Tour Femmes '26, Stage 5: The Perfect Ending

Well, it was a perfect ending for all of the work that Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez) and her team had put in all day long.  She came into Belleville en Beaujolais with Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon/SRAM) and Marlen Reusser (Movistar).  It was Niewiadoma who got the jump on the other two, but faded as Vollering and Reusser chased her down.  They both came around the Polish star with only fifty meters to the line.  In the end it was Vollering in her European Champion's jersey who raised her arms in victory.  Just behind her were Reusser who we can see and Niewiadoma whom we can not.  The three are now the top three in the general classification, with Reusser holding her Maillot Jaune, Vollering in second and Niewiadoma holding the third step of the podium.  There is just over a minute between the three but the first two are only twelve seconds apart.

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: "The Perfect Ending TdFF26-32" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

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Tour Femmes '26, Stage 1: The First in Yellow

It was Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) raising her arms in victory atop the final climb of the day in Lusanne.  Her victory in the opening stage means she will pull on the first Maillot Jaune of the Tour de France Femmes.  Behind her are Kim Le Court (AG Insurance-Soudal) - who will wear the Maillot Vert on loan from Wiebes - and then the European Champion, Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez) taking third.  

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: "The First in Yellow TdF26-6" (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 13: Just Enough Road

While you can see the eight former companions of the leading duo, it wasn't as close as it seemed.  Both Mauro Schmid (Jayco-Alula) and Harold Tejada (XDS-Astana) had slowed down, each trying to force the other to the front as they rode in the final kilometer of the stage.  Schmid said in a post-race interview that he was trying to get Tejada to jump first as the chasers closed in.  It worked. Tejada opened up the sprint looking like he would get the stage.  He faded in the final meters, and Schmid was able to get the victory.  As he crossed the line, he first pulled up his front wheel then smashed it down in a celebration of his win.  Not a move I remember seeing before.  Closest thing would be Peter Sagan's wheelies as he went over mountain top summits while in the groupetto.  Behind, Tom Pidcock (Pinarello-Q36.5) was able to outsprint the others for a well-deserved third place on the stage.

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: "Just Enough Road TdF26-92" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

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Tour '26, Stage 11: Flat Out

I had back issues and went to the ER today, I was worried that the medicine I was given would affect the way I painted.  If it did, I think it improve it.  This may be one of my most favorites of the fourteen years I have been painting the Tour.  Somehow even after a hundred miles at the fastest pace of any Tour stage in history, the sprinters were able to ramp it up just that much faster.  At just a hundred meters, Soren Waerenskjold (Uno X-Mobility) was on the front with Pascal Ackerman (Jayco-Alula), Fernando Gaviria (Caja Rural-Seguros), Biniam Girmay (NSN Cycling), Milan Fretin (Cofidis) and Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech) were all hoping that they could get around the Norwegian to claim the stage in Nevers.  Warenskjold has finished second in two stages thus far, was this going to be the one that he got right?  Or was Philipsen finally going to get that elusive stage in this Tour. He has one ten stages in his career, but not yet in the 113th Tour.  Girmay is still looking for his first win in two years.

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: "Flat Out TdF26-77" (Original art by Greig Leach)

 Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

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Learn More About the Artist →  

Tour '26, Stage 4: Winning the Stage & the Maillot Vert

Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) was able to hang with the breakaway from the large breakaway over the final two climbs of the day thus being able to sprint it out for the stage win in Foix.  It wasn't really in question that he would win the sprint as he was the only sprinter left out of the remaining ten.  Clearly, he won handedly as you can tell by this view of his victory salute.  His teammate, who had helped to bring him to the line, Quinn Simmons, took second on the stage just ahead of Pablo Castrillo (Movistar).  It would be another fourteen minutes before the erstwhile Maillot Jaune and the rest of the peloton got to this point in downtown Foix.  Tomorrow, Pedersen will start the sprint stage already in the sprinter's Green Jersey.  Chapeau!

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: "Winning the Stage & the Maillot Vert TdF26-29" (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 → 

Paris Roubaix '26: Time to Celebrate

When it came down to just Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) and Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) in the finale on the velodrome it seemed likely it would be Van Aert to take the two-up sprint to win this edition of Paris Roubaix.  After all, Van Aert has won the sprint finale on the Champs Elysees of the Tour de France.  He has been seeking the victory on the velodrome of Roubaix his whole career, so it was now surprise that he broke down in tears after holding off the man many consider the best bike racer of all time.  I'm still in the camp of Eddy Merxyk personally. It should be noted that Pogacar has only competed twice in Paris Roubaix and has taken second place both times.

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.  

"Time to Celebrate PR26-9" (Original art by Greig Leach) - This painting has sold!

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 5: Back into Yellow

Not only did Kim Le Court (AG Insurance-Soudal) take the bonus sprint, she also had the legs to just hold off Demi Vollering (FDJ-Suez) to claim the stage victory.  While it looks like she is wearing the UCI World Champion Rainbow Jersey, it is actually the Mauritius National Champion's jersey.  But you don't need to remember that tomorrow, the bonus seconds from the sprint and the stage win means she will be pulling the Maillot Jaune back on after ceding it to Marianne Vos in stage two.  They are the only two women to have the leader's jersey thus far in the Tour de France Femmes this edition.  Clearly, Demi Vollering is doing much better than we all feared after being helped home by her teammates just two stages ago.  Le Court was so sure she had the victory that she celebrated a bit early, but still won the stage by three-quarters of a bike length.

