Strade Bianche Donne 2026: Chasing Champions

With a nineteen second gap up to the leaders with only seventeen kilometers to race, it was the current World Champion, Magdeleine Vallieries (EF Educations-Oatley) going to the front to chase down the leaders.  She was followed by the German National Champion, Franziska Koch (FDJ United-SUEZ) and the Polish Champion, Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon/SRAM-zondacrypto).  It was going to take some strong legs and a bit of luck for these women to rejoin the leaders by the time they arrive in the grand piazza in Siena.

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.

"Chasing Champions SB26-4" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Strade Bianche Donne 2026: Pushing Her Advantage

With some of her main competitors over three minutes back, the Italian Champion Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ) presses her advantage pulling a rather elite quartet along with her with just under twenty kilometers still to race.  Joining her in the effort to add to their seven second advantage was Noemi Ruegg (EF Education-Oatley), Niamh Fisher-Black (Lidl-Trek), Elise Chabbey (FDJ United-SUEZ).  Keeping a close eye on them all is the ever-wise Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike).  It was beginning to look like these would be the women that would vie for victory in roughly another half hour.

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.

"Pushing Her Advantage SB26-4" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Strade Bianche Donne 2026: Going the Wrong Way

It is a rare occurrence but sometimes a group of riders will go off the racecourse.  That is what happened to a group of about ten women who were chasing the leading group with about 34 kilometers left to race.  While the course is usually well marked, the leading motorcycle went down a dirt road (just like the famous gravel sections that the Strade Bianche is known for) and the leading rider intuitively followed the motorcycle rather than staying on the hard surface road.  Amongst those going off course was Anna Van Der Breggen (SD Worx-Protime), Paula Blasi (UAE Team ADQ), Lucinda Brand (Lidl-Trek), Kim Le Court (AG Insurance-Soudal) and Millie Couzens (Fenix-Premier Tech) the current British Champion.  Others went of course as well.  They were about a minute behind the leading group but by the time they got turned around and back on course they were over three minutes behind the front of the race.  It was already a long shot that they would rejoin the front of the race before their errand turn, but now their chances of a high finished are over.

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.

"Going the Wrong Way SB26-2" (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 24: One After Another

Rather than a concerted effort of a group of competitors, it was one, than another solo rider who went off the front in hopes of chasing down Pogacar and whomever else may be up the road.  That may be due to the excellent team riding by Pogacar’s teammates marking every move that tried to get away.  Despite their efforts, Toms Skujins (Lidl-Trek) managed to get away.  He is in search of the Lotto Dstny man, Maxim Van Gils, who just eleven seconds ahead of home at this point.  He does have a minute on the group behind.  However, neither are wishing four minutes of the lone leader.

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-/4002737-558-195767/Painting/one-after-another-sb24-11.html

Strade Bianche 24: Looking for Help

Maxim Van Gils (Lotto-Dstny) was the only rider in the peloton who was able to jump clear when Pogacar went on the Monte Santa Maria.  However, he wasn’t able to go with the Slovenian Champion.  With thirty kilometers to race he was almost three and a half minutes behind the leader and a half of a minute ahead of the peloton.  He soon started looking back in hopes that another rider or three would bridge up to him.  It was both his and their only hope in reeling the lone escapee back.  But realistically, the race was now for the remaining two steps of the peloton.  The winner of the 2024 edition of Strade Bianche was already three minutes up the road, and his lead is still growing!

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-/4002736-557-195767/Painting/looking-for-help-sb24-10.html

Strade Bianche 24: A Giant in Cycling

Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) is already a huge figure in contemporary cycling, but today he out did even himself.  Two years ago he won Strade Bianche with a fifty kilometer solo break away.  At this point he has just over two minutes on the field with another 68 kilometers to race.  With every pedal stroke he was gaining on the disorganized “chase” behind, so it was unlikely that he would be caught.  Should this attempt hold, it will be the longest successful break in the race’s somewhat short history.

