The Art of Cycling: April 2023

Thursday, April 20, 2023

Fleche Wallonne 23, Men’s Race: When He Knew

I suspect that Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) knew he would win today when he woke up. He had his team working all day to keep the break aways in check. They also set a pace that made it near impossible for anyone to get away from the team policing the front of the peloton. The team knew that all they had to do was deliver Pogacar in a good position at the base of the Mur de Huy and he would be able to do the rest on his own. Many tried to get a jump on him and even more tried to follow his acceleration, but when he looked over his shoulder with 50 meters left to go he knew that he could add la Fleche Wallonne to his palamares, finally.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3946984-548-195767/Painting/when-he-knew-fw23-12.html

Fleche Wallonne 23, Men’s Race: What Was Expected

Just because everyone expected Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates), it doesn’t mean they were going to be able to do anything about it. With roughly 500 meters left to climb, Pogacar went on the offense after all of the work his team had done all day. At first it looked like Guilin Ciccone (Trek-Segafredo) was going to catch the fleeing Slovenian, but he soon faded finishing fifth on the day. Last year’s victor, Michael Woods (Israel-Premier Tech) looked like he might be poised to repeat, but he too, was unable to match the power of Pogacar in the closing meters of the day. He managed a fourth this time out. It was Ciccone’s teammate, Matthias Skejlmose, who took second today, and a surprised rush by Mikel Landa (Bahrain-Victorious) who claimed third.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3946981-547-195767/Painting/what-was-expected-fw23-11.html

Fleche Wallonne 23, Men’s Race: The Last Survivor

With just five kilometers and one very steep climb to go, Louis Vervaeke (Soudal-Deceuninck) was the last of those that had been off the front. While he was not part of the original early break away, he did bridge up to the leaders with there was still another 35 kilometers to go. At this point he still had twenty seconds on the big names in the race. Normally, that had a chance to be enough, but today the last kilometer includes a climb that has sections at an eighteen percent gradient. I had noticed a large hand made sign rooting him on half way up the climb. I’m sure he saw it on the previous trips up the Mur de Huy. Will it give him enough lift to stay away on the final ascent?

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3946922-546-195767/Painting/the-last-survivor-fw23-10.html

Fleche Wallonne 23, Men’s Race: Getting Some Help

With just two guys up the road, Samuel Battistella (Astana-Qazaqstan) jumped out of the peloton in hopes of joining the pair. While he had escaped the immediate grasps of the main group, he seemed stuck in the middle. That is he was stuck until Louis Vervaeke (Soudal-Quick Step) came across. The two then set off to finish bridging up to the other two on the front of the race. They did get there by working together, which is far better/easier than trying to do it on their own.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3946915-545-195767/Painting/getting-some-help-fw23-9.html

Fleche Wallonne 23, Men’s Race: Down to Two

Soren Kragh Andersen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) attacked his erstwhile break away companions over the second climb of the Cote d’Ereffe. Of the other seven in the original group, only Georg Zimmerman (Intermache-Circus-Wanty) was able to join the Dane on the front of the race. They had another 46 kilometers to race but they were holding off the chasers and the peloton, for now.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3946908-544-195767/Painting/down-to-two-fw23-8.html

Fleche Wallonne 23, Men’s Race: Let’s Keep Working

The day started with an early break that was kicked off a kilometer one by Jacob Hindsgaul (Uno-X). He was joined by seven others. They build up nearly four minutes on the peloton before those behind decided the gap had gotten just a bit too big. Hindsgaul looks back over his shoulder to try and convince Raul Garcia Pierna (Equipo Kern Pharma), Lawrence Naesen (Ag2r-Citroen), and rest of his fellow escapees to keep working. At this point they were climbing Cote de Cherave for the first of three trips around the three climb course.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3946890-543-195767/Painting/lets-keep-working-fw23-7.html

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Fleche Wallonne 23, Women’s Race: Queen of Mur de Huy

She may have attacked too soon on the final climb of Fleche Wallonne, but it can’t be denied that Demi Vollering (SD Worx) had the legs to get to the top all alone. After looking back to make sure no one was closing on her (it has happened to some whom celebrated too soon) she began her celebrations a good 25 meters from the line. I was struck by her simple act of removing her sunglasses, part in glee, and part to make sure we saw her face in all of the photos shot as she crossed the line alone. She becomes only the 11th woman to win the now 23 year old Fleche Wallonne Femmes. Chapeau!

