Tour '26, Stage 20: Hanging Tough on the Galibier

As the peloton climbed the Col du Galibier it was good to see Warren Barguil (Picnic-PostNL) and the American Sean Quinn (EF Education-EasyPost) still hanging onto the group.  With his twin brother up the road, Anders Johannessen (Uno X-Mobility) was still here as well.  Of course, he and the rest of the peloton were now almost four-and-a-half minutes behind the breakaway with the gap continuing to grow.  Conversely, the grupetto was way back down this long mountain climb.

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: "Hanging Tough on the Galibier TdF26-146" (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 '25, Stage 15: Has the Fire Gone Out?

The seven guys who had been with Tim Wellens had tried hard to chase down the former Belgium time trialist.  At twelve kilometers to go they had lost a minute and thirty-nine seconds to the lone leader.  It just seemed to me that the fire had gone out of the chase as Michael Storer (Tudor Pro Cycling), Alexey Lutsenko (Israel-Premier Tech), Victor Campenaerts (Visma-Lease a Bike), Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek), Alexsandr Vlasov (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), Warren Barguil (Picnic-PostNL), and Carlos Rodriguez (Ineos-Grenadiers) free-wheeled down one of the many rollers into the finish town of Carcassone.  Perhaps they had switched their thinking to how can I get second on the stage.  Carlos Rodriguez was the only one with GC aspirations.  If he could keep the group's advantage over the peloton he would move up from tenth to nineth ahead of tomorrow's rest day.

Side note, with just two kilometers to race, Campenaerts jumped free and claimed second over the combined chase groups led home by none other than Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Pro Cycling) who had started his day on the ground holding his injured 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.

"Has the Fire Gone Out? TdF25-100" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 15: Nice Work

With the winning breakaway up the road, the one that broke away from the breakaway, Aleksandr Vlasov (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) joined forces with Warren Barguil (Picnic-PostNL) to bridge up to the leaders.  As they were almost there Vlasov said something to the Frenchman.  I obviously have no idea what was said but I imagine it was some form of, "Hey, nice job!"  I wonder what language that used to chat.

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.

"Nice Work TdF25-97" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 12: Losing Time on the Soulor

The peloton had race hard to the foot of the Col du Souler under the hot sun averaging just under thirty miles per hour.  When they hit the first Category 1 climb of the Tour many found the going rather tough.  Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious) slipped away from the breakaway, through the peloton, and on out the back of the three just ahead of him.  He was also slipping out of his Maillot a Pois in the process.  He tried to latch onto the wheels of Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step) paced by his teammate Ilan Van Wilder without success.  Warren Barquil (Picnic-PostNL) was able to hold onto the Maillot Blanc on the shoulders of Evenepoel just ahead of him.  If these guys can recuperate, it is going to be a very, very, very, long day.  Evenepoel did hold onto the White Jersey of best young rider in the Tour, but it was touch and go most 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.

"Losing Time on the Soulor TdF25-75" (Original art by Greig Leach) 

Tour '25, Stage 5 ITT: Cheered on by the Devil

Didi Stenft aka 'The Devil' usually shows up later in the Tour and on mountain stages, but here he is in the first week of the Tour AND on a time trial stage, too!  Now, he wasn't doing his traditional leaping into the air, but then he is behind a barrier for a change.  While I am sure he cheered for everyone, he was encouraging the Frenchman Warren Barguil (Picnic-PostNL).  I wonder if the two children beside him are his grandchildren.  Barguil finished the day over four minutes off of the pace so perhaps the Devil didn't prod him enough 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.  

"Cheered on by the Devil TdF25-27" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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 de France 23, Stage 10: Searching for the Leading Group

The trio of Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek), Michal Kwiatkowski (Ineos-Grenadiers) and Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal-Quick Step) caught up to Warren Barguil (Arkea-Samsic) as they searched for a total of six guys up the road.  Barguil was drifting back on the final climb of the day, the Cote de la Chapelle Marcousse.  He couldn't hold the pace of the leaders, but perhaps he was waiting for these three guys so they could chase the leaders together.  Alas, they never quite caught more than a sight of them for the rest 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 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-2023/3964978-59-297438/Painting/searching-for-the-lead-group-tdf23-59.html

Tour de France 23, Stage 10: Looking Around

The Tour de France rides through beautiful landscapes daily, yet the peloton is often to stressed to get a chance to see anything other than the wheel millimeters ahead of them. (one reason it has been since the start of Covid that I have ridden in a pace line.)  It is nice to see Warren Barguil (Arkea-Samsic) take a moment to admire the view including the hear of cows just around the bend.  He and Esteban Chaves (EF Education-EasyPost) had slipped off the front of the small break away on the descent of the Col de la Croix Saint Robert.  Chaves is wearing the jersey of the Columbian national champion, quite an honor given the caliber of riders from his home country.  The pair had caught and dropped the previous pair of escapees and were off to dry their luck with 96 kilometers to race.

