Tour '26, Stage 12: Trying a Little Dig

With the peloton all together, it was time for others to try and escape the grasp of the peloton.  Or perhaps Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) was doing what he could to shed some of the other sprinters on behalf of his sprinter Mads Pedersen.  The attack by the Champion of the USA came on the last categorized climb of the day, the Cote de Montagny les Buxy.  He was covered by Louis Vervaeke (Soudal-Quick Step).  Vervaeke was riding in defense of his very successful sprinter, Tim Merlier.  I love the way the peloton seems to be peering over the rise in the roadway as they 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: "Trying a Little Dig TdF26-83" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '26, Stage 11: Launching Off the Front

It was a bit of a surprise to see Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) going on the offensive just ten kilometers into the stage.  Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal-Quick Step) saw the opportunity (or perhaps the danger) in the moved and quickly jumped on to the former World Champion's wheel.  Both are on the teams of two of the best sprinters in the peloton.  With the day ear marked as s day for a sprint finale, these two being off the front would mean their teammates wouldn't be expected to chase down a break should they be able to stay away.  Of course, the peloton wasn't having it, and they were soon back in the fold.

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: "Launching Off the Front TdF26-73" (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 10: Off He Goes

Despite having a minute's advantage on the way up the Col de Pertus, Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) was caught before the summit of the climb by a flying Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates). The Maillot Jaune must have been 'sandbagging' the peloton, or he was holding back to help his teammate Isaac Del Toro.  Once he went, Del Toro popped off the back of the group losing time and his Maillot Blanc.  Back in the peloton Paul Seixas (Decathlon-CMA CGM) was hanging tough taking third on the stage (not bad for a Frenchman on Bastille Day).  It was Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) who had been dropped fighting back to take second.  Sadly, Jonas Vingegaard finished the day in fourth ceding another minute to Pogacar.

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: "Anticipating TdF26-70" (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 '26, Stage 6: By How Much?

Not long after the attacked, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) went off on his own.  As he neared the summit of the Col du Tourmalet, he looked back to see just how much of a gap he had on his rivals back down the mountain.  Between the distance and the throngs of fans lining every inch of the road, he couldn't see any of his chasers.  At this point he had twenty seconds on Jonas Vingegaard and a minute on Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) who has teamed up with Paul Seixas (Decathlon-CMA-CGM).  The title of this painting is the question of the Tour.  It seems clear that he will win the stage, and perhaps the Tour, the only question is by how many minutes by the time we all reach Paris? 

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: "By How Much? TdF26-43" (Original art by Greig Leach)

This painting has sold, but there are digital on demand prints available.

 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 → 

Liege Bastogne Liege '26: The Only Two

As everyone expected Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) to attack on the Cote de la Redoute.  What wasn't expected (although I did) was that the only guy who could stay on the World Champion's wheel was the young Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM).  The two quickly opened up a twenty second gap on many of the best riders in the peloton.  With this move, will the duo go together to the line in Liege or will one drop the other in the remaning thirty 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 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 Only Two LBL26-3" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Fleche Wallonne '26: Any Takers?

As the peloton went over the top of the Huy de Mur for the first time Raul Garcio Pierna (Movistar) went on the attack off the front. After opening up a slight gap, he looked back to see if anyone was going to join him in his escape effort.  Several joined him, they got caught, he went again, and then it all came to not.  Of course, there was still over seventy kilometers to race, it was a bit early to go for a winning move.  I do realize that there are still four guys off the front that have been there for a least a hundred kilometers all ready.

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 Takers? FW26-3" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 2: We Have a Gap

Perhaps they thought they could catch the breakaway before the Bonus Sprint, or maybe they just felt it was time to stretch out their legs, regardless the reason, Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon/SRAM-Protime) in her Polish Champion Jersey attacked the peloton covered by Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Visma-Lease a Bike).  The two quickly opened a gap on those behind but didn't catch up to the breakaway either.  It wasn't long before those behind got organized and pulled these two potential Tour Femmes winners back.  Actually, Niewiadoma is the defending champion of the Tour de France Femmes now.  She won by the narrowest of margins - a mere four seconds after eight stages ending atop Mont Ventoux in the fog.

