Tour '26, Stage 15: Grinding Up the Climb

This was the first time the Tour de France has ever scaled the Plateau de Solaison, I suspect it will be back.  Once Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) hit the front with his teammate Isaac Del Toro, the only guy who could hold onto the two stars was Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe).  The trio was distancing Evenepoel's teammate/team rival Florian Lipowitz and the rest of any of the general classification hopefuls.  It seemed like Pogacar was being a super-domestique to Del Toro.  Was he planning on gifting the Mexican Champion another stage, or was he riding to get him back into the Maillot Blanc of the best young rider in the Tour?  Of course, they still had to catch Quinn Simmons who was a little over a minute up the climb.  Unfortunately for the American Champion, there was just under seven kilometers to go and the chasers had pulled back a half a minute in only a single kilometer.  I don't think this will be the stage victory that Simmons is still seeking.

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: "Grinding Up the Climb TdF26-112" (Original art by Greig Leach)

This painting has sold, but digital prints are available at the link above.

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 '25, Stage 8: Climbing the Madeleine

I rarely have a problem with heights particularly when I am not the one looking over the steep precipice, but this shot from the helicopter made me very nervous.  As the remnants of the breakaway worked their way up the Col de la Madeleine it looked like there was barely enough road etched into the mountain side for them, or all of the following support cars.  With fifteen kilometers left to climb they still have almost two minutes on the chasing peloton.  I certainly hope the entire climb isn't etched into the cliff face like this stretch of road.  And then I am worried about that clump of fans leaning against the railing.  And just how did they manage to get to this stretch of mountain road anyway?

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.

"Climbing the Madeleine TdFF25-49" (Original art by Greig Leach)