Tour Femmes '26, Stage 5: Looking to Help

After spending the whole stage in the front group, Maeva Squiban (UAE Team L'IMAD) was called back to help her team leaders, one in the Maillot Blanc, to get back up to the front group.  Both Paula Blasi and Elisa Longo Borghini had been dropped by the peloton on the penultimate climb of the day.  In hope of keeping Blasi in white, she left her other teammate up front and slowed up looking for her teammates.  She did her job pulling them, but they never regained the front of the race.  Blasi lost her title of best young rider in the Tour, and Squiban ended up losing five minutes on those she had been with.  The bright note, the teammate she left up front, Domininka Wlodarczyk, finished fourth and moved into fifth on the general classification.  By helping her teammates, her team moved back into the lead of the Team 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.

Purchase this painting here: "Looking to Help TdFF26-30" (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 5: Soigneur

It is more than just the teammates, but the whole team organization that supports a rider's ambition throughout the Tour.  Not only can riders get water, food, and ice from their team car, but the soigneurs are dotted along the racecourse to pass bottles or musettes as the peloton zooms by.  It is a particular skill to both pass and to catch a bidon as you fly by at speeds up to 30 miles per hour.  Ewen Costiou (Groupama FDJ-United) did a perfect grab for the camera with another 52 kilometers to go to Pau.  

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: "Soigneur TdF26-33" (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 2: Take Mine & Go!

With just around fifteen kilometers to go Paul Seixas (Decathlon-CMA CGM) has a flat tire, fortunately his teammate Aurelien Paret-Peintre was right there.  After passing his bike to his team leader, Paret Peintre gently lays Seixas' bike on the road before giving his compatriot a push to get going again.  The bike was a bit large for the leader of Decathlon but it would do until the team car could give him his own spare.  The fans were thrilled to get to see the hope of the French so close up.  Admittedly these are Spanish fans, assuming they are locals, but then the Tour brings people from all over the world to watch the race from the side of 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.

Purchase this painting here: "Take Mine & Go! TdF26-11" (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 '25, Stage 12: Keeping Healy Close

As the peloton neared the summit of the Col du Soulor, Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) succumbed to the heat, the pace, and the two different stages that put him into the Maillot Jaune in the first place.  As he struggled, his teammate Harry Sweeny rode just ahead of him pacing the Irishman in hopes of getting back onto the group of favorites over the top of the first category one climb of this Tour de France.  Alas, the final climb of the day was just way too hard, and the heat just way too much for Healy to keep Yellow despite the best efforts of Sweeny.  He finished the day over thirteen and a half minutes behind the stage winner (and new Maillot Jaune), dropping down to eleventh place in the general classification.  Having lost their GC hopeful before the start of the Tour his team was merely hoping for a stage win (which he provided) so two days in the Maillot Jaune was a bonus for his team's fortunes.

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.

"Keeping Healy Close TdF25-76" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 2: Waiting for His Sprinter

Despite his team's sprinter, Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) already having two other teammates helping him, Julien Bernard was also called back to help pull Milan back up to the peloton.  The penultimate climb had proven too much for the big sprinter to stay with the main group, but they now had a long descent and flat roads to catch back on.  They are facing one more climb before the finale in Issoire, but that one is nowhere near as hard as the Category 2 Cote du Chateau de Buron.  We will have to wait and see if the strategy paid off in Issoire.

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.

"Waiting for His Sprinter CdD25-7" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Ronde van Vlaanderen '25: Visma Chases

Having missed being able to go with the attack on the Oude Kwaremont, Visma-Lease a Bike was forced to chase.  They had the numbers to bring back the leading trio, so it was Wout van Aert, Matteo Jorgenson, and Tiesj Benoot riding hard together.  They were joined in the effort by two of the former attackers, Stefan Kung (Groupama-FDJ) and Jasper Stuyven (Lidl-Trek).  Despite their collective best efforts, only van Aert was able to rejoin the front of the race, with the others remaing the second group on the road.

