Flanders 2021: The Elder States Woman

With apologies I couldn't resist this titled.  In fact, I came up with the title before I created this watercolor.  You see, Amber Leone Neben for the United States of America is the oldest women competing in Flanders this year.  At 46 years old she is five years older than anyone else in the race, and she is from the States, so thus the title.  It is also a riff on the obsessively formal manner that US Senators will use when addressing each other, think, "The elder statesman from Ohio" for example.   But enough about the title, Neben was burning up the course and took a new second place as she crossed the line in Brugge.  Alas, two out of the three women behind her posted just slightly better times, so she ended her time trial in fourth overall.  For comparison, the winner was young enough to be her daughter.  I point this out not because she is a woman, but she gives hope and faith to all of us older cyclists.  Plus, it belies the ridiculous (now gone) rule for a median age of a team for women's cycling.

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 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/Flanders-2021/3837724-12-292177/Painting/the-elder-states-woman-uci21-12.html

Doha 2016, Elite Women's Road Race: A Drink and a Chat

While her teammate Amber Neben (USA) was off the front of the peloton, Lauren Stephens took the opportunity to drop back to their team car.  As her sports director passed over more bottles, I am sure they took the opportunity to plan their next move should Neben be reeled back in.  The arm passing out the bottles was covered in tattoos, a sight that is becoming more and more familiar, but not so much fun to paint.  The maroon car just ahead of them is that of the race director.  None of the cars in the caravan are allowed pass his vehicle unless directed by him, but that only happens after a group has more than a minute or two on the peloton.  That certainly wasn't going to happen in the late stages of today's race.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2865807-53-227958/PaintingA%20Drink%20and%20a%20Chat%20Doha53-Greig-Leach.html#.WAJ7SOArLIU

Doha 2016, Elite Women's Road Race: Off on Her Own

Amber Neben (USA) must have gotten frustrated with the surge and slow pacing of the peloton as each team tested the legs of the others.  Neben, who had won the Women's Elite Individual Time Trial, decided she could use her obvious form to go for a second Rainbow Jersey.  With 43 kilometers left to race, it would be nearly the exact same distance that she had won with in Tuesday's race.  Even without succeeding, her move would take the pressure off of her teammates, allowing them to follow the wheels of the others who would attempt to catch her.  Neben was eventually caught, but it took the peloton nearly 20 kilometers to do it.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2865789-52-227958/PaintingOff%20on%20Her%20Own%20Doha52-Greig-Leach.html#.WAJ4CeArLIU

Doha 2016, Elite Women's ITT: A Lonely Discipline

The individual time trial can be a very lonely discipline.  You may have a sports director yelling through either a megaphone or in your ear via radio, but it is what you and your legs can do on the day.  Amber Neben (USA) was showing the world what her legs, her 41 year old legs, could do in Doha.  Neben had worn the Rainbow Jersey after winning it in 2008, today she claimed it back for herself eight years later.  If you are wondering, the tents to her right are were the soigneurs will be stationed for the road races to come later this week.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2864248-27-227958/PaintingA%20Lonely%20Discipline%20Doha27-Greig-Leach.html#.V_2druArLIU

Women's Tour of California, Final Stage: Riding Off the Front

The final stage of the Women's Tour of California featured a twenty lap circuit race through the streets of Sacramento. The course was the same as the final section of what the men would ride after their ride along the Sacramento River.  With a flat course and only six turns per lap, it was going to take an extreme effort to ride away from the peloton.  Perhaps it would take a miracle or a disaster to stay away.  One of the attempts to fly off the front was launched by Amber Neben (Bepink).  She did managed to prize out ten or twenty seconds, but like others before her, she was soon back with the ladies of the peloton.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was painting using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company (www.richesonart.com).  This painting along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  While you are at the website, be sure to check out my two cycling art books, "Book du Tour: Art of the 101st Tour de France" and, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships".

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2795690-54-223355/Painting.html#.V0O_j_krLIU