Tour '26, Stage 19: The Devil Shows the Way

I think that even the gendarmes like the devil or perhaps I should say they enjoy Didi Senft. It seems he was the only person allowed on the inside of the barriers once passed the Four-Kilometer Banner.  Has he saluted every rider, it seems he was showing Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) showing just were those that had dropped off the leaders were at up the road.  With three-and-a-half kilometers left to the mountain top finish the Maillot Jaune could almost see his quarry for stage honors.  Not only was he on his way to an almost sure stage win atop Alpe d'Huez, he was also recording the fastest ever ascent of the fable climb eclipsing Marco Pantini's record by three minutes I believe.  Maybe he has made a deal with the Devil to be this amazingly good.

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 Devil Shows the Way TdF26-141" (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 10: The Devil Awaits

It was a bit odd to see Didi Senft (aka The Devil) out alone on the side of the road.  NBC/Universal did a story that feature Didi long before the peloton got to him.  He was set up to cheer the Tour at roughly 42 kilometers to go.  I am glad I painted this one, since the race coverage didn't pick up this icon of the Tour on the side of the road.  Apparently, he has been going to the race as the Devil for 33 years now.  Now that is some serious devotion to the Grand Boucle.

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 Devil Awaits TdF26-67" (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 6: Even the Devil Is a Fan

This is the second time I was able to see Didi Stenft (aka The Devil) at this Tour.  And it is the second day I've noticed that he was standing on something to get a better view of the race as it goes by.  Time was he would leap high in the air, but perhaps age is finally catching up to this wonderful fixture of the Tour de France.  After all, I have been painting him since I started painting the Grand Boucle back in 2012. Clearly, he is fourteen years older than when I first spied him on the side of the road leaping with the joy of the Tour.  He cheered enthusiastically as Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) flew by on his way to a very decisive stage victory.  Is it the move that will win him his fifth Tour de France?  Only time... and fifteen more stages will tell.

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: "Even the Devil Is a Fan TdF26-45" (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 4: Hot as Hell

I'm always excited to spot Didi Stenft aka 'The Devil' out along the side of the road during the Tour de France.  It seemed appropriate to find the Devil on the hottest Tour stage in the 113-year history of the race.  I think the temperatures had even gotten to Didi.  Rather than his traditional, and impressive, high leaps into the air, he opted instead to stand atop something along the side of the road as the peloton sped by.  I did spy him during yesterday's stage, but he was so mashed in with fellow cycling fans that all I could see was his trident and the tips of his horns.  It is a bit odd to see him so early in the Tour, 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.

Purchase this painting here: "Hot as Hell TdF26-27" (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 19: Shelter from the Devil

I don't think I have ever seen Didi Stenft (aka 'The Devil') hold anything besides his trident before, but then the final climb has been rather raining most of the day.  I imagine that the publicity caravan handed that umbrella to him several hours earlier.  I was playing around with the idea for the title and then this variation of sheltering from the devil occurred to me.  I found it amusing, I hope you do, too.  These five were chasing just one man up the road by a half of a minute. Felix Gall (Decathlon-Ag2r-La Mondiale) was setting the pace in hopes of moving up the general classification.  Everyone else was watching their nearest competitors in a defensive slosh up to La Plagne.  Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) was closely watched by Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike), one in the Maillot Jaune and the other in the Maillot a Pois.  Behind it was a battle for the final possession of the Maillot Blanc of best young rider.  The jersey is currently on the shoulders of Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) who is also third on the GC.  He has a twenty-one second advantage over the man in front of him in both the GC and the Maillot Blanc, Oscar Onley (Picnic-PostNL).  The fact that these two young guys are stuck to the wheels of the best two riders in modern cycling speaks of great battles yet to come.

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. 

"Shelter from the Devil TdF25-130" (Original art by Greig Leach)

This painting has sold!

Tour '24, Stage 18: Bowing to the Devil

The ever-popular Didi Stenft (the Devil) was along the side of the road to cheer on each group of the race as they rode pass.  I'm not sure why he had a small chalkboard with 31 written on it.  I can only assume it was for how many Tours he has cheered with his presence.  It seemed that Victor Campenaerts (Lotto-Dstny) bowed his head as he went by.  The trio of escapees was still being led by the former World Champion Michal Kwiatkowski (Ineos-Grenadiers) followed by the French Tour neophyte Matteo Vercher (TotalEnergies) and of course Campenaerts.  Each man was looking for the stage win, as were there teams.  Only Vercher's TotalEnergies had managed to have a team member win a 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.  

"Bowing to the Devil TdF24-115" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 17: Passing the Devil

With the lone figure of Simon Yates (Jayco-Alula) going up the road, Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) is cheered on by Didi Stentf, aka the Devil, in his efforts to bridge up to the Brit.  Steven Williams (Israel-Premier Tech) does his best to hold onto the wheel of the Ecuadorian climber.  Carapaz has had the Maillot Juane for one stage this Tour, but is still looking for his first Tour de France stage win in his career.

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.

