Doing a live painting of one of my works from Doha 2016 UCI Road World Championships

I was asked to be one of the artist to create a work of art live for a fundraiser for the YWCA here in Richmond, Virginia.  Since we were working on the theme of empowering women, I felt it was only appropriate to create a 3'x4' acrylic painting based on one of my watercolors from the Elite Women's Road Race in Doha, just two weeks ago.

I was rather pleased with the results.  This is a new technique that I have been developing to create a large scale version of what I have been able to do with the live watercolors of the various races I have been sharing here.  I love trying to discover a new vocabulary in art making.  It is what keeps us artist painting.  It is for the discovery and the challenge of the work that I create, the finished painting is just the byproduct of the work of making discoveries.

Should you want me to come paint a live event for you, or if you would like to commission a work of art for yourself, please email me at greigsart@gmail.com

Doha 2016, Elite Men's Road Race: Two in a Row!

Not since 2007 has someone done what Peter Sagan (Slovakia) did today, win back to back World Championship titles.  I feel sure that never before has the complete podium been populated by three riders who have all worn the Rainbow Jersey.  While it was Sagan (Champion in 2015), it was a clearly disappointed Mark Cavendish (Great Britain) who took Silver (Champion in 2011) and Tom Boonen took silver (Champion in 2004).  It was an amazing cadre of sprinters who came to the line in Doha, and an equally surprising number who had missed the splits and the chance to compete for the Rainbow Jersey.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2866682-66-227958/PaintingTwo%20in%20a%20Row%20Doha66-Greig-Leach.html#.WAWaSOArLIU

Doha 2016, Elite Men's Road Race, Giving It a Go!

The Dutch team may have missed the split, but it didn't mean they had thrown in the towel.  It was now clear that the winner was going to come from the front group, and it would have to be a strong sprinter if the group stayed together.  The two Dutchmen that had made the group did a punch counter punch move.  First Niki Terpstra (Netherlands) went on the attack, an attack that was quickly shut down by the Belgium team.  Almost as soon as Terpstra was contained, Tom Leezer launched a brilliant counter.  Leezer quickly opened up about five seconds on the clearly exhaust group.  With just two and a half kilometer left to race, it was looking like this was the winning move.  Sadly for Leezer, the Belgium Team and Michal Kolar (Slovakia) wanted to give their sprinters the chance for the win.  With just about 500 meter left to go, Leezer found himself back into the fast charging lead group.  With the accelerations, a few dropped off the tail, including all but one (Ryan Roth - Canada) of the original break away.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2866447-65-227958/PaintingGiving%20It%20a%20Go!%20Doha65-Greig-Leach.html#.WAUV1-ArLIU

Doha 2016, Elite Men's Road Race: Not Much Left

All of those who got to the finish line (and even those who were pulled before hand) were completely drained by the toughness of the race, the weather, and the length of the race.  With just five kilometers to race, it seemed no one was able to launch an attack.  Many of those still in this group were not going to be able to out sprint the champions of the sport including three former World Champions, Tom Boonen (Belgium), Mark Cavendish (Great Britain) and Peter Sagan (Slovakia).  Yet, no one had yet to jump out of the long line of sweating riders being lead by Truls Korsaeth (Norway), Edvald Boasson Hagen (Norway), Giacomo Nizzolo, Jacopo Guarnieri (Italy) and the only two Dutchmen to make this group, Niki Terpstra and Tom Leezer.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2866446-64-227958/PaintingNot%20Much%20Left%20Doha64-Greig-Leach.html#.WAURKuArLIU

Doha 2016, Elite Men's Road Race: Still Okay?

