Paris Roubaix '26: Time to Celebrate

When it came down to just Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) and Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) in the finale on the velodrome it seemed likely it would be Van Aert to take the two-up sprint to win this edition of Paris Roubaix.  After all, Van Aert has won the sprint finale on the Champs Elysees of the Tour de France.  He has been seeking the victory on the velodrome of Roubaix his whole career, so it was now surprise that he broke down in tears after holding off the man many consider the best bike racer of all time.  I'm still in the camp of Eddy Merxyk personally. It should be noted that Pogacar has only competed twice in Paris Roubaix and has taken second place both times.

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.  

"Time to Celebrate PR26-9" (Original art by Greig Leach) - This painting has sold!

Paris Roubaix '26: Stuck Together

Despite each having tried their best to drop the other, Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) were unable to get free.  As they raced through Sector 3, Gruson, they still had twenty-six seconds over the small group behind.  With just over fourteen kilometers to race, it seemed a bit unlikely that it would be anyone other than these two who would compete to win the next Cobble Stone trophy since the inception one hundred and thirty years ago.

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.  

"Stuck Together PR26-8" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix '26: Any Way You Can

Sector 11 is one of the 5-star sectors of pave. Five stars are the hardest sections. Many take the risk of riding in the dirt and gravel on the side of the cobbles.  In this chase Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) had misjudged a corner trying to go up inside of Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike).  The move ended up with him in the grass just missing some fans who were fortunately paying attention to the race.  His error gave Van Aert a chance to open a bit of a gap, but once righted, Pogacar regained the Belgium's wheel.  The two were now increasing their advantage over the rest of the field.  At this point they had twenty-five seconds over those behind with just another 51 kilometers left 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 work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Any Way You Can PR26-6" (Original art by Greig Leach) - This painting has sold!

 

Paris Roubaix '26: Bringing Wout Back

It is said of Paris Roubaix, "it isn't a question of if you will have bad luck, it is only a question of when."  Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) had an early mechanical and was paced back to the peloton by his teammate Christophe Laporte with another 147 kilometers to race.  Clearly, he has plenty of time to get back on, but it is never good to have to use energy chasing that you are going to need at the end of the day.  Alexis Renard (Cofidis) was thrilled to have a strong duo to pull him back to the peloton over one of the early cobbled sectors.

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.

"Bringing Wout Back PR26-1" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 21: In the Bag

I spent quite a bit of time being frustrated with the race cameramen today.  They missed so many visuals, particularly as the peloton rode through the Louvre and at both the intermediate sprint and the finish of the stage.  There wasn't a good image of Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) winning solo on the Champs Elysees.  He has won there before, but that was a tradition mass sprint on dry roads.  Today, he was set up by his teammates and attacked on the final climb up to Montmartre dropping all of his breakaway companions including the Maillot Jaune - Tadej Pogacar!  He flew down the other side to win the stage by nineteen seconds somehow managing to stay upright on the rain-soaked roads of downtown Paris.  Pogacar came home for fourth on the stage, but he had already won the Tour.  He made the race just that much more exciting by actually racing to win the final stage of the 112th Tour de France.  By the way, Van Aert's teammate, Matteo Jorgenson came in fifth twenty-six seconds later.

This is my final painting of the Tour de France.  But I am still painting the Tour de France Femmes.  They will be racing for seven more stages so be sure to check back for all of the Women's ProTour cycling excitement and artwork.

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. 

"In the Bag TdF25-144" (Original art by Greig Leach)

This painting has sold.

Tour '25, Stage 21: On Top of Montmartre

It was exciting to watch real racing on the final stage of the Tour this year.  The race took in the same circuit used in the 2024 Paris Olympics road race, the same Olympics that forced the Tour to finish in Nice last year.  After four laps of the tradition Champs Elysees circuit, the race went up to the top of Monmartre, back down the other side before riding around the l'Arc de Triomphe again.  They made three of these laps to end on the Champs Elysees.  This Tour marks the 50th time the Tour has ended in the shadow of Napolean's triumphal arch.  Since it was sure to rain on the cobblestones of Paris, the decision was made to take the final time on the final Champs circuit before the race went up the narrow streets behind the Moulin Rouge.  So there was no reason for Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) to be off the front but for the simple reason he wanted to win the stage.  On the first time up to the artist enclave, he was chased by Davide Ballerini (XDS-Astana), and the Visma-Lease a Bike duet of Matteo Jorgenson and Wout Van Aert.  The Visma guys were the only teammates to make the split once over the top of the climb.  That was partly due to help of their teammate Victor Campenaerts.  That set them up to use Matteo as the attacker and Wout as the follower.  This is an important detail to how the stage turned out.

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. 

"On Top of Montmartre TdF25-143" (Original art by Greig Leach)

This painting has sold.