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 Have a Gap TdFF25-9" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 4: The Two Men of the Tour

After all of Visma-Lease a Bike's work, it was Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) that went off the front of a very small group on the Rampe Saint Hilaire with just six kilometers to race.  While Jonas Vingegaard was able to hold the World Champion's wheel, he was looking back to see if any help was coming.  I've watched these two race enough to know that as soon as Vingegaard looks around he is about to lose Pogacar's wheel.  He did.  Fortunately, he was able to get back on moments later.  Will these two be able to go to the line together on their own?

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 Two Men of the Tour TdF25-22" (Original art by Greig Leach)

This painting has sold!

Paris Nice '25, Stage 4: Up to Something

With another fifty-four kilometers to race, it was a bit odd to see the Ineos-Grenadiers duo of Tobias Foss and Josh Tarling go on the attack out of the peloton.  The two were chasing a group of eight riders still up the road from the early breakaway.  The race still had three more climbs including the mountain top finish to race.  I have to assume that the team had some grand plan they wanted to enact for their race leader in hopes of pulling back time lost in yesterday's team 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 $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Up to Something PN25-12" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Men's Tour Down Under '25, Stage 5: The Best Defense

As the peloton hit the bottom of Willunga Hill for the final time, it was Javier Romo (Movistar) in his Ochre Jersey who jumped free of the peloton.  Most everyone expected him to follow the attacks of others, so it was a strategic move to attack his closest rivals instead.  At first, he opened up a couple of seconds before those behind could get themselves organized.  Given how close the top positions on the general classifications were, it was understood that whoever reached the summit first would most likely win the twenty-fifth Tour Down Under. 

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.

"The Best Defense TDU25-40" (Original art by Greig Leach)

UCI Worlds, Zurich 2024, Elite Men's Road Race: Trying to Cover Pogacar

Knowing that the real race was up the road, Tadej Pogacar (Slovenia) attacked the peloton on Witikon Climb.  The first to attack was Quinn Simmons (USA) but when the Slovenian superstar came up to him, he just couldn't stay on the wheel of the lime green express train.  Michael Matthews (Australia) was fading away just as quickly as the American.  With 100 kilometers to go, I don't think anyone really expected him to launch so early, but it wasn't like the Slovenian teammates didn't telegraph the impending attack.  However, knowing Tadej is going to go, and being able to go with him are two entirely different things.

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.

"Trying to Cover Pogacar Z24-9" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Final Stage: Bridging Up to the Leaders

Roughly half way up the Col du Glandon Valentina Cavallar (Arkea-B&B Hotels) jumps clear of the peloton to go searching for the leaders on the road.  According to the GPS she has another seventeen seconds to catch the seven ahead, but she has already put eighteen seconds into the group she left behind.  With another six kilometers of climbing on the penultimate climb of this Tour, she was putting herself in a great position for the final climb to the top of the Alpe d'Huez.

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.

"Bridging Up to the Leaders TdFF24-39" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 9: Scaring the Others

Once I learned that the Tour was going to race across the gravel roads of the vineyards of France, I was sure that Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) would try to repeat his feet of the gravel roads of Italy in the Strade-Bianche.  In that race, he went with about the same 88 kilometers that he jumped the peloton today.  In Strade-Bianche no one ever saw the Slovenian again.  This move was the move I was fearing, but so was the rest of the Tour hopefuls.  At first, it was only Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step) who could even keep the Maillot Jaune in sight.  Was this going to be the move that won the 111th Tour de France? 

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.

"Scaring the Others TdF24-46" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 4: We Knew It Would Come

Everyone, everywhere, knew that Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) would attack on the Col du Galibier, but knowing it and doing something about it are two different things.  When he first went, Vingegaard was able to stay pretty close, but as he neared the summit, he dropped further back.  Pogacar was able to build on that gap down the other side of the mountain all of the way to the finish in Valloire.  He will be pulling back on the Maillot Jaune that he surrendered by either design or mistake yesterday.  No longer will there be four guys tied on the general classification, either.

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.

