Bergen 2017, Elite Men's Road Race: Throwing for His Third

When the Elite Men finally reappeared into the stationary camera lens, it was clear that Julian Alaphilippe (France) and Gianni Moscon (Italy) had been caught by the cream of the men's peloton.  And that we were going to be treated to an intense mass sprint for the line, and for the World Road Championship.  It was looking like Alexander Kristoff (Norway) was going to pay back all of his countrymen and women along the sides of the road in Bergen.  Seemingly he had the better of the two time defending world champion, Peter Sagan (Slovakia).  But it was Sagan's perfectly timed bike throw (a move similar to a runner throwing their chest out to break the tape at the line) that won him an unprecidented third Men's Road World Championship.  It was Michael Matthews (Australia) pounding his handle bars in frustration taking the bronze medal and Matteo Trentin (Italy) finishing just off the podium in fourth.  For Kristoff, while disappointing not to win his home country Worlds, he can consol himself knowing he provided Norway with their only medal in the 2017 UCI Road World Championships.

He will have a tough time equally Jeannie Longo (France) who has taken the title four times in a row from 1995-89 (there was no race in 1988 due to disputes between Russian and the United States over boycotting the Olympics).  She came back in 1995 to get her fifth title.

But for now he can claim the honor of the most consistent Men's UCI Road World Champion!  Chapeau, Peto!

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.

This is most likely the last race I will paint for the 2017 season.  Thank you for reading!  See you when it all starts again in January of 2018

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3038157-56-239826/PaintingThrowing-for-His-Third--Bergen-56.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Men's Road Race: Heia!

Heia (Norwegian for Go) is what the fans were yelling as the peloton and every other racer road by.  While I doubt that Gianni Moscon (Italy) was saying, "heia!" he definitely wanted Julian Alaphilippe (France) to go as hard as he could.  The pair had opened up about eight or nine seconds on the peloton as the crested the Salmon Hill climb for the final time.  Now it was a ten kilometer basically down hill dash for the line.  A large group of all of the race favorites were chasing hard pulling away from the rest of the peloton that wouldn't see them again until the post race festivities.

We were all in dismay around the world as the video feeds dropped first from the motorcycles and then the helicopters as the chase was truly on for the Rainbow Jersey.  All we could do was watch lead vehicles ride by waving to the crowds as we waited for the peloton to appear near the finish and into the lenses of the stationary cameras.  Would these two stay away, or would it be a bunch sprint?

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3038112-55-239826/PaintingHeia!--Bergen-55.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Men's Road Race: Getting Clear

The commentators for NBC Sports, Bob Roll and Paul Sherwin, had dubbed the short climb prior to Salmon Hill, the "Hill with No Name."  It was there that the Frenchman Tony Gallopin launched his attempt to get clear of the peloton.  He opened up a nice gap almost immediately, even if this the one kilometer where there were no fans watching at the side of the road.  It took a few moments for the peloton to react.  Surprising considering the strenght and reputation of Gallopin.  With the big climb and 13 kilometers yet to go, it was a tall order to stay away to the line.  However, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3038098-54-239826/PaintingGetting-Clear--Bergen-54.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Men's Road Race: Go at the Bell

As the race approached the final lap, the peloton caught the previous move of six riders.  Just as the bell started ringing for the final lap (or Bell Lap), it was Luis Mas (Spain) who seemed to take it as a signal to go on the attack.  Jack Haig (Australia) was still on the front from the previous attack, along with Tim Wellens (Belgium).  The rider in the white kit is Jarlinson Pantano (Colombia) who is just about to chase the sprinting Mas.  Even with the flurries of attacks, it is beginning to look like the men's race will be the first road race to end with a mass sprint.

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3038083-53-239826/PaintingGo-at-the-Bell--Bergen-53.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Men's Road Race: Is this the Move?

