Tour Femmes '26, Stage 9: Trading Jabs

As they rode together up the Col d'Eze for the last time, both Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez) and Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon/SRAM) each attacked the other, but neither had yet managed to drop the other either.  The title could just as easily refer to the fans on either side of this famous climb.  Although, I don't think I have ever seen this route up to the summit overlooking the sea and Nice before.  Naturally, just after I painted this, Vollering finally dropped Niewiadoma, thus putting to rest the rumors that it was dirty team tactics that had put Vollering into the Maillot Jaune.  After today's repetitive climbs, it was clear that her legs were the reason she was in yellow, and her mind is what is keeping her 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 work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "Trading Jabs TdFF26-62" (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 19: Through the Tifosi

These three still had forty-four seconds on the fast-closing Tadej Pogacar as they forced their way through the throngs of fans with another five kilometers to climb.  With everyone pressing so close, it was impossible for either Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike) nor Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) to even think about passing Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious).  At least, the leader of the trio was putting in a good pace prior to the four-kilometer banner when the barriers will hold the crowd back for the rest of the way to the summit of the Alpe d'Huez.  This has often been described as a corridor of noise.  I would add that it is one of fear as well.  At any moment an over exuberant fan could fall into a rider or knock them off their bike (either intentionally or unintentionally).  Fortunately, as far as I know that didn't happen anywhere on this iconic Tour de France mountain.  And to think, we come back up to the summit from another direction 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.

Purchase this painting here: "Through the Tifosi TdF26-140" (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 '24, Stage 14: Chasing Tadej through the Crowd

After a vicious attack (as is his want) from Tadej Pogacar, it was left to Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step) to chase.  As they tried to keep the fleeing yellow jersey in sight they were cheered by the huge crowds neat the summit of the Pla d'Adet.  As he pushed hard Vingegaard was able to dropped Evenepoel who was ahead of him in the general classification.  Vingegaard wasn't able to catch Pogacar, in fact he conceded another 47 seconds to the Slovenian.  All was not lost for the Dane, he did get enough of a gap on the Maillot Blanc to move himself in to second overall.  He is now just shy of two minutes out of first place, but he is twenty-five seconds ahead of Evenepoel who now sits in third.  It does mean something that the top three men of the Tour were also the top three to complete the stage on the top of the Haute Catagorie Pla d'Adet.

Vingegaard will start stage fifteen wearing the Maillot a Pois since Tadej Pogacar will remain in the Maillot Jaune despite having the most points in the King of the Mountains competition.

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.

"Chasing Tadej through the Crowd TdF24-83" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 14: Nearing the Top of the Tourmalet

With twenty KOM points, a big cash prize, bragging rights, and the chance to go for a long solo run for stage victory, David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) makes a move off the front.  His attack was covered by the Spaniard Oier Lazkano (Movistar).  With the border into Spain just down the other side of the mountain, it was logical that Lazkano wanted to make an impression on the Basque fans and the Tour.  Naturally, the Frenchman Gaudu had much the same desire for his compatriots along the route waving the tri-colore of France.  It was Lazkano who went over the top of the Col du Tourmalet first, but both garnered enough points to feature into the top five on the quest for the final Maillot a Pois.

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. 

"Nearing the Top of the Tourmalet TdF24-79" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 7 ITT: An Excellent Defense

Taking artistic license, I changed the name spray painted on the road from Remco to 'Pogi' which is Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates).  After all, this is Pogi defending his Maillot Jaune in Stage 7, racing to prevent Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step) from taking the jersey off of his shoulders.  He wasn't able to win the stage, but he came home a mere thirteen seconds behind the world champion in this discipline.  That means the race for first and second tightened a bit, but third and fourth lost a small handful of seconds to the Yellow and White jerseys.  Since he started winning the Tour four years ago, I see more and more Slovenian flags along the course.  Naturally, today was no different.  I wonder if it helps him try just that much harder?

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"An Excellent Defense TdF24-40" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 7 ITT: Somethings Are More Important

This might be a first for me in a Time Trial in the Tour de France.  When the cameras first caught sight of Julien Bernard (Lidl-Trek) he was whooping it up with the French fans along the climb of Stage 7.  As he neared the top, the crowd pressed in dangerously despite the gendarmes attempting to keep order.  But then, Bernard saw who he was looking for waving an "Allez Papa" sign.  He found his wife and child on the side of the racecourse. Naturally, he stopped gave them both a kiss, and then got back to the job at hand.  Surprisingly, he came in just three minutes down on the current leader of the stage, but he had the fuller heart for the moment.  So, did I.  He did finish 61st on the day, better than more than half of the field.

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.

"Somethings Are More Important TdF24-35" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Strade Bianche 24: Operatic!

