2026 UCI Road World Championships, Montreal, Elite Men's Road Race: Three Decades Later

Purchase this painting here: "Three Decades Later UCI26-17" (Original art by Greig Leach)

When Brandon McNulty (USA) held his head in disbelief as he claimed victory in the UCI Road World Championships in Montreal it is wild to think that it has been thirty-three years since and American has won the Rainbow Jersey.  That was five years before McNulty was born!  He is only the third American to ever pull on the Rainbow Jersey of world champion.  With Lance Armstrong having won in 1993 and Greg Lemond winning it in both 1983 and 1989.  I was amused that while mentioning that it had been thirty-three years since an American had won, the announcer Anthony McCrossan neglected to say Armstrong's name.  As I mentioned in my previous painting, he takes over the title from his trade team teammate, Tadej Pogacar, giving UAE Team Emirates reason to celebrate and allows them to continue to post of having the best cyclist in the world.  Chapeau, Brandon!

The clump of riders behind included the Silver Medalist Michael Matthews (Australia) and the Bronze Medalist Mathieu Van Der Poel (Netherlands).  McNulty's teammates Quinn Simmons finished fourth and Matteo Jorgenson finished seventh, making it three Team USA guys in the top ten!

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 top of this post to purchase this painting. 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.

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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2026 UCI Road World Championships, Montreal, Elite Men's Road Race: One Last Peek

Purchase this painting here: "One Last Peek UCI26-16" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Brandon McNulty (USA) takes one last look behind him as he can see the flame rouge and the final kilometer just ahead.  When he looked back there was no one in sight.  He has twenty-three seconds over the best men in the pro peloton who just can't chase him down.  In his post-race interview, he revealed that even at this point he didn't truly believe that he would be the next UCI Road Champion.  Which may explain why he kept making sure that no one was going to surprise him inside of the final kilometer.  There is a certain beauty that he rides on the same team as Tadej Pogacar, UAE Team Emirates, who was unable to defend his two-time title this year.  

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 top of this post to purchase this painting. 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.

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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2026 UCI Road World Championships, Montreal, Elite Men's Road Race: Into the Gap

Purchase this painting here: "Into the Gap UCI26-15" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Belgium and Remco Evenepoel were having a yo-yo kind of day.  After Wout Van Aert (Belgium) was dropped out of the front group he looked for his teammate Evenepoel who had been dropped from his group as well.  Once found the two worked together to get back into the race.  On the final ascent of Mont Royal Wout Van Aert finally cracked, but his efforts were enough to allow his teammate Evenepoel on last serge in hopes of catching the lone American up the road.  Alas, it didn't work, and the effort cost him dearly.

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 top of this post to purchase this painting. 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.

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

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2026 UCI Road World Championships, Montreal, Elite Men's Road Race: A Big Advantage

Purchase the painting here: "A Big Advantage UCI26-14" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Brandon McNulty (USA) made the classic cycling move.  He attacked from the back of the group just as they caught the leaders.  With those on the front having dug deep to catch the escapees, none had the strength to jump onto his wheel as he sped up the other side of the wide road in downtown Montreal.  As he took the sharp left turn to start the penultimate lap he had opened up a thirty-six second lead on those he had just left behind.  Now, can he hold them all of for another twenty-eight kilometers?

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 top of this post to purchase this painting. 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.

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

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2026 UCI Road World Championships, Montreal, Elite Men's Road Race: A Powerful Sextet

Purchase this painting here: "A Powerful Sextet UCI26-11" (Original art by Greig Leach)

It was Mathieu Van Der Poel (Netherlands) who started this move.  He was quickly joined by Quinn Simmons (USA) and Wout Van Aert (Belgium).  Those three were joined not much later by Primoz Roglic (Slovenia), Oscar Onley (Great Britian), and Anthon Charmig (Denmark).  Given the short punchy climbs and constant turning of the urban course, this was a group that had the chops to stay of the front for the remaining eighty kilometers.  At this point they have forty-two seconds on the disorganized chase behind.  The presence of Simmons and Van Aert means that their teammates are doing their best to disrupt the chase of the other riders behind.

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 top of this post to purchase this painting. 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.

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

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2026 UCI Road Worlds Championship, Montreal, Elite Men's Road Race

Purchase this painting here: "How Am I Doing? UCI26-10" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Once the peloton, or what was left of it, caught the morning breakaway, Anthon Charmig (Denmark) decided it was his turn to try.  With 95 kilometers to race, he was taking a risk trying to go it alone.  After building up an eight second advantage, he looked back to see if anyone was going to join him in the effort.  Going solo left little chance of success, but if a couple of others bridged up to the Dane, he then may well have a chance to claim the Rainbow 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 top of this post to purchase this painting. 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.

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

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2026 UCI Road World Championships, Montreal, Elite Men's Road Race: How Much Longer?

