Tour '26, Stage 21: The Team that Won the Tour

Despite starting on the Champs Elysees in the heart of Paris, the teams made sure to have the ceremonial traditions before they got down to race for victory in the final stage of the Tour.  Tadej Pogacar poses with his six UAE Teammates that made it to ride up and down the Champs Elysees.  Starting from his left it is Isaac Del Toro in the Maillot Blanc, then Tim Wellens and Felix Grosschartner.  One Tadej's right side his Nils Politt, then Florian Vermeesch and finally, Adam Yates.  The team has changed to an all-white jersey with yellow high lights and a big yellow number five along with white shorts.  Only Del Toro opted for black shorts perhaps to contrast with his Maillot Blanc.  The team was also riding new yellow bikes, with again the exception of Del Toro, who opted for a white bike to match his white jersey.  The one teammate missing is the American Brandon McNulty.  He had to drop out of the raced due to illness during stage 18.

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 Team that Won the Tour TdF26-155" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '26, Stage 20: Teammates

After a rather silly salute to the crowd while crossing the line together, Tadej Pogacar and Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates) shared a hug before the throng of press photographers just out of sight to us here.  I thought their celebrations were a little odd since they finished fourth and fifth on the stage, but I now realize that they were celebrating the collaboration and their Maillots Juane and Blanc.  And of course, they will both finish on the podium in first and third assuming nothing terrible happens on the streets of Paris.  It is forecasted to rain for the cobbled finale on both the climb of Montmartre and the Champs Elysees.  Let's all hope they and the rest of the peloton all finish safely!

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: "Teammates TdF26-153" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '26, Stage 20: Preferring to Climb Alone

Sepp Kuss and his Visma-Lease a Bike team has clearly had a plan all day.  And on the Col de Sarenne Sepp launched the final phase.  He jumped clear of his remaining breakaway companions and went alone to the summit.  The climb was so narrow that the ASO who organize the race had prevented fans from getting on the mountain in order to keep the riders safe.  So, I had planned on a bad pun comparing the Sarenne to serene, but it really was a rather serene climb and must have felt great to be free of the noise of the crowds.  I love the quiet of being out on my bike all alone, but I am not working anywhere as hard as this American is.

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: "Preferring to Climb Alone TdF26-148" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '26, Stage 20: Hanging Tough on the Galibier

As the peloton climbed the Col du Galibier it was good to see Warren Barguil (Picnic-PostNL) and the American Sean Quinn (EF Education-EasyPost) still hanging onto the group.  With his twin brother up the road, Anders Johannessen (Uno X-Mobility) was still here as well.  Of course, he and the rest of the peloton were now almost four-and-a-half minutes behind the breakaway with the gap continuing to grow.  Conversely, the grupetto was way back down this long mountain climb.

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: "Hanging Tough on the Galibier TdF26-146" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '26, Stage 20: Staying Topped Up

The young American Matthew Riccitello on the French team Decathlon-CMA CGM, was still in the front group as they climbed the Col du Telegraphe.  It seemed that he was up front either for the stage, or as a satellite rider for his even younger teammate Paul Seixas.  With another five kilometers to climb, he wisely dropped back to his team car to get a bidon and some gels.  I am sure he will shortly be back on the wheel of Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) who is currently riding tail gun in the breakaway.  The group has a decent advantage over the peloton with another eighty-eight kilometers in the final mountain stage 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.

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Tour '26, Stage 20: Hurting Everyone

With three more kilometers to the summit of the Col de Croix de Fer Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) jumps free of the breakaway in hopes of cementing his hold on the Maillot a Pois.  Behind you can make out the erstwhile wearer, and something virtual holder. of the jersey, Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal-Quick Step) tries to chase him down.  Those behind figured they would just keep riding their pace confident that these two will end up back in the fold after the summit of the climb.  They did, and Carapaz got the maximum points over the top.

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: "Hurting Everyone TdF26-143" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '26, Stage 19: You Were Expecting...

I love the almost teenage shrug that Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) gave before going into a more tradition victory salute.  He seemed to say, with this gesture, you were expecting a different result?  It has been since Bradley Wiggins that the guy wearing the Maillot Jaune won the stage atop Alpe d'Huez.  And you have to go back to Marco Pantani to find someone who has climbed this famous Tour climb anywhere near as quickly.  Let's face it, Pogacar is setting new Tour records throughout this Tour.  Let's hope he doesn't go the way of Pantani.  Behind the gesture, you can just see the two guys he left inside of the final kilometer, Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious) takes second place and Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) and by so doing takes the lead in the King of the Mountains competition away from the guy who now leads the Tour by a little over seven minutes.  I think he was also letting us know that despite there being some illness hitting his team... he is just fine!