A number of riders bridged up to the attack by Marco Haller (Austria) and worked hard to make it stick.  For Lars Boom (Netherlands), Jack Haig (Australia), David de la Cruz (Spain), Odd Christian Eiking (Norway) and Time Wellens (Belgium), they were hoping that this was going to be the winning move.  The group quickly opened a gap on the peloton.  With representatives from the most aggressive teams of the race thus far, Belgium, Netherlands, Norway and Australia, the peloton was being a bit slow to react.  On the other hand, the French, Poles, and Italians had missed the move and would soon be obliged to chase.

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3038065-52-239826/PaintingIs-this-the-Move?--Bergen-52.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Men's Road Race, Enthusiastic

With the peloton "gruppo compacto" it was now the time when riders were attacking one after the other.  Marco Haller (Austria) chose his spot well.  On the fan packed climb of Salmon Hill, amongst hundreds of Norwegian flags and thunderous cheers of "Heia, heia!" he opened up a gap on an inattentive peloton.  All Worlds long I have been hearing the heia cheer, and it sounds like a good Southern greeting as in "Hi, ya' (short for Hi, y'all)."  Many riders have tweeted about just how exciting it was to ride up this hill with all of the support along the roadside.  It must have been truly inspiring for any of the Norwegian riders.

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3038037-51-239826/PaintingEnthusiastic--Bergen-51.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Men's Road Race: No Time to Stop

Just as the early break was caught by the peloton, they were all riding through the feed zone.  Conor Dunne figure now was a good time to grab lunch, he is only about half way through the 259 kilometer race.  When I was racing amateur, I always thought I was too tall to make a serious go of racing (plus I wasn't winning every time I went out, either), but Dunne is the tallest professional cyclist by far.  He stands at 6' 8", so tall that I couldn't even fit his head into the painting!  The course had two feed zones where riders could attempt to grab bidons and musettes from the soigneurs since going to the team cars would expend too much energy.  The size of this peloton, 196 riders, meant the caravan was a long, long way 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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3038026-50-239826/PaintingNo-Time-to-Stop--Bergen-50.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Men's Road Race: A Substancial Gap

The early break had swollen to ten riders (not all of whom you can see here) that built up a lead of just under 10 minutes on the idling peloton.  Four of the riders in the break were the sole representatives of their countries including Matti Manninen (Finland), Eugert Zhupa (Albania) and Salaheddine Miraouni (Moracco).  One of the main drivers of this break was the American with the Dutch name, Alexey Vermeulen.  Just swinging off of the front is Willem Smit (South Africa).  Smit would eventually be caugt by the peloton, spit out the back and then pulled from the course for being too far off the pace.

With a course of 11 laps, the organizers don't want any lapped riders endangering the full speed peloton in the final laps.

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3038023-49-239826/PaintingA-Substancial-Gap--Bergen-49.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Men's Road Race: Warming Up

As the peloton came onto the 11 lap circuit, after having already gotten 39 kilometers into their legs, they were definitely warming up.  With the feed zone and scores of soigneurs just up the road, many like Nikias Arndt (Germany) decided to pull off a layer or two.  Just ahead of the disrobing Germany was Luke Durbridge (Australia).  I always feel a bit sheepish about one of my paintings of Durbridge from 2014.  He was accidentally knocked over by a soigneur on an opposing team in the Tour de France.  He jumped back up and pushed the offender over, got back on his bike and rode on.  I capture that moment in my book, "Book du Tour".  I have been trying to show his better side ever since.  This duo was letting a bit of a gap open, but with Durbridge's power, it will be closed in a heartbeat.