"Passing the Devil TdF24-105" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 10: Prodding Them On

I thought I had seen Didi Stenft (the Devil) earlier on the side of the Col du Galibier, but clearly he appeared on the side of the road today.  It does seem a bit unusual to see him on such a flat stage.  He can usually be found leaping high in the air as the peloton struggles up a high climb in the Alps.  Of course, tomorrow returns to the mountains, so he may have been enroute and took the chance to cheer on the sprinters today.  It can be assumed that he used the rest day to travel down to the southern regions of France.  Regardless, it is always a joy to see him at the Tour.  Even if his leap did not get the vertical height I am used to seeing.

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.

"Prodding Them On TdF24-54" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France 23, Stage 17: Flying Up the Mountain

It is always a treat to see the leaping Devil in the Alps.  Didi Stenft leapt as the lead group went by on the Cormet de Roseland lead my Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek).  The Devil had some extra vigor in his leap as one of the press photographers capture much the same image I am.  Skjelmose's teammate Guilio Ciccone was hoping to get another ten points to add to his hold on the Maillot a Pois.  On his wheel is one of the French favorites, Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) looking for a stage win in his final Tour de France.  Just peeking over the shoulder of Pinot is the Australian, Ben O'Connor riding for the French team Ag2r-Citroen.

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-2023/3966332-111-297438/Painting/flying-up-the-mountain-tdf23-111.html

 

Tour de France 23, Stage 16 ITT: The Devil's Wife

At least I think this is a woman dressed a bit like Didi Stenft, but not anywhere near as enthusiastic.  And she swapped the colors of Didi's Devil horns from red to black.  I did see this person later in the broadcast and I am not 100% sure if it is a woman or a man, so perhaps this is the Devil's brother instead.  Nevertheless, they were one of tens of thousands lining both sides of the road for all of the twenty two kilometers of the time trial course.  Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies) has been attacking the Tour whenever possible, and he was putting in another hard ride today.  I suspect he will be back looking for the break away again 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 $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-2023/3966014-104-297438/Painting/the-devils-wife-tdf23-104.html

 

Tour de France 23, Stage 14: Inspired by the Devil

I'm sure 'The Devil' aka Didi Stenft wasn't the one who got Jumbo-Visma to get onto the front of the peloton and push the pace to make the race as hard as possible in hopes of isolating their team leader's main rival.  But Didi was more than happy to run along side Wilco Kelderman and the Dutch Champion, Dylan Van Baarle as they lead the climb up the Col de la Ramez.  The team was hoping to put more than the eight seconds between their guy, Jonas Vingegaard, and Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates).  It is what UAE tried to do to them just the stage before.

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-2023/3965623-88-297438/Painting/inspired-by-the-devil-tdf23-88.html

Tour de France 23, Stage 12: A Hellishly Hard Day

I was afraid that Didi Stenft aka 'The Devil" may not reappear in this Tour.  I had seen him along the opening stages in the Basque region of Spain and I have never noticed him to leap up and down in two different mountain groups of the Tour.  But here he was leaping about as Victor Campenaerts (Lotto-Dstny) struggled to stay with the lead group half way up the Col de La Croix Montain.  There are many costumed cycling fans along the side of the race course all along the Tour but none are as well known nor well loved as The Devil from Belgium.

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-2023/3965360-72-297438/Painting/a-hellishly-hard-day-tdf23-72.html

Flanders 2021: Passing the Devil

He had to show up after all these Worlds are being raced in his home country.  The male half of the Spanish team, Xavier Mikel Azparren, Diego Lopez and Lluis Mas, seemed to take no notice of Didi Senft as the sped by.  Senft is a long time fixture on the side of the road at most major European cycling events. It always warms my heart to see him bedecked in his Devil’s outfit leaping high in the air as he cheers on every cyclists as they ride pass him.  The Spanish trio was on a good ride but didn’t managed to finish in the top ten at the end of the day.  Hopefully, both the Spanish men and women will fair better in there respective road races on the weekend. 

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/Flanders-2021/3838529-15-292177/Painting/passing-the-devil.-uci21-15.html

Tour, Stage 2: The Devil Wears a Mask

For as long as I have been watching the Tour (and that is decades, almost half a century) I have always enjoyed seeing Didi Senft leaping in the air bedecked as the Devil.  I am in awe of his energy, and his commitment to the cause, as it were.  He can always be found ahead of the big climbs perhaps as a warning to the hell the riders are about to go through.  Today, I caught him leaping for one of the race photographers as the peloton rode by.  UAE-Team Emirates was doing the work of pacing the peloton.  It is considered the responsiblity of the team with the Maillot Jaune to do the work on the front.  It is unlikely Alexander Kristoff will have Yellow after this climbing stage, but traditions must be kept.

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.

