Tour '26, Stage 15: Outsprinting Yellow!

Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) had the un-enviable position of having to take on two very strong guys from the same team at the finale of Stage 15.  He had climbed pedal stroke for pedal stroke with Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) and his teammate Isaac Del Toro.  Tadej was riding as a super-domestique for Isaac in hopes of helping the Mexican Champion to both the stage win and reclaiming the Maillot Blanc of best young rider.  After Del Toro had attack twice and been caught by Evenepoel, it was Evenepoel's turn to go.  To pretty much everyone's surprise, Pogacar couldn't get around the former World Champion, perhaps a first this season.  Some seemed to think that the Maillot Jaune let the stage go, but that would be out of character for the Maillot Jaune - unless of course it was a teammate that was going to win the stage.  Evenepoel now moves into second place, with Del Toro moving into third and the Maillot Blanc.  Quinn Simmons still managed a tenth place. With his teammates finishing sixth and eighth, Lidl-Trek holds onto its lead in the team classification for at least one more stage.

Now onto the rest day, that will be followed by and individual time trial.  Should be interesting...

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: "Outsprinting Yellow! TdF26-114" (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 Femmes '25, Stage 3: Welcoming Victory

Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) spreads her arms wide seemingly to embrace her Tour de France Femmes stage victory in Angers.  Behind her Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) matched her pedal stroke for pedal stroke but wasn't able to come around the European Champion's wheel.  Wiebes victory means that she will take over the ownership of the Maillot Vert.  Don't worry for Vos, the time bonus for her second place means that she will trade her Maillot Vert for the Maillot Jaune.  It was a vastly reduced bunch that sprinted for victory, but the two most successful sprinters hit the front regardless of how many were behind them.

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.

"Welcoming Victory TdFF25-17" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 19: An Unbelievable Finish

For the second time in this Tour de France, Thymen Arensman (Ineos-Grenadiers) covered his face in disbelief as he won a mountain top finish in the rain.  He did it in the Pyrenees with Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) and Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) chasing him all of the way up the climb.  The first time he had been in the early breakaway and just manage to be the last member of the early break that wasn't caught by the Tadej.  Today, he actually attacked the group with the yellow jersey on the way up the final climb.  When he went, Tadej and Jonas looked at each other and neither went after the tall Dutchman.  Behind him, almost catching him in the last fifty meters, was Vingegaard just getting the better of Pogacar.  Just in the distance you can see the white jersey of Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) who lost the leading two in the last kilometer of the stage.  Those three represent the top three of this Tour.  Most likely the podium is now set.  Likewise, the jersey seemed to be set, too.  Pogacar has both Yellow and Polka Dots.  Lipowitz has the White, and way, way, way down the mountain Jonathan Milan has the Green Jersey.  The mountains are now done, and there are just two more stages to race including Paris.  

Tomorrow starts the Tour de France Femmes and I will be painting them every stage, every day, too.

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. 

"An Unbelievable Finish TdF25-102" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 10: He Was Free to Fly

After the team had fought to a draw on the previous climb, the word went out to Adam Yates (Visma-Lease a Bike) that he was now free to fly.  He has spent the day sitting on the back of the breakaway, not contributing nor sticking his nose in the wind.  He was there to be one of two teammates up the road for Vingegaard to bridge up to should he be able to drop Pogacar.  Since that wasn't happening, Yates attacked his breakaway companions at the base of the final climb.  He was the most rested of the group and put that to use on the way up the Puy de Sancy.  He claimed the stage victory (the first for the team) by nine seconds over Thymen Arensman (Ineos-Grenadiers).  He cherished the opportunity.  It is his first Tour stage win in six years!  When we get back to racing after the rest day, I am sure he will be all the more willing to work for his team leader, Vingegaard.

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. 

"He Was Free to Fly TdF25-64" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 8: The One that Matters

When the sprint opened up in Laval Espace Mayenne the only guy who could even come close to holding onto the Italian sprinter's wheel was Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike).  But not even the former Belgium champion could spoil Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) from winning his first Tour de France stage.  While he is wearing the sprinter's Maillot Vert, he didn't lead the sprint composition until he crossed the finish line.  To explain, if someone holds more than one jersey they will wear the highest ranking one like the Maillot Jaune over the Maillot Vert.  If that is the case, the guy sitting in second place will wear the lesser jersey instead.  So, while he started the day wearing green on loan, with this victory he now is leading the sprint competition and owns the jersey outright.