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3946458-542-195767/Painting/queen-of-mur-de-huy-fwf23-6.html

Fleche Wallonne 23, Women’s Race: Making Sure

With just 150 meters to go, Demi Vollering (SD Worx) looked back to make sure no one was coming up too quickly on her. She did find Liane Lippert (Movistar) and Mavi Garcia (Liv Racing TeqFind) were back there. But as she turned back forward her smile let everyone know that she knew the victory was going to be hers. I don’t think I have ever seen such a smile grow so broadly across a rider’s face before. Lippert, the German National Champion, held on for second, yet, Garcia, the Spanish National Champion, faded to fourth on the day.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3946449-541-195767/Painting/making-sure-fwf23-5.html

Fleche Wallonne 23, Women’s Race: Climbing Away

Demi Vollering (SD Worx) as been having an absolutely amazing spring season! As the peloton caught all of the earlier escapees at the base of the Mur de Huy, she just up the pace. The increase was enough to leave everyone struggling to get to her wheel. The last to lose contact was Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM). The only questions was had she gone too soon. The final climb of Fleche Wallonne is like climbing a wall. Should someone go too soon, they can find themselves unable to sustain the effort up the kilometer and a third climb that tops out at an eighteen percent gradient. Given the season that she and the team have been having, I betting she’ll just continued to increase her advantage. If you are wondering Niewiadoma finished in eleventh place a full twenty six seconds behind the winner on the day.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3946445-540-195767/Painting/climbing-away-fwf23-4.html

Fleche Wallone 23, Women’s Race: Stuck in the Middle

Try as they might, Ricardo Bavernfeind (Canyon-SRAM), Erica Magnaldi (UAE Team ADQ) and Justine Ghekiere (AG Insurance-Soudal-Quick Step) weren’t not able to catch the lone leader, Amanda Spratt (Trek-Segafredo). With 47 seconds to Spratt, they had the peloton closing in on them, just another 24 seconds back. They seemed to be stuck there in the middle, neither gaining on the one ahead, nor losing time to the peloton behind. At this point they were about to climb the penultimate cote of the day. They weren’t giving up, but success seemed less likely with each pedal revolution.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3946399-539-195767/Painting/stuck-in-the-middle-fwf23-3.html

Fleche Wallone 23, Women’s Race: “How Am I Doing?”

As soon as the group containing the World Champion and her teammate (amongst others), Amanda Spratt (Trek-Segafredo) went on the offensive. She built up a 45 second gap as three more behind tried to bridge up to her. As she looked back over the little rolling hills, she could see the chasers, and a bit further behind them, the peloton. With 29 kilometers left to race, it was going to take some real effort to stay away. The further challenge was the two climbs yet to come, the Cote d’Ereffe and the Mur de Huy. (Spoiler, they caught her at the bottom of the Mur de Huy with just about a kilometer left to race.)

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3946382-538-195767/Painting/how-am-i-doing-fwf23-2.html

Flèche-Wallone 23, Women’s Race: Getting a Gap

On the second time up the fabled Mur de Huy, this trio of the World Champion, Annemiek Van Vleutin (Movistar), Ashleigh Moolman Pasio (AG Insrance-Quick Step) and Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM) were able to open up a gap on the rest of the peloton. Just behind them Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo) struggles to join the move. As they went over the top of the climb Borghini was able to join them as they built up a gap on the way down the other side of the ‘wall.’

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3946368-537-195767/Painting/getting-a-gap-fwf23-1.html

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Paris Roubaix 23: By a Lap!