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.

"Back into Yellow TdFF25-28" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 4: She Found Her Way Through

Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) got a bit boxed in at the start of the spint, even using her shoulder to make a little room to find some open space.  She finally had a lane when the American Chloe Dygert (Canyon/SRAM-zondocrypto) opened her sprint a bit early.  Wiebes' kick for the line left everyone chasing with only Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) able to hold the Green Jersey's wheel.  But again, as it was in stage 3, Wiebes took the win with Vos in second unable to get around the sprinter.  Behind Dygert faded to fourth when Lara Gillespie (UAE Team ADQ) got around her for third in Poitiers.  Today is the first day that none of the leaders' jersey changed hands.  I don't think that will hold true tomorrow.

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.

"She Found Her Way Through TdFF25-22" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '25, Stage 17: Making It Two!

In the last left turn before the peloton lined up for the sprint a large bunch crashed after someone (or two) slide out on the wet road.  Since the wreck happened at the front of the peloton a number of sprinters went down or were held up too long to vie for the stage victory.  I doubt any would have had the legs to get around Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) who claimed his second stage victory of his career and this Tour.  One of those caught out by the crash was Tim Merlier (Soudal-Quick Step) who is the only sprinter to beat Milan to the line, twice.  Today it was Jordi Meeus (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) with Pavel Bittner (Picnic-PostNL) taking the third step of the podium.  Arnaud De Lie (Lotto) sprinted to fourth today.  For Milan, his win today may mean he has done what he needed to keep the Maillot Vert all of the way to Paris.  It really depends on the coming intermediate sprints, and how the new course on the final day in Paris will be raced.

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 It Two TdF25-116" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 9: For the Second Time

Unfortunately for the early breakaway of Mathieu Van Der Poel and Jonas Rickaert (Alpecin-Deceuninck) Van Der Poel was caught by the charging peloton with roughly 900 meters left to race.  It was a very long shot that may have started as a lark almost came to fruition.  Instead, it was the sprinters who vied to win on the streets of Chateauroux.  The town has given itself the nickname of Cavendish City, since the record holding sprinter had won all three of the sprint stages that ended here.  Without Cavendish still racing, it would be someone new to claim stage honors today.  That honor went to Tim Merlier (Soudal-Quick Step) who edged out Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek), again! This time it was about a half of a bike length rather than a half inch like Stage 3.  It was Arnaud De Lie (Lotto) getting his sprinting legs turning over taking third followed by Pavel Bittner (Picnic-PostNL).  Sadly, my pick for the stage, Biniam Girmay, could only sprint to sixth not even making into the frame.

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.

"For the Second Time TdF25-57" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 4: Three Up, Again!

Just like in Stage 2, it was Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) and Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) coming to the line together on an uphill sprint to the finish.  Stage 2 Van Der Poel got the best of the other two and claimed the Maillot Jaune that is still on his shoulders.  It would seem that he would have the better sprint over to the two GC guys behind him, but then, how much energy did he burn to rejoin them in the closing kilometers of the stage.  Just behind this trio is Oscar Onley (Picnic-PostNL) and Romain Gregoire (Groupama-FDJ) desperately trying to get on terms.

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. 

"Three Up, Again! TdF25-23" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 3: Photo Finish!

I, nor the race commentators on NBC, could tell who had won stage three between Tim Merlier (Soudal-Quick Step) and Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek).  However, Merlier was sure it was him as he raised his arms in victory after his lunge to the line.  He was right.  Behind the two who were separated by the width of a tire, it was Phil Bauhaus (Bahrain-Victorious) taking the third step of the podium in Dunkirk.  Just off of the podium were Soren Werenskjold (Uno X-Mobility), Pavel Bittner (Picnic-PostNL), Biniam Girmay (Intermarche-Wanty) and Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck) in turn.  It would have been poetic if Groves could have taken the stage given the loss of his team's main sprinter, but it was not to be.  Milan will become the new owner of the Maillot Vert vacated by the unlucky Jasper Philipsen. 

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.

"Photo Finish! TdF25-17" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '25, Stage 1: Winding It Up

Alpecin-Deceuninck had led out the final fifteen kilometers of the opening stage of the Tour beautifully.  With just about 75 meters to go, the deliver Jasper Philipsen to the front at full speed.  Try as they might Biniam Girmay (Intermache-Wanty) wasn't able to come around him.  Jasper took the stage by roughly five bike lengths, with Girmay taking second.  Behind, Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies) was fourth, Matteo Trentin (Tudor) fifth, Clement Russo (Groupama-FDJ) sixth, and Soren Werenskjold (Uno X-Mobility) took the third step of the peloton.  The result puts Philipsen in both the Maillot Jaune and the Maillot Vert, with Girmay in the Maillot Blanc of best young rider.  Girmay sits second in both the sprint competition and the general classification.