"We Knew It Would Come TdF24-20" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Strade Bianche 24: Going Again

The clearly American Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) attacked the peloton shortly after it had pulled him back a few kilometers earlier.  The early kilometers were noteworthy for the number of failed break away attempts.  It seems that the peloton was not interested in letting anyone get a gap.  So even with 90 kilometers left to go, they only let the USA Champion get a few seconds before pulling him back, yet 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 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/Spring-Classics-/4002730-554-195767/Painting/going-again-sb24-7.html

Tour de France Femmes 23, Stage 7: No Escape

Despite attack after attack going in the opening kilometers of the penultimate stage of the Tour de France Femmes, no one was being allowed to escape the peloton.  It felt like every time we saw the front of the group it was another Lidl-Trek woman attempting to launch off the front.  This time it is Lizzie Deignan going for another try with Anna Henderson (Jumbo-Visma) and the rest of the peloton covering her move.  At this point it had been eleven kilometers of attacks, catches, and counter attacks, over and over, and still no one was off the front.  With two big climbs awaiting the roughly 140 still in the Tour de France Femmes, I thought they would have been happy to let a small group go so they could approach the back half of a hard, hard stage a bit more easily.

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-2023/3968907-182-297438/Painting/no-escape-tdff23-38.html

Tour de France 23, Stage 19: I'm Still Here!

Crowd favorite, and mine as well, Peter Sagan (TotalEnergies) hasn't really been much of a factor in either the sprints or the competition for the Maillot Vert that he has won seven times in years gone by.  With this his last Tour on the bike, he seemed to want to make sure that everyone knew he was still in the race.  There had been attack after attack to start the stage with everyone knowing this would be the last chance for either a non-climber or a non-sprinter to have a chance for a stage victory.  While Sagan could be described as a climbing sprinter (see seven Green Jerseys in his Tour history) he hasn't had the legs to compete since he has had two bouts with Covid.

So as a fan, it was fun to see him off the front even if there was another 130 kilometers to race 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 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-2023/3966631-125-297438/Painting/im-still-here-tdf23-125.html

 

Tour de France 23, Stage 15: Making Progress

It took a long time to get a break away established today.  Finally after over thirty kilometers raced this foursome started to make a bit of progress getting of the front.  I never did catch the name of the Ag2r-Citroen rider was.  By the time my broadcast came back from the commercial break, he was gone.  But leading the group is the ever aggressive, Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal-Quick Step).  He was joined by Alexey Lutsenko (Astana-Qazaqstan) and Nils Politt (Bora-Hansgrohe).  The other three pressed on and were eventually joined by a rather large group.  In fact, at one point in the first third of that race, there were as many in the break as were chasing in the peloton behind.  With all of the climbs in the second half of the day, everyone hoped to either go for stage glory or get a head start so they would be ensured not to miss out on the time limit with the worst climbs coming at the end of 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 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-2023/3965797-94-297438/Painting/making-progress-tdf23-94.html

 

Tour de France 23, Stage 10: Attacking Early

The return to racing after the race day can be a weird one, and that certainly describes this one.  With a climb right at the start of the stage, the summit of the Cat 3 Col de la Moreno was just seven kilometers into the stage.  The attacks came fast and furious right from the get go.  Once over the top it seemed that Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) went on the attack.  He was immediately covered (or joined) by the Maillot Jaune, Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma).  The top two in the general classification in the early break is just about unheard of.  Their presences in the break made for a mad scramble to be in their move.  This went on well into the 167 kilometer stage, with many wondering just what was going on.  This Tour is not following any previous script partly due to the thrill that these two find racing their bikes.

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-2023/3964965-55-297438/Painting/attacking-early-tdf23-55.html

Wollongong 2022, Women's Road Race: Forcing Them to Chase

As the women's race neared its conclusion, Team Australia began sending rider after rider up the road to see of they could break the peloton apart. With just 32 kilometers left to decide who would be the next Elite and U23 Women's World Champion, it was Sarah Roy's (Australia) turn to see what she could do to enliven the race.  She built up eight seconds on those behind, but as the short steep climbs loomed, she wasn't able to stay away from the pure climbers behind.  Still, nothing ventured, nothing gained.  

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. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Wollongong-2022-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3907616-23-295031/Painting/forcing-them-to-chase-uci22-23.html