You can purchase this painting here: "How Much Longer?" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Now it was just six that were off the front as they headed up the climb of Mont Royal.  As the group of Jamie Meehan (Ireland), the two Eritrea riders Biniam Girmay and Henok Mulubrhan, Felix Engelhardt (Germany) and Andreas Leknessund (Norway) fought on, they were being shown the time gap of a mere minute and a half.  The Irish fans were thrilled to see their man still off the front of the group.  As it is always done in the Worlds, no team has race radios, so the time being kept by the moto is far more important than its normal ceremonial function at 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 top of this post to purchase this painting. 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.

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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2026 UCI Road World Championships, Montreal, Elite Men's Road Race: Holding Their Advantage

You can purchase this painting here: "Holding Their Advantage UCI26-8" (Original art by Greig Leach)

The early breakaway of the Elite Men's Road Race was still holding a strong advantage has they started their second of thirteen laps of the finishing circuit.  While the group containing Mihajlo Stolic (Serbia), Guillaume Boivin (Canada), Henok Mulubrhan (Eritrea) and his teammate Biniam Girmay, along with Tilen Finkst (Slovenia), Kaden Hopkins (Bermuda), Andreas Leknessund (Norway), and Emils Liepins (Latvia) and others had build up a lead of over seven minutes, but the time they started this lap the gap had shrunk to around four minutes.  I doubt any of these guys thought they would still be off the front at the end of the over 250 kilometer race, but everyone now knows they were at the Worlds racing well.

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 top of this post to purchase this painting. 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.

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

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2026 UCI Road World Championships, Montreal, Elite Women's Road Race: Cheering the Podium?

Purchase this painting here: "Cheering the Podium UCI26-6" (Original art by Greig Leach)

The thousands of cycling fans along every kilometer of the course in Montreal were being treated to a spectacular race today.  As they cheered this trio of Demi Vollering (Netherlands), Elisa Longo Borghini (Italy), and Kasia Kiewiadoma (Poland) it seemed clear that they were cheering for the top three steps of the podium.  In another twelve kilometers we will all know who will stand on which step at the finale.

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 top of this post to purchase this painting. 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.

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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2026 UCI Road World Championships, Montreal, Elite Women's Road Race: Chasers & Disrupters

Purchase this painting here: "Chasers and Disrupters UCI26-5" (Original art by Greig Leach)

With her teammate up the road, Puck Pieterse (Netherlands) shifted from launching the attack to disrupting those trying to chase down Demi Vollering.  It was her job now to slow the chase being mounted by Marlen Reusser (Switzerland) and Kasia Niewiadoma (Poland).  Niewiadoma does have a teammate in the trio thirty-one seconds up the road.  With twenty-five kilometers to race, there was still a chance for these women to vie for the podium.  

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 top of this post to purchase this painting. 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.

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

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2026 UCI Road World Championships, Montreal; Elite Women's Road Race: Making Her Escape

Purchase this painting here: "Making Her Escape UCI26-3" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Once the peloton had caught the last of the breakaway, it was the French woman Maeva Squiban that went on the attack on the climb of Mont Royal above Montreal.  With 52 kilometers to race, it was a long shot (or a long solo effort) that she might be able to stay away to the line.  She has done this before in the Tour de France Femmes.  I am sure it felt good to race on roads where most of the fans also speak French.  She was caught when some of the favorites launched their attacks.

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 top of this post to purchase this painting. 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.

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

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Tour Femmes '26, Stage 9: Deja Vu

Another stage into Nice, another stage with a tough climb near the end, and another stage where Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez) drops Kasia Niewiadoma and rides off on her own.  The changes this time are she did it in the Maillot Jaune, she did it on a categorized climb, she did it despite everyone knowing she would, and she did it overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.  As she rode along the false flat on the top of the col, she had already but eighteen seconds between herself and her primary rival for yellow.  Regardless of whether Niewiadoma comes back and wins or if Vollering's attack succeeds, we will have the first woman ever to win the Tour de France Femmes for the second time in about twelve kilometers time.

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: "Deja Vu TdFF26-63" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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

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Tour Femmes '26, Stage 9: Down the Col d'Eze Alone

Isabella Holgren (Lidl-Trek) had attacked the Maillot Jaune group on the third ascent of the Col d'Eze and got away.  She went over the top and started the rather frightening and very fast descent alone.  As she dropped off of the summit she built up a minute's gap on those she had left behind.  She does sit third in the race for the Maillot Blanc of the best young rider, but I doubt she will be able to pull back three minutes with just a final lap left to race.  Still, it is well worth the effort, both of her young rivals also have work to do for their team leaders so they could have to work for the team and not the white jersey dreams.

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: "Down Col d'Eze Alone TdFF26-60" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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

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Tour Femmes '26, Stage 9: How Much?