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.

"Winding It Up TdF25-6" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Nice '25, Stage 6: It Was a Close One

Out of the seventeen that came together into Berre l'Etang, Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) was the clear favorite for the sprint finale.  What I didn't see coming was just how hard Josh Tarling (Ineos-Grenadiers) pushed the Danish former World Champion for the win.  I suspect that had there been another 100 meters it would have gone to Tarling.  Tarling's teammate Sam Watson was able to just get by a fading Axel Zingle (Visma-Lease a Bike) to take third.  Everyone in the group moved themselves up in the general classification.  With these results, Matteo Jorgenson (Zingle's teammate) now has a forty second advantage over Florian Lipowitz who was in this group as well.

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.

"It Was a Close One PN25-27" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Nice '25, Stage 2: Two in a Row

Clearly neither the crash not the chase back to the peloton didn't dampen the legs of Tim Merlier (Soudal-Quick Step).  For the second stage in a row, he showed a clean set of wheels to the rest of the peloton in the sprint finale.  He took the time to look back and confirm that he had plenty of space before raising his arms in celebration.  He got the better of Emilien Jeanniere (TotalEnergies) and Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek).  Pedersen finished fourth, but the guy in third was relegated for a dangerous sprint.  With this second stage win Merlier increases his lead to a fourteen second advantage over the rest of the field.  In two days, he as ten and a half minutes over the Lantern Rouge (the rider sitting last on the general classification).

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.

"Two in a Row PN25-7" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Men's Omloop Nieuwsblad '25: Photo Finish

Once we all looked at the photo finish, it was clear that Soren Werenskjold (Uno-X Mobility) has won the mass sprint, but in real time, no one was sure who had won.  It was interesting to watch Warenskjold listening to his race radio trying to discover whether he had gotten the better of Paul Magnier (Soudal-Quick Step) or not.  Hidden by Magnier is the powerful sprinter, Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) whom many would have tapped to win a mass sprint today.  The extra icing on the cake for Warenskjold is that he was a very late call up to race Omloop Nieuwsblad for his team.  Way to step up to the plate (or bike cleat in this case)!

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.

"Photo Finish OHN25-9" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Volta ao Algrave '25, Stage 3: It Counts this Time

This time when Jordi Meeus (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) outsprinted the peloton, it counted.  Behind him was Alberto Dainese (Tudor Cycling) followed by Biniam Girmay (Intermache-Wanty) and the Belgium Champion Arnaud De Lie (Lotto).  While I didn't see a problem, Dainese was relegated so Girmay and De Lie moved up a step on the stage podium.  With his win today Meeus moves into the Green Jersey of the points leader.  Plus, I'm thrilled to see Girmay back at the pointy end of a stage after his brilliant 2024 Tour de France.

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.

"It Counts this Time VA25-10" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Volta ao Algarve 25, Stage 1: Where Did They Go?

It was quite a wild finish to the opening stage of the Volta ao Algrave in Lagos.  The stage went to Filippo Ganna (Ineos-Grenadiers) in a surprising finale.  Inside of the final kilometer the peloton split as they went around a round-about, however about 80% of the peloton went off the racecourse as they came out of the circle.  Ganna was surprised to look behind and see virtually no one chasing.  He went on to claim the stage in a solo victory and the first leader's jersey.  However, due to the mayhem, everyone was awarded the same time in the general classification, excluding the bonus seconds for the sprint.

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.

"Where Did They Go? VA24-2" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Men's Tour Down Under '25, Stage 2: Bloodied & Victorious

Within the first two or three kilometers of the 128 kilometer stage, the Ochre Jersey, Sam Welsford (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) crashed tearing off about half of his racing shorts.  It was feared that he wouldn't be able to stay with the peloton or perhaps hoped for by the other sprinters in the race.  And it was opined that if he did stay there, he wouldn't have the legs to sprint for the stage victory.  To their disappointment, Arne Marit (Intermache-Wanty), Bryan Coquard (Cofidis) and the rest of the peloton discovered just how wrong they were at the line in Tanunda.  With his second stage win in as many stages, Welsford leads by fourteen seconds over Marit on the general classification.  He also has twenty-two-point lead in the sprint competition.  So far, he is having a great Tour Down Under, albeit a rather sore one.

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.

"Bloodied & Victorious TDU25-26" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Men's Tour Down Under '25, Stage 1: A Clean Set of Wheels

Just because he was the expected favorite to take the stage didn't mean Sam Welsford (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) wasn't going to do what he does best.  And he did it with a such an obvious advantage.  With his victory, he becomes the first to wear the Ochre Jersey of race leader.  He also is the owner of the Blue Jersey of the best sprinter.  Moving into second in the sprint but not the general classification is Stephen Mathew Brennan (Visma-Lease a Bike).  While Mathew Walls (Groupama-FDJ) took third in the sprint, yet he does sits behind Brennan in fifth.  The two members of the early break away had earned enough bonus seconds to move into second and third.

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 Clean Set of Wheels TDU25-21-" (Original art by Greig Leach)