While it may look like the chasing duo was about to catch Matthieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) as he celebrated his victory in the 120th edition of Paris Roubaix. In fact, Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) and his teammate, Jasper Philipsen, were a full lap behind. It was fun that Philipsen was celebrating along with his team leader. Side note, Philipsen out sprinted Van Aert to give their team a one, two, with Van Aert rounding out the podium. The next group of three came in another two minutes later and the unfortunate John Degenkolb another minute further behind, Many other big names in the sport weren’t able to finish the race at all. The last man to cross the line was a full forty minutes behind the time of the winner. Alas for him, that was outside of the time limit thus counting as a disqualification. But finishing the ‘Hell of the North’ is a win in itself.

I am not sure what other races I will be painting before the Tour, but it will most likely include the Dauphine and perhaps some other Spring Classics.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3945330-536-195767/Painting/by-a-lap-pr23-16.html

Paris Roubaix 23: Power & Luck

To win Paris Roubaix it takes good fortune and some truly powerful legs. Both were with the former Dutch champion, Matthieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) today. His two main rivals, Wout Van Aert and John Degenkolb had either had a flat tire or a crash respectively. The others in the front group just couldn’t hold onto the Dutchman’s wheel as he road across the final five star cobbles of Carrefour. With just nine kilometers to the finish line in the velodrome and a 29 second advantage it was unlikely that they would catch the leader of Alpecin-Deceuninck. The chase was further thwarted by the prescience of Van Der Poel’s teammate Jasper Philipsen in the two-man group behind.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3945328-535-195767/Painting/power-luck-pr23-15.html

Paris Roubaix 23: More Bad Luck

Coming out of the Forest of Arenberg Christophe Laporte (Jumbo-Visma) had a flat tire which dropped him out of the front group. And then again, while coming out to another section of pave he had another flat. At least this time he was able to catch back up to this chase group containing his teammate, Nathan Van Hooydonck along with Sjoerd Bax (UAE Team Emirates), Florian Vermeersch (Lotto Dstny), and Gianni Vermeersch (Alpecin-Deceuninck). Both of the Jumbo-Visma guys were desperate to catch back up to the front group to help out their guy Wout Van Aert. They had the problem of towing Gianni back up to his two teammates without doing any of the work to get there. Spoiler, they never got there. Jumbo-Visma was using an automatic inflation system in their tires, but it didn’t seem to be helping at all. In fact, Van Aert suffered a flat near the finale which cost him the chance to vie for the win.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3945313-534-195767/Painting/more-bad-luck-pr23-14.html

Tuesday, April 11, 2023

Paris Roubaix 23: Glued Together

The front group contained the two main favorites for this year’s Paris Roubaix. Try as each might, the others were sticking tight to the other’s wheels. Matthieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) used his power over the cobbles to put the others into jeopardy. However, Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) was glued to the Dutchman’s wheel. Van Der Poel, did have a teammate with him, Jasper Philipsen, to aid in his team leader’s efforts. On Philipsen’s wheel is Stefan Kung (Groupama-FDJ) with the former winner of the race John Degenkolb (DSM) following close behind. It is clear that here is were the winner of the 120th Paris Roubaix lies, question is, who will that winner be?

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3945235-533-195767/Painting/glued-together-pr23-13.html

Paris Roubaix 23: Ticking Off Another One

Another piece of Paris Roubaix is dealing with poorly timed mechanical problems. As the attacks came in the Forest of Arenberg, Christophe Laporte (Jumbo-Visma) had a flat tire. He had been there to support the team leader, who crashed out of the race. He quickly shifted to supporting his teammate Wout Van Aert until a flat left him chasing the lead group with another teammate, Nathan Van Hooydonck. Their chase was aided by Florian Vermeersch (Lotto-Dstny). Each team will station their soigneurs with bidons and wheels to help their riders out at the end of each section of cobbles.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3945233-532-195767/Painting/ticking-off-another-one-pr23-12.html

