The Art of Cycling: April 2021

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

LBL Women: Her First!

Demi Vollering (SD Worx) paid back the efforts of her teammate Anna Van Der Breggan. You can see her at the back of the group beginning to celebrate Vollering's first WWT win of her career. Annemiek Van Vleutin (Movistar) turned herself nearly inside out (or at least sideways) trying to out sprint the younger Vollering but had to content herself with second place. Rounding out the podium was the Italian Champion, Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo). The former Polish champion, Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM) took fourth which was still better than some of the pre-race favorites.

This ends the Spring Classics and means I will not be back painting racing until the Dauphine. I will follow that with my yearly pilgrimage to the depths of the Tour de France, although I will be there in spirit and paint brush only. Let's all hope that the race goes off in late June and July as planned. It will mean we are all returning to a degree of normalacy if it does.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since ti is an original work of art, it is a first come first seved reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburth watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-2021/3808356-47-290150/Painting/her-first-lbl21-12.html

Monday, April 26, 2021

LBL Women: When Will the Attack Come?

As in the men's Liege-Bastogne-Liege it was five racers who would be contending for the race honors. Also like the men, the group contained the Rainbow Jersey of World Champion. It was a little odd to see the team leader and champion leading the quintet for the final kilometers, Anna Van Der Breggan (SD Worx). I had not even considered that she would be riding for her teammate, Demi Vollering. Nor could I understand that Vollering was the better sprinter of the two. Van Der Breggan's efforts were making the inevitable attack out of the group just that much more difficult to pull off. Behind the World Champion was the former Polish champion, Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM), followed by the current European champion, Annemiek Van Vleutin (Movistar). On the tail of the group (the best place to attack from) was the Italian Champion, Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo). At this point there was only two and a half kilometers to race, so everyone was a bit twitchy trying to decide when they should go for victory.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-2021/3808293-46-290150/Painting/when-will-the-attack-come-lbl21-11.html

LBL Women: This Is the Selection

While I couldn't see everyone in this move, it was clear that this was the group that would be fighting it out for victory once they got back down to Liege. Using the last climb of the day, the Cote de La Roche aux Faucons, Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon SRAM) opened up the effort. She was quickly covered by Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo) and Anna Van Der Breggan (SD Worx). Hiding behind that threesome is Van Der Breggan's teammate, Demi Vollering. Surprisingly, that is Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma) being dropped from the group in her magenta WWT points leader jersey.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-2021/3808290-45-290150/Painting/this-is-the-selection-lbl21-10.html

LBL Women: The Next to Try

This trio was the next to try and escape the clutches of the peloton of favorites. Yet again, one of those in the break was a SD Worx rider, Ashleigh Moolman. She was joined by Cecilie Uttrup Ludwid (FDJ Nouvelle Aquitaine Futuroscope), who is driving the pace at this point. Rounding out the threesome is Lucinda Brand (Trek-Segafredo). This group really has the power and the palmares to be a serious threat to run away with the race. Staying away for another 34 kilometers might be a bit tough, but others have done as much just last year. Unfortunatley for these ladies, that rider is chasing them from behind.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-2021/3808285-44-290150/Painting/the-next-to-try-lbl21-9.html

LBL Women: Off on Her Own

SD Worx seemed to have a plan to set the race alight from the start of Liege-Bastogne-Liege Femmes. Niamh Fisher-Black was the second team member to go off the front of the peloton in hopes of drawing out the sting of the favorites. With 41 kilometers left to the line in Liege she had built up a 20 second lead on those behind. Those chasing behind had managed to split the peloton apart in their efforts to catch her. The reduced peloton still included at least two of her teammates including the Women's UCI Road World Champion.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-2021/3808270-43-290150/Painting/off-on-her-own-lbl21-8.html

LBL Women: Needing Some Help

The Dutch woman on the Australian team, Janneke Ensing (BikeExchange) lifted her arm to signal her need for her team car. While I am sure she had gotten on the radio to her sports director, the gesture lets the race referee following the peloton know that her car needs to come up to the back of the race. Normally, this would be a sign that she was having a problem with her bike or perhaps a flat tire. This time she just wanted to get some gels, bars, and bidons for herself and her teammates.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-2021/3808267-42-290150/Painting/needing-some-help-lbl21-7.html

LBL Men: The Lunge

The five who got away on the final climb, the Cote de La Roche aux Faucons, were the ones to contest the sprint for the win. It was Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) who opened up the sprint, but it came down to Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step) and Tadej Podacar (UAE Team Emirates) who were throwing their bikes for the victory. Just like last year, Alaphilippe thought he had the win with 50 meters to race, but again someone got around him to take victory. This year it wasn't that he celebrated too early, it was just that Podacar had the better sprint after over 250 kilometers of racing. It was David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) rounding out the podium, with Valverde taking 4th on his 41st birthday. Side note, Podagar is young enough to be Valverde's son (of course he isn't). As David Woods knew, he didn't have the sprint to contend for honors with the others, so he finished fifth out of the group of five. That is why he had tried to get away on the Roche aux Faucons.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-2021/3808175-41-290150/Painting/the-lunge-lbl21-6.html

LBL Men: Who Is With Me?

