Tour '26, Stage 9: Badly Timed Mechanical

Tom Pidcock (Pinarello-Q36.5) had fought to get into the break, then to get up to the escapees from the break.  After going over the Cote de la Croix du Pey first, he had the unfortune of having his electronic gearing fail.  He was stuck in his climbing gears as he tried to fly down the other side of the climb with his breakaway companions.  After gesticulating furiously and kicking his derailleur, he kept on spinning his legs in hopes of staying close while he awaited his team car.  Surprisingly, his gears suddenly started working again.  Perhaps his battery had been loose, and he kicked it back into connection.  Or after beating them senseless, the gears decided they best behave.  I will say that he claims that they failed again in the final sprint to the line.  More about that later.

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: "Badly Timed Mechanical TdF26-62" (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

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Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 6: Not His Day

I love that Romain Bardet (Picnic-PostNL) keeps attacking this race.  He got into the early breakaway in hopes that it would be a winning move.  It wasn't until they started climbing the Cote du Mont Saxonnex that he found the going too tough.  As the remaining members of the break rode off, he looked back to see if he would be getting any help to chase back on.  I admire is desire to end his career on a high note.  He did manage to win his first ever Maillot Jaune in his final Tour de France last season, so perhaps he can win a stage in his final race as a pro.  With this dropping off of the pace with two more climbs to go a Maillot Jaune here is just out of the question.  Perhaps we should credit it to the curse of Friday the thirteenth.

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.

"Not His Day CdD25-29" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 15: I Can Help You, Mate

Just as I prepared to paint this, I heard someone say, "I can help you, mate."  I assumed it was Simon Yates (Jayco-Alula) offering to help himself and Tobias Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility) pace back up to the front split of the early breakaway.  Given Yates reputation, and the use of the word "mate" it seemed logical that it was Yates speaking, but minutes later it was clear that wasn't the case.  Johannessen rode away from the Brit and went off on his own in search of the leaders on the road.  Yates dropped back to the peloton, perhaps he just wanted to find his twin brother Adam.  Now that they are no longer on the same team, they may like to catch up whenever the opportunity presents itself.

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.

"I Can Help You, Mate TdF24-86" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France 23, Stage 17: Until the Final Climb

As the large early break away started up the final climb of the day, the Col de la Loze, riders began to drop off the back of the group.  Matthew Dinham (DSM-firmenich) was the next to slip away.  There is no shame in dropping away from the front group of the hardest stage of the Tour on the way up to the highest point of this Tour de France.  After all, he has been in the front group for roughly 140 kilometers with three high category climbs thus far.

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-2023/3966343-113-297438/Painting/until-the-final-climb-tdf23-113.html