UCI Worlds, Zurich 2024, Elite Men's Road Race: A Tip of the Crown

Perhaps this title needs a little explaining.  In the world of professional cycling, the Triple Crown is winning the Giro d'Italia, the Tour de France, and the World Championship in the same season.  Until today, only two men have managed the feat.  The first was Eddy Merckx of Belgium who did it 50 years ago this week, and the second was Stephen Roche of Ireland who equaled Merckx thirteen years later.  But now, a third name can be added to that list, Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia.  In so doing he also broke his own record for longest breakaway win in a race.  This year he went from eighty kilometers out to win Strade-Bianche.  Today, he jumped free of the peloton with 100.7 kilometers to race.  I don't think he was on his own until about 50 kilometers to go, but the records will say 100 K.  He had plenty of time to think up a victory salute, but I think he might have been a bit emotional as he came to the finishing line alone, savoring the applause of the fans crowding the barriers and the roadway prior to the flame rouge.  Behind him Ben O'Connor (Ireland) came alone for the silver medal, and the defending champion, Mathieu Van Der Poel (Netherlands) outsprinted the chasing six or seven to take the bronze.

This is truly the end of my cycling season.  So I won't be back sharing my cycling art until the Tour Down Under in late January 2025.

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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"A Tip of the Crown Z24-14" (Original art by Greig Leach)

UCI Worlds, Zurich 2024, Elite Men's Road Race: Alone on the Bell Lap

Before the start of the final lap around the Zurich 2024 course, Tadej Pogacar (Slovenia) dropped the last of member of the UCI Road World Championship's Elite Men's start list on his way towards achieving his goal of winning the Rainbow Jersey of World Champion.  With just under thirteen kilometers left to go he was still holding his forty second advantage on the various groupings of chasers behind.  It was surprising to see just how many flags of Slovenia decorated the 27-kilometer course through Zurich.

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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Alone on the Bell Lap Z24-13" (Original art by Greig Leach)

 

UCI Worlds, Zurich 2024, Elite Men's Road Race: Anyone Coming?

One of my favorites in the peloton, Toms Skujins (Latvia) had gotten away from the group of favorites along with Ben Healy (Ireland).  They had already caught and dropped Tadej Pogacar's erstwhile companion Pavel Sivakov but still had to close another 38 seconds up to Pogacar.  Skujins was looking over the support motorcycles of both Shimano neutral support and race marshals to make sure no one was closing on them from behind.  In the Worlds, the riders don't have race radio, so figuring out what is happening on the road gets a bit tough to lay down a race strategy mid-race.

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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Anyone Coming? Z24-12" (Original art by Greig Leach)

UCI Worlds, Zurich 2024, Elite Men's Road Worlds: Stretching Their Advantage

Both Tadej Pogacar (Slovenia) and Pavel Sivakov (France) both look over at the timekeeper's motorcycle to see just how far back the chaser are.  With 73 kilometers the duo from UAE Team Emirates were stretching out their advantage to just shy of a minute over those closest behind them.  Pogacar had waited for Sivakov at the top of a climb after they escaped the breakaway.  He knew that despite his strength there was still too many kilometers to try and go it alone to the finish line.  However, he eventually found the Slovenian's pace just too much to stay on his wheel.

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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.  

"Stretching Their Advantage Z24-11" (Original art by Greig Leach)

UCI Worlds, Zurich 2024, Elite Men's Road Race: Going from the Break!

It only took about twenty kilometers for Tadej Pogacar (Slovenia) to get off the front of the peloton through the breakaway and off the front of the race.  Many tried to hold onto his wheel again, but it was only his trade teammate, Pavel Sivakov (France) who could manage to stick with the defending Tour de France champion.  Perhaps doing team training sessions together helped Sivakov to understand just how Pogacar rides.  With 78 kilometers left to race, it was a bit early to try to go solo, but then Pogacar did go eighty kilometers alone this year at Strade Bianche.  And this time he as a guy who will work with him, for the foreseeable future at least.  

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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Going from the Break! Z24-10" (Original art by Greig Leach) 

UCI Worlds, Zurich 2024, Elite Men's Road Race: Trying to Cover Pogacar

Knowing that the real race was up the road, Tadej Pogacar (Slovenia) attacked the peloton on Witikon Climb.  The first to attack was Quinn Simmons (USA) but when the Slovenian superstar came up to him, he just couldn't stay on the wheel of the lime green express train.  Michael Matthews (Australia) was fading away just as quickly as the American.  With 100 kilometers to go, I don't think anyone really expected him to launch so early, but it wasn't like the Slovenian teammates didn't telegraph the impending attack.  However, knowing Tadej is going to go, and being able to go with him are two entirely different things.

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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Trying to Cover Pogacar Z24-9" (Original art by Greig Leach)

UCI Worlds, Zurich 2024, Elite Men's Road Race: Coming Across

It was a large group of ten guys that got away from the peloton and went of in search of the six-man breakaway.  As they crested the short steep climb of Witikon, they were a minute behind the break and two minutes ahead of the peloton.  Most were there to help their team leaders later like Jan Tratnik (Slovenia), Laurens De Plus (Belgium), Florian Lipowitz (Germany), and Kevin Vermaerke (USA).  However, it can be argued that Magnus Cort (Demark), Johannes Stamne-Mittlet (Norway), Mattia Cattaneo (Italy), Pavel Sivakov (France), and Jay Vine (Australia) were here for themselves.  If these men managed to join with the leading group, it is highly likely that they will be in with a chance to win a medal today.  They do still have another 117 kilometers to race and some very big names (and teams) are in the peloton behind.