Another spoiler, while he did rejoin the leaders, van Aert finished fourth on the day, just off of the podium.  I should point out that his teammates Benoot and Jorgenson finished sixth and 47th respectively.  Kung ended up seventh and Stuyven was fifth.

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.

"Visma Chases RVV25-5" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 5: You Take Mine

Erica Magnaldi (UAE Team ADQ) went down on her own in a corner about halfway down the peloton.  It seemed odd, she simply lost her rear wheel and slide out on a left-hand bend.  Her teammate Mikayla Harvey stopped to help her pace back to the peloton.  Magnaldi wasn't able to get her chain sorted so Harvey passed her bike over.  Harvey would then wait for a replacement bike and catch up her protected rider.  One small problem, no pun intended, Harvey's bike was too big for the diminutive Italian.  Magnaldi wasn't able to sit on the saddle and pedal her teammates bike.  So in the end, she had to keep riding standing up until her team car got Harvey on her spare, and then caught up to give Magnaldi her spare bike.  Just a case of making a quick decision that actually cost time rather than saving it.  Fortunately, there was still fifty-one kilometers left in the stage, so at least Magnaldi was able to rejoin the peloton long before the end of 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 $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"You Take Mine TdFF24-23" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 1: Teaming Up

Once his team leader, Romain Bardet (DSM-Firmenich-PostNL) jumped clear of the chasing peloton, Frank Van Der Broek dropped out of the break away to help out.  He quickly brought Bardet back to the break and then the pair dropped his former companions.  The two flew down the Cote de San Marino on their way to the finish in Rimini.  It was a tall order to hold of the chasing peloton, but thus far they seemed to be equal to the task.  It is just as easy for the break away as it is for the peloton on the descent, but the flats into down will be the real test.

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.

"Teaming Up TdF24-4" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France 23, Stage 20: Launched by His Team

Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek) set out at the start of the stage with just one goal, to secure the Maillot a Pois.  He was led to the top of the first climb, the Ballon d'Alsace, by none other than Mads Pedersen and it was Mattias Skjelmose who took him to the line.  As he went over in first place, he was followed in turn by both teammates, with Skjelmose taking second and Pedersen taking third.  Dylan Van Baarle (Jumbo-Visma) in his Dutch Champion's jersey just watched them get on with it.  He had a more important job to do.  He was on the front to look after his leaders Maillot Jaune.  Ciccone will need to go first over the first four climbs of the day to put the King of the Mountains title out of anyone else's reach.  His closest competitor, Felix Gall (Ag2r-Citroen) wasn't in the early break, so it is unlikely he will put up any resistance.  And the other, is Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) who is far more concerned with making sure he keeps his Maillot Jaune to bother with sprinting for KOM points.

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-2023/3966827-131-297438/Painting/launched-by-his-team-tdf23-131.html

 

Tour de France 23, Stage 17: Solidifying Yellow

After Sepp Kuss had done what he could for his Jumbo-Visma teammates, it was time for Wilco Kelderman to take over the pace making for their team leader Jonas Vingegaard in his yellow jersey.  The pair were chasing the lone rider that was two minutes further up the Col de la Loze.  Conversely, they had already put two minutes into the white jersey of Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates).  With just under ten kilometers to race in the Queen stage of the Tour, would there be enough road to catch the three guys up the road.  Also up the road was the opportunity to take the lead in the King of the Mountains competition, since the current Maillot a Pois had dropped away at the base of this final climb that carried double KOM points.