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: "You Were Expecting... TdF26-142" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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

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

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

Purchase this painting here: "The Devil Shows the Way TdF26-141" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '26, Stage 19: Chasing Up Alpe d'Huez

Undaunted by the leaders' three-minute advantage, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) jumped clear of the group of race favorites in search of another stage victory.  In just four kilometers of the twelve of the climb he has already pulled back half of the advantage of those up the road.  At this point in the climb the crowds were very much under control.  That may have something to do with the heavy presents of the Gendarmie.   The only one in sight of the Maillot Jaune was one of the many press photographers on the back of a motorcycle.  

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: "Chasing Up d'Huez TdF26-139" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '26, Stage 19: Starting Alpe d'Huez

This quartet that was led first by Thymen Arensman (Netcompany-Ineos) and followed by Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious), Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) with just over three minutes over the group that included the Maillot Jaune.  They were looking at a climb of twelve kilometers they all were hoping that it was enough of a gap to be the ones to vie for the stage win at the summit of the fabled climb of the Alpe d'Huez.  Carapaz was hoping to follow his stage victory with a second in a row.  He also knows that he has the chance to hold the Maillot a Pois outright should he finish the stage in the top three.  And that is true even should Tadej Pogacar be able to chase them down and win the stage.  The crowds at the base of the climb were but a taste of the multitudes awaiting every single rider to scale the Alpe.

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: "Starting Alpe d'Huez TdF26-138" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '26, Stage 19: Is It Enough?

After the two categorized climbs and ninety kilometers it was finally time for Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) to go for the maximum sprint points on offer at the intermediate sprint in Le Perier.  He was led out by his teammate the Czech Champion Mathias Vacek.  Michael Matthews (Jayco-Alula) gave what felt like a token sprint and then congratulated Pedersen with a handshake and a hug (while on their bikes) afterwards.  With these additional twenty-five points towards his Maillot Vert it feels like he has sealed up the win in the sprinter's prize.  It is still mathematically possible for Jasper Philipsen to catch him, but he would have to win either both sprints tomorrow and/or the more difficult intermediate sprint tomorrow and win on the Champs Elysees.  And Pedersen has to not score any more points in any of those ensuing sprints.  Matthews congratulations implied that he thought the Green Jersey was the Dane's.

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.

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Tour '26, Stage 19: Banking Points

Now the virtual King of the Mountain, Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal-Quick Step) went for maximum KOM points over the top of the Col du Noyer.  He continues to add points in hopes of being the actual King of the Mountains at the end of the stage.  Yes, he is currently wearing the Maillot a Pois, but it is on loan from Tadej Pogacar.  Paret-Peintre would prefer to own it outright, rather than sitting second in the competition but wearing the best looking of the leaders' jerseys.  Behind him, yet again, Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) continues to be second best over every climb.  He wants to stay close in the points tally, although he would love to follow yesterday's mountain top stage victory with another one 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 work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "Banking Points TdF26-136" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '26, Stage 18: Climbing Alone

"And Winning Alone" is what I wish I had added to the title, but I wasn't sure that would be the outcome when I painted this.  With just over a kilometer left to climb of the Orcieres-Merlette and the stage, Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) had thirty-five seconds over the two that were still chasing behind.  Mauro Schmid (Jayco-Alula) finished second on the stage, for the second stage in a row.  He was followed over the line at the same time by Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) leaving both him and his team looking for their first road stage win.  Remember that Visma won the opening team time trial, so quite literally, the team has already won a stage in the 113th Tour de France.  Carapaz went on to win the stage by forty-five seconds.  He also moved himself into the top ten of the general classification, but is still over twenty minutes behind the time of the leader, Tadej Pogacar.  He is still trying to take the Maillot a Pois and he now sits third in that competition.  All in all a good day out for the former Ecuadorian champion.