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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Coming Across Z24-8" (Original art by Greig Leach)

UCI Worlds, Zurich 2024, Elite Men's Road Race: Checking Everyone Out

As the home team rider, Silvan Dillier (Switzerland) swings off the front of the breakaway, he looks at each of his five companions in turn.  He had been chatting quite a bit with the second guy in line, Rui Oliveira (Portugal) for a number of kilometers.  I do think he was trying to judge if Oliviera, along with Luc Wirtgen (Luxembourg), Tobias Foss (Norway), Simon Geschke (Germany) and Piotr Pekala (Poland) have the legs to take this break deep into the race.  At this point they do have three minutes on the peloton, but they have 213 kilometers left to race.  They haven't gotten to the start of the seven-lap circuit in and around Zurich yet.  But as Dillier and Geschke both know, you have got to roll the dice and go in the break to have any chance of winning the day against the favorites of the men's peloton.

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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Checking Everyone Out Z24-7" (Original art by Greig Leach)

UCI Road World Championships, Zurich 2024, Elite Women's Road Race: Doubling Up!

Despite everyone gunning for her, Lotte Kopecky (Belgium) still out sprinted the pack of seven women to claim her second World Championships in a row.  While Elisa Longo Borghini (Italy) being the one to start the sprint, she was swamped by Kopecky, Liane Lippert (Germany) and Chloe Dygert (USA).  To her credit she fought back just catching the German to claim the third step of the podium.  Dygert was a full bike length behind Kopecky, but roughly another bike ahead of the Italian.  It is worth remembering that Dygert had to chase down the leaders, so it may have been that effort that burned just enough of her legs to blunt her sprint to the line.  It will be nice painting Kopecky in the Rainbow Jersey for another year.

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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Doubling Up Z24-6" (Original art by Greig Leach)

UCI Road World Championships, Zurich 2024, Elite Women's Road Race: Four Women Two K

Just two more kilometers to race and it seems as though the podium would be decided between these women.  Ever cautious, Lotte Kopecky (Belgium) looks back to check and see just how close those chasing behind might be. Right behind her is Demi Vollering (Netherlands) who is a prolific racer who has yet to win the World Championships.  Behind her is Liane Lippert (Germany) and it is Elisa Longo-Borghini (Italy) riding shotgun.  The Italian is best positioned to launch a surprise attack in hopes of out sprinting the others.

If they get too cute trying to out fox each other, the two or three behind could catch back on and spoil the party.  Two out of the three are known to be great sprinters.

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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Four Women Two K Z24-5" (Original art by Greig Leach)

UCI Road World Championships, Zurich 2024, Elite Women 's Road Race: Chasing on Her Own

Dropped on the final big climb of the course, and the descent, Chloe Dygert (USA) used her time trial skills to chase down the leading foursome on her own.  Behind her the defending champion, Lotte Kopecky (Belgium) was working with the other dropped Dutch woman Riejane Markus.  At this point, Dygert was gaining on those ahead, and putting time into the rest behind her.  With just over fifteen kilometers left to race, it was now or never if she wants to compete in the finale for the Rainbow Jersey.

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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Chasing on Her Own Z24-4" (Original art by Greig Leach)

UCI Road World Championships, Zurich 2024, Elite Women's Road Race: Holding a Minute

 As in every UCI Worlds the Dutch fans were out in force all along the 154-kilometer course in and around Zurich with ever wilder fan costumes, flags, and banners.  Just as noticeable are their orange clad racers setting the pace off the front of the peloton.  One the wheel of her teammate Reijane Markus, Marianne Vos (Netherlands) helps pull the quartet in their effort to stay away from some of the other favorites for the day.  On Vos' wheel is Justine Ghekiere (Belgium).  Looking back to see just how close the chasers are is the Australian, Ruby Roseman-Gannon.  The foursome had built a lead of just over a minute, but as they rode by the large painted Dutch flag the gap had dropped to fifty seconds.

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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Holding a Minute Z24-3" (Original art by Greig Leach)

UCI Road World Championships, Zurich 2024, Elite Women's Road Race: Tagged onto the Back

As the peloton was about to start another lap around Zurich the cold and wet was seeping into the bones of many hoping to factor in the race for the Rainbow Jersey.  The Italian Gaia Realini (Italy) found herself just getting tagged off of the wheel of the recently crowned Olympic Road Race Champion, Kristen Faulkner (USA).  They were losing the wheels along with a rider I couldn't identify due to so much rain gear and warm jackets, arm-warmers and soggy socks.  I did manage to figure out that the local rider, Elena Hartmann (Switzerland) was another that was finding the multiple trips up the steep climbs and wet scary descents becoming a bit too much.

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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Tagged onto the Back Z24-2" (Original art by Greig Leach)

UCI Worlds, Zurich 2024, Women's Elite Road Race: Attacking in the Rain

For a wide number of reasons, it has taken me quite some time to finish painting the UCI Road World Championships in Zurich.  In fact, I've had to limit myself to just the women's and men's road races.  My wife had shoulder replacement surgery the day before the races started and recovery has been tough.  I had the pleasure of serving has her nursemaid, so painting wasn't really an option.  And then there has been lots of administrative issues on top of that.  Nevertheless, here we are.

The weather was horrible for the elite women's race, but despite the slick roads and biting cold, it was an aggressive and exciting race.  With 71 kilometers to race the aggressions were started by Riejane Markus (Netherlands) use one of the seven trips around Zurich to launch an attack.  First to respond to the Dutch woman was Niamh Fisher-Black (New Zealand). They were marked in turn by Mie Bjorndal Offestad (Norway) and Chloe Dygert (USA).  Behind these four, the leading peloton struggle to get on terms with Markus' move.

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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Attacking in the Rain Z24-1" (Original art by Greig Leach)