Paris Roubaix '26: How Soon?

Unable to hold onto the wheels of the two leaders, Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) spent a long time caught between them and those chasing behind.  With forty-nine kilometers to race he was twenty seconds off the pace and only seven seconds ahead of the Mathieu Van Der Poel led chasers.  He felt them coming as he started looking back to see just how long it may be before he could get some extra help in his (and their) attempt to get back to the front of the race.

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. 

"How Soon? PR26-7" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix '26: Any Way You Can

Sector 11 is one of the 5-star sectors of pave. Five stars are the hardest sections. Many take the risk of riding in the dirt and gravel on the side of the cobbles.  In this chase Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) had misjudged a corner trying to go up inside of Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike).  The move ended up with him in the grass just missing some fans who were fortunately paying attention to the race.  His error gave Van Aert a chance to open a bit of a gap, but once righted, Pogacar regained the Belgium's wheel.  The two were now increasing their advantage over the rest of the field.  At this point they had twenty-five seconds over those behind with just another 51 kilometers left to race.

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. 

"Any Way You Can PR26-6" (Original art by Greig Leach) - This painting has sold!

 

Paris Roubaix '26: Tough Time in the Forest

The Trouvee d'Arenberg claims the hopes of many in their goal to win (or even finish) Paris Roubaix.  So it seems for Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech).  He was with a teammate who passed him his bike, but apparently, they road different pedals so Van Der Poel was unable to pedal that bike.  Meanwhile another teammate had switched out his own good wheel onto the defending champion's bike, but it seemed that didn't work either.  By the time he was reached by his team car and mechanic he was now two minutes behind the front of the race.  He does have 92 kilometers to chase back, but those are not mere mortals that are up the road.  Of course, he isn't a mere mortal either.

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. 

"Tough Time in the Forest PR26-4" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix '26: Forced to Chase

After he got back onto his own bike, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) set about the arduous task of chasing down the leaders on the road.  In the eighteen kilometers since he had his mechanical he has pulled himself within nineteen seconds as he bumped across another pave sector.  Behind him Max Walscheid (Lidl-Trek), Matej Mohoric (Bahrain-Victorious) and Rasmus Pedersen (Decathlon CMA CGM) were thrilled to have such a strong rider to help pull them along.  Will they still be on his wheel when he rejoins the front of the race?

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. 

"Forced to Chase PR26-3" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix '26: Saved by Shimano

With this team car way back behind the peloton, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) took a spare bike from the Shimano Neutral Service.  While not ideal, it sure beat waiting minutes to get his spare off of his team car.  Naturally, the neutral service bike wasn't set perfectly like his own spare, so once his team car can reach him, he will be changing bikes again.  With another 120 kilometers to race, he can hope that his bad luck got out of the way early (unlike last year).

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.

"Saved by Shimano PR26-2" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix '26: Bringing Wout Back

It is said of Paris Roubaix, "it isn't a question of if you will have bad luck, it is only a question of when."  Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) had an early mechanical and was paced back to the peloton by his teammate Christophe Laporte with another 147 kilometers to race.  Clearly, he has plenty of time to get back on, but it is never good to have to use energy chasing that you are going to need at the end of the day.  Alexis Renard (Cofidis) was thrilled to have a strong duo to pull him back to the peloton over one of the early cobbled sectors.

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.

"Bringing Wout Back PR26-1" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix '25: Sprinting for Third

Had it not been for an ill-timed flat tire, Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) may well have been sprinting for the win with Tadej Pogacar and Mathieu van der Poel.  Instead, he led out the sprint (and took it) in the Roubaix velodrome for third place.  Try as he might, Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike), couldn't get around the Dane.  Claiming fifth was Pogacar's teammate Florian Vermeersch (UAE Team Emirates).  Both van Aert and Vermeersch had crashes over the 259 kilometers of the Hell of the North.  So, all of the top six finishers had either crashes, mechanicals, or both, proving again that it takes both luck and strength to win this iconic Spring Classic.

