Tour '26, Stage 6: Taking a Bow, a Stage & a Yellow Jersey

Wow, that was impressive!  Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) went on the attack with five more kilometers to climb up the Tourmalet.  He then rode alone for the next forty-five kilometers alone, increasing his lead on both the descent and the climb up to the finish in Gauarnie-Gedre.  He finished two minutes and thirty-eight seconds ahead of Jonas Vingegaard, just shy of three minutes ahead of his own teammate Isaac Del Toro who with a group of seven many of whom are the other favorites for a high placing in the 113th Tour de France.  The last guy to finish the stage (there were a couple who climbed off during the stage) was over forty-five minutes behind Tadej's finishing time.  Fortunately for Lewis Askey (NSN Cycling) he was still inside of the time limit for the stage.  Now the question remains, will the Maillot Jaune changed shoulders any more throughout this Tour?  Unlikely.

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: "Taking a Bow, a Stage, & a Yellow Jersey TdF26-46" (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 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 → 

Paris Roubaix '26: How Soon?

Unable to hold onto the wheels of the two leaders, Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) spent a long time caught between them and those chasing behind.  With forty-nine kilometers to race he was twenty seconds off the pace and only seven seconds ahead of the Mathieu Van Der Poel led chasers.  He felt them coming as he started looking back to see just how long it may be before he could get some extra help in his (and their) attempt to get back to the front of the race.

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. 

"How Soon? PR26-7" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 17: Making a Well-Timed Attack

It usually is a bad sign if you have to explain a joke, but that is the case with this title. (unless you get it).  Tissot is a watch company that is also responsible for all of the race timing at the Tour de France and many other sporting events.  Once the peloton had gotten close to the break, Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) jumped free of the peloton in a quest to join up with the four-man break up the road.  Wout got withing twenty seconds, but not further.  After about five kilometers off the front he was reeled back in by the group chasing behind.  I think the sprinter's teams were confident that they could catch the break that had been out in the front all day, but a strong man like Van Aert with fresh legs may well be a very different matter.  

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.

"Making a Well-Timed Attack TdF25-114" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Nice '25, Stage 6: Blown Apart

When the Peacock stream of the race came on air today, the peloton had already been blown apart.  So, I am not super sure if it was the wind, the plans of the combinations of  Ineos-Grenadiers and Visma-Lease a bike, or a combination of the two, but the effects were the same regardless.  With the front group going hard, riding at upwards of forty miles per hour, those behind or caught off guard struggled to get their chase organized.  It became confusing as to who was were, but if you weren't in the group driving the pace or in the second group chasing hard, you were never going to see the front of the race again.  And if you had hopes of placing well in the general classification, you hopes were just blown apart by the weather and riding style 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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Blown Apart PN25-24" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Happily, this painting has sold!

Volta ao Algarve '25, Stage 4: A Bit Sticky

With a bit of a lull in the action during the final road stage of the Volta ao Algarve, Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike) dropped back to grab some water bottles for his teammates.  It seemed that he and his director sportif hung onto the bottle a bit longer than was necessary.  I doubt that the commissares would care too much since it wasn't done to get him back into the race or pull him up a mountain.  I guess we could paraphrase the old saying to, "no help, no foul."

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.

"A Bit Sticky VA25-11" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Strade Bianche 24: Operatic!

As he rode into the square in Siena, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) had plenty of time to celebrate his victory with the crowds lining the barriers.  I love the way the race winds through the narrow shadowed streets before bursting into the bright sunlight of the piazza.  It was as if the stage lights were raised as the tenor finished his aria to the delight of the audience.  At the finish line, Pogacar stopped and held his bike over his head, first to the cameras and then to the crowds.  It was truly a monumental victory of the not yet honored sixth monument.  The two that chased behind came home three minutes later with Toms Skujins (Lidl-Trek) dropping Maxim Van Gils (Lotto Dstny) for second place and Van Gils four seconds later for the final step of the podium.  The winner from last year (who had done a long break away to win himself), Tom Pidcock (Ineos-Grenadiers) another minute later.  The rest of the finishers came in in dribs and drabs as Pogacar made his way through the end of the race protocol.

