LBL: Getting the Pay Off

The title of the preceeding painting, "Risking It All" dictated the title of Jakob Fulgsang's (Astana) victory.  He nearly lost his race, while taking big risks on the descent of the Cote de la Roche aux Faucons back into Liege.  His victory is a clear proof that you have to risk failure inorder to succeed.  And succeed he did with a solo ride across the finish line with only the race director's car behind him.

With this the final race of the spring racing season, I will take a break.  I am going to have to forego painting my favorite of the Grand Tours, the Giro d'Italia.  I just can't make the time committment right now.  I do plan to paint the Tour of California instead.  With luck, I will be able to paint both the women's and the men's races.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/3325655-449-195767/Getting%20the%20Pay%20Off%20%20LBL19-7.html

LBL: Risking It All

Others had tried on the way up and over the Cote de la Roche aux Faucons, but it was Jakob Fulgsang (Astana) who got away from everyone else.  His race almost came to grief on the wet roads and the slick painted markings.  He turned his bike sideways and yet managed to keep himself up right on the way back down the other side of the climb. 

Ironically, in the Rio Olympics, it was Annemiek van Vleutin who crashed and broke her back in very similar circumstances.  Ironic because she was the winner today of the Femmes Liege Bastogne Liege.  Clearly she has recovered from that rather horrible day in 2014.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/3325640-448-195767/Risking%20It%20All%20%20LBL19-6.html

LBL: Getting Away

With the final ascent up the Cote de la Roche aux Faucons, it was time to make an attempt to catch the race napping.  Tim Wellens (Lotto Soudal) was the first to go, perhaps hoping to be the first Belgium rider to win the race since 2011.  More likely he just want to win.  After a bit of drying out, it was a cruel fate of weather that the final kilometers including a steep descent would be contested on wet roads.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/3325636-447-195767/Getting%20Away%20%20LBL19-5.html

LBL: Cycling Strip Tease

One of the many challenges facing the peloton in today's Liege Bastogne Liege was exactly what to wear during the phase of the race.  As the riders left Liege it was just barely above freezing with a hard rain.  As the kilometers mounted, the day warmed the sun popped in and out, and the effort of racing warmed the racers' core (if not their fingers and toes).  So it was that Enric Mas (Decenunick Quick Step) stripped of his arm warmers even as he set the pace on the front of the peloton.  It must have been even more demoralizing for Michael Albasini (Mitchelton-Scott) to be caught by someone who was undressing rather than struggling with the effort of catching him.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/3325632-446-195767/Cycling%20Strip%20Tease%20%20LBL19-4.html

LBL: Changing Bikes & Sponsors

There are a number of things that confuse me about professional cycling... Why women don't get equal billing & pay being the biggest one.  But another that leaves me scratching my head is the decisions of sponsors.  I get it when a team has been caught doping in the past and the company doesn't want to be associated with the negative press of the riders' (and team's) actions.  But when a team has been as dominate and clean as Team Sky, why would their sponsor pull out of bike racing.  Sky as been extremely successful in the past decade and has had the largest budget of any Pro Tour Team and yet this it the last time we will see the Sky kit in a bike race.   So it just seemed like David De La Cruz (Sky) getting a bike change was the right image to show the closing of this chapter of the Pro Tour.  Don't worry for the riders, the team stays, it will just have a new name going forward - and sorry, I don't know what that name is.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/3325628-445-195767/Changing%20Bikes%20&%20Sponsors%20%20LBL19-3.html

LBL: Anyone Coming?

As this pair climbed the Cote du Rosier, it was Omar Fraile (Astana) looking back to see if anyone else was bridging across.  For Tanel Kangert (EF Education First) it was more about the effort of getting over yet another short steep climb.  For a break away, it is a delicate balance of numbers, particularly when there is still 60 kilometers to race.  You need numbers to help with the work load, but not so many as riders are able to sit on and use their saved energy to beat you to the finish line.  For Fraile and Kangert, two was too few.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/3325625-444-195767/Anyone%20Coming?%20%20LBL19-2.html

Liege-Bastogne-Liege (LBL): Huddling for Warmth

Liege-Bastogne-Liege is the final of the Spring Monuments, although this year it was more of a winter race than a glorious ride through the Belgium country side in mid Spring.  Although it was not as awful weather as previous editions when snow nearly froze the peloton.  It's a hard decision on a cold rainy day if behind in the peloton out of the wind and in the road spray is better than the alternative out in a break away facing the cold wind on your own.  This early break including Tobias Ludvigsson (Groupama-FDJ), Lilian Calmejane (Direct Energie), Andrea Pasqualon (Wanty-Gobert) and Mathijs Paassochens (Wallonie Bruxelles) decided to split the difference and go as a small group.  I doubt it made much difference, but than there is some comfort in being off the front of the peloton.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/3325621-443-195767/Huddling%20for%20Warmth%20%20LBL19-1.html

Fleche Wallonne: Two in a Row

While it was Jakob Fulgsang (Astana) who launched the attacks on the final climb of Mur de Huy, it was Julian Alaphilippe (Decenunick-Quick Step) who landed the victory.  Alaphilippe was able to repeat his victory from last year despite being forced to spend energy chasing back on early in the race. Fulgsang almost got back on the Frenchman, but in the end he had to settle for second place.  You can just see the heads of the peloton cresting the hill behind, giving you an idea about just how good the pair climbed the Mur de Huy.