This original has sold, but prints are available at the link below.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2020/3687316-13-282744/Painting/the-devil-wears-a-mask-tdf20-7.html

Tour, Stage 11: Running with the Devil

I am sorry to day that I can remember this uber fan dressed as the Devil.  He has been following the Tour for decades always appearing at the base of a climb in the Alps, jumping wildly and running along side the peloton.  You can see that Luke Rowe (Sky) is looking over, checking out the costume, the very real beard, and the surprising fast pace of the aged imp.  Behind Rowe, all of Team Sky is lined out on the front of the peloton.  Sky is using their usual method of just grinding out a hard pace.  They don't bother to chase attacks, they just ride hard enough that few will try, and those that do end of returning (before being spit out the back).

You can watch this painting to come to life on my You Tube channel, and one painting for every stage of this Tour.  I hope you will take the time to watch the video as I talk about the race, creating watercolors in the moment, and bike racing in general.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2018/3189383-56-251072/PaintingRunning-with-the-Devil--T18-56.html

Giro, Stage 19: Prodding Him Along

The Devil is a long time fixture of the mountain stages in the Tour de France, so it was a treat to find him along the roads in the Italian Dolomites.  I have learned his name, but can't recall it right now.  He has changed is Tour trident for a rather large pink foam version for the Giro.  While he normally leaps surprisingly high in the air, today he ran along behind the Frenchman, Thibaut Pinot (FDJ).  Pinot had jumped out of the favorites group knowing the Tom Dumoulin was losing seconds, perhaps minutes, behind.  Pinot had used the indescision of the GC men to gain time yesterday and was hoping that he might be able to get onto the podium today.  He got close, just eight seconds behind Vincenzo Nibali's (Bahrain-Merida) third place.  At the end of today, less than a minute separated the top four places of the 100th Giro d'Italia.  And there are only two more stages to go!

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

With the racing of the 100th Giro d'Italia, I am crowd funding my third cycling art book through Kickstarter.  I could use your support in helping this book get made, please consider backing the project here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/art-of-cycling-100th-giro-ditalia.  This will be just one of the hundred plus paintings that will be included. With Kickstarter, if there is not a 100% funded, no one is charged a dime, and the project recieves 0% funding.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/100th-Giro-dItalia/2973488-132-235247/PaintingProdding-Him-On-G17-140.html

Tour, Stage 13: A Hell of an Effort

As if Laurens Ten Dam (Giant-Alpecin) didn't know that he was suffering on the road to Le Pont d'Luc.  He had the Devil, aka Didi Stenft, jumping up and down on the side of the as he scaled a climb on the way.  Much has been discussed about the behavior of fans yesterday, and how it effects the racing.  Stenft has been a fixture of the Tour for years, never impeding the racers.  One of the complaints yesterday was about the fans who dress up, making the passing of the race about them.  The Devil is an example of how to be seen, and still be a positive part of the Tour de France experience.  It should be noted that the Devil is not trying to film himself and tweet it out to the world (although he does have a twitter account).

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2824219-91-224974/PaintingA%20Hell%20of%20an%20Effort%20TdF90-Greig-Leach.html#.V4lLCrgrLIU

Tour, Stage: Passing the Devil

There are thousands and thousands of costumed fans along the course of the Tour de France, but none so famous as The Devil.  I am sorry that I don't remember his name, or I would give it to you here.  It was a treat to catch side of this leaping fan of the Tour.  I hope I am as spry when my beard is as white as his.  Steve Cummings (Dimension Data) didn't seem to make a deal as he rode by, going solo to the base of the Col d'Aspin.  Instead he seemed more intent on getting information from his Director Sportif.

I have been told that his name is Didi Senft.  Good to know!

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

To buy this painting follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2820964-44-224974/PaintingPassing%20the%20Devil%20TdF44-Greig-Leach.html#.V4AAm7grLIU

Giro d'Italia Stage 20: A Hell of a Climb

After climbing to massive mountains and covering 150 kilometers and over 1500 kilometers thus far in the Giro d'Italia, the break away was about to start up the most hellish mountain in a Grand Tour.  In case they weren't aware of how much they were about to suffer, they were encouraged along by the Devil by the side of the road.  The Devil has long been a figure in every stage of the Tour de France, and it is a pleasure to see him healthy again, using his new knees to drive the peloton on. Chapeau!  At this point, Tim Wellens (Lotto-Belisol) is leading a small group of the front, a place he has been for the last couple of stages.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this particular original painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post, but don't delay, it is a one of a kind.  And only $50 USD!

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2373534---198213/Painting.html#.U4o818vD_IU

Tour Stage Eighteen: Riding With the Devil

Oops, got these out of order.  So this is before the watercolor, "Team Mates"

A long time fixture along the side of every stage of the Tour for as long as I have been watching (and that goes back several years pre-Armstrong) I have seen the devil jumping up and down, waving his pitchfork clad all in red with a black cape.  Obviously, he has had a costume change for the 100th Tour de France, wrapped in brilliant yellow, his long white hair flapping, he still carries the same energy and enthusiasm as when I first saw him so many years ago.  Given the hellacious second climb of the Alpe d'Huez Riblon and Van Garderen already knew they were in hell, the devil just confirmed it.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours in a short 3 day auction on ebay.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 100th Tour de France.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251307006583