Tour '26, Stage 21: An Iconic Moment

I can only imagine what it would be like to race up the Champs Elysees towards the l'Arc de Triomphe off the front of the peloton.  This duo with the Frenchman Thibault Guernalec (TotalEnergies) and the Spainard Xabier Mikel Azparren (Pinarello-Q36.5) had built up fifty seconds on the peloton before they all turn right at the top of the rise.  Next on the menu was the three loops that include the climb up to the summit of Montmartre.  I wonder if they will still be off the front by the time they ride pass Sacre Coeur?

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: "An Iconic Moment TdF26-159" (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 21: Attacking and Giggling

Just after Lidl-Trek had their photo op on the front of the peloton as they rode back onto the Place de la Concorde, Quinn Simmons in his USA Champion kit and Mathias Vacek in his Czech Champion kit decided to mime attacking the peloton.  It wasn't out of character for the two to attack, but laughing as they did it was.  Since their teammate in the Maillot Vert, Mads Pedersen, was reacting it was clear they were just goofing around.  It won't be long before the racing starts in earnest.  I should note that Simmons started the day with his hair flowing, so it is unlikely he is planning on going for stage honors.  That task will fall to Pedersen and the team will do their best to make it happen.

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: "Attacking and Giggling TdF26-157" (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 21: In Procession on the Champs

Normally, the team that holds the Maillot Jaune is the team that leads the peloton onto the Champs Elysees as the race enters the center of Paris.  This year everyone had to adapt due to wildfires that were raging near Paris.  So, after the first lap of posing for cameras and perhaps a sip of champagne, UAE Team Emirates went to the front of the peloton as they headed up the Champs Elysees to the l'Arc de Triomphe.  It isn't like the team has spent thousands of kilometers doing this in service of the Maillot Jaune as they race around France.  Still, homage must be paid, and the fans must get their chance to salute the team that got their leader around France the quickest, Tadej Pogacar.  They also had another teammate who got around the third fastest, Isaac Del Toro.  That is quite a successful Tour.  The only sight mark on their Tour is that they didn't bring the complete team to Paris.  But then only eight of the twenty-three teams accomplished that feat.

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: "In Procession on the Champs TdF26-156" (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 20: The King Wins, Again

Having stayed upright when the leader had not, Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) thumps his chest in victory atop the final mountain top finish of the Tour.  In the process he claimed maximum points on every climb of the day but the last one where he went over in second place thus securing the Maillot a Pois.  At the start of the Tour he stated that this was his goal.  And he achieved it and picked up two stage wins in the process.  All he has to do is finish the stage tomorrow in Paris, and he will go out the King of the Mountains.

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 King Wins, Again TdF26-152" (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 20: Super Domestique

Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates) could not have asked for a better member of the peloton to help him on the final climb of the final mountain stage of the 113th Tour de France!  Tadej Pogacar was sacrificing his chance to claim the first ever back-to-back wins atop Alpe d'Huez to make sure that his teammate stayed in third place on the general classification and kept his Maillot Blanc of the best young rider of the Tour.  This is not normal activities for the Maillot Jaune, but then I think Pogacar has established that he is not a mere mortal cyclist.  I should note that Pogacar's lead is so large that he can afford this generous act despite the guy in second place has gone up the road.  In fact, Evenepoel finished second on the stage, but only forty seconds ahead of this jerseyed duo.  As long as they both finished the stage tomorrow, they will finish in first and third in Paris wearing their yellow and white jerseys 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 work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "Super Domestique TdF26-151" (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 20: Into the Net

I have always wondered about Phil and Bob crying out when something goes wrong for a rider in the Tour, now I know.  I cried out as Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike) fought and lost his bike on a fast corner on the loop around the resort town of Alpe d'Huez.  Kuss was off the front by over twenty seconds even after hitting the ground through the tunnel under a section of the town.  He pressed even harder down the descent in hopes of making up time he lost in the previous fall.  He finished this tumble sitting on the cement wall just at the end of the safety net.  While he never went into it, thank God (or the ASO) that it was there.  As he was on the ground, Richard Carapaz who had been chasing passed by.  Kuss got up and gave chase, but never saw the man in the Maillot a Pois again.  He still finished third on the stage!

In the post-race interview, Kuss laughed and apologized to his wife and his fans for scaring the hell out of them.  He really didn't want to put her through that.  And then said, "But, that is racing."  I am sure with the luck that Visma has had this Tour, they will hope not to have the bib number "13" on a teammates back next year.  The way the numbering works, they won't.  That auspicious number will fall to Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe.

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: "Into the Net TdF26-150" (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 20: The Cream Rises

The top three of the Tour come over the summit of the Col de Sarenne together.  To be fair, Lenny Martinez (Bahrian-Victorious) is with them but hidden from view.  Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) goes over first looking to make sure his teammate Isaac Del Toro is still with them.  Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) takes the summit to grab another gel and squeeze it into his mouth.  There is still another fourteen kilometers left to race after all.  The guy sitting in fourth, Paul Seixas (Decathlon-CMA CGM) has dropped off the pace and is losing time to all four.  He had started the day just twenty-four seconds behind Del Toro in both the top five and in the race for the Maillot Blanc of the best young rider.  It wasn't to be for the very young Frenchman today, but he did hold his position in the classification despite having lost time on the final climb of the Tour.

