau, Peto!

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

This is most likely the last race I will paint for the 2017 season.  Thank you for reading!  See you when it all starts again in January of 2018

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3038157-56-239826/PaintingThrowing-for-His-Third--Bergen-56.html

E3 Harelbeke: Hitting Them Hard

It turn out to be the ascent of the Taaienberg where the racing got serious.  It was the five time winner of this race, Tom Boonen (Quickstep) who launched the first serious attack on the peloton.  Qucikly on to the wheel of the big man from Belgium was the Italian, Daniel Oss (BMC).  The pair had gapped the peloton being lead by the World Champion, Peter Sagan (Bora Hansgrohe).  So for the next 70 kilometers, it is time for full on racing.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2939885-382-195767/PaintingHitting%20Them%20Hard%20E317-3.html

Tour Down Under Stage 3: Claiming Another

Although it was the sponsor of Peter Sagan's team Hansgrohe, who sponsored the third stage of the Tour Down Under, it was the wee but fierce Caleb Ewan (Orica-Scott) who raised his arms in victory at the line.  Sagan looked to have the sprint in hand but then got boxed out of the best line, although the World Champion did hold on for second on the stage.  Ewan added to his point total in the Sprint competition securing the Red Jersey outright (off of the shoulders of Richie Porte - BMC).  Rounding out the top three was the sprinter from another new Pro Tour team, Niccolo Bonifazio riding for Bahrain-Merida.  So Ewan has now won two of the three stages of the 2017 Tour Down Under.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2906703-114-194179/PaintingClaiming%20Another%20TDU17-16.html#.WIDygPkrLIU

Tour, Stage 9: Working Together

Just as I started to write this post I realized that the title might be a misdirection.  I was referring to Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) collaborating with Alberto Contador (Tinkoff).  Both riders are Spanish and the Tour started today in their native land, on the Spanish side of the Pyrenean mountains.  The riders will then head into Andorra and not return to France until Tuesday after the rest day tomorrow.  Once I looked harder at the image, I realized that Contador's teammate, Peter Sagan, was just ahead of the Spanish duo, so the title could refer to the two Tinkoff riders that were working together.  Sagan set of today to reclaim his Maillot Vert the way that he usual wins it by the time he reaches Paris, by claiming the intermediate sprint points on the mountain stages.  If he is successful in staying away until the sprint, and winning it in Andorra la Vielle, he would still trail Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data) by two points in the sprinter's competition.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

Be sure to check out my second cycling art book, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships, available online or through your local book seller.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2822062-57-224974/PaintingWorking%20Together%20TdF57-Greig-Leach.html#.V4LBGLgrLIU