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.

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68 k

Strade Bianche 24: 81 K Out!

At the pre-race interviews, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) was asked when he was going to attack.  Without hesitation or any poker facing, he said he would attack on the Monte Sante Maria.  The thing was he was channeling the famous moment in USA Baseball when Babe Ruth point out to left field when he came up to bat, and then hit a home run in that exact space.  So it was with Pogacar, despite there being another 81 kilometers left in this edition of Strade Bianche, he attacked right where he said he would.  No one had the legs to go with the move, the move his team set up, the move that worked because they hadn’t let anyone get away, and the move that he let everyone know he would make.  Has he went over the top of the climb, even a rivals soigneur was startled to see him with a minute on the peloton already.

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.

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Strade Bianche 24: Going Again

The clearly American Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) attacked the peloton shortly after it had pulled him back a few kilometers earlier.  The early kilometers were noteworthy for the number of failed break away attempts.  It seems that the peloton was not interested in letting anyone get a gap.  So even with 90 kilometers left to go, they only let the USA Champion get a few seconds before pulling him back, yet again.

 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.

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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

Strade Bianche Donne 24: Two Champions

Inside of the last ten kilometers of the 2024 Strade Bianche Donne, the race had come down to two champions and former winners of the race.  The Italian national champion Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek) was battling it out with the world champion Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime).  Both women had teammates in the small group just fourteen seconds behind, but neither seemed willing to let anyone join them as they pedal their way back into the heart of Sienna.  Their every move was being captured both by the helicopter camera overhead and by one of the cameramen standing astride a speeding motorcycle riding beside them on the Tuscan roads.

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/4002670-76-207546/Painting/two-champions-sb24-5.html

Strade Bianche Donne 24, Gritty

The title seemed to capture both Katarzyna Niewiadoma’s (Canyon-SRAM) expression and the gravel roads of Tuscany.  She used the steepest section of the final gravel section, Le Tolfe, to attack the peloton. She got a small gap, but then it was Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime) that got back to the Polish woman’s wheel.  In turn hiding behind Vollering was her teammate Lotte Kopecky with the Italian Champion Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek) struggling to stay within reach of the other three.  With just twelve kilometers to race and no more gravel roads, any group that got away now, may be the one that went to contest the finale in Sienna.  Racing on the roads of Italy, the Italian Champion wasn’t about to let anyone get away from her on home soil.

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/4002668-75-207546/Painting/gritty-sb24-4.html

Strade Bianche Donne 24, Leading the Chase

Lizzie Deignan (Lidl-Trek) had been in the early break, but lost the wheels on the first trip up the the gravel section Le Tolfe the first time.  She was joined by her teammate Amanda Spratt along with Christina Schweinberger (Fenix-Deceuninck), Anouska Koster (Uno-X) and the rest of the strong women of the peloton in trying to chase the remaining three down.  Both of the Lidl-Trek women had their team leader just a bit further back, so they were on the front trying to close down the 27 second gap to the leaders.

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/4002662-74-207546/Painting/leading-the-chase-sb24-3.html

Strade Bianche Donne 24: The Leading Trio

This threesome of Riejanne Markus (Visma-Lease a Bike), Alena Amialiusik (UAE Team ADQ) and Amber Karnak (FDJ-SUEZ) had gotten away from the erstwhile break away companions (you can just see them coming out of the corner behind) with another thirty-five kilometers to race.  They were hoping that they could stay away from the ever nearing peloton whom had narrowed the gap to a mere thirty-one seconds.  It was unlikely they would be able to hold off the marquee chasers, particularly since numerable former winners of the race were in the group further 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 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/4002624-73-207546/Painting/the-leading-trio-sb24-2.html