Paris Roubaix 23: Chaos in the Forest

While I don’t normally paint the crashes, they are so much a part of Paris Roubaix that I felt it was necessary. As they went into one of the most fabled pave sectors, the peloton shook apart and bodies went flying. It was so chaotic that I wasn’t able to get any of the names of those on the ground or tangled up in the piles of broken bikes. Some riders races ended at this moment in pain, most particularly last year’s winner, Dylan Van Baarle (Jumbo-Visma). For most of the others, it might as well have been over, since the attacks were going off the front as they were lying on the unmerciful cobblestones.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3945232-531-195767/Painting/chaos-in-the-forest-pr23-11.html

Paris Roubaix 23: Onto Another Sector

The pair of Jonas Koch (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Juri Holman (Movistar) were the first to escape off the front of the peloton. So they were the first to hit Sector 24 with enough of a gap that the flotilla of press and race motorcycles was allowed to slot in behind them. I loved the image of the foreshortening that shows the arch announcing the entrance into this sector in the background enough that I felt it was worthy of being captured in watercolors. That is part of my selection process of what I chose to paint. I look for images that tell the story of the race, but then I also look for a captivating image as well. After all, this is also about making art.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3945231-530-195767/Painting/onto-another-sector-pr23-10.html

Paris Roubaix 23: And So It Begins

First, I should say that my wife had knee surgery the Wednesday before Paris Roubaix weekend. She had a tough recovery that left her sleeping most of Saturday during Paris Roubaix Femmes. Sunday she still had troubles but was more awake yet more uncomfortable. Therefore while I was able to painting this image the day of the men’s race, most were done either the following Monday or Tuesday. She is home now and I am able to take care of her a bit more easily. So it goes.

After 160 kilometers of racing the peloton arrived at the first sector of cobbles all together, an unusual state for Paris Roubaix. You may notice that it is labeled “29.” The cobbles count down from 29 to the ceremonial “1” just before to the entrance to the fabled Roubaix Velodrome where the race finishes. Matteo Trentin (UAE Team Emirates) led Jumbo-Visma and the other 20 teams onto the first of 54 kilometers of cobblestone roads that make up the Hell of the ‘Hell of the North.’

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3945230-529-195767/Painting/and-so-it-begins.html

Sunday, April 9, 2023

Paris Roubaix Femmes 23: The Third Queen of Roubaix

It was a brilliant sprint that took Alison Jackson (EF Education-TIBCO-SVB) to the victory on the velodrome in Roubaix. She becomes the first Canadian to win either the men’s or the women’s Paris Roubaix and is only the third woman to win the now three year old women’s edition. Marron Borras (St Michel-Mavic-Auber93) opened the sprint but faded to fifth. It was Katia Ragusa (LIV Racing TeqFind) in second followed by Martha Truyen (Fenix-Deceuninck) grabbing the last step of the podium. Just out of the frame, you can see the arm of Eugenia Duval (FDJ-Suez) who finished fourth on the day. They collectively held off the peloton of favorites by twelve seconds, marking that rare occasion in professional cycling when the early break away actually wins the day. It was Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) who won the best of the rest sprint. A small consolation to the woman who had targeted this race to add to her rather exceptional spring campaign.

Since my wife is in the hospital recovering from a knee replacement revision, I doubt I will be painting the men’s race live. But I hope to get it done over the next two days. So, shhhh, no spoilers please.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3944985-528-195767/Painting/the-third-queen-of-roubaix.-prf23-8.html

This painting is sold!

Paris Roubaix Femmes 23: Still Away

The early break away was still away as the remaining six rolled onto the fabled velodrome in Roubaix. As they approached the line they were led into the bell lap with Marta Lach (Ceratizit-WNT) on the front. She was followed by Alison Jackson (EF Education-TIBCO-SVB). To Jackson’s left was Lisa Klein ISD Worx). Just after I painted this, Klein crashed. Surprising since this was the smoothest stretch of road of the entire 145 kilometers of racing. They were joined in the race for the line by their fellow break away companions, Katia Ragusa (LIV Racing TeqFind), Emilia Fahlin (FDJ-Suez), Martha Truyen (Felix-Deceunick) and Marron Borras (St. Michel-Mavic-Auber93). So while they only had about 15 seconds on the peloton, their ride is proof that every once in a while the break away actually succeeds.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3944974-527-195767/Painting/still-away-prf23-7.html