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.

"The One that Matters TdF25-52" (Original art by Greig Leach) 

Tour '25, Stage 6: A Plan Fulfilled

I think someone needs to invent a spell check pen.  This isn't the first time I've missed spelled a title, and I doubt it will be the last.  I digress. Without a GC contender, EF Education-EasyPost has decided their best option for success is to go for stage wins.  Today, Ben Healy, fulfilled that plan with aplomb!  He was the first to break free of the peloton a mere twenty kilometers into the stage, although it did take a few tries to make the move stick.  He dropped the rest of the breakaway with roughly fifty kilometers to go.  He continued to improve his advantage all of the way to Vire Normandie taking the stage alone by almost two-and-a-half minutes.  What a way to win your first Tour de France stage, and your tenth race 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 work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"A Planned Fulfilled TdF25-39" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Final Stage: Winning Atop d'Huez!

Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime) had done what she could to win today.  She definitely won the stage, and by dropping Pauliena Rooijakkers (Fenix-Deceuninck) in the final meters to the line, she had set herself up to win the third Tour de France Femmes as well.  She just now has to wait and see just how much time she put into Katarzyna Niewiadoma.  That is what will determine who is the final Maillot Jaune this year.  Spoiler, she did not win the overall, but she finished second with the woman behind her in this painting rounding out the final step of the Tour de France Femmes podium.

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.

"Winning Atop d'Huez TdFF24-45" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France 23, Stage 16 ITT, The Star of the Tour

Just moments after finishing an incredibly hard stage, Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) had cameras and microphones stuck in his face, even before he had a drink or a congratulatory hug from a coach or teammate.  No wonder really, he had just won the stage, and won it by a minute and thirty eight seconds.  If you think about it you will realize that means he had just put that much time into Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) thus stretching out his lead in the Tour to almost two minutes.  Given how the racing has been so close over the first fifteen stages it begs the question of how can anyone get time on the defending champion of the Tour de France.  It does mean that the mountain stage tomorrow will be wild, both to try and close the gap and for everyone thinking this will be the time to go for a stage win.

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-2023/3966075-109-297438/Painting/the-star-of-the-tour-tdf23-109.html

 

Tour de France 23, Stage 14: Seizing His Moment

Carlos Rodriguez (Ineos-Grenadiers) had seen his chance as the two leaders looked at each other over the summit of the Col de Joux Plane.  As they recovered from their efforts, Rodriguez pushed past at full speed, which he seemed to increase all of the way down the mountain and into Morzine.  Behind Vingegaard and Pogacar were joined by Pogacar's teammate Adam Yates.  And still the three could not chase down the Spaniard in the British team.  With first place gone and with it its bonus seconds, there was no chance for Pogacar to take the Maillot Jaune off the shoulders of Vingegaard. They ended the day with an additional second between them.  

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-2023/3965648-93-297438/Painting/seizing-his-moment-tdf23-93.html

 

Tour '22, Stage 17: The Stage, but Not the Jersey

While Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) attacked first, it was Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) who countered.  Yet in the end, Pogacar had enough left to get round the Maillot Jaune on the climb up the airstrip to claim the stage victory.  Yet with Vingegaard on his wheel all he managed after all of McNulty's work was a four second time bonus.  So yes, he gained time but is still two minutes and eighteen seconds behind.  That is a gap that Vingegaard can savely defend in the final time trial. But don't forget, there is still one more mountain top finish in the Pyrennes yet to go.  And then there is always luck that can factor in to who gets to Paris, and what color jersey they are wearing when they get there.