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.

"Sprinting for Third PR25-16" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix '25: Three in a Row

As he let us know in his victory salute, Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) won his third Paris Roubaix in a row!  He joins a very short list of now three men who have achieved this very, very, difficult feat.  He pulled away from those chasing behind putting in a minute and eighteen seconds into the second-place finish of Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) and another fifty-three seconds into the sprint for third.

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

"Three in a Row PR25-15" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix '25: Losing Ground

I confess that I was surprised that Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) wasn't able to pull back the twenty seconds he lost on pave sector 9.  Admittedly, he was chasing the two-time winner of Paris Roubaix, Mathieu van der Poel.  Both are known for winning races with long solo breakaways.  Apparently the crash took the spirit out of the World Champion or the constant pounding of the cobbles.  He did hold off the chasers to take second place in Roubaix, not a bad debut appearance at the Hell of the North.

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.

"Losing Ground PR25-14" (Original art by Greig Leach)

 

Paris Roubaix '25: Overcooking It

On pave sector 9 Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) attacked his sole rival Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck).  Perhaps it was a lack of course knowledge or over confidence, but Tadej Pogacar went into a sharp right hand turn a little too hot.  He lost control of the bike as van der Poel just held it together.  The mistake caused the World Champion about ten seconds since he needed another bike from his team car.  Fortunately, his car was right behind him given the advantage the duo had over the rest of the race strewn over tens of kilometers back down 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 $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Overcooking It PR25-13" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix '25: A Tactical Advantage

As the saying goes, there is strength in numbers.  That was definitely the case for the closing kilometers of Paris Roubiax.  After a great chase back by Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceunick) to catch back up to his teammate Mathieu van der Poel, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) found himself in a tough spot having two guys from the same team working against him.  Just the fact that Philipsen could drop back to the team car, leaving van der Poel free to keep applying the pressure.  It is no small factor that the Alpecin-Deceuninck duo have finished first and second for the past two years.  Would Pogacar be able to thwart that record?

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

"A Tactical Advantage PR25-12" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix '25: Caught in the Middle

Once Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) had his flat and the other three went forward, Stefan Bissegger (Decathlon-Ag2r-La Mondiale) found himself caught in the middle of the main groups on the road.  As he entered pave sector 14, he decided to just wait for those behind to catch him up.  Not ideal, but he had a better chance of catching the leaders with the help of the six or so men chasing behind.

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.

"Caught in the Middle PR25-11" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix '25: An Elite Duo

A combination of strong legs and good luck found Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) and Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) off the front alone.  As they sped through pave sector 15, Mads Pedersen had a flat tire just as Pogacar made his move.  It took a second for van der Poel to get around the slowing Pedersen and chase down the fleeing rainbow jersey.  Despite the rain that fell between Paris Roubaix Femmes and today's race, only a few puddles lingered on an otherwise dry racecourse.  The women had to contend with dust, but the men had near perfect road conditions.  Conversely, the women had beautiful sunny skies, and the men raced under heavy grey clouds.

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 Elite Duo PR25-10" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix '25: Looking for the Peloton

The early breakaway built up over three minutes on the peloton before they hit the cobblestones of Paris Roubaix.  With another 106 kilometers to race Ben Turner (Ineos-Grenadiers) looked back over his shoulder in search of the chasing peloton.  At this point, his advantage, along with Rory Townsend (Q36.5 Pro Cycling), Max Walker (EF Education-EasyPost), Abram Stockman (Unibet-Tietma-Rockets) was down to just fifty seconds.  There are two others in this group, but since their kilometers out front are coming to a close, I'll leave you to figure out who they are.

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.