Tour '25, Stage 17: Making a Well-Timed Attack

It usually is a bad sign if you have to explain a joke, but that is the case with this title. (unless you get it).  Tissot is a watch company that is also responsible for all of the race timing at the Tour de France and many other sporting events.  Once the peloton had gotten close to the break, Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) jumped free of the peloton in a quest to join up with the four-man break up the road.  Wout got withing twenty seconds, but not further.  After about five kilometers off the front he was reeled back in by the group chasing behind.  I think the sprinter's teams were confident that they could catch the break that had been out in the front all day, but a strong man like Van Aert with fresh legs may well be a very different matter.  

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.

"Making a Well-Timed Attack TdF25-114" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 11: Stuck in the Middle

This group of five were stuck about halfway between the early breakaway and the peloton.  There were some big names of the Tour pushing the pace as they rode up the Cote de Corronsac.  The fans were thrilled to find Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) chasing a stage victory.  They were joined in the effort by the ever-aggressive American Champion, Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek), Arnaud De Lie (Lotto) and Axel Laurance (Ineos-Grenadiers).  It was funny to me that the gendarme is blowing his whistle as if that was going to calm the screeching fans beside him.  I doubt they even heard him for all the noise they were making themselves.

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. 

"Stuck in the Middle TdF25-69" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 8: The One that Matters

When the sprint opened up in Laval Espace Mayenne the only guy who could even come close to holding onto the Italian sprinter's wheel was Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike).  But not even the former Belgium champion could spoil Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) from winning his first Tour de France stage.  While he is wearing the sprinter's Maillot Vert, he didn't lead the sprint composition until he crossed the finish line.  To explain, if someone holds more than one jersey they will wear the highest ranking one like the Maillot Jaune over the Maillot Vert.  If that is the case, the guy sitting in second place will wear the lesser jersey instead.  So, while he started the day wearing green on loan, with this victory he now is leading the sprint competition and owns the jersey outright.

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 One that Matters TdF25-52" (Original art by Greig Leach) 

Tour '25, Stage 4: Stirring Things Up

With just twelve kilometers to go Visma-Lease a Bike went to the front of the reduced peloton and put the hammer down.  Victor Campenaerts led them off with Jonas Vingegaard on his wheel.  In the wings were Matteo Jorgenson and Wout Van Aert ready to keep the pace high after Comapenaerts had done all he could.  Behind Wout Van Aert Jhonathan Narvaez (UAE Team Emirates) struggled to hold their wheels in hopes of keeping his leader Tadej Pogacar in contact with his main rival.

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. 

"Stirring Things Up TdF25-21" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix '25: Sprinting for Third

Had it not been for an ill-timed flat tire, Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) may well have been sprinting for the win with Tadej Pogacar and Mathieu van der Poel.  Instead, he led out the sprint (and took it) in the Roubaix velodrome for third place.  Try as he might, Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike), couldn't get around the Dane.  Claiming fifth was Pogacar's teammate Florian Vermeersch (UAE Team Emirates).  Both van Aert and Vermeersch had crashes over the 259 kilometers of the Hell of the North.  So, all of the top six finishers had either crashes, mechanicals, or both, proving again that it takes both luck and strength to win this iconic Spring Classic.

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.

"Sprinting for Third PR25-16" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix '25: Into the Woods

Just because everyone knew that the move would come when they entered the Trouvee d'Arenberg, that didn't mean everyone could do anything about it.  As they rode into the infamous Forest of Arenberg, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) went on his long-expected attack.  He was quickly covered by the trio of favorites led by Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek), Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck).  All three have raced the cobbles to Roubaix before, with van Aert having won one, and van der Poel having won the last two editions.  Pogacar is a neophyte to the Hell of the North.

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.

"Into the Woods PR25-9" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Ronde van Vlaanderen '25: Visma Chases

Having missed being able to go with the attack on the Oude Kwaremont, Visma-Lease a Bike was forced to chase.  They had the numbers to bring back the leading trio, so it was Wout van Aert, Matteo Jorgenson, and Tiesj Benoot riding hard together.  They were joined in the effort by two of the former attackers, Stefan Kung (Groupama-FDJ) and Jasper Stuyven (Lidl-Trek).  Despite their collective best efforts, only van Aert was able to rejoin the front of the race, with the others remaing the second group on the road.

Another spoiler, while he did rejoin the leaders, van Aert finished fourth on the day, just off of the podium.  I should point out that his teammates Benoot and Jorgenson finished sixth and 47th respectively.  Kung ended up seventh and Stuyven was fifth.

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.

"Visma Chases RVV25-5" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Ronde van Vlaanderen '25: Off He Goes!