I plan to be back painting Liege-Bastogne-Liege on Sunday.  I will then take on the Tour of California where I pray there will be access to both the men's and women's racing.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/3322913-442-195767/Two%20in%20a%20Row%20%20FW19-6.html

Fleche Wallonne: A Bit of a Gap

Half way up the final ascent of the Mur de Huy, it was Jakob Fulgsang (Astana) who put in the attack.  Only Julian Alaphilippe (Decenuinck-Quick Step) had the legs to chase the Dane inside of the last 500 meters of the race.  Clearly one of these two were going to be the male victor today.  Earlier, it was Anna Van der Breggen taking the win in the women's Fleche Wallone.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/3322911-441-195767/A%20Bit%20of%20a%20Gap%20%20FW19-5.html

Fleche Wallonne: Making His Escape

Using the oldest move in the racing handbook, Tomasz Marczynski (Lotto Soudal) went on the attack just as the race came back together.  Marczynski employed his time trialing abilities to quickly build up an eleven second advantage with just another 13 kilometers to the final summit of the Mur de Huy.  It is unlikely that this move will work, but it takes the pressure off of his team leader, Tim Wellens, who is safely tucked into the peloton behind.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/3322909-440-195767/Making%20His%20Escape%20%20FW19-4.html

Fleche Wallonne: Catching the Last One

Joey Rosskopf (CCC) looked over his shoulder at the top of the Cote De Cherave only to find the chase group coming up behind.  Cesare Benedetti (Bora Hansgrohe) lead a group of roughly nine men onto the American's wheel.  The peloton wasn't much further behind.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/3322904-439-195767/Catching%20the%20Last%20One%20%20FW19-3.html

Fleche Wallonne: Coming Back

Julian Alaphilippe (Decenunick-Quick Step) found himself chasing back onto the peloton after a front wheel puncture with 42 kilometers to race.  Alaphilippe wears bib number one as the defending champion of the 2018 Fleche Wallonne.  He speeds by his team car as his teammate, Mikkel Frolich Honore, grabs a bottle before assisting his team leader in the chase.  Alaphilippe was more fortunate than a number of favorites who had already crashed out of the race.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/3322900-438-195767/Coming%20Back%20%20FW19-2.html

Fleche Wallonne: Shedding One

Americans may have been under represented in the European peloton of late, but two made it into the early break of Fleche Wallonne.  It is Joey Rosskopf (CCC) looking back over his shoulder to see the Dutchman Kenneth Van Rooy (Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise) finding the Cote d'Ereffe too much to handle.  Behind Rosskopf are Koen Bouwman (Jumbo-Visma), Tom Wirtgen (Wallonie-Bruxelles) and his countryman, Robin Carpenter (Rally-UHC).  At this point the now four man group had a three minute lead over the peloton with another 62 kilometers to race.  Unfortunately, hidden in those kilometers are three climbs of the infamous Mur de Huy.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3322885-440-195767/PaintingShedding-One--FW19-1.html

Paris Roubaix: A Long Time Coming

Philippe Gilbert (Decenunick-Quick Step) is one of the senior statesmen of the peloton, and one of the more victorious.  He has a stated goal of winning all of the Monuments before he retires.  Until today, the Hell of the North had eluded him.  So it was with great joy that he spread his arms in victory on the legendary velodrome of Roubaix.  Nils Politt (Katusha-Alpecin) had to content himself with a hard fought second place.  The trio finished at least thirty seconds ahead of  Gilbert's teammate, Yves Lampaert.  Gilbert's bold attack with 15 kilometers to race was the moment of victory since it was only Politt who could match the acceleration of the former World Champion.  Chapeau, Gilbert!

