The Art of Cycling: Volta ao Algarve

Monday, February 24, 2025

Volta ao Algarve '25, Final Stage: He'll Know in Two Kilometers

Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) was on a great ride. Not unexpected since he is a former Portuguese Champion in this time trial discipline riding on his home roads. However, he finished the stage in sixth place just a bit over thirty seconds behind the stage winner, Jonas Vingegaard. His ride was enough to keep him in second place on the general classification just fifteen seconds behind the final yellow jersey.

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.

"He'll Know in Two Kilometers VA24-17" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Volta ao Algarve '25, Final Stage: Burning Up the Road

Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) started the day sitting in sixth place a full twenty seconds behind the current race leader. It was said that he came to this race to check his form and open up his race legs. After today, it is clear he is ready to race. He took the stage by eleven seconds over his teammate Wout Van Aert. Moreover, he put a minute and twenty-seven seconds on the erstwhile yellow jersey, Jan Christen (UAE Team Emirates). In one stage, he made us all look forward to the match up with last year's winner of the Tour de France, Tadej Pogacar. Let's all hope they both stay healthy through July!

"Burning Up the Road VA25-16" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Volta ao Algarve '25, Final Stage: The Final Meters

In the final meters of the individual time trial stage, Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Cycling) was able to catch his minute man, Remy Rochas (Groupama-FDJ). Alaphilippe finished 23rd on the day moving himself up one slot on the general classification into 20th place a little more than two and a half minutes off of the time of the final yellow jersey after five days of racing. I feel like this bodes well for one of my favorites in the peloton's coming season.

"The Final Meters VA25-15" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Volta ao Algarve '25, Final Stage: An Italian Speedster

The Italian Time Trial National Champion, Filippo Ganna (Ineos-Grenadiers) had high hopes of adding another stage win to his collection in this year's Volta ao Algarve. He was definitely posting the best times at the intermediate check points on his way around the almost twenty-kilometer course. He posted the second-best time when he finished but dropped away to fifteenth on the day. Regardless, he looked great in his tricolore jersey. Although I must say that I don't get the dark maroon shorts in the Ineos-Grenadiers kit. They normally wear black shorts with their team kit.

"An Italian Speedster VA25-14" (Original art by Greig Leach)