Tour '26, Stage 17: Attacking Near 4 K

I was confused why Victor Campenaerts (Visma-Lease a Bike) was helping chase down the six-man breakaway.  Now I understand.  His teammate, the American, Matteo Jorgenson attacked on a final roller inside of the four-kilometer banner.  When he went only two guys could go with him.  Not really visible are Derek Gee-West (Lidl-Trek) and Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) finding shelter behind the broad shoulders of the American.  Dropping of but still off the front is the former world champion Michal Kwiatkowski (Netcompany-Ineos).  Being a fan of Jorgenson, I was hoping this would stick, but the sprinters wanted their final chance.  Well, the sprinters that were still in the vastly reduced peloton.

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: "Attacking Near 4 K Tdf26-126" (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 '26: Stage 13: Capturing the Move

The race is filmed by a minimum of four TV Motos and at least two camera sporting helicopters.  Throw in the stationary cameras at the intermediate sprint and the finish, there is quite a good chance of capturing all of the main action of any stage of the Tour de France.  I always enjoy when one cameraman catches another at work.  So it was with this Moto filming what looks to be the winning move off the front of the break by Mauro Schmid (Jayco-Alula) and Harold Tejada (XDS-Astana).  The pair had opened up just nine seconds on their erstwhile companions as they raced the final fifteen kilometers into Belfort.  They were helped by Schmid's teammate, Luke Plapp discouraging the chase 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 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: "Capturing the Move TdF26-90" (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 Femmes '25, Stage 7: Off the Front, Again

Maud Rijnbeek (VolkerWessels Cycling) had been dropped on the way up the Cote de Berland, but that didn't mean she was done for the day.  She chased done her former companions on the descent.  Once she caught them, she attacked immediately.  She quickly opened up a lead of twenty-six seconds.  She had gone on a similar raid in the first stage of this Tour de France Femmes, I guess she thought it was about time to go again.  Unfortunately for her there is one more climb before the finish in Chamberey.

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.

"Off the Front, Again TdFF25-39" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 17: Leaving the Others

The rains returned to the Tour as they raced the final kilometers of the day.  With the peloton closing in, Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno X-Mobility) decided it was time to escape from his breakaway companions.  He did it on a flat straight road just by having the power to ride the other off of his wheel.  Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies) didn't have the legs to even try, so Vincenzo Albanese (EF Education-EasyPost) had to swing around him and lost the chance to grab the wheel of the Norwegian.  It wasn't long after that the peloton pulled the other three back into their grasp.  As strong has Abrahamsen is, he, too, was chased down by the time he got to four and a half kilometers left to race.  Abrahamsen had won his first stage of the Tour in a similar move and was hoping that lighting would strike twice, all though certainly not literally. 

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.

"Leaving the Others TdF25-115" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 16: Eyes Down

This title comes from the expression 'eyes down' meaning it is time to get to work.  I was playing with the idea that the helicopter above had its eyes (and therefore ours) on the move off the front from Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Pro Cycling).  He had been in a very large break of thirty-one guys and clearly didn't want to go to the base of the final climb with such a big bunch.  Behind him, Pascal Eenkhoorn (Soudal-Quick Step) was looking to see if he was going to get any help chasing down the fleeing Frenchman.  The French have yet to win a stage of this Tour.  I believe Alaphilippe was intent on changing that reality.

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.

"Eyes Down TdF25-102" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 6: Attacking His Companion

Having missed the leader's solo attack, Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) and Michael Storer (Tudor Pro Cycling) had worked together after dropping the rest of their erstwhile breakaway companions.  As Simmons realized they weren't getting any closer to the sole escapee up the road, it was time to go after him alone.  It was cleared that the USA National Champion had come out to try and take the stage today.  I think I have figured out his tell (to use a poker reference).  If is hair is down, he is there to work for the team, or to take the day off.  However, if he has tucked his hair up under his helmet, it is game on!  He wasn't able to get rid of Storer until the climb up to the finish, but it was for second place on the stage.

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. 

"Attacking His Companion TdF25-38" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 6: He Has Made His Deal

The title is a bit of a play with the idea of making a deal with the Devil to get what you want.  Naturally, I am not assuming that Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) had made a deal with Didi Stenft, the Devil of the Tour, but he was riding out of his skin on his way to winning Stage 6 of the Tour de France.  He does have another thirty-three kilometers to race, but he is gaining time on those chasing behind.  It is nice to see the Devil in his more natural environment after seeing him behind the barriers in yesterday's time trial.