Daniele Benati (Italy) looks back over his shoulder to check on his two teammates, Jacopo Guarnieri and Giacomo Nizzolo,  Further back in this front group is a fourth member of the team, Elia Vivianni.  Mixing in with the Italian trio is on of Norway's two sprinters in the group, Edvald Boasson Hagen, along with the Aussie, Mathew Hayman.  With around twenty kilometers left to race, it was time to see what could be organized for each teams respective designated sprinter.  Others lurking about in this group that I have yet to mention are the two Brits, Adam Bythe and Mark Cavendish, and the Slovakian duo of Michal Kolar and Peter Sagan.  With those two marquee sprinters, it was going to be hard to figure out how to take the win at the line.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2866439-63-227958/PaintingStill%20Okay?%20Doha63-Greig-Leach.html#.WAULj-ArLIU

Doha 2016, Elite Men's Road Race: I'm Still Here!

In all of the drama of the peloton splitting apart in the crosswinds out on the desert.  Along with trying to figure out who was in what group, plus trying to decide if an of those not in the first group would ever see the front of the race again, it seems everyone forgot about the original break away.  The foursome of Anas Ait El Abdia (Morocco), Ryan Roth (Canada), Natnael Berhane (Eritrea) and Nick Dougall (South Africa) from the original break managed to hang onto the wheels of the very elite group being driven by the Belgium team. Ait El Abdia looked over to his team car seemingly saying, "Can you believe I am still here!?"  Not to cast doubts on the entire Moroccan cycling community, but for him and the others to be able to hold the wheels of this group was a huge accomplishment.  Behind him, some very respected racers were continuing to lose more and more time as they did the five laps of The Pearl circuit.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2866436-62-227958/Painting#.WAUGT-ArLIU

Doha 2016, Elite Men's Road Race: Pulling Them Off

Unlike NASCAR or other racing events, the UCI Road World Championships will pull racers who have been lapped by the leaders out of the race  When this rather large group came onto The Pearl off the coast of Doha, the leaders and the chasers had already started their second lap.  The commissares blew whistles and flag down the exhausted racers and let them know that their day was over.  I imagine that they were more than happy to comply.  It meant they could be out of the sun, showered and cooled off and still have time to watch the end of the race.  Of the 199 men who started the final race of the Worlds, only 53 finished the race.  Most of those who did not finish, were those who had been pulled out due to being lapped.  However, quite a few crashed, or simply couldn't finish the 257 kilometers under the desert sky.  That translates to a 87% attrition rate!

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2866434-61-227958/PaintingPulling%20Them%20Off%20Doha61-Greig-Leach.html#.WAUCjOArLIU

Doha 2016, Elite Men's Road Race: The Chasing Germans

Quite a few big name riders (and team for that matter) got caught out when the echelons formed in the cross winds of the open desert.  The entire American and German teams were left behind to try and chase down the leading thirty riders.  In his post race interview, Peter Sagan (Slovakia) said he just managed to scramble across to the leaders as the gap started to open up.  John Degenkolb (German) and his teammate Andre Greipel, drove hard on the front of the second group, but were unable to close the gap in the strong, sand filled crosswinds.  Two members of the Belgium team were trying to disrupt the organization of the chase in hopes that the rest of their team would be able to run away with the race on the way back to Doha.  For the record, the groups never did come back together, nor did the various smaller chasing groups behind ever catch this group.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2866424-60-227958/PaintingThe%20Chasing%20Germans%20Doha60-Greig-Leach.html#.WAT-ruArLIU

Doha 2016, Elite Men's Road Race: Classic Style

For those of you who regularly follow my cycling art, you'll know how much I enjoy a title that has multiple interpretations.  This is just such a title.  Does it refer to the classic styling of the Belgium team jersey, the use of racing techniques employed in the Classics (mainly raced in Northern Europe in the Spring), or from the classic formation of the echelon?