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-2023/3964972-57-297438/Painting/looking-around-tdf23-57.html

Tour '22, Stage 11: Is It Enough?

Warren Barguil (Arkea-Samsic) hit the base of the Col du Granon with five minutes on the group containing the Maillot Jaune.  As the LCL Moto came up with the chalkboard, he learn exactly what the time gaps to those behind him were.  With five minutes, the question was, did he have enough time to stay away to the top?  The French fans along the side of the road were thrilled to see one of their countrymen leading on the final climb of the day.  Perhaps the French will get their first stage win a day before Bastille 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 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-2022/3893536-64-294403/Painting/is-it-enough-tdf22-64.html

Tour '22, Stage 11: The French Are Over the Top

 It was two Frenchmen who led the race over the top of the Col de Telegraphe.  Behind Simon Geschke (Cofidis) was doing enough to hold onto his Maillot a Pois as he went over third.  But it was Pierre Latour (TotalEnergies) who took maximum King of the Mountain points with Warren Barguil (Arkea-Samsic) on his wheel.  There is plenty of climbing and KOM points yet to come in today's stage, but it was a good start for the two Frenchmen.  All three placings were taken by men who are on French 'wildcard' teams.

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-2022/3893496-61-294403/Painting/the-french-are-over-the-top-tdf22-61.html

Tour. Final Stage: Faux Sprint

 The final day of the Tour is a chance for a little levity, relaxation, and a time to chat with everyone you have been racing against for the last 20 days.  As of the modern era, it is traditional that the only leader's jersey that is still competitive is the Sprinter's Jersey.  The rest of the jersey are decided the day before.  Coincidentally, it was Tadej Pogacar (UAE-Team Emirates) who claimed all three of the other jerseys in the penultimate stage of the Tour.  Today, the course featured one catagory four climb, awarding one point in the competition for the Maillot a Pois.  As Clement Russo (Arkea-Samsic) just rode over the line, his teammate Warren Barguil fake a sprint to steal the points at the top of the Cote de Beulle.  Naturally, none of this would have effected the desitination of the Maillot a Pois regardless, but it was to see a little fun and games after such a hard fought Tour unders such trying circumstances.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow th edirect link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above.  Since ti is an original work of art, it is a first come first seved reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburth 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/Tour-de-France-2020/3705721-139-282744/Painting/faux-sprint-tdf20-131.html

Tour, Stage 13: Down in the Super Tuck

The American, Nielson Powless (EF Pro Cycling) is a demon descender.  He let the rest of the large break away down the other side of the mountain in what has come to be known as the super tuck.  It is when a rider comes off the saddle, sits on the main tube and gets as low over the handle bars as possible.  It is not very stable or safe, but it is aero-dynamic. Behind the stone falling down the mountain are Pavel Sivakov (Ineos-Grenadiers) who had finally recovered from his double falls in stage one, along with Daniel Felipe Martinez (EF Pro Cycling), Warren Barguil (Arkea-Samsic) and Marc Soler (Movistar) amongst others.  EF was in a great tactical position having put three men into the seventeen man break, it is their stage to lose.  Only Bora-Hansgrohe had managed to get more than one guy into this front group.

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.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2020/3699083-82-282744/Painting/down-in-the-super-tuck-tdf20-76.html

Tour, Stage 20: Want to Join Me?

Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) felt the moment was right with just eight kilometers left of climbing to launch an attack from the back of the small peloton.  He was covered by Marc Soler (Movistar) and the French National Champion, Warren Barguil (Arkea Samsic).  As the trio caught Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha-Alpecin) Yates seemed to invite the Russian to catch onto their wheels.  Yates has two stage victories in this year's Tour already, he sure seemed to want just one more.  Alas, it wasn't to be.

Watch me paint this watercolor as I talk about the Tour over the past two days on my You Tube channel :

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.

Be sure to check out my daily videos on You Tube.  If you enjoy what you see on the channel, please subscribe.  I need to get over a hundred subscribers so I can name the channel, "Art of Cycling"

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202019/3366223-116-263530/Want%20to%20Join%20Me?%20%20TDF19-116.html

Tour, Stage 14: Viva la France!

This is another of the paintings from the Tour to earn the "Bridget's Favorite" designation.  I am rather pleased with it myself.  As the greatly reduced peloton scaled the lower slopes of the Tourmalet, it was the French National Champion, Warren Barguil (Arkea Samsic) who jumped clear in hopes of another stage for France.  He did manage to open up a gap, but the GC men has bigger fish to fry.

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.

Be sure to check out my daily videos on You Tube.  If you enjoy what you see on the channel, please subscribe.  I need to get over a hundred subscribers so I can name the channel, "Art of Cycling"

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202019/3363087-79-263530/Viva%20la%20France!%20%20TDF19-79.html

This painting has sold!