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. 

"He Made His Deal TdF25-36" (Original art by Greig Leach)

This painting has sold!

Tour '25, Stage 6: Did I Drop Them?

Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) jumped his erstwhile breakaway companions with another fifty kilometers to race.  As he opened up a gap to the other six he left behind, he peered over his shoulder to see if he had truly left them all behind.  His team lost their contender for the overall victory even before the Tour started due to illness.  So, they only can hope for stage wins to make their Tour a success.  Their team owner pointed out that the sponsors would be much happier with stage victories than managing to get someone into the top ten in the final general 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. 

"Did I Drop Them? TdF25-35" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 13: Breaking the Break

Michal Kwiatkowski (Ineos-Grenadiers) looks back to see just who came with him from the larger breakaway group.  He was joined in the breakaway from the breakaway by the two Frenchmen Romain Gregoire (Groupama-FDJ) and Julien Bernard (Lidl-Trek).  Sandwiched between the French duo is the Dane Magnus Cort (Uno-X Mobility).  The foursome was frustrated with the size and pace of the group they had just left.  Plus, the peloton was closing in, so if they wanted to stay off the front, this was the only option they had.

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.

"Breaking the Break TdF24-71" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 9: There He Goes!

The breakaway was closing in on the final ten kilometers of the stage and were still off the front of the peloton that contained the top places of the general classification.  That meant it was time for those that don't pack a great sprint to try and drop the others.  As the most recent effort by Tom Pidcock (Ineos-Grenadiers) and Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies) came back together, the resulting lull in the pace was the perfect moment for Jasper Stuyven (Lidl-Trek) to make his own attack.  He was able to build a nice solo effort for the ensuing nine kilometers.  Spoiler... Alas, he was caught inside of the final kilometer of today's finish in Troyes.

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.

"There He Goes! TdF24-50" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France 23, Stage 5: Looking to See

It wasn't until I edit the photograph of this painting that I discovered that I never finished the title.  I think perhaps I couldn't decide just what Felix Gall (Ag2r-Citroen) was looking back to see.  He may have been trying to see who was going on the attack with him on the Col de Marie Blanque.  Or he could be trying to see if he and Jai Hindley (Bora-Hansgrohe) had gotten a gap on the remnants of the large break away from the middle of the stage.  

Gall was hoping to add to his tally in what will be his new Maillot a Pois of best climber in this Tour.  He will have a strong ally in Hindley who is hoping to ride away from the favorites and into the Maillot Jaune.

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-2023/3963879-25-297438/Painting/looking-to-see-tdf23-25.html

 

Paris Nice 23, Stage 8: Caught Them, Dropped Them

Wout Poels jumped out of the peloton at the base of the category one climb of the Cote de Peille.  He quickly crossed the forty five second gap to the lead group.  Just as quickly the drops them as well.  The only one of the early break that was able to stay with Dutchman was Oliver Naesen (Ag2r-Citroen), but even he was dropped by Poels after a couple of switch backs on the way to the summit.  Poels would have had a better go of it had at least a couple of riders been able to hold onto his wheel.  That and the fact that the day started with only a twelve second gap between the riders in first and second place meant that the racing was going to be intense 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 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, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3939879-109-272742/Painting/caught-them-dropped-them-pn23-27.html

Tour '22, Stage 17: Getting Away on the Col d'Aspin

With this painting, I have now painted at least one rider on every of the 22 teams in the Tour this year.  Astana Qazaqstan has had a very quiet race, but today their leader Alexey Lutsenko decided he had had enough of riding in the shadows.  On the wasy up the first big climb of the day the Col d'Aspin, both he and Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) went off the front of the early break away.  They built up a sizable advantage over the peloton, but there was a chance to fight for the Miallot Jaune behind.  The speed of the infighting in the peloton meant that these two were reeled back in on the next climb 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 $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3894797-104-294403/Painting/getting-away-on-the-col-daspin-tdf22-105.html

Tour '22, Stage 12: Not Gone, Yet

With just under ten kilometers left to climb of the fabled Alpe d'Huez Tom Pidcock (Ineos-Grenadiers) was pushing his advantage over the remnants of the break.  He looked back to see his erstwhile fellow attacker, Louis Meintjes (Intermache-Wanty Gobert) was dropping off the Brit's pace.  With the group of the Maillot Jaune marking each other it look like this may well be the move that would win the day.  Remember he flew down the Galibier like a ski racer to get into this move.  Apparently, he can go up just as well as he goes down.