As I am sure everyone expected, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) went on the attack just as the cobbles began on the Oude Kwaremont.   Both Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Edward Planckaert (Alpecin-Deceuninck) watched him launch the attack but didn't have the acceleration to go with the move.  Planckaert's teammate Mathieu van der Poel found himself out of position, but was able to weave through to get back to the World Champion's wheel.  The crowds on both sides of the road were loving their front row 'seats' to the Slovenian's display of power.  With another 56 kilometers to race, there was plenty of time to set things right.  Conversely, there were plenty of more climbs for Pogacar to go 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 $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Off He Goes! RVV25-3" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Gullegem, Men's Cyclocross: Pulling Away

Not waiting until the final lap, Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) went to the front and started to push the pace.  He managed to shake the Belgium Champion, Eli Iserbyt (Pawels Sauzen-Cibel Clementines).  The two traded leads around the remaining lap and a half with Van Aert finally managing to take the lead for good in the closing 500 meters.  This is the first cyclocross win for the three-time champion this season.  It was some brilliant racing today, all of the way to the last sand pit.

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. 

"Pulling Away CX-G25-6" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Gullegem, Men's Cyclocross: Quite Close

For those who follow my cycling art, you will know that I love to use titles that have mutliple interpretations.  This is just such a title, and painting.  As in all road cycling events, fans of the sport can get very, very close to their cycling heros.  In addition, the front four had gotten quite close together as they came out of one of the many hairpin turns on course.  As they made their way around the third lap at Gullegem, it was Michael Vanthourenhout (Pawels Sauzen-Cibel Clementines) leading the Crelan-Corendon duo of Laurens Sweeck and Emil Verstrynge eating the mud flying off of his wheel.  Closing back onto the trio's wheels is Wout Van Aerts (Visma-Lease a Bike).  The now quartet of riders have built up about a five second lead over those chasing on the third lap.

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.

"Quite Close CX-G25-4" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Gullegem, Men's Cyclocross: Mud And Sand

In the early going of Gullegem it was yesterday's winner, Laurens Sweeck (Ccrelan-Corendon) leading Wout Van Aerts (Visma-Lease a Bike) - who is racing his second cyclocross race of the season - off of the muddy track and onto the sole sand pit of the course.  Behind the Belgium duo it was Felipe Orts Lloret (Ridley Racing Team) - the Spanish Champion - was just managing to hang on to the leaders.  With another seven trips through the sand to go, it wasn't looking like Lloret would still be there at the end.

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.

"Mud And Sand CX-G25-4" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Men's Road Race: Atop Montmartre

As the peloton crested the climb up Montmartre, it was Mathieu Van Der Poel (Netherlands) going on the attack with Wout Van Aert (Belgium) in front of the Cathedral of Sacre Coeur.  The site was a perfect stage for a bike race with a long, wide staircase between this stretch of the racecourse and the art nouveau cathedral.  Belgium had the perfect setup for this race.  They could send either Van Aert on an attack or Evenepoel, both of whom are fully capable of winning on this racecourse.  Then they also have Teisj Benoot who is the man for pulling back any breakaways or counterattacks.  This seems to be their race to lose.  It is nice that the fans had both the Belgium and Dutch flags out on the barriers to cheer their countrymen on.

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. 

"Atop Montmarte PO24-54" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 13: Checking Before Celebrating

Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) wisely looked to his left to make sure he had gotten to the line ahead of Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) before raising his arms in celebration.  He infamously celebrated a stage win two years ago without knowing that someone had already won the stage in a lone breakaway.  Needless to say, he has been teased about that for years now.  He is also aware that many have started their celebrations prior to actually crossing the line and gotten beaten by a well-timed bike throw.  Speaking of bike throws, Van Aert's was a bit pointless since he was outsprinted by over a half a bike length.  Many of the other marquee sprinters were caught up in the mayhem that was caused by the crash, but that does not negate the quality of Philipsen's second stage victory in this Tour.  Biniam Girmay (Intermache-Wanty) finished fourth today and conceded thirty-two points to Philipsen in the race for the Maillot Vert.  He still holds the jersey by twice that amount, but it is getting to look a little less like a sure thing.

There is only one more flat stage left for the sprinters to ply their trade, but it is on the other side of two days in the high mountains of the Pyrenees.  How many will stay in the Tour with no sprint on the Champs Elysees to hang tough for.  I have been betting that this is the last day in this Tour for Cavendish.  But without getting to try to break his own record today, he may struggle to the final sprint stage after the final rest day next Monday.

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.

"Checking Before Celebrating TdF24-76" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 12: One More!

Only two countries have won three stages of this Tour de France, France and now Eritrea.  However, for Eritrea it was just one man doing the winning, Biniam Girmay (Intermache-Wanty).  It is also true that only one team has won more than one stage, at that obviously is his team.  They Maillot Vert was able to win the stage, add to his points in the sprinters' competition and out sprint Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike), Arnaud Demare (Cofidis), Pascal Ackermann (Israel-Premier Tech), and everyone's favorite, Mark Cavendish (Astana-Qazaqstan) in Villeneuve sur Lot.  I have given you their names in the order that they finished behind the surprise sprinter of this Tour. I don't see any way that he will not carry the Green Jersey all of the way to Nice.  At this point, all he has to do is finish the remaining nine stages inside the time limit and it should be his.  It would be better if he continued to add to his total, but his lead is becoming unsurmountable.

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.

"One More! TdF24-69" (Original art by Greig Leach)