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-2022/3894990-109-294403/Painting/the-stage-but-not-the-jersey-tdf22-110.html

Tour '22, Stage 9: Keeping Them All at Bay

Bob Jungels (Ag2r-Citroen) was able to build enough of a lead when he attacked on the Col de la Croix to stay off the front of the race all of the way to the finish line.  His win today marks eleven years since a racer from Luxembourg has won a stage of the Tour de France.  Even the fast closing Maillot Jaune couldn't catch the solo effort by Jungels.  His stage win help the team balance out the tough day of their team leader Ben O'Connor.  While he did well to finish the stage, I doubt he will be at the start when the race resumes after the rest day 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 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-2022/3892969-51-294403/Painting/keeping-them-all-at-bay-tdf22-51.html

Paris Nice 2022: Winning the Stage But Not the Race

Simon Yates (BikeExchange-Jayco) had done all he could in the final kilometers to pull out an upset in Paris Nice today.  He had built up a gap at the summit of the Col d'Eze that might allow him to move into the lead with the ten second time bonus of a stage victory.  Alas, the Maillot Jaune had a teammate with him to help chase back the Brit on the Australian team.  As Yates celebrated his stage victory he looked back to see the Jumbo-Visma duo of Wout Van Aert and Primoz Roglic just coming into view on the Avenue des Anglais at the line in Nice.  Yates had done enough to win a stage, but couldn't pull off the race win due mainly to the efforts of Wout Van Aert in support of his team leader Primoz Roglic.  Still, nothing to hang his head about and it sure made for an exciting finale.

I'll be back painting some more of the one day classics in the coming weeks so be sure to check back in soon.

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/Paris-Nice/3872122-82-272742/Painting/winning-the-stage-but-not-the-race-pn22-45.html

TDF, Stage 19: He Strikes Again

Matej Mohoric (Bahrain-Victorious) couldn't believe he won stage 7 of the Tour.  But he had stage 19 in hand from twenty kilometers out.  His lead was over a minute to the one chaser as he celebrate all of the final kilometer into Liborne.  Has he crossed the line he made a gesture of zipping his lips.  I was confused until his post race interview.  He and his team had been raided by the French police several stages ago, without a search warrant, based on rumors of doping.  Nothing was found, and the team cooperated with the search.  However, their lawyers are digging into why the raid was carried out.  Without a warrant, it would only be a conviction in the press, but for some that might be all they want anyway.  

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 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/2021-Tour-de-France/3824364-129-291436/Painting/he-strikes-again-tdf21128.html

TDF, Stage 11: Any Way He Can

I don't think I have ever seen someone do what Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) has done in the last two days.  Yesterday he just about beat the Maillot Vert of Mark Cavendish (Deceuninck-Quick Step) to the line in a flat sprinter's stage.  The very next day he drops all of the big names of the Tour on a truly tough stage that included a Catagory 1 climb followed by two trips up the fabled Mont Ventoux.  And as if that wasn't a big enough feat, he decided that his victory salute should be done while standing on the pedals, out of the saddle and with his hands spread wide.  Now that is some serious bike handling that I would never, ever attempt.  Plus he gave the team something to celebrate as yet another member of the black & yellow squad was forced to leave the race due to injuries from a crash out on course.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.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 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/2021-Tour-de-France/3822579-71-291436/Painting/any-way-he-can-tdf21-70.html

TDF, Stage 3: No Less of a Victory

Some may discredit Tim Merlier's (Alpecin-Fenix) win today since two of the biggest names in sprinting were laying on the ground behind.  I am not one of those.  If he had not already been ahead of those two he would have crashed as well, so it may be true that he was going to take the stage regardless.  Behind his victory salute, his teammate Jasper Philipsen was looking to make sure that Nacer Bouhanni (Arkea-Samsic) didn't get a bike lunge victory while his sprinter was celebrating.  Behind the top three finishers came Davide Ballerini (Deceuninck-Quick Step), Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain-Victorious), Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix) and then Julian Alphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step).