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-2022/3893851-73-294403/Painting/not-gone-yet-tdf22-73.html

Tour '22. Stage 9: The Next Escapee

Every Frenchman, woman, and child was screaming with delight as Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) - and this American-lept free of the diminished break away and headed up the mountain alone.  He had only one guy up the road to catch for a stage victory.  Alas, he never got closer than 19 seconds to Bob Jungels, but it was quite a thrill while it was happening.  Once he started to drift back off of Jungels pace he seemed to lose this fervor finishing fourth on the stage a full forty seconds behind the stage winner.  Nevertheless, it is good to see him coming right as the big mountain stages arrive later this week.

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-2022/3892928-49-294403/Painting/the-next-escapee-tdf22-49.html

Tour '22, Stage 9: Checking the Damage

On the way up the Category 1 climb of the Col de la Croix Bob Jungels (Ag2r-Citroen) decided it was time to make his move for stage honors.  He looks back over his shoulder to see how much of a gap he has gotten and just what is happening to his erstwhile break away companions.  He can see Patrick Konrad (Bora-Hansgrohe) trying to bridge up to him.  Perhaps he can see both Wout Van Aert's (Jumbo-Visma) green clad shouders and Simon Geschke (Cofidis) lurking behind the wheel of the Austrian on the German team.  He could be quite pleased that the rest of the break didn't seem to be able to follow his surge of pace.  Perhaps now that they had gotten rid of the best place man in the General Classification, Rigoberto Uran (EF Education-EasyPost) they may have a chance to stay away from the peloton 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 $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3892915-48-294403/Painting/checking-the-damage-tdf22-48.html

Paris NIce 2022: Off He Goes

Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates) had dropped to the back of the ten man early break to pass his arm warmers to his team car and grab a bottle.  From the back he jumped on his pedals sweeping around everyone on a steep hairpin turn.  Both Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies) and Harm Vanhoucke (Lotto Soudal) tried to go with the violent acceleration of the American on the Arabian team.  They, nor anyone else in the break, could cover the move as they watched his wheels roll away from them.  They should have realized that if he got a gap, they most likely wouldn't see him again.  Perhaps, they knew, but just couldn't do anything about it.

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 $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3871507-59-272742/Painting/off-he-goes-pn22-22.html

TDF, Stage 19: Attacking the Break

It was a large group of 20 that had left the peloton far behind.  The problem for the break away is that is too many to have everyone keep working together all the way to the finish.  Just after Phil Liggett and Bob Roll had been discussing who would be the one to go off the front, it was in fact Jasper Stuyven (Trek-Segafredo) that went off the front as predicted.  His attack was chased down by Silvan Dillier (Alpecin-Fenix) with Brent Van Moer (Lotto Soudal) and Georg Zimmermann (Intermache-Wanty Gobert) joining in the chase.  This attack was neutralized, but now everyone would be trying to get away until it eventually works.  With the peloton almost eleven minutes behind, the stage winner was going to be one of these guys in the break.  That meant all the more reason to try and get off the front.

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 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/2021-Tour-de-France/3824342-126-291436/Painting/attacking-the-break-tdf21-125.html

Dauphine, Stage 3: Maybe a Few K More

 Little hard to tell if Loic Vliegen (Intermache-Wanty Gobert) was being cheeky, or if he just had the legs to keep trying to stay away.  With the peloton closing in, he sprinted away from his erstwhile break away companion in hopes of staying away for a little bit longer.  With 28 kilometers to go, and some very hungry sprinters behind him, all he could hope to achieve was the title of most aggressive rider for the day.  That, and some more screen time for his team's sponsors.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct 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/Criterium-du-Dauphine/3814696-95-185083/Painting/maybe-a-few-k-more-cd21-11.html

Tour, Stage 6: Starting His Attack

The youngest and the only first time Tour rider in the break was Nielson Powless (EF Pro Cycling).  It may have been his youthful vigor, or the fact that today is his birthday, but he definitely had the legs to go on the attack from the break on the final climb of the day.  As they hit the steeper section of the Col de la Luscette, it was only Nicolas Roche (Sunweb) who had the legs to go with the American's attack.  Was Powless about to give himself a Tour de France stage victory as a birthday present?

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-2020/3690693-36-282744/Painting/starting-his-attack-tdf20-31.html