A few kilometers before the peloton hit the northern most point of the course, the speed suddenly shot up as teams positioned themselves for the turn into the crosswinds.  Belgium hit the front and using the skill they have perfected riding on the winding flat lands of the North, split the peloton to splinters.  Surprisingly, the Dutch and the Germans missed the move as the main peloton broke into two majors pieces, with others in groups of ten or less scrambling behind.  The Belgium team was being led by Jasper Stuyven, but most of the team was here, including Jurgen Roelandts, Tom Boonen and Greg Van Avermaet astride his golden bike that celebrates his Olympic Gold Medal.  The Norwegian sprinters Edvald Boasson Hagen and Alexander Kristoff were among others that made the first group.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2866417-59-227958/PaintingClassic%20Style%20Doha2016-Greig-Leach.html#.WAT54-ArLIU

Doha 2016, Elite Men's Road Race: Not in Richmond, Anymore

Peter Sagan (Slovakia) must have been thinking how cool, verdant and urban Richmond, Virginia had been as he worked his way through the caravan under the glare of the desert sun.  At this point the peloton was crawling along at less than 20 kph.  I was feeling like this was going to be a very long slow promenade all of the way out onto The Pearl before any racing got started.  In fact, after I painted this image, I started jumping the video forward in small chunks looking for the next part of the story.  I had thought Sagan wasn't going to defend his Rainbow Jersey, the course just didn't seem suited to his expertise.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2866409-58-227958/PaintingNot%20in%20Richmond,%20Anymore%20Doha58-Greig-Leach.html#.WAT1qOArLIU

Doha 2016: Elite Men's Road Race: Getting Established

Yes, I realize now that I didn't write the title correctly.  Believe me I am far more interested in making the image work than I am about grammar and spelling.  In my defense, it was already late when I got started watching and painting the men's race, so I hope you can forgive me.

The peloton was facing over 257 kilometers, many of which would be raced in the open desert, so they didn't exactly fly off of the line today.  At roughly ten kilometers into the day, a group of seven guys managed to pry a bit of a gap off the front of the peloton.  The South African, Nick Dougall, takes a quick peek over his shoulder to see what their advantage has become.  Behind him, Ryan Roth (Canada), Natnael Berhane (Eritrea), Sergiy Lagkuti (Ukraine) Brayan Stiven Ramirez (Colombia) and Anas Ait El Abdia (Morocco) tuck in and work to grow their advantage.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2866397-57-227958/PaintingGetting%20Established%20Doha57-Greig-Leach.html#.WATxSeArLIU

Doha 2016, Elite Women's Road Race: The Final Dash

The Dutch had done everything right.  They delivered their sprinter, Kristen Wild, to the 200 meters to go point with her at full speed.  Therein lies the rub.  Glued to the track start Wild, was the smaller Amalie Dideriksen (Denmark) who had yet to stick her nose into the wind.  As the meters rolled under their wheels, Dideriksen was able to use Wild as a lead out woman and then jump her in the lunge for the line.  Dideriksen just got the Rainbow Jersey by a half of a wheel, put any amount of a lead is enough of a lead.  Dideriksen has been a two time Junior Women's World Champion, but now at the very young age of twenty, she will be racing next season in the coveted Rainbow Stripes of World Champion.  Wild did claim the silver against the fast closing sprinter from Finland, Lotta Lepisto.  Also appearing in the top five, and this painting is Marta Bastinaelli (Italy) who claimed fifth place.  The now former World Champion Lizzy Deigan (and formally named Lizzy Armitstead) just missed a step of the podium finishing fourth.  She was the first to congratulate or trade team teammate on the very dominate Boels Dolmans Cycling Team.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2865869-56-227958/PaintingThe%20Final%20Dash%20Doha56-Greig-Leach.html#.WAKRkOArLIU

Doha 2016, Elite Women's Road Race: In Complete Control

With just five kilometers left until the new Women's World Champion would be decided the Dutch team switch from solo sorties to putting the whole team on the front of the peloton.  The entire team was clearly riding for the last orange jersey in the train, Kristen Wild.  The balance of the roster included, Annemiek Van Vleutin, Amy Pieters, Chantal Blaak, Roxanne Knetemann, Anna Van Der Breggen, Ellen Van Dijk and Marianne Vos.  This was a strong group of women who meant business!  Just popping into sight behind the Dutch Armada are a few members of the French team, looking to take over should the Dutch fail to hold off all of the others.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2865865-55-227958/PaintingIn%20Complete%20Control%20Doha%2055-Greig-Leach.html#.WAKN5eArLIU