As the peloton came through Nice to start the second of four laps, both Malwina Mul (Cofidis) and Paula Ortiz (Movistar) had managed to get off the front of the of the reduced group.  They each peeked to see if they were getting much of an advantage.  Racing through the downtown area it was Ostiz's turned to peer back to assess where the chasers were.  The peloton wasn't too concerned.  The first trip up Col d'Eze had dropped about have of the one hundred and twenty some women who had started the final stage.  It was safe to assume that these two would most likely suffer the same fate.

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: "How Much? TdFF26-57" (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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Tour Femmes '26, Stage 8: Left Alone

Once Maeva Squiban had crashed, Loes Adegeest (Lidl-Trek) had no choice but to try and hold off the closing peloton.  With ten kilometers to race she now only had thirty seconds on the motivated peloton behind.  Without anyone to help in the effort, her day long breakaway was certainly doomed.  While she didn't wreck, as far as the stage victory was concerned, she might as well have.  This is my first, and probably last attempt to paint the rather spectacular paint job on the trek bikes.  They have out done themselves to celebrate the company's fiftieth anniversary.

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: "Left Alone TdFF26-52" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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

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Tour Femmes '26, Stage 7: Her First Was Huge!

It is surprising that this is the first time Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon/SRAM) has won a stage of the Tour de France Femmes.  Don't get me wrong, she has won the race two years ago, but this is the first time she has won an individual stage.  She picked a big one to win, and she won it big.  She was a minute and sixteen seconds ahead of Demi Vollering at the summit and it was a further half of a minute to the erstwhile Maillot Jaune, Marlen Reusser.  I say erstwhile because of this ride, Kiewiadoma is the new leader of the Tour de France Femmes with just two more stages to race.  It isn't like they are easy stages either, and she only has fifteen seconds over Vollering who remains in second place both on the stage and the general classification.  It is clear to me that this race will go all of the way to the final kilometer on the coastline of 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: "Her First Was Huge! TdFF26-47" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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

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Learn More About the Artist →  

Tour Femmes '26, Stage 7: Her Goal Is in Sight

Somehow, I don't think I have grasped just how desolate the top of Mont Ventoux actually is.  It may have to do with fans being banned from the final five kilometers of the stage due to wildfire fears.  I'm not sure what could burn here, but I did notice firetrucks and firefighters at multiple points during the climb.  Regardless, Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon/SRAM) had waited until her rivals had taken a break from their attacks to launch her own counter move.  She got free of the top two women in the general classification and quickly built a nice gap with the summit of Mont Ventoux now in eyesight.  With just under three and a half kilometers to ride, she had already secured the Maillot Jaune Virtuale.  Given the way she is riding, I am sure she will have the actual lead by the time she reaches that tower in the distance.

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: "Her Goal Is in Sight TdFF6-45" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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

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Learn More About the Artist →  

Tour Femmes '26, Stage 7: Paying for Yesterday

Celia Gery (FDJ United-Suez), the French Champion, had a brilliant stage yesterday despite coming up short in the sprint in Rhone.  While she didn't get the stage, she was awarded the title of Most Combative Rider for stage 6.  She may have gone a bit too deep in that effort.  As the climb up Mont Ventoux began its bite, she wasn't able to hold onto the ever-reducing peloton with just over twelve kilometers to climb.  I know she wanted more, but she is riding the stage with the green bib number to celebrate her efforts during stage 5.

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: "Paying for Yesterday TdFF26-43" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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

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Learn More About the Artist →  

Tour Femmes '26, Stage 6: Down the Other Side

As the peloton started back down the other side of the Col de Lalouvesc, it was good to see that Kim Le Court-Pienaar (AG Insurance-Soudal) was back in the group.  Holding onto the tail of the group was Nina Buijsman (Human Powered Health) probably wanting to have a clear view of the descent.  It is always safer to be able to pick your own line through the corners on a steep descent.  Given the speeds they were hitting, I doubt they had time to admire the view off to their right.  I sure did find the sweeping vistas beautiful.

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: "Down the Other Side TdFF26-35" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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

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Tour Femmes '26, Stage 5: Looking to Help

After spending the whole stage in the front group, Maeva Squiban (UAE Team L'IMAD) was called back to help her team leaders, one in the Maillot Blanc, to get back up to the front group.  Both Paula Blasi and Elisa Longo Borghini had been dropped by the peloton on the penultimate climb of the day.  In hope of keeping Blasi in white, she left her other teammate up front and slowed up looking for her teammates.  She did her job pulling them, but they never regained the front of the race.  Blasi lost her title of best young rider in the Tour, and Squiban ended up losing five minutes on those she had been with.  The bright note, the teammate she left up front, Domininka Wlodarczyk, finished fourth and moved into fifth on the general classification.  By helping her teammates, her team moved back into the lead of the Team Classification.  

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: "Looking to Help TdFF26-30" (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 →