Saturday, April 8, 2023

Paris Roubaix Femmes 23: Caught by the Peloton

This trio of Susanne Anderson (Uno-X), Marjolein Van ‘T Geloof (Human Powered Health) and Romy Kasper (AG Insurance-Soudal-Quick Step) had been off the front for virtually all of Paris Roubaix Femmes, but with just ten kilometers left to race, they found themselves being caught by the remnants of the peloton of race favorites. Kasper had spent some time off the front on her own, but it may have been too much energy spent. Still, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3944965-526-195767/Painting/caught-by-the-peloton-prf23-6.html

Paris Roubaix Femmes 23: Tete de la Course

As they neared the end of the final truly bad section of pave, Sector 4, the Carrefour de l’Arbre, the early break away was now reduced to just six women. Marta Lach (Ceratizit-WNT) led them over the cobble stones as she had over most every sector. Behind her the former Canadian champion, Alison Jackson (EF Education-TIBCO-SVB followed in turn by the Swede on the French team, Emilia Fahlin (FDJ-Suez) swung left pass the gendarmes, press photographers and all of the screaming fans. With the wreck behind, they were able to stretch out their advantage on those chasing behind.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3944957-525-195767/Painting/tete-de-la-course-prf23-5.html

This painting is sold!

Paris Roubaix Femmes 23: Down in Front!

As this chase group of 16 got close to the early break away on Pave Sector 9, the Pont Thibaut, last year’s winner, Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo) lost control of her bike on the muddy cobbles. As she went down the rest of the group either went down with her or were caught behind the twisted pile of bikes and bodies. Somehow, only Romy Kasper (AG Insurance-Soudal-Quick Step) manage to stay upright. She was able to push on as Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) and her teammate in the WWT points jersey fell over the former Italian champion. As I said in an early post, Paris Roubaix can have a way of changing riders’ fortunes in a blink of an eye.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3944955-524-195767/Painting/down-in-front-prf23-4.html

Paris Roubaix Femmes 23: Checking the Damage

As she came off of Sector 12, Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) looked back to see just how much damage her pace did over the cobblestones. Still holding onto the Belgium’s wheel is Pfeiffer Georgi (DSM) and behind her a couple of the women of Trek-Segafredo. As the riders come off of each section of pave, their soigneurs hold spare wheels aloof in case the stones weren’t kind to their riders wheels. While neither of the women on the front of this group were French, the cycling fan on the side of waved the French tricolour for everyone riding by.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3944943-523-195767/Painting/checking-the-damage-prf23-3.html

Paris Roubaix Femmes 23: Going Off on Her Own

Tired with the pace of the break away, and the number of passengers, Daniek Hengeveld (DSM) decided to head off on her own. She used Sector 15, the stretch of cobbles from Tilley to Sars et Rosieres to open up a gap on those behind. She grew her advantage up to a half of a minute before her former companions got their chase organized. With another 71 kilometers to Roubaix, it was a bit of a tall order to race the rest of the cobbles off the front on her own.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3944940-522-195767/Painting/off-on-her-own-prf23-2.html

Paris Roubaix Femmes 23: The First of Many

By the time the large early breakaway reached the first of 17 sections of cobbles they were already setting a new fastest time in the women’s Paris Roubaix. Marion Borras (St. Michel-Mavic-Aauber93) and Lisa Van Helvoirt (Parkhotel-Valkenburg) were on the tail end of the group of 18 women who had build up over a five minute lead on the chasing peloton. While it is very rare that a break away stays away all of the way to the end of a race, this gap was going to make it a tough day out for those behind. Of course, “the Hell of the North” has a way of turning the racing upside down in the blink of an eye.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3944938-521-195767/Painting/the-first-of-many.-prf23-1.html

Monday, April 3, 2023

Ronde Van Vlaanderen 23, Men's Race: Fastest Ever!