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-/4002740-559-195767/Painting/operatic-sb24-12.html

Strade Bianche 24: One After Another

Rather than a concerted effort of a group of competitors, it was one, than another solo rider who went off the front in hopes of chasing down Pogacar and whomever else may be up the road.  That may be due to the excellent team riding by Pogacar’s teammates marking every move that tried to get away.  Despite their efforts, Toms Skujins (Lidl-Trek) managed to get away.  He is in search of the Lotto Dstny man, Maxim Van Gils, who just eleven seconds ahead of home at this point.  He does have a minute on the group behind.  However, neither are wishing four minutes of the lone leader.

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-/4002737-558-195767/Painting/one-after-another-sb24-11.html

Strade Bianche 24: Looking for Help

Maxim Van Gils (Lotto-Dstny) was the only rider in the peloton who was able to jump clear when Pogacar went on the Monte Santa Maria.  However, he wasn’t able to go with the Slovenian Champion.  With thirty kilometers to race he was almost three and a half minutes behind the leader and a half of a minute ahead of the peloton.  He soon started looking back in hopes that another rider or three would bridge up to him.  It was both his and their only hope in reeling the lone escapee back.  But realistically, the race was now for the remaining two steps of the peloton.  The winner of the 2024 edition of Strade Bianche was already three minutes up the road, and his lead is still growing!

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-/4002736-557-195767/Painting/looking-for-help-sb24-10.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 2: Last Call

It might be that I work as a bartender, but I couldn’t resist the urge to title this painting as though it was the last chance for Jardi Christian Van Der Lee (EF Educationi-EasyPost) to get a drink from his team car. It may have been the last chance for his team car to get up to him in the break away, since the peloton had closed within a minute and a half of the early two man break.  The official last chance for riders to get a drink from the team is normally twenty kilometers left to ride.  At this point Van Der Lee had another 30 kilometers to try and hold off those chasing 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 $95 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3995729-184-194179/Painting/last-call.-tdu24-7.html

Tour de France 23, Stage 1: Riding Alike

I tried hard to come up with a title that embraced the uniqueness of this moment.  I doubt that a pair of twins have ever sprinted for a stage victory that would also award the Maillot Jaune in the Tour in its over hundred year history.  That is exactly what is going on, Simon Yates (Jayco-Alula) had gotten away on the final descent with his twin brother, Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) in tow.  The two opened up a ten second gap on the marquee riders of the Tour rather quickly.  They worked together descending the Cote de Pike continuing to build on their advantage.  With a climb up to the finish line in Bilbao, it was a good chance the two climbers would be able to vie for stage honors between themselves.  

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-2023/3962895-4-297438/Painting/riding-alike-tdf23-4.html

 

Paris Nice 23, Stage 4: Saying Goodbye

As the pace heated up on the final climb of the day, La Loge does Gardes, Magnus Cort (EF Education-EasyPost) gestured with a little wave as he pulled out of the line.  His wave alerted both Bob Jungels (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Lucas Hamilton (Jayco-Alula) that he was about to swerve towards the other side of the road.  But it does seem he is also waving good-bye to the Maillot Jaune as well.  Cort had sprinted to the line in the team time trial to take the leader’s jersey, but in the pre-race interview, he had little confidence he would be able to hold it on the final climb to the finish of the stage.  With his departure from the peloton, it does mean there will be a new leader of Paris Nice in another five 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 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/3938782-95-272742/Painting/saying-goodbye.-pn23-13.html

Tour Down Under '23, Final Stage: Now or Never

With only two up hill kilometers left in the Tour Down Under, Simon Yates (Jayco-Alula) knew that if he was going to take back 15 seconds on the Ochre Jersey of Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates) he was going to have to go hard, and go now.  He quickly got a gap on the peloton and was just as quickly joined by the Australian Ben O'Connor (Ag2r-Citroen),  The question was, is there enough road to drop both Vine and the man he was tied for second place with, Pello Bilbao (Bahrain-Victorious).  The answer was no to the first part, and yes to the second.  Bilbao came in seventh on the stage, but remained in the top three of the 2023 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 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/Tour-Down-Under/3929056-176-194179/Painting/now-or-never-tdu23-30.html

Tour Down Under '23, Stage 1: A Solo Effort

Nans Peters (Ag2r-Citroen) went off the front shortly after the 149 kilometer first road stage of the Tour Down Under got underway.  Being solo off the front he had all of the virtual jersey while the stage was underway (except the White Jersey of best young rider).  However, with another 72 kilometers to go, his just shy of two minute advantage wasn't going to be enough to hold off the peloton for much longer.  He was hoping to get over the Menglers Hill for the final King of the Mountains points before he got caught.  It was unfortunate for the Frenchman that he was the only one that got away from the grip of the peloton.  He certainly could have used some help.