As he rode into the square in Siena, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) had plenty of time to celebrate his victory with the crowds lining the barriers.  I love the way the race winds through the narrow shadowed streets before bursting into the bright sunlight of the piazza.  It was as if the stage lights were raised as the tenor finished his aria to the delight of the audience.  At the finish line, Pogacar stopped and held his bike over his head, first to the cameras and then to the crowds.  It was truly a monumental victory of the not yet honored sixth monument.  The two that chased behind came home three minutes later with Toms Skujins (Lidl-Trek) dropping Maxim Van Gils (Lotto Dstny) for second place and Van Gils four seconds later for the final step of the podium.  The winner from last year (who had done a long break away to win himself), Tom Pidcock (Ineos-Grenadiers) another minute later.  The rest of the finishers came in in dribs and drabs as Pogacar made his way through the end of the race protocol.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/4002740-559-195767/Painting/operatic-sb24-12.html

Strade Bianche Donne 24: Making Sure

Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek) had spent a good part of the final twenty-five kilometers pushing the pace in order to keep any of the chasers from catching back up.  Conversely, Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) had spent that same time surfing the wheels of others thus saving her energy for the final ascend up to the central piazza of Sienna.  When they were about 500 meters from the finish, Kopecky jumped the Italian Champion.  Longo Borghini just didn’t have enough left in her legs to go with the Rainbow Jersey on Kopecky’s gritty shoulders.  As they swung around the final corner, Kopecky glanced back on more time just to make sure that neither the Lidl-Trek rider nor anyone else were going to surprise her at the line.  This will have to do with her victory image since her victory salute at the line was hidden from the TV camera by a spectator’s cellphone.  He got a great shot of Kopecky winning her second Strade Bianche Donne, but we did not.

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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/4002671-77-207546/Painting/making-sure-sb24-6.html

Tour de France 23. Stage 13: Reading the Race

Michal Kwiatkowski (Ineos-Grenadiers) knew at the start of the day that there would be a break away and he had best be in it.  He also read the stage enough to know that it would be another tale of two races if the break opened up enough of a lead on the general classification riders that were back in the peloton.  Finally, he was aware that any Frenchman in the break would bury themselves in hopes winning on Bastille Day.  Given all of that input, he was ready to go for it once the last guy off the front was caught.  At eight kilometers left to climb up the Grand Colombier, he had forty-one seconds on those that he had dropped, and three and a quarter minutes on the peloton of the elite of this year's Tour.  Does he have it in his legs to hold off those who's goal is to win the Tour in Paris?

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-2023/3965508-80-297438/Painting/reading-the-race-tdf23-80.html

Tour de France 23, Stage 13: Leading on Bastille Day

Today is Bastille Day so it is no surprise that the French are eager to do well on the climb up the Grand Colombier.  Quentin Pacher (Groupama-FDJ) on a French team had an eight second advantage over those closest to him and another three and three quarter minutes on the peloton.  The French cycling fans (many shirtless in the heat) were thrilled to see one of their own first on the early slopes of this Hellish climb.  With another fourteen kilometers seemingly straight up, it was going to take something special to stay off the front, but nothing ventured, nothing gained.

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-2023/3965434-79-297438/Painting/leading-on-bastille-day-tdf23-78.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

Tour de France 23, Stage 6: "I'm Not Done Yet!"

All of yesterday's commentary, and even the start of today, was about how the Tour was over and Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) was just going to ride away from everyone else in the field as he had in Stage 5.  Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) had something to say to everyone about that in the final three kilometers of the final climb of the day.  Just as Vingegaard had attacked him on the Col du Tourmalet, Pogacar went hard with just two and a half kilometers to climb.  Flipping the script, this time it was Vingegaard unable to match the climbing prowess of Pogacar.  There wasn't enough road left for the White Jersey to reverse all of his lost time from the day before, but this move had to be a huge lift to the morale.  Conversely, while I am sure Vingegaard would love to have taken out the stage, but I am sure he will consoled by his new Maillot Jaune.

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-2023/3964123-35-297438/Painting/im-not-done-yet-tdf23-35.html

Tour de France 23, Stage 3: Last Climb in Spain

Today did not go as planned for Neilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost), it went a whole lot better!  It was cleared that he and the team thought he would only be able to gain points on the first two climbs of the day, but instead the peloton decided that they were only going to race for stage honors.  That meant that he was able to go over the top of every climb on the stage first, thanks in part to an agreement with his break away companion, Laurent Pichon (Arkea-Samsic).  Pichon didn't vie for the climbs, and Powless didn't vie for the intermediate sprint.  Once over this climb, Powless sat up to save energy on the rest of the way to the finish.  Pichon carried on thus earning himself the most agressive rider of the stage prize.  You'll notice that Powless' bib number is a pale yellow, that denotes that he won that prize for his efforts in Stage 2.

All along the roads of the three stages in the Spanish Basque countryside, the fans have been out in droves.  They made sure they were there to see the Tour over the last climb in Spain in droves.  Seemingly, every single person had their own Basque flag.

