Bergen 2017, U23 Men's Road Race: Attacking the Bell Lap

With one final trip through the streets of Bergen for these under 23 year old men, it was time to try and make an attack stick.  The Italian, Edoardo Affini, was the first to give it ago.  He managed to catch a couple of city buses cross the same bridge as the course (clearly driving on the other side of the barrier) to use as a bit of a slipstream as he got away.  Behind, the peloton was spending a few precious seconds trying to decided if they should attack as one or go one by one.  Unfortunately for Affini, the buses would continue straight shortly whereas he and his pursuers would be going down the ramp to the right.

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3037147-35-239826/PaintingAttacking-the-Bell-Lap--Bergen-35.html

Bergen 2017, U23 Men's Road Race: Getting Across

The silver medalist American from the U23 ITT used his talents to ride across to the swelling early break away.  The USA Cycling team was using some strong tactics by putting Brandon McNulty into the break.  Either the break would succeed and he would be there for a chance to take the gold. Or the more likely scenario would be that the break would be chased down but his teammates would have the right not to ride on the front to bring the break back.  That way they would have fresher legs to go for the race victory.  Unfortunately, all of the Americans faded towards the end of the race, none coming in with the peloton at the end of the day.

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3037099-33-239826/PaintingGetting-Across--Bergen=33.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Women's ITT: A Very Fast Ride

Another of the Dutch riders, Annemiek Van Vleuten, was putting in very fast times around the course, she wasn't besting her teammate Anna Van Der Breggan, but she was very close.  Van Vleuten was the rider who had the horrific crash 13 months ago in the Rio Summer Olympics.  That she ever road again is amazing, but to day I can use the word awesome correctly to describe her efforts today.  Not only was she able to ride at a professional level again, she was able to win the Elite Women's Individual Time Trial today.  So for the next year she will be wearing the Rainbow Jersey everytime she lines up to race an ITT.  Yes, it was a very fast ride, indeed!

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3034993-19-239826/PaintingA-Very-Fast-Ride--Bergen-19.html

Bergen, Elite Women's ITT, The First Corner

The start of the individual time trial is truly a trial, the riders come down the ramp onto cobbles, then get up to speed only to hit a hard left turn into a tunnel.  Coming back out into the sunlight they then climb on to a spiraled approach to a bridge... and that is the easy part.  The Colombian Ana Cristina Sanabria slows as she turns into that first corner on her way around Bergen.  While Colombian cyclists are known for their climbing abilities, she was able to turn that in to a podium finish today.

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3034977-17-239826/PaintingThe-First-Corner--Bergen-17.html

Bergen 2017, U23 Individual Time Trial, Passing on the Birkelundsbakken

The American Nielson Powless was tiding a brilliant time trial.  He was going stronger and stronger as he approached the line.  He seemed to be the only one who wasn't fighting the Birkelundsbakken climb.  He even got Paulo Buccio (Italy) on the lower slopes of the hill.  It seemed to be no question that he would medal, it was just a question of which one.  And then...  As he crested the climb shifting into the big gears for the descent, he slipped his chain.  In the effort to get it back onto the front chain ring he went head over heals onto the asphalt.  While his bike change was incredibly fast, it still cost him too much time.  Buccio never caught him, but he ended his day in seventh.  It just shows, that the race isn't over until it is over.  Crashing is one reason I quit racing, it just hurts too damn much.

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3034584-15-239826/PaintingPassing-on-the-Birkelundsbakken--Bergen-15.html

Bergen 2017, U23 Individual Time Trial: Going Left

The landscape around Bergen, and the city itself as been a real treasure to see during these races.  When I was painting the Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships, I knew every inch of road that the riders were traversing and had ridden them all as well.  Here in Bregen, I don't have that local knowledge, so I can't tell you why the road splits around this building, but I can enjoy painting it.  The Luxemberger, Tobias Wirtgen, was charging back down to the finish line hoping to post a medal worthy time at the line.  When he did arrive he slotted into the Bronze Medal position.  He stayed in the third hot seat until the finish of the third to last rider, thus ending his day just off of the podium.

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3034581-14-239826/PaintingGoing-Left--Bergen-14.html

Bergen 2017, U23 Individual Time Trial: As Fast as He Can

The Dane, Mikkel Bjerg, was setting the best time at nearly every time check along the course.  He seemed to have measured his effort perfectly as he crested the Birkelundsbakken climb.  He just had do drive as hard as he could down the other side, across the pave and through the turns to the harbor.  All he could do is ride as fast as he could.  He did set the new best time at the line, unseating his teammate.  But having ridden in the first group, he was going to have a very long wait to see if his time would stand up.  It did!  Others got close, but none within 20 seconds of the second Danish U23 champion in three years.

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3034570-13-239826/PaintingAs-Fast-as-He-Can-Bergen-13.html

Bergen 2017, U23 Individual Time Trial: Rough Ride

Fortunately for Brandon McNutly (USA) his rough ride had more to do with the cobblestones than with some problems that plaqued one of his teammates (more about that later).  As he swung through the penultimate time check he was changing his grip and bumping along quite swiftly.  He posted the second best time at this point.  And he was able to carry that second place time through the rest of the day earning himself a Silver Medal.  Chapeau!  I will look forward to watching his career develop over the coming years.

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3034569-12-239826/PaintingRough-Ride-Bergen-12.html

Bergen 2017, U-23 Individual Time Trial: Down the Ramp

Alexander Cowan (Canada) was one of the early riders in the first group to roll down the ramp at the start of the 42 mile individual time trial.  All of the Under 23 men would be doing a short and then long lap around the streets of Bergen.  The second lap takes in the climb up the Birkelundsbakken that was the undoing of many of even the best men and women in the professioanl peloton.  Cowan was not expected to be a rider to figure in the medals, but you can win if you don't race.