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3038016-48-239826/PaintingWarming-Up--Bergen-48.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Men's Road Race: From the Start

It was two Irishman and an Azerbaijani (sounds like the start of a joke doesn't it?) who went on the attack right from the start of the Elite Men's Road Race.  Conor Dunne (Ireland), who had gotten in the early move here in Richmond, Virginia in 2015, looks over his shoulder at his teammate, Sean McKenna.  Between them is Elchin Asadov for Azerbaijan.  The trio would eventually be joined by seven more riders, and they would collectively build quite an advantage in the early part of the 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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3038004-47-239826/PaintingFrom-the-Start--Bergen-47.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Women's Road Race: Celebration

Normally, I go for the victory salute as the winner cross the line, but for Chantal Blaak (Netherlands) I thought I might try something different.  That, and the camera angle didn't make for a very interesting image as she road alone across the line to claim the title of UCI Road World Champion!  As she celebrated first with her coach and then her teammates that helped make it happen, there were photographers there to catch every moment.  The race official (in the orange vest) is keeping an eye out for the sprinting peloton as they vie for the rest of the podium places.  It was a great ending for Blaak who had gone down in the crash that ended Megan Garnier's day and ruined the hopes for many others.

Chapeau!

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3037362-46-239826/PaintingCelebration--Bergen-46.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Women's Road Race: Tearing Up the Final K's

With her teammates covering any moves to try and chase her down, Chantal Blaak (Netherlands) was tearing around the final kilometers of the course in Bergen.  Team Netherlands had set up the finale perfectly, with three of seven in the group off the front, they could use their numbers to set up a win for their country.  Behind Blaak her teammates, Anna Van Der Breggan and Annemiek Van Vleutin had a silver and gold medal between them, so they could help their teammate get a gold medal for themselves.  If they played it just right, the team could sweep the medals down by the harbor.  They didn't but they did put three riders in the top ten.

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3037359-45-239826/PaintingTearing-Up-the-Final-K's--Bregen-.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Women's Road Race: Strength in Numbers

The Dutch were in the final break of the day, and they were there in numbers.  The ladies in orange were three out of the seven off the front of the peloton, now 28 seconds behind.  Included in the break were the top three finishers in the Elite Women's Individual Time Trial.  Leading was the silver medal, Anna Van Der Breggen (Netherlands) on her wheel, the bronze, Katrin Garfoot (Australia) and behind Kataryna Niewiadoma (Poland) followed by the gold, Annemiek Van Vleutin (Netherlands).  Bringing up the rear (that you can see) is the French woman, Audrey Cordon Ragot.  With just eight kilometers left to race, it was a sure bet that the winner would be coming from this group.  Side note, there are two more you can't see.

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3037353-44-239826/PaintingStrength-in-Numbers--Bergen-44.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Women's Road Race: Driving It All Day

While one of Team USA's contenders, Megan Garnier, crashed out about half way through the race, the team was still on the front driving the pace and chasing breaks all day long.  Most of the work was being done by Lauren Stephens in hopes that the American sprinter, Coryn Rivera would be able to outsprint the peloton at the end.  The other active teams in the peloton were Great Britain, the Netherlands, and Australia, all visible just behind Stephens, waiting to chase anything that moves.

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3037327-43-239826/PaintingDriving-It-All-Day--Bergen-43.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Women's Road Race: Forming a New Group

The Dutch women clearly came to Bergen to race (and win).  They were either starting every break away, or chasing one down.  After the first trio of escapees were caught another formed, just to be sure, Jannee Ensing (Netherlands) went with on the attack picking up Hanna Nilsson (Sweden) along the way.  Nilsson had been trying to get to the group ahead for about 10 kilometers and was quite happy to jump onto Ensing's wheel.  Another who had grabbed the Dutch rider's wheel was former World Champion, Pauline Ferrand Prevot (France).  As this group was joing those ahead, it was beginning to look like the peloton might be out of the running 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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3037321-42-239826/PaintingForming-a-New-Group--Bergen-42.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Women's Road Race: A Tenacious Trio

With 54 kilometers left to race, it was time for some to start the agression.  This threesome would end up representing the three most aggressive teams out on course today.  Leading the trio was Hannah Barnes (Great Britain), Amy Pieters (Netherlands) who had started this move, and Rachel Neylan (Australia).  They were proving difficult to pull back into the peloton as they headed towards the re-named Salmon Hill.  Just in case there was any doubt who was organizing these World Championships, the UCI had banners all along the road way as a visual reminder.  Whoever wins the race will pull on a white jersey with the same rainbow stripes of blue, red, black, yellow and green.