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-2023/3963461-16-297438/Painting/last-climb-in-spain-tdf23-16.html

Tour de France 23, Stage 2: Never Really Alone

Not the the French fans stay home, but the Basque fans seemed to be three deep along every kilometer particularly on every climb over the first to stages of the 2023 Tour.  By the time Neilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost) got to the penultimate climb of the day, the Cote de Gurutze, he had dropped his erstwhile break away companions.  While he may have been alone off the front of the peloton (by almost two minutes) he was hardly alone out on the climb.  Much has been made of the respect that the fans have been giving the riders, and I agree that none have truly endangered the peloton with foolish selfies and crazed running or flare burning, but I sure don't want that many people yelling in my face.

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-2023/3963327-8-297438/Painting/never-really-alone-tdf23-8.html 

 

Fleche Wallonne 23, Men’s Race: When He Knew

I suspect that Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) knew he would win today when he woke up.  He had his team working all day to keep the break aways in check.  They also set a pace that made it near impossible for anyone to get away from the team policing the front of the peloton.  The team knew that all they had to do was deliver Pogacar in a good position at the base of the Mur de Huy and he would be able to do the rest on his own.  Many tried to get a jump on him and even more tried to follow his acceleration, but when he looked over his shoulder with 50 meters left to go he knew that he could add la Fleche Wallonne to his palamares, finally.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3946984-548-195767/Painting/when-he-knew-fw23-12.html

Fleche Wallonne 23, Men’s Race: What Was Expected

Just because everyone expected Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates), it doesn’t mean they were going to be able to do anything about it.  With roughly 500 meters left to climb, Pogacar went on the offense after all of the work his team had done all day.  At first it looked like Guilin Ciccone (Trek-Segafredo) was going to catch the fleeing Slovenian, but he soon faded finishing fifth on the day.  Last year’s victor, Michael Woods (Israel-Premier Tech) looked like he might be poised to repeat, but he too, was unable to match the power of Pogacar in the closing meters of the day.  He managed a fourth this time out.  It was Ciccone’s teammate, Matthias Skejlmose, who took second today, and a surprised rush by Mikel Landa (Bahrain-Victorious) who claimed 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 painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3946981-547-195767/Painting/what-was-expected-fw23-11.html

Ronde Van Vlaanderen 23, Men's Race: Off on His Own

The second trip up the Oude Kwarremont it was Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) that left the peloton of elite riders to go off in chase of the remaining break away members still up the road.  Spoiler alert, the next time up this hill he was alone again, but ahead of the rest of the race.  Pogacar was able to use his climbing prowess on the longest climb of the day to push himself away from the others.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3943940-517-195767/Painting/off-on-his-own-rvv23-4.html

 

Wollongong 2022, Elite Men's Road Race: All Alone

It does amuse me when a rider is off the front on his own in a sea of cycling fans is described as being 'all alone.'  Clearly Remco Evenepoel (Belgium) is anything but alone as he rides away from Alexey Lutsenko (Kazakhstan) at the summit of his penultimate climb of Mount Pleasant.  While the cycling fans along the road have been growing in number by the hour, they were doing rather well at staying out of the way of the racers.  It had not been the plan by Belgium to have Evenepoel go for the victory, but the winner of the Veulta d'Espania was in the right place with the right form with just 25 kilometers to race.  It may have smarted a bit to ride over the name of Wout Van Aert (Belgium) painted on the road.  Or it may have given him that extra motivation since Wout was the theoretical leader of the Belgium team.  Regardless, he looked set to bring home the first Rainbow Jersey to Belgium since Philippe Gilbert won it ten years ago.  Fitting since Gilbert retired at the end of this year's 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 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

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Tour '22, Stage 11: Give Me Room!

Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) was getting a bit frustrated with the loud Belgium fans running along side him.  It was particularly frustrating for the Dane since this guy had cut off his access to the short way around the corner.  Vingegaard was already on his absolute limit and he certainly didn't need any tifosi messing with his need to get up the mountain first.  I was struck that all of the fans on the other side of the road, all in cycling kit, were excited yet staying out of the way.  All of us cyclists know what it is like to have others make it harder for us to ride our bikes.  Vingegaard didn't make any contact with the "fan"  Good thing, riders have been kicked out of the Tour for punching an unruly fan.

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-2022/3893540-66-294403/Painting/give-me-room-tdf22-66.html

Paris Nice 2022: With Time in Hand

As he rounded the final turn on the time trial course, Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) had enough time in had to take the lead from his teammate.  He finished was just under four seconds faster than Rohan Dennis.  More importantly he put another nine seconds into his nearest competitor for the final victory in Nice at the end of the coming weekend.  Out on course were two more riders who could take the stage victory from him, but since they were both teammates it would be a victory regardless.

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/3871428-55-272742/Painting/with-time-in-hand-pn22-18.html