Doha 2016, Elite Women's Road Race: On the Bell Lap

The next to go was Dani King (Great Britain).  She was wise enough to wait until the bell lap, before trying to escape the clutches of the peloton and the Dutch team.  It was Amy Pieters (Netherlands) and Emma Johansson (Sweden) who responded first to the Brit's attack.  The trio got a bit of a gap, but there was too much at stake for any team to let a solo break (or even this small one) succeed.  The other thing that has struck me about Doha and The Pearl, is the seemingly unending amount of ongoing construction.  Even here you can see two large scale apartment buildings rising from the artificial island in the sea.  I wonder where all of the inhabitants came from considering there was barely anything twenty years ago.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2865857-54-227958/PaintingOn%20the%20Bell%20Lap%20Doha54-Greig-Leach.html#.WAKLPOArLIU

Doha 2016, Elite Women's Road Race: A Drink and a Chat

While her teammate Amber Neben (USA) was off the front of the peloton, Lauren Stephens took the opportunity to drop back to their team car.  As her sports director passed over more bottles, I am sure they took the opportunity to plan their next move should Neben be reeled back in.  The arm passing out the bottles was covered in tattoos, a sight that is becoming more and more familiar, but not so much fun to paint.  The maroon car just ahead of them is that of the race director.  None of the cars in the caravan are allowed pass his vehicle unless directed by him, but that only happens after a group has more than a minute or two on the peloton.  That certainly wasn't going to happen in the late stages of today's race.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2865807-53-227958/PaintingA%20Drink%20and%20a%20Chat%20Doha53-Greig-Leach.html#.WAJ7SOArLIU

Doha 2016, Elite Women's Road Race: Off on Her Own

Amber Neben (USA) must have gotten frustrated with the surge and slow pacing of the peloton as each team tested the legs of the others.  Neben, who had won the Women's Elite Individual Time Trial, decided she could use her obvious form to go for a second Rainbow Jersey.  With 43 kilometers left to race, it would be nearly the exact same distance that she had won with in Tuesday's race.  Even without succeeding, her move would take the pressure off of her teammates, allowing them to follow the wheels of the others who would attempt to catch her.  Neben was eventually caught, but it took the peloton nearly 20 kilometers to do it.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2865789-52-227958/PaintingOff%20on%20Her%20Own%20Doha52-Greig-Leach.html#.WAJ4CeArLIU

Doha 2016, Elite Women's Road Race: Gapping the Peloton

As I said, the Dutch were attacking one after the other.  As soon as one rider was caught by the peloton, another would go.  This time it was one of my favorites, Chantal Blaak (Netherlands) who went out on the offensive.  Initially only Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (South Africa) could stay with the Boels Dolmans rider.  It is nice to finally see some fans (or the merely curious) out along the side of the road today.  This grouping of lycra clad women being watched by Qatari men in traditional desert garb seemed like a poignant juxtaposition.  Behind you can just see one of the Australian women trying to bridge up to the fast disappearing duo.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2865774-51-227958/PaintingGapping%20the%20Peloton%20Doha51-Greig-Leach.html#.WAJz_uArLIU

Doha 2016, Elite Women's Road Race: Applying Some Pressure

With the early breaks tucked safely back into the peloton, it was now time for some race tactics.  The Dutch team has a great sprinter, but they seemed to feel that if they made the race hard, they could eliminate some of the competition before they got to the line.  So it was that they would send rider after rider to the front to try and establish an escape.  When Amy Pieters (Netherlands) turn came, her move was covered by Emma Johansson (Sweden) and a rider from the Spanish team.  None of the teams were willing to let anyone else get away.  All of the expectations since the location and course were announced for the 2016 Worlds, the races would all come down to a bunch sprint.  With that in mind, everybody brought at least one pure sprinter to go for the victory.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2865765-50-227958/PaintingApplying%20Some%20Pressure%20Doha50-Greig-Leach.html#.WAJwn-ArLIU

Doha 2016, Eltie Women's Road Race: Cross Cultural

First let me apologize for getting things out of order.  Due to work requirements, I was unable to paint both the Men's and Women's Junior Road Races yesterday.  I hope to be able to get to them after the Men's Elite tomorrow.  Or they may get much the same treatment as they did in Richmond last year, where their races weren't even televised.  That being said, it is on to the Elite Women's Road Race.