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/Tour-Down-Under/3928002-152-194179/Painting/a-solo-effort-tdu23-6.html

Tour Down Under '23, Prologue: Into the Final Corner

 I was looking forward to watching Rohan Dennis (Jumbo-Visma) ride a blistering time trial through downtown Adelaide.  Unfortunatley, the rain prevent me and the fans along the side of the road from seeing the former Time Trial World Champion show his stuff against the clock.  He did break into the top ten, but finished the day in 15th overall.  I suspect he will now go looking for stage victories, however given the number one on his jersey I wonder if the team will be riding for him all week.  Fortunately for him, the Adelaide hills aren't as tough as the Alps so he is still in with a chance for over all victory.

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/Tour-Down-Under/3927879-151-194179/Painting/into-the-final-corner-tdu23-5.html

Tour Down Under '23, Prologue: Wet Roads

With a rare rain falling during the prologue of the Tour Down Under many faced wet roads and dangerous corners as they raced against the clock in the opening individual time trial.  Pello Bilbao (Bahrain-Victorious) was one of those who went later in the day, and thus had to go considerably slower than those not splashing throught the streets of Adelaide.  He finished 25th on the day, but that is only 20 seconds behind the first Ochre Jersey of the race.

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/Tour-Down-Under/3927868-149-194179/Painting/wet-roads-tdu23-3.html

Wollongong 2022, Mixed Team Relay: Setting It Up for the Women

Stefan Kung and Stefan Disseger were the two men who came together to the line for Switzerland.  The duo of Stefans posted the best time at the finish of the men's lap.  Since the time is taken on the second man to cross the line, it was not a problem that only two of the three finished together.  This duo was handing over a sixteen second advantage to the trio of Swiss women.  And it was a very strong line up of women that are just now waiting for the green light to start their race through the streets of Wollongong.  

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/3906773-16-295031/Painting/setting-it-up-for-the-women-uci22-16.html

Wollongong 2022, Mixed Team Relay: Time to Use the Turbo

If you are unaware, Luke Durbridge's (Australia) - he is on the front - nickname is 'Durbo Turbo'.  He is often found on the front of the peloton chasing down break aways for his BikeExchange-Jayco team.  Today he is using that particular skill to pull himself, Michael Matthews and Team Australia towards a new best time as the men's half of the Mixed Team Relay.  His efforts and that of his female teammates were enough to earn the home team a bronze medal after a long time in the hot seat.  It does seem to be a pattern of these Worlds, to have an Australian rider sit in first place right up until the end of the time trials of these games.

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/3906699-14-295031/Painting/time-to-use-the-turbo-uci22-14.html

Wollongong 2022, Men's ITT: Early Kilometers

Magnus Cort (Denmark) gained international fame with his exploits while the Tour de France was in his home country coming away with the Maillot a Pois as the race went to France.  He then held on to the jersey for eight more days making him a Danish hero.  Every painting I did of him in the Tour sold, one actually going to Magnus himself.  I was so honored.  Naturally, I wanted to paint him again before the season is out, so this was it.  As he said on social media after the race, it wasn't the day he had hoped for.  But it was nice to see him out on the road again.  Hopefully, he will have a better day in the road race on the weekend.

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/3906188-9-295031/Painting/early-kilometers-uci22-9.html

Wollongong 2022, Men's ITT: Down the Ramp

Neilson Powless (USA) was the first of the two Americans to compete in the Elite Men's Time Trial.  Powless got off to a good start but, alas, it wasn't to be his day.  Both he and I will have to wait until the weekend to have another go for the rainbow bands.  Unless he is in the mixed team time trial in the middle of the 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. 

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/3906186-8-295031/Painting/down-the-ramp-uci22-8.html