Paris Roubaix '26: Closer and Closer

After his trials in the Forest of Arenberg, Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) was forced to chase hard and mainly on his own in hopes of regaining the front of the race.  Forty kilometers after the forest he had seventy-seven seconds helped occasionally by Flippo Ganna (Ineos-Grenadiers).  They were followed by the Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe teammates, Gianni Vermeersch and Tim Van Dijke along with someone from TotalEnergies.  The others seemed either unable or unwilling to help in the effort of recatching those up the road.

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. 

"Closer and Closer PR26-5" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix '26: Tough Time in the Forest

The Trouvee d'Arenberg claims the hopes of many in their goal to win (or even finish) Paris Roubaix.  So it seems for Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech).  He was with a teammate who passed him his bike, but apparently, they road different pedals so Van Der Poel was unable to pedal that bike.  Meanwhile another teammate had switched out his own good wheel onto the defending champion's bike, but it seemed that didn't work either.  By the time he was reached by his team car and mechanic he was now two minutes behind the front of the race.  He does have 92 kilometers to chase back, but those are not mere mortals that are up the road.  Of course, he isn't a mere mortal 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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Tough Time in the Forest PR26-4" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix '26: Bringing Wout Back

It is said of Paris Roubaix, "it isn't a question of if you will have bad luck, it is only a question of when."  Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) had an early mechanical and was paced back to the peloton by his teammate Christophe Laporte with another 147 kilometers to race.  Clearly, he has plenty of time to get back on, but it is never good to have to use energy chasing that you are going to need at the end of the day.  Alexis Renard (Cofidis) was thrilled to have a strong duo to pull him back to the peloton over one of the early cobbled sectors.

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.

"Bringing Wout Back PR26-1" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix Femmes '26: We Need to Chase Now!

As the chasing peloton came off of another section of pave, Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) seemed to encourage those with her to help give chase for those up the road.  Her teammate, Blanka Vas was dropped so she was free to try and catch the leaders.  Her move was covered by the American Megan Jastrab (UAE Team ADQ) as Zoe Backstedt (Canyon/SRAM-zondacrypto) tried to join in the effort.  At a minute and a half disadvantage with a mere 26 kilometers to race, it was unlikely that they would ever see the leaders on course 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 work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"We Need to Chase Now! PRF26-3" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix Femmes '26: Is the Podium Here?

Now that this quartet has almost a minute and a half on the chasers with only 26 kilometers left to the velodrome in Roubaix, it was beginning to feel certain that three of these women will be on the podium later today.  The defending queen Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Visma-Lease a Bike) was doing a lot of the work for her teammate Marianne Vos.  Both Blanka Vas (SD Worx-Protime) and Franziska Koch (FDJ United-SUEZ) were the beneficiaries of the Visma duo's work.  They were cheered on by fans as the negotiated one of the cobbled corners in Sector 6 labeled Bourghelles a Wannehain.

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.

"Is the Podium Here? PRF26-2" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix '25: Caught in the Middle

Once Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) had his flat and the other three went forward, Stefan Bissegger (Decathlon-Ag2r-La Mondiale) found himself caught in the middle of the main groups on the road.  As he entered pave sector 14, he decided to just wait for those behind to catch him up.  Not ideal, but he had a better chance of catching the leaders with the help of the six or so men 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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Caught in the Middle PR25-11" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix '25: An Elite Duo

A combination of strong legs and good luck found Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) and Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) off the front alone.  As they sped through pave sector 15, Mads Pedersen had a flat tire just as Pogacar made his move.  It took a second for van der Poel to get around the slowing Pedersen and chase down the fleeing rainbow jersey.  Despite the rain that fell between Paris Roubaix Femmes and today's race, only a few puddles lingered on an otherwise dry racecourse.  The women had to contend with dust, but the men had near perfect road conditions.  Conversely, the women had beautiful sunny skies, and the men raced under heavy grey clouds.

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.