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3037320-41-239826/PaintingA-Tenacious-Trio--Bergen-41.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Women's Road Race: What's the Problem?

Hayley Simmonds (Great Britain) had dropped back to her team car to have a bit of a coversation about how to approach the course.  However, it was her mechanic who just about climbed out of the window to go over the problem she was having.  I never saw him trying to make any adjustments, but I quess the race referee was okay with her getting a bit of a push anyway.

If you know what this was about, I would love to know too.

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3037314-40-239826/PaintingWhat's-the-Problem?--Bergen-40.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Women's Road Race: Going First

I was describing the women's race to my wife and said, "They are racing smart.  But then they are women, how else would they race?"  The first lap was raced at a relatively slow pace as the women sized up what it would take to survive the day and finish strong.  As the second lap got to the lumpy part of the course it was Sara Penton (Sweden) who was the first to attack the peloton.  She may have been expecting others to join her, but it would take a huge effort to stay away for all seven laps.

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3037311-39-239826/PaintingGoing-First--Bergen-39.html

Bergen 2017, U23 Men's Road Race: The Freshest Legs

It may have just come down to who had the freshest legs of this pair.  Lennard Kamna (Germany) had gone on the first of the bigger lumps on the final lap and had just completed the Veulta a Espana for Team Sunweb.  Benoit Cosnefroy (France) had let his teammate chase on the climbs and then attacked on the final descent of Salmon Hill.  Both had the power to hold off the closing peloton, reaching the line just a few seconds ahead of those behind.  But it was Cosnefroy who let the pair for the final kilometer and Kamna just didn't have enough to jump out a sprint for the win.  Cosnefroy takes the Gold and the Rainbow Jersey with Kamna having to be satisfied with Silver.  Both can be proud of pulling off the upset by winning in a 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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3037164-38-239826/PaintingThe-Freshest-Legs--Bergen-38.html

Bergen 2017, U23 Men's Road Race: Did I Do It Alone?

The peloton seemed unwilling or unable to go catch the lone figure of Lennard Kamna (Germany) so it was another rider for the French team, Benoit Cosnefroy, who jumped free on the descent of Salmon Hill.  Cosnefroy is looking back over his shoulder to make sure he doesn't have anyone else on his wheel.  He had put in a huge effort to carch the German, and he didn't want anyone taking a free ride in his slipstream.  Speaking of slipstream, the camera moto got in Cosnefroy's way on the descent, not realizing just how fast the Frenchman was gaining of the lone leader.  You can see that while Cosnefroy is looking back, Kamna is peeking under his arm to see who has managed to chase him down.  Now, can they work together to keep the rest of the peloton from catching them?

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3037155-37-239826/PaintingDid-I-Do-It-Alone?--Bergen-37.html

Bergen 2017, U23 Men's Road Race: Tough to Catch

With the Italian Edoardo Affini pulled back into the peloton it was Lennard Kamna (Germany) who was the next to put in an attack.  He waited until the final ascent of the Salmon Hill climb to get off of the front.  Kamna had just finished the Veulta a Espana riding for Team Sunweb, so he may have the stronger legs than those chasing behind.  Trying to bridge up to the fleeing German are Valentin Madouas (France), Mauricio Moreira (Uruguay) and Daniel Martinez (Colombia).  Moreira is the only rider in this peloton riding for Uruguay, so he has done very well to be at the business end of the race with just 12 kilometers to 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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3037150-36-239826/PaintingTough-to-Carch--Bergen-36.html

Bergen 2017, U23 Men's Road Race: Attacking the Bell Lap

With one final trip through the streets of Bergen for these under 23 year old men, it was time to try and make an attack stick.  The Italian, Edoardo Affini, was the first to give it ago.  He managed to catch a couple of city buses cross the same bridge as the course (clearly driving on the other side of the barrier) to use as a bit of a slipstream as he got away.  Behind, the peloton was spending a few precious seconds trying to decided if they should attack as one or go one by one.  Unfortunately for Affini, the buses would continue straight shortly whereas he and his pursuers would be going down the ramp to the right.