The starters were broken into five groups to prevent riders from being on the short lap and the long lap similtaneously.  The time trial discipline is all about a clear open road and a single rider against the clock.  With mutliple support vehicles and racers trying to vie for space on the road, it would have provide some riders with an unfair advantage had there not been spaces between the starting groups.

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3034566-11-239826/PaintingDown-the-Ramp-Bergen-11.html

Bregen 2017, Elite Men's Team Time Trial: Leading on the Cobbles

The organizers of the races in Bergen provided a team time trial course that had absolutely everything for the riders and fans alike.  The riders rode over a beautiful suspension bridge, climb a brutal steep hill, and then twisted their way through a section of cobble stones all on their way to a finish down by the historic harbor - a world heritage site.  BMC Pro Cycling was hoping to reclaim the Gold Medal that they had lost in the dessert of Doha last year and were still showing the best times at the third time check.  As they reached the end of the cobbles their fifth rider, Stafan Kung, signaled that he wasn't going to be able to keep on pace, and then dropped away fron the four remainders.  Going to the line with just four guys, they lost eight seconds to the Sunweb team, settling for their second Silver Medal in a row.  Chapeau to Tejay van Garderen, Rohan Dennis, Daniel Oss and all of the team.

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3034306-10-239826/PaintingLeading-on-the-Cobbles--Bregen-10.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Men's Team Time Trial: The Final Corners

I'll admit it, I have a soft spot for CCC Sprandi Polkowice.  It may just be that they have the brightest colored kit in the peloton, but more likely is they always race with agression whenever they take to the start line.  I was very excited to see them posting the new best times along the course AND at the finish line.  With some of the true powerhouses of the discipline to come, I was sure their time wouldn't stand (and it didn't).  But it was nice to see them in the hot seat no matter how briefly.

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3034269-8-239826/PaintingThe-Final-Corners--Bergen-8.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Men's Team Time Trial: Another Goal

Team Sky has been enjoying an amazing second half of the season with Chris Froome taking the wins in both the Tour de France and the Vuelta a Espana.  Today it sure looked like they plan to add World Champion to the list of wins.  They were setting best times at each of the time checks in the early leg of the course ahead of the climb up the Birkelundsbakken.  The two riders on the back, Ian Stannard and Gianni Moscon, were two of the power houses keeping Froome in Red just two weeks ago.  Driving the train was the former Time Trial World Champion, Vasil Kiryienka.  It has been four years since they have been on the podium.  And despite hopes of a win, they have to content themselves with being back on the podium once again, but in the bronze medal position.

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3034257-7-239826/PaintingAnother-Goal--Bergen-7.html

Bergen 2017, Men's Team Time Trial: Time to Defend

Naturally, the last team to roll down the start ramp was Quickstep, the defending World Champions of the Elite Men's Team Time Trial.  The team has been on the podium for five years running swapping Gold and Silver with BMC Pro Cycling.  Today, they had the shock of not even making the podium despite a strong ride, just not strong enough.  They finished their effort in fourth place just seconds off the podium - perhaps they should have kept Tony Martin on the team.  (Although his team didn't do nearly as well as Quickstep).

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3034246-6-239826/PaintingTime-to-Defend--Bergen-6.html

Bergen 2017: Elite Women's TTT: Climbing Together

Defending World Champions, Boels-Doleman, opted to keep the entire team of six women together as they scaled the steep climb out on course.  The orange skin suit clad riders were chasing the times of Team Sunweb around the roads of Norway, just a few seconds off of the pace.  As they reach the line, just one rider short, they just couldn't catch Sunweb.  They will have to settle for the Silver Medal - no shame in that, at all.

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3033346-4-239826/PaintingClimbing-Together--Bergen-4.html

Bergen, Elite Women's TTT: Pushing All of the Way

Clearly Team Sunweb had measured their effort around the 42 kilometer hilly course in Bergen today.  The team was behind at each of the check points except for the only one that truly matters, the final one.  They had sacrificed two riders towards the end of the course, but sprinted hard as they neared the final meters of their day.  As they rode under the banner lead by the American Coryn Rivera, their's was the new best time.  And it stayed the best time as the remaining teams out on course finished their day.  Chapeau!

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3033322-3-239826/PaintingPushing-All-of-the-Way--Bergen-3.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Women's TTT: All Here?

The course for the Team Time Trial included a very steep short climb that will be catching out riders for the entire week of racing in Bergen.  Only the Junior Women's course will skip this climb, all other races (and racers) will have to face this on race day.  As FDJ Novelle Aquitane crested the climb, the rider at the front looks over her shoulder to make sure she has a minimum of three others with her at the summit.  In this TTT, the time is taken when the fourth rider crosses the line.  The team is comprised of six riders giving two riders the option of dropping off of the group.  There are many different strategic methods on how to approach expending riders, apparently, FDJ was hoping to keep everyone together.

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3033319-2-239826/PaintingAll-Here?--Bergen-2.html

Bergen 2017, Women's TTT: Up and Over

It was the women that got the UCI Road World Championships underway in Bergen, Norway today.  And it was Team Virtu Cyclin that were the first to roll down the start ramp and out onto the roads of Norway.  It was quite a sight to see these women ride over the very tall suspension bridge that led them into Bergen proper.  Naturally, the team was setting the best times at each check point, the advantage of going first.  And posted an acceptable time at the end of the day, leaving them in the middle of the back on the day.

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3033316-1-239826/PaintingUp-and-Over-Bergen-1.html