I plan to paint on or two more of the Spring Classics ahead of the Tour of California and the Tour de France.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3319286-439-195767/PaintingA-Long-Time-Coming--PR19-10.html

Paris Roubaix: Ill Timed

Sep Vanmarcke (EF Education First) had been following every move until an ill timed mechanical took his hopes of winning away.  Vanmarcke called for his team car once the Mavic neutral service vehicle realized they could be of no help.  Vanmarcke was joined in the chase by Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Yves Lampaert (Decenunick-Quick Step) tried in vain to chase down the two leaders up the road.  It appears that Sagan, was not going to be able to repeat his victory from 2018.  Apparently only one rider has ever managed to win back to back Paris Roubaixs, and that was Tom Boonen.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3319284-438-195767/PaintingIll-Timed--PR19-9.html

Paris Roubaix: Fighting It Out on the Cobbles

On the final five star pave section it was Philippe Gilbert (Decenunick-Quick Step) and Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) rubbing shoulders while trying to establish themselves on the front of the race.  While it looked like a head-butting sprint, it was just two guys on the rivot bouncing their way to Roubaix.  Behind, it was Nils Politt (Katusha-Alpecin) with Yves Lampaert (Decenunick-Quick Step) slipping backward.  The crowds were huge, yet managed to not impose themselves into the race.  Those racing had enough to deal with, without drunken and/or oblivious fans further endangering the competitors.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3319282-437-195767/PaintingFighting-It-Out-on-the-Cobbles--PR19-8.html

Paris Roubaix: One of These Six

As the leaders entered Pave Section 9, it was beginning to look like these six would be the ones who would vie for the win on the velodrome of Roubaix.  It was Philippe Gilbert (Decenunick-Quick Step) who lead Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe), Nils Politt (Katusha-Alpecin), with his teammate Yves Lampaert, Sep Vanmarcke (EF-Education First) and Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma).  Behind the peloton was trying to chase, but did not seem able to close the one minute gap.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3319278-436-195767/PaintingOne-of-These-Six--PR19-7.html

Paris Roubaix: Taking Their Turn

For those of you who read this blog regularly, you will know that I love a good pun.  This title examplifies that perfectly.  After catching Wesley Kreder (Wanty-Gobert), this trio of Philippe Gilbert (Decenunick-Quick Step), Nils Politt (Katusha-Alpecin) and Rudiger Selig (Bora-Hansgrohe) decided it was their turn to go on the attack.  With Gilbert in the group (a former World Champion) the peloton was going to pay attention to this move.  Selig was there to monitor the move for his team leader (and defending champion of Paris Roubaix), Peter Sagan.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3319187-435-195767/PaintingTaking-Their-Turn--PR19-6.html

Paris Roubaix: Going Alone

Perhaps figuring he didn't have much of a chance of winning the race in the peloton, Wesley Kreder (Wanty-Gobert) took off on his own with 68 kilometers to go.  Clearly, it was going to be a long solo effort, but he could be hoping that a few more opportunists would bridge across to him.  Nevertheless, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3319174-434-195767/PaintingGoing-Alone--PR19-5.html

Paris Roubaix: Fighting Back

Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) wasn't having the best luck on the way to Roubaix.  He had a problem on the cobbles in the Forest of Ardenne where he took a teammates bike to chase back to the peloton.  After getting his back up bike from the team car after catching the peloton, he crashed on a corner.  He had to chase back again, but succeed in the effort.  Shockingly, he was able to be a factor in the final kilometers in the race until the multiple chases finally sapped his strength.  Heinrich Haussler (Bahrain-Merida) was twice able to use the motivated Van Aert to draft his way back into the peloton. 

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3319173-433-195767/PaintingFighting-Back--PR19-4.html

Paris Roubaix: Welcome to Hell

Paris Roubaix is foundly (or with dread) as the "Hell of the North."  For Joseph Areruya (Delko Marseille France) it was becoming a hellish ride indeed.  Arervya is the first cyclist for Rwanda to ever start this iconic race.  The twitter site for Rwanda cycling alerted me that he would be racing, and I was actually able to find him during the broadcast.  I, he, and all of Rwanda cycling had hoped it would be because he was off the front in a break, but at least his race wasn't completely anonymous.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3319164-432-195767/PaintingWelcome-to-Hell--PR-3.html

Paris Roubaix: Eyes Down

Both an expression of all out effort, and sound advice when racing on cobblestones.  Tim Declercq (Decenunick Quick Step) was tasked with setting the pace for his teammates in the peloton.  Declercq was setting such a pace that he rode eveyone off of his wheel.  Decenunick Quick Step clearly had a plan for the day, and the team had the legs to put that plan into play.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3319163-431-195767/PaintingEyes-Down--PR19-2.html

Paris Roubaix: Tete de la Course

I look forward to this, my most favorite of the Monuments, Paris Roubaix.  I picked up the race as the leaders, the "tete de la course" entered the 24th section of "pave."  The large break, almost the leading peloton, was taken onto the cobbles by Matti Breschel (EF Education First).  The cobbled sections of the race are numbered in descending order starting with #29 with the final section being comparably as smooth as glass just before the velodrome in Roubaix.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3319159-430-195767/PaintingTete-de-la-Course-PR19-1.html