"An Elite Duo PR25-10" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix '25: Into the Woods

Just because everyone knew that the move would come when they entered the Trouvee d'Arenberg, that didn't mean everyone could do anything about it.  As they rode into the infamous Forest of Arenberg, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) went on his long-expected attack.  He was quickly covered by the trio of favorites led by Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek), Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck).  All three have raced the cobbles to Roubaix before, with van Aert having won one, and van der Poel having won the last two editions.  Pogacar is a neophyte to the Hell of the North.

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.

"Into the Woods PR25-9" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix Femmes '25: Almost a Minute

With the marquee riders all watching each other in the closing kilometers, it was the Frenchwoman Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Visma-Lease a Bike) who jumped clear of the leading group.  The reigning Olympic Mountain Biking Gold Medalist quickly built up a lead of almost a minute on those chasing behind.  She flew over the cobbles of the final hard sector with just eight kilometers left to go in the fifth edition of the Paris Roubiax Femmes avec Zwift.  It was looking like she may have a serious chance of being the first Frenchwoman to win in Roubaix.

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.

"Almost a Minute PR25-6" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix Femmes '25: Alone on Sector 6

It was Emma Norsgaard (Lidl-Trek) who hit the three-star sector six alone.  The Norwegian has built up a twenty second lead on the chasing favorites (although she can count herself as one of those favorites as well).  With her time trialing capabilities, she would prove a difficult woman to track down from behind.  She has just another twenty-four kilometers to go.  Will she have the stamina to race alone over the cobbles to come solo onto the velodrome in Roubaix?

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.

"Alone on Sector 6 PR25-5" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix Femmes '25: Going Together

With just one woman up the road, it was Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) and her teammate Lorena Wiebes going on the attack.  The duo of champions used the four-star pave sector 12 to attack the vastly reduced peloton of favorites to go on the offensive.  Working together, they quickly built up a twenty second advantage.  It was hard to tell who was working for whom between the World Champion and the European Champion.  However, it was easy to tell that it was working either way.

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.

"Going Together PR25-3" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Women's Omloop Nieuwsblad '25: Attacking the Kapelmuur

As the peloton hit the fabled Kapelmuur, it was Demi Vollering (FDJ-Suez) in her new team's kit that attacked.  The only one able to go with the former Dutch Champion was her countrywoman, Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck).  With just eleven kilometers and one more climb to race, it is unlikely that this effort will make up the five minutes the two leaders have.

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.

"Attacking the Kapelmuur OHN25-3" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix ‘24: Into the Woods

Despite other teams doing the pace just before the Trouee d’Arenberg sector, it was Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) who opened up the first gap on the legendary cobbles through the woods and cycling fans.  With another 95 kilometers to race, here was not where the race could be won.  But far too many times, it is where many a Paris Roubaix hopeful’s race has come to an end.  Today, there were a few stumbles, and a few more flat tires, but at least everyone got through upright and in one piece.

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-/4008477-569-195767/Painting/into-the-woods.-pr24-10.html

Paris Roubaix Femmes ‘24: Backward & Forward

Pfeiffer Georgi (DSM-Firmenich-PostNL) was coming back to the front of the race having tangled wheels with one of her teammates.  Both managed to stay upright, but it left the British champion chasing back across the Carrefour de l’Arbre sector.  Conversely, Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek) was going through a bad patch and was dropping away from the leading group.  Thus the title, backward for the actions of Balsamo, and forward for those of Georgi.  With just sixteen kilometers to race, and this being the final truly tough section of cobbles, it was going to be tough for either of these women to see the leaders of the race 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-/4008377-564-195767/Painting/backward-forward.-pr24-5.html

Paris Roubaix Femmes ‘24: Gaining an Advantage

On the pave section named after the windmill off to her right, Jade Wiel (FDJ-Suez) opens up a twenty second lead with another 33 kilometers to go.  She must have felt good to ride solo past her team’s main sponsor’s banners as she neared the end of the eighth pave section, the Templeuvue Moulin de Vertain.  Behind her, the erstwhile leading quartet were getting their chase of the former French National Champion organized.