When the lead group came back around to the Oude Kwaremont everyone expected Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) to go on the attack. And he did. The problem however was that none could stay on his wheel when he went on the final climb of the fabled cobbled hill. Even with a head wind, he was able to increase his lead on the solo chase of Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and the large group of eight behind him. In winning today's race, he made it in a record time, the fastest ever Ronde Van Vlaanderen. He is now the third rider in history to win at least one Tour de France and this race. The most notable member of the small club is Eddy Merckx. Let the comparisons begin (as it they hadn't alreday).

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3943954-520-195767/Painting/fastest-ever-rvv23-7.html

Ronde Van Vlaanderen 23, Men's Race: Racing for Third

With Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) off the road and Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) up the road by about 45 seconds, this group knew they wouldn't be catching either of them in the final six kilometers. It looked liked the two Americans, Matteo Jorgensen (Movistar) and Neilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost) seemed to be having a bit of a chat at the back of the group. They, along with Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma), Stefan Kung (Groupama-FDJ), Fred Wright (Bahrain-Victorious) and Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo) were going to have to resign themselves to racing for the bottom step of the podium. That honor did end up going to Mads. With the third of the three who were most frequently named to win to day, Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) claiming fourth on the day. Fred Wright has to continue to look for that elusive race victory, but he has been close so many times. The Americans managed nineth and fifth respectively.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3943949-519-195767/Painting/racing-for-third-rvv23-6.html

Ronde Van Vlaanderen 23, Men's Race: Back Together

Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) may have dropped the pair of Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) and Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) on the Oude Kwaremont, but they were able to get back up to him in a few kilometers time. The three went together up and over the Koppenberg, but it did look like Van Der Poel was having a bit more trouble staying there then Van Aert. He does have the honor of wearing bib number 1 as the defending champion of Ronde Van Vlaanderen. Will he have the legs to repeat the feat?

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3943944-518-195767/Painting/back-together-rvv23-5.html

Sunday, April 2, 2023

Ronde Van Vlaanderen 23, Men's Race: Off on His Own

The second trip up the Oude Kwarremont it was Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) that left the peloton of elite riders to go off in chase of the remaining break away members still up the road. Spoiler alert, the next time up this hill he was alone again, but ahead of the rest of the race. Pogacar was able to use his climbing prowess on the longest climb of the day to push himself away from the others.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3943940-517-195767/Painting/off-on-his-own-rvv23-4.html

Ronde Van Vlaanderen 23, Men's Race: The Help He Wanted

The German Champion, Nils Politt (Bora-Hansgrohe) was happy to see Axel Zingle (Cofidis) ride up to him. Politt had attacked the peloton in hopes of bridging up to the leaders, but had been struggling on his own, caught in no-man's land between the two groups, he was unable to make more progress until Zingle came along. The pair joined up with the leaders just in time for the big names to start attacking each other.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3943938-516-195767/Painting/the-help-he-wanted-rvv23-3.html

Ronde Van Vlaanderen 23, Men's Race: Off in Search of the Others

With the small break away now successfully up the road the American Matteo Jorgensen (Movistar) decided it was a move he wanted to be in as well. Ever the opportunist, Benoit Cosnefroy (Ag2r-Citroen) was quick to jump on to the tail with the M on it. The two were successful in getting up to the leading group with another 90 kilometers to race.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3943937-515-195767/Painting/off-in-search-of-the-others-rvv23-2.html

Ronde Van Vlaanderen 23, Men's Race: Belgium Racing

Over 100 kilometers into the race and this might be the first attack that may be successful. On the first section of cobbles, the Huisepontweg, it was Jonas Rutsch (EF Education-EasyPost) who started to ride away from the rest of the peloton. Off to his right Tim Merlier (Soudal-Quick Step) struggled with staying upright in the mud just along the side of the rougher roadway. Others tried to go with the pair, but at this point they were the only two to get away. Others did managed to join later when they got back to the smooth modern roads that lay around the corner.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3943934-514-195767/Painting/belgium-racing-rvv23-1.html