Michael Woods (Israel Start Up Nation) hit the front on the Cote de La Roche aux Faucons. He hoped to drop some of the faster finishers that couldn't climb as fast as he could. On his wheel was Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step) who could be described as a strong finisher and a strong climber. Just gapping off the back of the duo were David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) and Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates). I loved the look of the socially distanced fans watching their heros from the other side of the hedge. It wasn't the normal wild throngs of cycling fans, but then Covid-19 has made everything change over the last year for us all.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-2021/3808164-40-290150/Painting/who-is-with-me-lbl21-5.html

LBL Men: Attacking the Front

True to their promise for this season, Ineos-Grenadiers was racing a very agressive Liege-Bastogne-Liege. After driving the pace over the final climb with several of their team members launching small attacks, it was Richard Carapaz who made his move stick. The Ecuadorian was able to build almost thirty seconds on the peloton in the final twenty kilometers, but those behind weren't about to let a sole rider go to the line alone.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-2021/3808163-39-290150/Painting/attacking-the-front-lbl21-4.html

LBL Men: What Is Our Gap?

Laurens Huys (Bingoal Pauwels Sauces) looked over his shoulder to see what gap he and Lorenzo Rota (Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise) had built on their erstwhile break away companions. The duo had escape the others on the base of the Cote de La Redoute. With another 36 kilometers to go it remained to be seen if their minute and a half lead was going to be enough to hold off an extremely talented field in the peloton behind. He could see muich when he looked back, the bend in the road hid the others from view.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-2021/3808159-38-290150/Painting/whats-our-gap-lbl21-3.html

LBL Men: Are We There Yet?"

"Are we there yet?" seemed to be what Harm Vanhoucke (Lotto Soudal) was asking Mark Padun (Bahrain-Victorious). They, along with Mark Donovan (Team DSM), were trying to bridge across to the six man breakaway up the road. They didn't seem to be making any progress towards those up the road. Perhaps they were beginning to realize that this effort may not be worth the energy they were putting into it. Spoiler: they never did get across to the break, but then again, they were only caught a few more minutes ahead of the others by the peloton.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-2021/3808133-37-290150/Painting/are-we-there-yet-lbl21-2.html

LBL Men: Saying Goodbye

The USA Champion, Alex Howes (EF Pro Cycling-Nippo) wasn't able to hold on to the tail of the peloton on one of the last few climbs of the race. With 64 kilometers to go, it might be a long lonely ride back to Liege. However, I am happy to say he was back in the peloton about twenty kilometers later. I admit I don't know how he did at the finish, but he did better than I expected he would do when I painted this.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-2021/3808131-36-290150/Painting/saying-goodbye-lbl21-1.html

Monday, April 19, 2021

Amstel Gold Women - Coming Good

I admit that I thought Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma Women) was cooked on the final climb of the Cauberg. Clearly I was wrong. While there were two women off the front, Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM) and Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo) they spent too much time trying to out fox each other that they ended up giving their chance for a win away. Instead it was Marianne Vos out sprinting them all for the win. She spent a moment of panic thinking she may have celebrated too soon. It was a fast closing Demi Vollering (SD Worx) who almost closed the gap with her bike lunge. Amanda Spratt (BikeExchange) missed the podium finishing fourth. Elisa Longo Borghini could only hold on for eighth and thinking what might have been. And she has to surrender her points jersey in the bargain. Although it will be no shame in pulling back on her Italian tricolore of National Champion.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-2021/3806935-35-290150/Painting/coming-good-ag21-4.html

Sunday, April 18, 2021

Amstel Gold Women - Queen of the Cauberg

The last time the Amstel Gold was raced (it was canceled in 2020 like so many other things in all of our lives) it was Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon SRAM) who went away for the win on the Cauberg. She was hoping to repeat her victory with the same tactic. It appeared to be working as Marianne Vos (Jumbo Visma Women) dropped her head seemingly unable to keep up with the former Polish Champion. Behind the WWT points leader, Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo) did her best to cover the attack. The first time I painted Niewiadoma was in the UCI Road World Championships here in Richmond, VA way back in 2015. She was attacking the front of the race then, too.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-2021/3806934-34-290150/Painting/queen-of-the-cauberg-ag21-3.html

Amstel Gold Women - Leading Them Around

I had not realized until I started tagging some of these paintings that I have never painted the Amstel Gold race before. I've watch it in the past, although this is the first time I have been able to watch the women's race. It was Grace Brown (BikeExchange) who had dropped her break away companion and led the race alone with just 11 kilometers to race. She had about 30 seconds at this point but chasing her where some of the marquee names of women's cycling.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-2021/3806933-33-290150/Painting/leading-them-around-ag21-2.html