Strade Bianche Donne 24: Checking the Damage

As she comes off of one of the gravel sections of Strade Bianche, Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM) looks back to see what sort of damage she has done to the peloton on the rather steep climb.  Behind her, the duo that sprinted for the win last year are the teammates Lotte Kopecky and Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime).  They were just under a minute behind the leading breakaway with another 42 kilometers of the 137 kilometer 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 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/4002622-72-207546/Painting/checking-the-damage-sb24-1.html

Strade Bianche Donne 23: Between Teammates

We were all curious if the SD Worx teammates would decide who was going to win the day between themselves, by team order, or if they would race each other as all cycling buddies do.  It was close and perhaps it could have been Lotte Kopecky’s second victory in a row had she timed her bike through a bit better.  As I watched the over head shot, I could see that Demi Vollering had one or two pedal strokes more than her teammate once she had thrown her bike at the line.  After the finish they didn’t seem to want to speak to each other, but by the time they got to the podium, they were all smiles and hugs.  

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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3938130-60-207546/Painting/between-teammates.-sb23-7.html

Strade Bianche Donne 23: Catching Their Prey

Within the final 600 meters of the race the SD Worx duo of Lotte Kopecky and Demi Vollering  were able to catch Kristen Faulkner (Jayco-Alula).  The two caught the lone American of the 15% gradient up to the old city of Sienna (or Siena if you want to use the English name).  I assume Faulkner was moving to the right to allow the duo to pass, but she ended up putting Vollering up against the barriers.  Vollering had to pause and then get back up to speed on probably the steepest climb of the day.  It had to be heart breaking of Faulkner to see the multi-colored jerseys join her so close to the finish.  She can take some comfort in know that she still would stand on the podium no matter what happens in the remaining meters.  The greatly reduced peloton was another two minutes behind this trio.  Now, will Vollering ride to give Kopecky her second victory of Strade Bianche Donne in a row?  Or would they simply see who had the better legs of the team on the day?

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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3938118-59-207546/Painting/catching-their-prey.-sb23-6.html

Strade Bianche Donne 23: Surprises Around Every Corner

 This may well become the image of this year’s Spring Classics.  As Demi Vollering (SD Worx) went off the front in search of the lone leader on the road, a horse broke free and got out onto the race course.  Vollering was first warning the TV moto of the danger, but then got a bit frustrated that the horse was slowing down her chase of the American Kristen Faulkner (Jayco-Alula).  The horse was clearly spooked by all of the commotion from the racers, the race motors and the helicopters.  I was a bit worry when the poor horse slid out on a corner.  It did get back up thus allowing Vollering to get back on with the chase.  Since painting this, it was nice to see her post on social media expressing her concern for the welfare of her four legged breakaway companion.  Given what happened at the end of the race, she could well afford to be generous in her compassion (not that she wouldn’t have been 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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3938108-57-207546/Painting/surprises-around-every-corner.-sb23-4.html

Strade Bianche Donne 23: A Tough Wheel to Follow

 Using the toughest section of gravel on the entire Strade Bianche Donne course, Annemiek Van Vleutin (Movistar) dug deep to drop the rest of the peloton in pursuit of another victory in the Rainbow Jersey.  Though struggling, Cecilia Utopia Ludwig (FDJ-Suez) was able to hold onto the wheel of the world champion.  The group was cheered on by hundreds of fans along the side of the road, each hoping to catch a glimpse of their woman doing well.  By now, these ladies were just over a minute an a half behind the sole rider up 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 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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3938058-56-207546/Painting/a-tough-wheel-to-follow.-sb23-3.html

Strade Bianche Donne 23: Caught Her, Dropped Her

 The American on the Australian team, Kristen Faulkner (Jayco-Alula) was the next to jump clear of the peloton.  She bridged up to Swindels and quickly dropped the Dutch rider on the Dutch team.  Faulkner went off on her own building up an almost two minute lead with under thirty kilometers to race.  She had already proven this season that she was capable of the long solo effort.  Could she pull off the upset today?

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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3938057-55-207546/Painting/caught-her-dropped-her-sb23-2.html