Tour Femmes '26, Stage 9: Above the Sea

You know the song I am referencing with this title... and now it is stuck in your head, too.  On the second trip up the Col d'Eze it was the British Champion Zoe Backstedt (Canyon/SRAM) burying herself for her teammates Antonia Niedwrmaier (in the Maillot Blanc) and Kasia Niewiadoma.  On their wheels are Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez) in the Maillot Jaune and Niamh Fisher-Black (Lidl-Trek).  Under the relentless pace set by Backstedt, many more were dropped from the ever-reducing peloton.  Her pace also meant that she and her teammates need not fear any attacks either.  The added bonus is that they got rid of one of Vollering's strongest teammates.  The flip side is that the British Champion's work meant she was gone at the summit, too.  With two more climbs up Col d'Eze, the last one even steeper, this stage is more about attrition than attacking moves... thus far.

I guess I should mention that the view of the Mediterranean Sea was stunning up here above Nice. 

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: "Above the Sea TdFF26-58" (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 → 

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)

Gullegem, Women's Cyclocross: Almost On

After a bit of a struggle on the first lap in Gullegem, Lucinda Brand (Baloise Glowi Lions) was getting to catch back onto the leading trio.  At this point on the second lap, she has both Leonie Brentveld (Pawels Sauzen-Cibel Clementines) and Zoe Backstedt (Canyon-SRAM) within her sight.  Also there, but not visible at this angle is the woman leader her in the Superprestige series, Ceylin del Carmen Alvaredo (Fenix-Deceuninck).  With such a slippery and muddy course, her Dutch Champion's jersey is clearly getting rather speckled in muck, just another exciting element of cyclocross.

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.

"Almost On CX-G24-2" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Gullegem, Women's Cyclocross: Muck and Mire

Today's course in Gullegem was set up to be a muddy run through a meadow in Belgium.  In the first of five laps, it was Zoe Backstedt (Canyon-SRAM) leading Ceylin del Carmen Alvardeo (Fenix-Deceuninck), Leonie Bentveld (Pawel Sauzen-Cibel Clementines), Aniek van Alphen (Cyclocross Reds) and the rest of the peloton through the longer mud field.  Not a fan of sloshy muddy shows this just doesn't seem very pleasant to me.  Still, mud, muck and mire seems to be the common denominator in all cyclocross events.

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.

"Muck and Mire CX-G25-1" (Original art by Greig Leach)