When I first got interested in bike racing back in the early 1970's, this is an image I could never have imagined, nor do I think it could have happened.  To see an Israeli woman racing a bike professionally in an Arabic country, and for her to be leading the peloton by nearly 20 seconds, would have been inconceivable (say in your head the way the word is delivered in the movie, Princess Bride).  Paz Bash (Israel) is zipping through the feed zone.  She has just finished stuffing the ice bag from one soigneur down the back of her jersey as she is reaching for a water bottle and energy gel from another.  With both hands off of the handlebars, it is fortunate that she is on her own and not in the scrum of the peloton through the Feed Zone.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2865762-49-227958/PaintingCross%20Cultural%20Doha49-Greig-Leach.html#.WAJs2uArLIU

Doha 2016, Men's U23 Road Race: By a Wheel

The Norwegian team had done quite a bit of work to get their man to the front.  It looked like it might have been in vain when both Pascal Ackermann (Germany) and Jakub Mareczko (Italy) had the jump on the Norwegian sprinter.  Ackermann had a teammate along with him, Phil Bauhaus.  But it was the legs and determination to reward the work of his teammates that fired Kristoffer Halvorsen to the line.  His sprint brought him from behind, just catching Ackermann, nudging pass him by less than the diameter of a front wheel.  So it was Halvorsen for the Gold (and the Rainbow Jersey), Ackermann for the Silver and Mareczko for the Bronze.  Bauhaus rolled across the line in fourth with the Spaniard Ivan Garcia Cortina claiming 8th.  There are plenty of other sources if you want to know each riders placing.  I am just relating the riders that are in this painting.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2865112-48-227958/PaintingBy%20a%20Wheel%20Doha48-Greig-Leach.html#.WAAN3eArLIU

Doha 2016, Men's U23 Road Race: Did What He Could

Each team wanted to position their sprinter for the best chance to become the next World Champion particularly given the sharp twists and turns on the at lap course around The Pearl.  After the Norwegian team had been swamped, it was the turn of the French team to drive the pace.  The difference now was that the last few men of the break away were back in the fold.  As one of the Frenchmen swung off, he looked over at his sprinter, letting him know he had done all he could.  I am sorry that I don't know who the four team members at the front are, but it has to be four of these six guys (hommes); Remi Cavagna, Benoit Cosnefroy, Corentin Ermenault, Hugo Hopstetter, Jeremy Lecroq, and Nans Peters.  Behind other teams were waiting to do unto the French as they had to the Norwegians.

Sadly, a number of the French team went down within sight of the finish line when someone hit the barrier.  It didn't look like anyone was seriously hurt, other than their chance of becoming the next U23 World Champion.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2865111-47-227958/PaintingDid%20What%20He%20Could%20Doha47-Greig-Leach.html#.WAAID-ArLIU

Doha 2016, Men's U23 Road Race: Looking for Their Men

It was a bit chaotic every time the peloton came whizzing through the feed zone.  It seems like the area wasn't long enough leaving every team right on top of one another.  As the urgency went up, and the laps ticked down, the speed at which soigneurs had to detect their riders and pass them what they needed decreased dramatically.  Sometimes with painful results.  Aside from seeing the time trials racing through the desert, this is the first image that truly said we are in the Middle East.  I was struck by the apparent comfort of the traditional Arabic clothing versus the bare skin of both the Canadian and Irish soigneurs.  I am sure both men were not happy with (nor had they ever experienced) such hot, dry air.  And then add standing in the sun on a hot roadway into the mix.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2865103-46-227958/PaintingLooking%20for%20Their%20Men%20Doha46-Greig-Leach.html#.V__6UeArLIU