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3037147-35-239826/PaintingAttacking-the-Bell-Lap--Bergen-35.html

Bergen 2017, U23 Men's Road Race: Time to Pull Them Back

With just four laps left to race, the Spanish team decided it was time to chase down the remnants of the early break.  They wanted to set it up for a bunch sprint for the finale in hopes that their sprinter, Ivan Garcia, would be able to take out the win for Espana.  Garcia had just missed on the stage of this year's Vuelta in to his hope town of Gijon, I am sure he would love to redeem that effort with a win 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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3037105-34-239826/PaintingTime-to-Pull-Them-Back--Bergen-34.html

Bergen 2017, U23 Men's Road Race: Getting Across

The silver medalist American from the U23 ITT used his talents to ride across to the swelling early break away.  The USA Cycling team was using some strong tactics by putting Brandon McNulty into the break.  Either the break would succeed and he would be there for a chance to take the gold. Or the more likely scenario would be that the break would be chased down but his teammates would have the right not to ride on the front to bring the break back.  That way they would have fresher legs to go for the race victory.  Unfortunately, all of the Americans faded towards the end of the race, none coming in with the peloton at the end of the day.

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3037099-33-239826/PaintingGetting-Across--Bergen=33.html

Bergen 2017, U23 Men's Road Race: In Search of the Others

This trio lead by Joseph Areruya (Rowanda) and included Vitaliy Novakovskyi (Ukraine) and Saymon Musie Mehari (Eritrea) were off the front of the peloton search for the two groups up the road.  They were building a lead and trying to tell the two just up in front to wait for them.  Ultimately these three, the pair just ahead and the leading quintet all joined into a strong break that would be frustrating the chasing peloton for quite a few kilometers to come.

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3037098-32-239826/PaintingIn-Search-of-the-Others--Bergen-32.html

Bergen 2017, U23 Road Race, Wet & Hydrated

Today marked the end of the time trials and the first day of road racing.  It also marked the end of summer and the start of the cold, wet, dreary days of autumn.  While there as been some intermittant showers this week, today was the first day of sustained rain combined with temperatures in the mid 50's.  Awet Hastom Tekle (Eritrea) was making sure he had enough fluids in him, and with his rain coat he was also trying to keep the fluids off of himself as well.  Tekle was in the early break of the day along with Atsushi Oka (Japan), Gustav Hoog (Sweden) and Vasili Strokau (Belarus).  The quintet build up about a two minute lead on the peloton in the early going, but the fireworks were about to start behind, even though there was still another 168 kilometers to 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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3037093-31-239826/PaintingWet-&-Hydrated--Bergen-31.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Men's ITT: Almost

Almost to the top.  Almost finished the day.  Almost finished with today's racing.  Almost finished with the season.  Almost missing the podium.  Chris Froome (Great Britain) was chasing the rainbow jersey all aroung Bergen today.  He was not posting the best times at any of the check points (and with Tom Dumoulin behind him, they would have stood for long anyway), and he didn't at the summit of Mount Floyen either.  Froome just edged out his trade teammate, Vasil Kiryienka (Belarus) to take the Bronze Medal.  Not what the was hoping for, but I think that having won both the Tour de France (for the 4th time) and the Vuelta a Espana (for the 1st) already this season, I think he can call it a successful season.  He does have one more race on Sunday, the Elite Men's Road Race.  That should be quite the show.

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3036234-30-239826/PaintingAlmost--Bergen-30.html