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 Cream Rises TdF26-149" (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 20: Flying Down the Galibier

Attacking, or more accurately, just out riding the rest of the peloton over the summit of the Galibier the top five of the general classification flew back down the other side.  With fifty-two kilometers to race the quintet of Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) along with his teammate Isaac Del Toro, Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), Paul Seixas (Decathlon-CGA CMA), and Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious) still had another four-and-a-half minutes to bridge up to the still cohesive breakaway.  I have always looked at descent as a reward for all of the struggles climbing a mountain, I'm not so sure about these twisty roads with the sheer drop-offs.  But I am willing to give it a try.

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: "Flying Down the Galibier TdF26-147" (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 20: This Is Mine

It took getting over the HC climb of the Col de Croix de Fer and then chasing down the breakaway, but Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) was there to sprint for maximum points at the intermediate sprint in Saint Julien Mont Denis.  As he wound up his sprint he looked back at Tobias Johannessen (Uno X-Mobility) as if daring him to dare to steal a single point from him.  With this sprint, he sealed up the race for the Maillot Vert.  All he need do is finish this stage and the final stage in Paris and he will have one the sprinter's jersey in all three Grand Tours.  On Johannessen's wheel are Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) and his teammate Bruno Armirail clearly having a plan for the day.  Another in this leading group was Thymen Arensman (Netcompany-Ineos) hoping to have an even better stage than yesterday.  Today is the true final stage of the Tour, although the new circuit in Paris does mean there will be more than just a sprint on the Champs Elysees.

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: "This Is Mine TdF26-144" (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 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 '26, Stage 19: Climbing in Green

Traditionally, sprinters can't climb.  That is not the case with Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek).  While he has won a stage this Tour, most of his points towards his sprinters' jersey have come from winning (or at least scoring points) the intermediate sprints.  Yesterday, he went up the road over categorized climbs to score maximum points at the intermediate sprint knowing full well he wouldn't be there for the points at the mountain top finish.  His teammate Derek Gee-West has been assigned to help him carry the Maillot Vert all of the way to Paris.  Others on the team are shepherding there two guys that are in the top ten, Mattias Skjelmose and Juan Ayuso.  The USA champion Quinn Simmons seems to be on double duty and sometimes is left free to go for the stage win.  For Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) he is thrilled to have a good pair of wheels to carry him up the mountain.  He continues to chase the KOM points always going over the mountain behind the current wearer, and virtual, 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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "Climbing in Green TdF26-135" (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 18: Who Among Us?

This title amused me.  But it was what this sextet was thinking, "Who among us will win this stage?"  With the chase group losing ground, and the peloton still over five minutes behind, it was clear that this is who is racing for stage honors today.  Only Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal-Quick Step) doesn't have to win the stage to have achieved his goal of the day.  If he crosses the line in third or better, he will take over the lead in the King of the Mountains competition.  He did not.  He finished fourth on the day.  So Mauro Schmid (Jayco-Alula) was hoping to get a second stage victory. Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) was hoping to win the stage to rewrite the current story of his team. The rest, Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost), Tobias Johannessen (Uno X-Mobility) and Raul Garcia Pierna (Movistar) were hoping to win their first stage of this Tour.  For Carapaz, Jorgenson, and Gacia Pierna it would also be the first stage win for their team also.  Not everyone will achieve their goals.  But then that is bike racing.

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: "Who Among Us? TdF26-133" (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 18: One More Peek

After three categorized climbs and just shy of one hundred and forty kilometers, Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) was finally able to sprint for the maximum sprint points on offer in Corps.  As he did his almost token sprint, he looked back one more time to make sure no one would dare challenge him.  They did not.  Had they done so the breakaway would have collapse right then.  Mauro Schmid (Jayco-Alula), Tobias Johannessen (Uno X-Mobility) his teammate Mathias Vacek and the rest of the breakaway have been counting on the Dane's power to help keep them off the front and away from those chasing behind.  Now, what will happen now that Pedersen has achieved his goal for the day.  I suspect he will help Vacek as much as possible before he runs out of steam.

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: "One More Peek TdF26-131" (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 18: Scooping Up All the Points

The third categorized climb of the day was the Cote des Terrasse, and it was the third climb that Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal-Quick Step) got the maximum King of the Mountain points at the summit of.  He out sprinted Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) yet again.  Behind them were the Lidl-Trek teammates, Mathias Vacek and Mads Pedersen.  Why that is important is that Pedersen is wearing the Maillot Vert of the best sprinter in the Tour.  Sprinters are known for their climbing abilities, but here he is with the leaders on a mountain stage.  Of course, the intermediate sprint is another twenty-four kilometers down the road.  His main competitor in the sprint competition is behind the peloton in the grupetto about ten minutes behind the breakaway.