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 Alone TdF26-134" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '26, Stage 18: Looming Vultures

Clearly, Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates) was suffering has he rode through the intermediate sprint point in Corps seventeen minutes after Mads Pedersen claimed maximum points ahead of everyone on the road.  I am worried that some bug is running through his team.  Yesterday, Adam Yates was way off the back but did manage to finish the stage.  However, he was seen at the team car dropping off of the peloton again just before the TV camera found McNulty with the Voiture Balai and the second van labeled Fin de Course, or End of the Race.  I was playing with the word 'voiture' when I used 'vulture' in the title. Sadly, shortly after he rode through this point, he stopped and climbed into the van behind.  The name translates to 'Broom Wagon' because it sweeps up all of the riders who can't finish the stage carrying them to the finish line and out of the race.  Let's hope no one else, most especially Tadej Pogacar get sick on the UAE team.

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: "Looming Vultures TdF26-132" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '26, Stage 18: In No Hurry to Get There

Today was a day for the breakaway.  As the peloton rode through the valley prior to the final climb of the day over six minutes behind those vying for stage honors.  No one in the group ahead was within twenty minutes of Tadej Pogacar's lead, so there wasn't really any reason to chase.  Plus, down there amongst all of those cyclists are all of the top eight on the general classification.  As long as none of them attack, it is kind of a day off for the top of the leader board (and their teammates).  I know I wouldn't be in any hurry to get up into those mountains.  I would be excited about descending back into the valley, however.

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 No Hurry to Get There TdF26-130" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '26, Stage 17: Suffering Together

Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) had dropped off the back of the peloton not long after the grupetto had caught back on.  He seemed to be sick.  He was certainly suffering.  After a chat with his team car that ended with him shaking his head and riding off.  Earlier in the stage as the TV Moto went by Anders Johannessen (Uno X-Mobility) he had made the gesture of cutting his throat, the universal symbol of "I'm dead."  He was eventually joined off the back by Yates.  The two rode along together until UAE Team Emirates sent Tim Wellens back to help make sure that these two made it to the finish inside of the time limit.  They did come in all together twenty-six minutes after the stage winner, there was one guy a few minutes behind them, but all were in well within the time limit of thirty-nine minutes.

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: "Suffering Together TdF26-124" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '26, Stage 17: Chasing Along the Valley Road

The peloton started the day in the Vouge mountains but left them behind about halfway through the stage.  The early climbs blew the peloton apart before they reached the valley roads.  This trio of Mauro Schmid (Jayco-Alula), Aaron Gate (XDS-Astana) and Huub Artz (Lotto-Intermarche) were stuck between the lead group hoping to close forty-nine seconds with the peloton three-and-a-half minutes further back.  Despite a constant changing series of attacks and make-up of the peloton it seems that the highly placed on the general classification are happy (finally) with who is off the front.  They did eventually catch those 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 work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "Chasing Along the Valley Road TdF26-123" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '26, Stage 17: Not Amused!

Dorian Godon (Netcompany-Ineos) was very annoyed with the driver of the Shimano Neutral Service car when they passed on the inside of a corner.  It is understood that the cyclists always gets dibs to all of the roadway during the race.  Who amongst us cyclists haven't made this gesture at a driver who has just done something stupid that endangered us?  Godon and his companion Anders Skaarseth (Uno X-Mobility) were off the back of the peloton trying to get back to the peloton.  The duo did eventually get back on, and got there safely.

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.

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Tour '26, Stage 16 ITT: Making a Bee Line for the Finish!

Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) was setting an amazing pace around the course on the French side of Lake Geneva! He set new best times at each time check out on course.  He was still building speed through the straight flat roads towards the end of the twenty-six-kilometer course making a bee line for the finish in Thonon les Bains.  He was the new best time when he finished as well.  However, he dropped to third by the time the last guy crossed the line.  Still, it was a brilliant ride for the Dane and helped keep his team in the lead of the team race.  I was surprised that while Lidl-Trek still had their yellow bib numbers of team leaders, they had opted for white helmets today.  I guess no one had gotten them new yellow aero helmets for the individual time trial.

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: "Making a Bee Line to the Finish! TdF26-120" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '26, Stage 16 ITT: Can He Regain White?

The short answer is, "No."  Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek) was on a good ride, good enough to stay in third place in the race for the Maillot Blanc of best young rider.  He has worn the jersey on two different occasions this Tour four a total of five stages thus far.  He finished fifteenth on the day dropping a minute or more to the two guys ahead of him in the race to be named the "Best Young Rider" of the 113th 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 work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "Can He Regain White? TdF26-117" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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