Tour, Stage 19: Going Again

Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale) wasn't going to carry everyone to the finish. So he chose the Col des Borderes to leave his break away companions.  He clearly has designs on getting a fourth stage for the French today, as well as the first for his team and himself.  Bardet looks back over his shoulder to see who could come with him.  Behind it looks like Warren Barguil (Fortuneo-Samsic), Rafal Majka (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Mikel Landa (Movistar) were late to respond to the Frenchman's attack.

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-2018/3195502-102-251072/PaintingGoing-Again--T18-101.html

Tour, Stage 16: More Polka Dots

The two rivals for the ultimate King of the Mountains prize are two Frenchmen, Julian Alaphilippe (Quick Step) and Warren Barguil (Fortuneo-Samsic).  The pair were crossing swords from the very first climb of the day and were still at it over the Col de Portet d'Aspet.  Alaphilippe, already in the Maillot a Pois kept getting the better of his countryman, adding to his tally point by point.  Alaphilippe's teammate, Philippe Gilbert, had taken first over the climb and was already flying down the other side of the mountain.  Behind these two, another 39 guys struggled to hold wheels with another nine minutes back to the relaxed peloton.

This is the painting from today that you can watch come to life on my YouTube channel.  I hope you will watch it here, but also will subscribe to the channel when you do.  I need to get more subscribers so I can name my channel.

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-2018/3193172-83-251072/PaintingMore-Polka-Dots--T18-82.html

Tour, Stage 11: Two More Are Coming

Mikel Nieve (Mitchelton-Scott) looked over at his break away companions.  I'm not sure if he was letting them know that Nicolas Edet and Daniel Narvarro (Cofidis) were coming up to them, or if he was about to attack Damiano Caruso (BMC) and Warren Barguil (Fortuneo Samsic).  They were on the way up La Rosiere, the final climb of the day.  Unlike yesterday, there would be no riding down the other side of the mountain.  Today the stage would end on top of the Catagory 1 climb.

And yes, Nieve, went on the offensive, riding everyone off of his wheel.

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-2018/3189409-60-251072/PaintingTwo-More-Are-Coming--T18-59.html

Tour, Stage 11: You Wouldn't Dare!

With a big day of climbing ahead of the peloton, the small kindness was to make the intermediate sprint before any of the mountains appeared on the horizon.  Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrophe) made sure he was in the early break, so that he could add points in his goal of the Maillot Vert.  Sagan was looking back over his shoulder, daring any of those behind to try and come around.  Behind the Slovakian sprinter, Damiano Caruso (BMC), Warren Barguil (Fortuneo-Samsic), Daniel Navarro (Cofidis( and Romain Sicard (Direct Energie) weren't interested in sprint points, unless they were those for the stage winner.  With the sprint out of the way, Sagan sat up and saved his energy for another day. 

Every day there is a time limit to finish the stage based on a changing percentage of the winners time.  With the short distance and big climbs facing the sprinters, it is a real possiblity that some of the big names in the flat sprint stages might get eliminated.  Spoiler alert, the beleaquered Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data) didn't make the cut, and is now on his way home.

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-2018/3189375-55-251072/PaintingYou-Wouldn't-Dare!.html

Tour, Stage 8: Dangling Off the Back

With Team Sky and Movistar pushing a vicious pace up the final big climb of the day, many riders have already been dispatch off the back.  As they neared the final summit of the day, the Col de Peyresourde, Warren Barguil (Giant Alpecin) dangled off of the back of the elite group.  Barguil was yet another of the GC contenders that was on equal time with so many of the others.  He did have the advantage of knowing that the finish line was not at the summit of the Cat 1 climb, but back down in the valley.  The finishing town of Bagneres de Luchon was almost 14 kilometers from the final peak of the day.  Just ahead of the stuggling Frenchman was Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha).

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.

To buy this painting, just follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2821645-53-224974/PaintingDangling%20Off%20the%20Back%20TdF53-Greig-Leach.html#.V4Hq1rgrLIU

Tour de France, Stage 11: Fraught with Dangers

For those who are dropped on the way up a mountain, chasing back down the other side can be a very dangerous activity.  Warren Barguil (Giant Alpecin) had lost contact with the group containing the Maillot Jaune, so he had to take additional risk on the rather scary descent down the Tourmalet.  As if the tight high speed hairpin turns with no barrier were not enough to put the fear of God into a cyclist, Barguil had to negotiate a hear of cattle that chose to cross the road as he approached a 70 kph.  Fortunately, he was able to get pass without mayhem nor loss of speed,  The camera bike had to come to a complete stop, hitting one of these large animals simply wasn't an option.  Barguil's gutsy descent did allow him to catch back on to the main (small) peloton.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for just $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Don't delay, this is a one of a kind original, so once it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2580898---210122/Painting.html#.Vaa1LflViko