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-2023/3966377-117-297438/Painting/solidifying-yellow-tdf23-117.html

Tour de France 23, Stage 17: Back to Help

Both UAE Team Emirates and Jumbo-Visma had put two riders into the early break with the thinking that they could either go for the stage win, or be there to help their leaders on the final climb of the day.  UAE left their guys in the break when Tadej Pogacar got into trouble at his encouragement.  Conversely, as Jonas Vingegaard's domestiques started to drop away, they pull back each of their guys one by one to come help increase the gap between Vingegaard and the struggling Pogacar.  Wilco Kelderman looks back to gauge the speed of Sepp Kuss so that his Jumbo-Visma teammates won't have to slow as they come up to his wheel.  At this point, Carlos Rogdriguez (Ineos-Grenadiers) was getting a "free" ride up the Col de la Loze with the hope of back into third place (if not higher).

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-2023/3966376-116-297438/Painting/back-to-help-tdf23-116.html

Tour de France 23, Stage 17: Job Done, Pizza Time?

I had been thinking that Ben O'Connor (Ag2r-Citroen) had been the protected rider on the team today, perhaps so did the rest of the break away, until he suddenly just came to a virtual stop on the climb of the Col de la Loze.  As he struggled to keep turning the pedals, a fan ran up to offer him a pepperoni pizza.  I stopped the broadcast and painted it right away.  It was both funny and a different moment than what is normally the story of the day's racing.  Plus it reminded me of a moment from the first time I watched the Giro d'Italia, and the peloton was passing around pastry trays in celebration of a member of the peloton's birthday.  Totally exhausted, there was no way he was going to take the pie.  Plus, if you haven't noticed, riders will never take anything to eat or drink from a fan on the roadway.  It just isn't safe.  God knows what could be in the bottle or on the slice of pie.  

So Ben was riding for his teammate Felix Gall who had worn the Maillot a Pois early in the Tour.  Clearly he was sacrificing himself so Gall could have a chance of winning the Queen stage of this Tour.

Not only did I think this was a treat.  After I finished painting this and started watching the race again, the producers showed it again in a slo-mo replay.  Phil Liggett enjoyed it, 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 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-2023/3966348-114-297438/Painting/job-done-pizza-time.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 3: Getting It Done with Four

While they were expected to do very well in today’s team time trial, it was still a treat to watch Jumbo-Visma out on course.  They seemed to even have a plan on when they would jettison each rider after they had given their all.  As this foursome came to the line, it was clear they would win the stage, the only question was by how much.  The answer, not by as much as they had hoped, nor by enough to put one of the team into the Maillot Jaune (even though technically they are already in yellow jerseys).  With Tobias Foss (the reigning TT World Champion) on the front for one last pull, the foursome would soon be three.  Jan Tratnik took up the pace with Nathan Van Hooydonck the man designated to take Jonas Vingegaard across the line.  By so doing the three are now close to the lead, but not in it to start the stage four.  Vingegaard now has between a three and fourteen second buffer over the rest of the field of contenders.

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/Paris-Nice/3938709-92-272742/Painting/getting-it-done-with-four.-pn23-10.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 3: Keeping Gaudu Close

Not traditional known as a team time trial specialist team, Groupama-FDJ had an incredible ride today.  They finished fourth on the day mainly due to the strength of Stefan Kung who finished with his team leader, David Gaudu, glued to his wheel.  Every time the camera got the team out on the road, Gaudu was always on the back of his teammates wheels.  I can’t say if he ever took a pull, I just never saw it happened.  But it is a team’s job to ride for their team leader, and they did it in spades today!  Gaudu sits equal on time with Kung, both just two seconds off the pace of Pogacar and not more than eight seconds off of the best placed of the favorites, Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma).  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 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/Paris-Nice/3938703-91-272742/Painting/keeping-gaudu-close-pn23-9.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 3: Leading Them Home

Nils Politt (Bora-Hansgrohe) drove hard all of the way through the finish line keeping as many seconds to the team’s advantage as possible.  Behind the big German, his countryman and team leader, Maximilian Schachmann was pulling faces just to stay on his wheel. The duo gapped Marco Haller and another teammate in the final meters of the team time trial course.  They finished 29 seconds off of the best time, leaving Schachmann 28 seconds out of first place going into the mountain top finish stage 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, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3938701-90-272742/Painting/leading-them-home.-pn23-8.html