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: "Scooping Up the Points TdF26-129" (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 18: The Points Are Up the Road

As this five-some climbed the Cote de Monteynard they were chasing a group of six that had twenty-one seconds on them.  Not a situation that either Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal-Quick Step) nor Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) were happy with.  Both men were hoping to take over the lead in the King of the Mountains competition.  Yes, Paret-Peintre is wearing the jersey, but it is "on loan" from the race leader, Tadej Pogacar.  The Soudal-Quick Step rider has already gone first over the first climb of the day, out sprinting Carapaz for the maximum KOM points.  The other three were happy to ride behind the aggressors.  Mauro Schmid (Jayco-Alula), Raul Garcia Pierna (Movistar) and Mathias Vacek (Lidl-Trek) were happy to let the other two pull them up to the leading breakaway.  Both Vacek and Pierna had teammates up the road, so there were going to, nor were they expected to, work to chase down the leaders.  I should note that they did join up before the summit with Paret-Peintre getting the maximum KOM points ahead of Carapaz, 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 work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "The Points Are Up the Road TdF26-128" (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 17: Attacking Near 4 K

I was confused why Victor Campenaerts (Visma-Lease a Bike) was helping chase down the six-man breakaway.  Now I understand.  His teammate, the American, Matteo Jorgenson attacked on a final roller inside of the four-kilometer banner.  When he went only two guys could go with him.  Not really visible are Derek Gee-West (Lidl-Trek) and Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) finding shelter behind the broad shoulders of the American.  Dropping of but still off the front is the former world champion Michal Kwiatkowski (Netcompany-Ineos).  Being a fan of Jorgenson, I was hoping this would stick, but the sprinters wanted their final chance.  Well, the sprinters that were still in the vastly reduced peloton.

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: "Attacking Near 4 K Tdf26-126" (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 17: What He Worked For

Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) had gotten into breaks, been dropped, got back in, got dropped and yet, he got back in one more time.  All of it was for this moment.  He was off the front with a group of five other guys, none of whom factored into the race for the Maillot Vert.  As he opened up his sprint into Colombe he was concerned that Edward Planckaert (Alpecin-Premier Tech) might try and come around.  I should point out that Planckaert is on the team of Jasper Philipsen who sits second in the race for the sprinter's jersey.  Panckaert tried to come around Pedersen to prevent him from getting maximum points in this intermediate sprint.  He didn't have the legs.  Behind these two, the rest were taking advantage of the leaders' speed as they were there for a stage victory in another twenty-seven kilometers.  Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) keeps fighting for a stage.  He is followed by Michal Kwiatkowski (Netcompany-Ineos), Jasper Stuyven (Soudal-Quick Step) and Felix Engelhardt (Jayco-Alula).  All of these guys were there fighting for stage honors at the end of the day, 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: "What He Worked For TdF26-125" (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 16 ITT: Simply the Best

Starting second from the last, the reigning World Champion and Olympic Champion in the individual time trial discipline was Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) on a brilliant ride.  As he went through the second time check he was a minute faster than the guy who had the best time at the finish line... until Evenepoel got there.  He was on such a ride that he put twenty-eight seconds into the Maillot Jaune of Tadej Pogacar!  That means that he has gotten the better of the race leader for two stages in a row.  He has now gotten thirty-two seconds closer, but he still has four-and-a-half minutes before he will pull on the yellow jersey.  I don't see that happening, do you?  It was a great result for his team who saw their second best place rider, Florian Lipowitz, crash out of the Tour with the same injury in much the same circumstances that forced Jonas Vingegaard to leave 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.

Purchase this painting here: "Simply the Best TdF26-121" (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 16 ITT: A Fan Favorite

Perhaps I should have titled this one, "The Fan Favorite."  Paul Seixas (Decathlon-CMA CGM) is the young French rider who has all of France hoping that they are seeing the next Frenchman to win their home three-week Tour.  It has been forty-one years since a Frenchman has finished the Tour in the Maillot Jaune.  That is a long time to wait.  I imagine that Seixas' grandfather was a young man the last time the French won their race.  It was expected that he would struggle with the individual time trial but that was not the case today.  He finished the race of truth gaining time on everyone except the guys in first and second places in the general classification.  He also gained back five seconds on Isaac Del Toro in the race for the Maillot Blanc of the best young rider in the Tour de France.  He is definitely the youngest and he is showing that he is also one of the best regardless of age.  How many of the young boys on the side of the road will one day race in the Tour themselves?

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: "A Fan Favorite TdF26-119" (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 16 ITT: First Goes Last

With an individual time trial the best placed rider in the general classification starts last, with the lowest placed rider going first.  Naturally, the order continues up through the classification.  It gives Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) the extra advantage of knowing the times of all of his competitors as he races the twenty-six kilometers down to the coast of Lake Geneva. While he may have known the times he needed to best his legs weren't able to deliver the speed required.  For the second stage in a row he took second place to the same person (I'll reveal who later).  Before any of his fans panic, he does have a five-minute buffer between himself and the next best rider in the general classification.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "First Goes Last TdF26-118" (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 →