Tour Femmes '26, Stage 9: Above the Sea

You know the song I am referencing with this title... and now it is stuck in your head, too.  On the second trip up the Col d'Eze it was the British Champion Zoe Backstedt (Canyon/SRAM) burying herself for her teammates Antonia Niedwrmaier (in the Maillot Blanc) and Kasia Niewiadoma.  On their wheels are Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez) in the Maillot Jaune and Niamh Fisher-Black (Lidl-Trek).  Under the relentless pace set by Backstedt, many more were dropped from the ever-reducing peloton.  Her pace also meant that she and her teammates need not fear any attacks either.  The added bonus is that they got rid of one of Vollering's strongest teammates.  The flip side is that the British Champion's work meant she was gone at the summit, too.  With two more climbs up Col d'Eze, the last one even steeper, this stage is more about attrition than attacking moves... thus far.

I guess I should mention that the view of the Mediterranean Sea was stunning up here above 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: "Above the Sea TdFF26-58" (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 21: In Procession on the Champs

Normally, the team that holds the Maillot Jaune is the team that leads the peloton onto the Champs Elysees as the race enters the center of Paris.  This year everyone had to adapt due to wildfires that were raging near Paris.  So, after the first lap of posing for cameras and perhaps a sip of champagne, UAE Team Emirates went to the front of the peloton as they headed up the Champs Elysees to the l'Arc de Triomphe.  It isn't like the team has spent thousands of kilometers doing this in service of the Maillot Jaune as they race around France.  Still, homage must be paid, and the fans must get their chance to salute the team that got their leader around France the quickest, Tadej Pogacar.  They also had another teammate who got around the third fastest, Isaac Del Toro.  That is quite a successful Tour.  The only sight mark on their Tour is that they didn't bring the complete team to Paris.  But then only eight of the twenty-three teams accomplished that feat.

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: "In Procession on the Champs TdF26-156" (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 →  

Liege Bastogne Liege '22: All Day

It seems every time the camera cut to the front of the peloton there was Luis Leon Sanchez (Bahrain Victorious) was out there setting the pace.  He was dropped on the previous climb, but was soon back through the peloton and on the front for his team yet again.  Sanchez is yet another veteran in this peloton starting the day at 38 years old.  With this much time out in the wind it seems clear that his team has someone else in mind for victory when they return to Liege.

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/Spring-Classics-/3881092-503-195767/Painting/all-day-lbl22-3.html

Paris Roubaix: Eyes Down

Both an expression of all out effort, and sound advice when racing on cobblestones.  Tim Declercq (Decenunick Quick Step) was tasked with setting the pace for his teammates in the peloton.  Declercq was setting such a pace that he rode eveyone off of his wheel.  Decenunick Quick Step clearly had a plan for the day, and the team had the legs to put that plan into play.

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/Spring-Classics-/3319163-431-195767/PaintingEyes-Down--PR19-2.html

Vuelta, Stage 20: Making Their Intentions Known

With a small break off the front, Trek-Segafredo hit the front of the peloton en masse at the base of the first catagorized climb of the final mountain stage of the Vuelta.  Their team leader, Alberto Contador, has been the most agressive rider for the second half of this Vuelta.  He certainly wants to go out of the sport a fighter, just as he as raced throughout his career.  Today is his last mountain stage, I'm sure he would love to finish his career with a mountain top stage win.  Clearly, his team was willing to do their part to make it happen.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Vuelta-2017/3031630-49-239162/PaintingMaking-Their-Intentions-Known-V-50.html