Tour Down Under '23, Stage 3: Brought Back by a Star

After a crash Corbin Strong (Israel-Premier Tech) was first helped out by the four time Tour de France winner (and teammate) Chris Froome.  Then as the two were back underway, it was Froome doing the work to get Strong back into the peloton.  After all Strong was the best place member of the general classification on the team.  I use to not be a fan of Froome, but his time with his new team has earned my respect.  That and just how are he has worked to get back to the elite level after his crash in Paris Nice a few years back.

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. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3928152-163-194179/Painting/brought-back-by-a-star-tdu23-17.html

Tour Down Under '23, Stage 2: Bringing Their Man Back

Victor Lafay (Cofidis) had an ill-timed mechanical.  With just 25 kilometers to race nearly his whole team came back to help pull him back up to the tail of the peloton.  Davide Cimolai had just swung off having done what he could, leaving the effort to Andre Carvalho (and the team car).  On Lafay's wheel is Harrison Wood holding himself in reserve for the final effort to get Cofidis' best general classification hope back into the front group.  They did get there in the end finishing with the main peloton just 11 seconds off of the time of the stage winner.

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. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3928090-158-194179/Painting/bringing-their-man-back-tdu23-12.html

Tour Femmes '22, Stage 8: Swapping Bikes

Annemiek Van Vleutin (Movistar) was having the best of starts to her final stage of the Tour de France Femmes.  Yes, she did start the day in the Maillot Jaune with a three plus minute buffer, but things weren't going to her way mechanically.  She had started the stage in an all yellow bike, but when she had to trade bikes with her teammate Arlenis Sierra, she was getting off of a black bike with just yellow bar tape.  As she rode off on the blue bike that wasn't an exact fit Sierra waited for their team car to get her spare.  Later Van Vleutin was seen back on the yellow one.  And still later, she finished the stage back on the black bike with a different rear wheel.  I make that five bike changes in a single stage.  That makes for a lot of chasing back on, what will she have left on the final climb?

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. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3896675-188-294403/Painting/swapping-bikes-tdff22-47.html

Tour Femmes '22, Stage 7: Thirsty?

FDJ-Suez-Futuroscope had managed to get three women into the elite group that had six minutes on the group with the Maillot Jaune, the Maillot a Pois, and the Maillot Blance.  By this point, Grace Brown had dropped off of the sextet.  Their team leader, Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig, had dropped back to the team car for a conversation and a couple of waterbottles.  She then got herself back into the rotation and passed a bottle to Evita Muzic as she dropped back through the group.  While they had six minutes on the leader of the race, they were just over six minutes behind the leader on the road.  I doubt they can hope for stage honors, but they will move up on the general classification and still may vie for the podium of 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 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. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g

My website's host "upgraded" this week and there have been big problems.  Of course! So right nowyou can't buy the painting you want so email me through the website and we can work out an off site sale.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3896394-182-294403/Painting/thirsty-tdff22-41.html

Tour, Stage 18: You Should Take It

 Given how far back the rest of the splinter peloton was from Michal Kwiatkowski (Ineos-Grenadiers) and his teammate Richard Carapaz were, the duo had time to decide how to divide the spoils of the stage.  Carapaz had done enough with Kwiatkowski's help to take over the lead in the King of the Mountains, giving the team something to cheer about in their less than ideal Tour.  It appeared that Carapaz was telling his racing buddy that he should take the stage victory, that was they would both be on the podium at the finish line in La Roche Sur Furon.  In the end the came across the line together holding arms,but it was Kwiatkowski wheel that was the one to cross first.  I enjoyed this image more than that one, this really should the heart of these teammates and their respect for each other.  See cycling really is a team sport.

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-2020/3703987-128-282744/Painting/you-should-take-it-tdf20-121.html