Doha 2016, Men's U23 Road Race: Leading the Chase

With the early nine man break beginning to dwindle in numbers, the entire Norwegian team went to the front to pull them back to within a minute's advantage.  Ole Forfang, Amund Grondahl Jansen, Fridfjof Roeinaas and Anders Skaarseth were on the front pulling for their sprinter Kristoffer Halvorsen.  The sixth member of the team, Henrik Evensen had already given all he could give.  He swung of the front and slide back through the peloton completely exhausted.  Riding right behind the Norwegian were the Dutch, ready to launch there effort should the white clad Norse falter.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2865088-45-227958/PaintingLeading%20the%20Chase%20Doha45-Greig-Leach.html#.V__1HOArLIU

Doha 2016, Men's U23 Road Race, Working Together Now

It seems that the break got itself re-organized, perhaps the ever closing peloton made them realize that they still needed each other.  The tall Swiss rider Patrick Muller, is just about to take over the head of the group from Jean Claude Umizebe (Rowanda).  Everyone else is doing their share of the work, mainly because Pascal Eenkhoorn (Netherlands) is policing the group.  He seems to be giving an earful to Amanuel Gebrezgabihier (Eritrea).  Gregory Daniel (USA) is just getting on with the job and hand with his jersey zipped down in hopes of staying a little cooler.  I would think that the Africans in this group would be best suited to the climate but it seems to be the northern Europeans who are fairing best in the heat.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2864961-44-227958/PaintingWorking%20Together%20Now%20Doha44-Greig-Leach.html#.V__Ej-ArLIU

Doha 2016, Men's U23 Road Race: Life at the Back

With the heat and the long race, riders where hard pressed to keep their fluids up and their bodies cool.  Half of the bottles the riders took from their team cars were poured over their heads and body in hopes of generating a little cooling action from the wind.  Miles Scotson (Australia) has dropped back to his car even though he just got a bottle from a teammate.  He not only got two more for himself, but loaded up with even more bottles and gels to take up to his guys.  Also hanging out at the back of the peloton are Alexander Cowan (Canada) and Patrick Jager (Austria).  With the flatness of the course the sticky bottle really wasn't a thing today.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2864959-43-227958/PaintingLife%20at%20the%20Back%20Doha43-Greig-Leach.html#.V__ATuArLIU

Doha 2016, Men's U23 Road Race: Falling Apart

The traditional early break formed piece by piece, eventually building to nine riders.  The initial break was formed by the Dutchman, Pascal Eenkhoorn.  Some of those that joined him can be seen in this painting including Gregory Daniel (USA), Mahdi Rajabikabodchesmeh (Iran), Bryan Gomez (Columbia), Amanuel Gebrezgabihier (Eritrea) and the Irishman Michael O'Loughlin.  At this point over 100 kilometers into the race, the break was starting to attack each other, while others like the Irani rider were struggling with leg cramps and the oppressive hear.  Most of the attacking was coming from O'Loughlin, seems like he was fulfilling an old stereotype.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2864951-42-227958/PaintingFalling%20Apart%20Doha42-Greig-Leach.html#.V_-6OuArLIU

Doha 2016, Elite Men's ITT: One Final Kilometer

The former hour record holder, Rohan Dennis (Australia) tried hard to be a factor today, but from the very first time check he was losing time against not only the eventual winner, Tony Martin (Germany) but also to the early leader, Ryan Mullins (Ireland).  Dennis has had some tough luck in these international competitions.  In Richmond last year he had a bike change during the ITT, costing him a chance to medal, and again in the Rio Olympics his handle bar broke requiring another bike change.  Today, it was his legs, and perhaps the heat, that interfered with his aspirations.  He did manage a top ten finish, claiming sixth on the tally board.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2864550-41-227958/PaintingOne%20Final%20Kilometer%20Doha41-Greig-Leach.html#.V_5-FuArLIU