"Looking for the Peloton PR25-8" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Roubaix ‘24: Back to Back

I always enjoy when I can use a title that has two interpretations.  Today Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) won his second Paris Roubaix in a row.  He was three minutes ahead of his teammate, Jasper Philipsen which is two minutes and twenty seconds better than where they finished last year.  Also, he won today in the Rainbow Jersey of World Champion as did Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) in yesterday’s Paris Roubaix Femmes.  So it was back to back wins for World Champions as well.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The 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-/4008497-575-195767/Painting/back-to-back.-pr24-16.html

Paris Roubaix ‘24: Racing for Second

With the race leader now three minutes up the road, Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek), and Nils Politt (UAE Team Emirates) have resigned themselves to racing for second place in this edition of Paris Roubaix.  Last year it was Philipsen coming in a distant second to his teammate currently up the road, Mathieu Van Der Poel.  Pedersen was fourth last year, and would dearly like to make it onto the podium this year.  Politt was in the top ten last year as well.  This year has been both faster and dryer, but equally exciting (despite knowing who would win the race for the least forty kilometers).  As expected, the sprinter Philipsen took second again, and Pedersen moved up to third this year.  Politt missed the podium finishing fourth on the day.  But in a race that just finishing is a feet, fourth and bad!  The stats are that only 110 finished inside the time limit, with another 18 coming in too late to have their results counted.  Another 43 did not finished the race, with just one rider being disqualified.  Three who were scheduled to start today were unable to even start the Hell of the North.

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-/4008496-574-195767/Painting/racing-for-second.-pr24-15.html

Paris Roubaix ‘24: Chasing the Chasers

Laurence Pithie (Groupama-FDJ) had crashed out of the chasing group up ahead and was making little progress towards rejoining his teammate ahead.  That was until Gianni Vermeersch (Alpecin-Deceuninck) came up from the next group back on the road.  It may not have been wise for Vermeersch to tow Pithie up to the chasing group since that would bring another Groupama-FDJ rider to help the chase of his own team leader.  However, by now, Mathieu Van Der Poel was three minutes up the road with little chance of anyone seeing am until the fable showers under the Roubaix Velodrome.

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-/4008495-573-195767/Painting/chasing-the-chasers.-pr24-14.html

Paris Roubaix ‘24: Filming the Leader

I toyed with the idea of calling this one “following the leader” but felt that filming the leader was more apt.  In just twenty kilometers, Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) had stretched his lead to just under two minutes over the chasers behind.  They were being frustrated by his teammates latching onto their efforts but not putting in any pulls to bring back the Rainbow Jersey.  It is always stunning to see what the camera men and women will do on the back of a speeding motorcycle to give us all engaging images of the sport we all dearly love.  Of course, this camera angle is from underneath the hovering helicopter.

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-/4008491-572-195767/Painting/filming-the-leader.-pr24-13.html

Paris Roubaix ‘24: Making His Own Luck

A big part of being successful in Paris Roubaix, is having good luck.  That was certainly true of Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck).  But he was going to rely on luck.  As the leading group was just getting going on Pave Sector 13, he but in a massive attack.  Just like that he was away, in seemingly a second he had a five second lead on the others.  He has almost sixty kilometers to go, but he has become the king of the long solo effort.  That is the reason he is the current World Champion since he went on a long solo effort in Glasgow last fall.  Can the men’s world champion follow suit with the women’ champion and claim victory in the Rainbow Jersey?

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-/4008488-571-195767/Painting/making-his-own-luck.-pr24-12.html

Paris Roubaix ‘24: Leading for Now

After a flurry of attacks on the previous pave sectors, this threesome got away.  It was started by Gianni Vermeersch (Alpecin-Deceuninck) who was quickly joined by Nils Politt (UAE Team Emirates) and Stefan Kung (Groupama-FDJ).  Politt had been having a tough go, but once he had the near miss (see my early post) he was on fire.  With 73 kilometers to go, the trio has built up a twenty two second lead on the group of favorites behind.  All three have at least one teammate in the group behind, so it will be left to others to chase them down.

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-/4008483-570-195767/Painting/leading-for-now.-pr24-11.html