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-/4008375-563-195767/Painting/gaining-an-advantage.-pr24-4.html

Paris Roubaix 23: Ticking Off Another One

Another piece of Paris Roubaix is dealing with poorly timed mechanical problems.  As the attacks came in the Forest of Arenberg, Christophe Laporte (Jumbo-Visma) had a flat tire.  He had been there to support the team leader, who crashed out of the race.  He quickly shifted to supporting his teammate Wout Van Aert until a flat left him chasing the lead group with another teammate, Nathan Van Hooydonck.  Their chase was aided by Florian Vermeersch (Lotto-Dstny).  Each team will station their soigneurs with bidons and wheels to help their riders out at the end of each section of cobbles.

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/Spring-Classics-/3945233-532-195767/Painting/ticking-off-another-one-pr23-12.html

Paris Roubaix 23: Onto Another Sector

The pair of Jonas Koch (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Juri Holman (Movistar) were the first to escape off the front of the peloton.  So they were the first to hit Sector 24 with enough of a gap that the flotilla of press and race motorcycles was allowed to slot in behind them.  I loved the image of the foreshortening that shows the arch announcing the entrance into this sector in the background enough that I felt it was worthy of being captured in watercolors.  That is part of my selection process of what I chose to paint.  I look for images that tell the story of the race, but then I also look for a captivating image as well.  After all, this is also about making art.

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/Spring-Classics-/3945231-530-195767/Painting/onto-another-sector-pr23-10.html

Paris Roubaix 23: And So It Begins

First, I should say that my wife had knee surgery the Wednesday before Paris Roubaix weekend.  She had a tough recovery that left her sleeping most of Saturday during Paris Roubaix Femmes.  Sunday she still had troubles but was more awake yet more uncomfortable.  Therefore while I was able to painting this image the day of the men’s race, most were done either the following Monday or Tuesday.  She is home now and I am able to take care of her a bit more easily.  So it goes.

After 160 kilometers of racing the peloton arrived at the first sector of cobbles all together, an unusual state for Paris Roubaix.  You may notice that it is labeled “29.”  The cobbles count down from 29 to the ceremonial “1” just before to the entrance to the fabled Roubaix Velodrome where the race finishes.  Matteo Trentin (UAE Team Emirates) led Jumbo-Visma and the other 20 teams onto the first of 54 kilometers of cobblestone roads that make up the Hell of the ‘Hell of the North.’

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/Spring-Classics-/3945230-529-195767/Painting/and-so-it-begins.html

Paris Roubaix Femmes 23: Going Off on Her Own

Tired with the pace of the break away, and the number of passengers, Daniek Hengeveld (DSM) decided to head off on her own.  She used Sector 15, the stretch of cobbles from Tilley to Sars et Rosieres to open up a gap on those behind.  She grew her advantage up to a half of a minute before her former companions got their chase organized.  With another 71 kilometers to Roubaix, it was a bit of a tall order to race the rest of the cobbles off the front on her 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 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/Spring-Classics-/3944940-522-195767/Painting/off-on-her-own-prf23-2.html

Tour '22, Stage 5: Jarring Along

Stage 5 had been hyped as a big day for the first week of the Tour, and boy did it deliver!  Early on, just Sector 10 and already teams and GC riders were in trouble of losing their strong positions.  Sensing that they had a good opportunity for a stage win Quick Step-Alpha Vinyl went to the front with Kapser Asgreen and Michael Morkov.  Asgreen had been mention as a potential winner of the stage so the team was doing what it could to get him across the cobbles first.  On the Belgium team's wheels was Ineos-Grenadiers follow by about half of the peloton.  The rest of those in the Tour were sprinkled in various chase groups over the next two kilometers.  The crowds along the pave were treated to what they hoped for in the dust and sweat of the smaller Hell of the North.

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.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3892395-24-294403/Painting/jarring-along-tdf22-24.html