Amstel Gold Women - Giving It a Go

On the penultimate trip up the Cauberg it was Annemiek Van Vleutin (Movistar) giving it a go on the front of the peloton. She has been able to use these short steep climbs to get away in the past, so no one was letting her go this time. It was a treat to see the Stars and Stripes of the USA National Champion Ruth Winder (Trek-Segafredo) at the head of affairs today. One must root for one's own country women.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-2021/3806929-32-290150/Painting/giving-it-a-go-ag21-1.html

Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Ronde Van Vlaanderen: Plenty of Time to Celebrate

This was Bridget's favorite from these paintings of the Women's Ronde Van Vlaanderen. When she first looked at it she exclaimed, "Movie Star." You must know that she is an actor. You can find her on imdb.com by searching Bridget Gethins. Annemiek Van Vleutin (Movistar) was able to build on her advantage that she opened up on the final climb of the day holding off some of the great women racing this season. She had enough time to celebrate in style as she crossed the line to win Ronde Van Vlaanderen for the second time in her career. It was ten years ago when she last won in Flanders. She is now the only woman currently racing to claim a victory in this Flanders Classic. And she did it while wearing the European Champion's jersey and on her new team.

I had hoped to be painting both the women's and men's Paris-Roubaix, but it has been postponed until early October due to a resurgence of Covid-19 in France. It does worry me that the Tour de France may meet the same fate as the Hell of the North.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-2021/3804623-31-290150/Painting/plenty-of-time-to-celebrate-rvv21-6.html

Ronde Van Vlaanderen: "We've Got to Work Together"

Demi Vollering (Team SD Worx) seemed to be trying to get this elite group of chasers to work together. Up the road was the two time World Champion in the individual time trial so it wasn't going to be easier to chase her down. Their only hope was their superior strength in numbers. It was going to be a hard sell for Vollering, her teammate, Anna Van Der Breggan was the best sprinter in the group and the World Champion on the road. Hanging on the back seeming to be struggling was the Italian National Champioin, Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo). Others trying to chase down the flying Dutch woman were Marta Cavalli (FDJ Nouvelle-Aquataine Futuroscope) and her teammate Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig, Lisa Brennauer (Ceratizit-WNT) in her German Champion jersey. Rounding out the group was the Australian, Grace Brown (BikeExchange).

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow th edirect link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since ti is an original work of art, it is a first come first seved reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburth watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-2021/3804621-30-290150/Painting/weve-got-to-work-together-rvv21-5.html

Ronde Van Vlaanderen: Getting More Daylight

Starting her attack and the base of the Paterberg, Annemiek Van Vleutin (Movistar) opened up even more of a gap as she crested the steep final cobbled climb of the day. In the European Champion's jersey she was able to drop some great women off of her wheel in hopes of a solo run to victory. She was leaving the World Champion, the Women's World Tour leader, as well as the national champions of both Italy and Germany in her dust.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow th edirect link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since ti is an original work of art, it is a first come first seved reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburth watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-2021/3804606-29-290150/Painting/getting-more-daylight-rvv21-4.html

Ronde Van Vlaanderen: Pushing Her Advantage

Audrey Cordon Ragot (Trek-Segafredo) used the Taaienberg to get away from the elite peloton. However, rather than getting away on the climb, she went on the attack at the summit. Ususally, riders will slow and catch their breath as they crest a climb, so she caught them napping with her attack. She was able to build up an advantage of about 20 seconds with another 38 kilometers yet to race. I'm not sure whether she was going for the win, or helping her teammate, Elisa Boghini Longo, get a free ride in the chasing group. It was probably a combination of the two.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow th edirect link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since ti is an original work of art, it is a first come first seved reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburth watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-2021/3804605-28-290150/Painting/pushing-her-advantage-rvv21-3.html

Ronde Van Vlaanderen: Forcing a Selection

Most of the 110 kilometers covered thus far in the race had been gruppo compacto (one large peloton). As they hit the Kanarieberg, Annemiek Van Vleutin (Movistar) went to the front and drove the pace. She was covered by some of the big names in the sport including Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine Futuroscope), Anna Van Der Breggen (Team SD Worx) and Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma). Vos is not in the black and yellow of her team's colors because she is wearing the Fushia of the points leader of the Women's Pro Tour. The plan worked, dropping the large group down to about fifteen serious contenders for the victory on the day.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow th edirect link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since ti is an original work of art, it is a first come first seved reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburth watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-2021/3804604-27-290150/Painting/forcing-a-selection-rvv21-2.html

Ronde Van Vlaanderen: Being Her Own Mechanic

Arlenis Sierra Canadella (A.R. Monex Women's Pro Cycling) was hanging tough with the front group until she had a mechanical on a short cobbled climb. It looked to be that she dropped her chain as she down shifted on the rough surface. One of the many tough elements of racing on the narrow roads of west Belgium is that one's team support (or even neutral surface) can be so far behind the splinter groups of the peloton. Fortunatley she was able to get herself sorted quickly, but this was the last the TV cameras saw her for the rest of the day.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow th edirect link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since ti is an original work of art, it is a first come first seved reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburth watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-2021/3804589-26-290150/Painting/being-her-own-mechanic-rvv21-1.html