This was the first day were none of the leaders' jerseys changed hands, however due to multiple crashes many slipped down (and some up) the leader board in the quest for overall victory in Paris.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above.  Since ti is an original work of art, it is a first come first seved reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburth watercolors 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/2021-Tour-de-France/3820782-20-291436/Painting/no-less-of-a-victory-tdf21-20.html

Dauphine, Stage 1: The Stage and Two Jerseys

Brent Van Horn (Lotto Soudal) had gone in the early break looking to claim the first King of the Mountains Jersey of this year's Criterium du Dauphine.  Instead, he came away with considerably more.  It is a rare thing for the break away to stay off the front all of the way to win the stage, but that is what Van Horn managed to do (those with him were absorbed by the peloton within the final 15 kilometers of the stage.)  Van Horn not only took is first victory in a pro tour race, but because he did so he is now the first to wear the yellow jersey of race leader.  Ironically, his success on the stage means he will not be wearing the polka dot jersey of the king of the mountains, because the yellow jersey of race leader takes precedence.  Not a bad day out on the bike.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above.  Since ti is an original work of art, it is a first come first seved reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburth watercolors 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/Criterium-du-Dauphine/3814172-88-185083/Painting/the-stage-and-two-jerseys-cd21-4.html

Tour, Stage 13: Beating the Odds

 Despite the odds being against him, Daniel Felipe Martinez (EF Pro Cycling) was able to drop both Maximilian Schachmann (Bora-Hasgrohe) and just fading from view, the other Bora man, Lennard Kamna.  Martinez was able to make his team look brilliant for putting three guys in the early break.  Behind, his team leader Rigoberto Uran, lost a handful of seconds to the Maillot Juane, but he is still within striking distance should those ahead on the GC falter.  But for now, the team can celebrate their frist stage victory in the 107th Tour de France (the Tour that almost wasn't).

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/Tour-de-France-2020/3699246-87-282744/Painting/beating-the-odds-tdf20-81.html

Tour, Stage 20: As Promised

It looked like Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain Merida) was taking his cue from the great opera starts of Italy as he bowed to the crowd atop the Val Thorens.  Nibali had suffered illness and less than ideal form throughout the first two third of the Tour, but he came right when it mattered.  Nibali had promised his fans a stage win and earlier in the Tour it looked like that wasn't going to happen.  To his credit, he stuck it out, staying in the Tour.  Today was his last chance to deliver on his promise, and he found the legs to do it.  It may well have helped that the stage was just one climb instead of the planned three.  He seemed to fade as the previous stages grinded on.  No matter, he has the stage win he came for.

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.

Be sure to check out my daily videos on You Tube.  If you enjoy what you see on the channel, please subscribe.  I need to get over a hundred subscribers so I can name the channel, "Art of Cycling"

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202019/3366255-118-263530/As%20Promised%20%20TDF19-118.html

Tour, Stage 12, Twelve Different Winners

With arms spread wide, Simon Yates (Mitchelton Scott) became the twelfth competitor to win a stage of the 2019 Tour de France, and that is out of twelve stages.  Much was made that the last time there was 11 winners in 11 stages yesterday, so I wonder if this has ever happened before.  Anyone know the answer?  Yates had position and was able to start his sprint from behind the others.  Pello Bilbao (Astana) was the next across the line, with Gregor Muhlberger (Bora Hansgrohe) rounding out the top three.  It was roughly a minute and a half before the next man crossed the line in Bagneres de Bigorre. The GC contenders spent the day watching each other, saving themselves for tomorrow's individual time trial.  Julian Alaphilippe has now held the Maillot Jaune for ten days, it must be near a record for a Frenchman in the modern era.  Anyone know the last time the French held their home tour for so many days?

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.

Be sure to check out my daily videos on You Tube.  If you enjoy what you see on the channel, please subscribe.  I need to get over a hundred subscribers so I can name the channel, "Art of Cycling"

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202019/3361778-67-263530/Twelve%20Different%20Winners%20%20TDF19-67.html

Tour, Stage 9: A Long Time Coming

Daryl Impey (Dimension Data) clearly had the legs after 170.5 kilometers to take out the sprint.  Impey has worn the Maillot Jaune for two days in years past, but this is his first stage win in the Tour de France.  The French will have to consul themselves with a Maillot Jaune, but no stage win on Bastille Day.  Behind the South African Champion was a clearly exhausted Tiesj Benoot (Lotto Soudal).  Both climbed up the general classification with the top of the GC coming in a full sixteen minutes after this pair crossed the line in Brioude.

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.

Be sure to check out my daily videos on You Tube

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202019/3360004-49-263530/A%20Long%20Time%20Coming%20%20TDF19-49.html