Tour Femmes '25, Stage 7: With a Solid Lead

As the breakaway went up the Cote de Saint Franc, they had shed about half of original group.  Some of those still there on the climb were the two Americans, Chloe Dygert (Canyon/SRAM-zondacrypto) and Ruth Edwards (Human Powered Health) along with Celia Le Mouel (Ceratizit), Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) and the ever-aggressive Maeva Squiban (UAE Team ADQ).  The group increase their advantage on the way up the first categorized climb of the day.  They now have over four minutes on the peloton that includes the Maillot Jaune, the Maillot Vert, and the Maillot a Pois.  Is this the move that will win the stage?

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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"With a Solid Lead TdFF25-37" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 5: Chasing the Bonus

With the breakaway now back in the fold, or on out the back of the peloton, it was time to wind up the time bonus sprint.  In three separate stages of this Tour, there are sprints late in the stage that award bonus seconds.  Actually, they give you a bonus of subtracted seconds from your overall time.  The American Chloe Dygert (Canyon/SRAM-zondacrypto) was leading out her teammate in the Polish National Champion's Jersey, Katarzyna Niewiadoma who was chased in turn by Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Visma-Lease a Bike), an apparently recovered Demi Vollering (FDJ-Suez). Pauline took second in the sprint, followed by Katarzyna getting four seconds and two seconds removed from their overall time respectively.  Demi just missed out getting a bonus.  It is Anna Van Der Breggen (SD Worx-Protime) who is just sneaking into the frame of this painting.

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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Chasing the Bonus TdFF25-27" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Femmes '25, Stage 4: She Found Her Way Through

Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) got a bit boxed in at the start of the spint, even using her shoulder to make a little room to find some open space.  She finally had a lane when the American Chloe Dygert (Canyon/SRAM-zondocrypto) opened her sprint a bit early.  Wiebes' kick for the line left everyone chasing with only Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) able to hold the Green Jersey's wheel.  But again, as it was in stage 3, Wiebes took the win with Vos in second unable to get around the sprinter.  Behind Dygert faded to fourth when Lara Gillespie (UAE Team ADQ) got around her for third in Poitiers.  Today is the first day that none of the leaders' jersey changed hands.  I don't think that will hold true tomorrow.

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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"She Found Her Way Through TdFF25-22" (Original art by Greig Leach)

This painting has sold!

Paris Roubaix Femmes '25: They Caught Us

After the attack by Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) and her teammate Lorena Wiebes were caught by the quartet containing Jelena Eric (Movistar), Chloe Dygert (Canyon/SRAM-zondacrypto), Alison Jackson (EF Education-Oatley) and Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) the sextet didn't really seem to want to keep riding.  With a motivate group behind, it wasn't too long before Kopecky looked back to see the chasers almost on their wheels.  For the SD Worx-Protime duo and Eric, no help was arriving, but the rest found they now had reinforcements to help in their bids to win the fifth Paris Roubaix Femmes.  With just another thirty-three kilometers to race, I was a little surprised that they let themselves be caught by a group of another eight women.

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.

"They Caught Us PR24-4" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Women's Tour Down Under '25, Stage 3: A Sterling Sprint

I couldn't resist the pun for the title of this painting.  First off, it was truly a sterling solo attack that carried Chloe Dygert (Canyon/SRAM-Zondacrypto) to the stage victory in Stirling.  But I had to go for the play with the name of the town that the peloton began and ended the final stage of the 25th Women's Tour Down Under, Stirling.  Dygert was chased by the woman sitting second in the general classification, Silke Smulders (Liv-Alula-Jayco), but showed a clean set of wheels by the time she crossed the line.  Smulders was hoping to score enough bonus seconds and real seconds to take over the Ochre Jersey, but it didn't quite work out.  She did pull within thirteen seconds of the Tour Down Under Victory but will have to content herself with second place.

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 Sterling Sprint TDU25-15" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Women's Tour Down Under '25, Stage 1: Disorganized

Frustrated with the lack of help with the chase of the lone break away, Chloe Dygert (Canyon/SRAM-Zondacrypto) rode off the front of the peloton with less than five kilometers to race.  She was chased by Anya Louw (AG Insurance-Soudal) amongst others.  Regardless of the American's efforts, she (nor the rest of the peloton) caught Danieka Hengeveld who claims the first Ochre Jersey of the 2025 Tour Down Under.

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. 

"Disorganized TDU25-5" (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: 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 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)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 3: Really Close!

When I stopped the video to paint (and title) this, I didn't know yet if Chloe Dygert (Canyon/SRAM) had posted the new best time or not.  She had.  The World Champion in the Women's Individual Time Trial had managed to claim the lead when she finished by the slimmest of margins, a mere 0.019 seconds over Loes Adegeest (FDJ-Suez).  But a win is a win, or so she thought until one more rider cross the line.  This ride gave her second on the day and moved her into third on the general classification.  She certainly honored the Rainbow Stripes.

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.

"Really Close! TdFF24-13" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Women's Track Cycling Team Pursuit: Looking Smooth

The women of Team USA were looking really smooth, and really fast in the Team Pursuit Gold Medal Race.  The quartet of Chloe Dygert on the front followed by the road cycling Gold Medalist, Kristen Faulkner and in turn by Lily Williams - just swinging off with her job done is Jennifer Valente - were up against the powerful New Zealand team.  Both Dygert and Faulkner have already competed in the road cycling, in fact Dygert has already done the time trial as well.  They were so smooth and fast that they claimed the win for the Gold Medal in Team Pursuit.  That does mean that Faulkner now has two Olympic Gold Medals, and Dygert has the medal that crashes prevented her from winning last week.  Their Gold is part of why the USA now has the most total Olympic Medals and the most Gold Medals in these games.  It makes you wonder what the next games in the United States will look like in the medal count.

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.

"Looking Smooth PO24-74" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Women's Road Race: Chasing the Chasers

It was the crash of Chloe Dygart (USA) that broke the peloton apart as they started up the Montmartre climb.  Once she got back up and underway, she spent a great deal of time chasing down those ahead of her on the road.  By this point she had dropped the third group on the road, enough so that her team car has been able to slide in behind her.  She chased for the rest of the day, almost catching the chase group as they finished the race in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower.  She finished the day in 15th just over three and a half minutes behind the new Olympic Gold Medalist.

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 the Chasers PO24-65" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Women's ITT: Wet Roads

I may have had a premonition when I was titling this painting.  As in the opening ceremonies, Paris was under a constant rainfall for the last 24 hours.  Not exactly the best conditions for any bike race, particularly a time trial.   As the current World Champion in this discipline, Chloe Dygert (USA) had the honor of going last today, but the weather wasn't changing for her.  Just after I painted this and restarted the video here rear wheel slid out from under her.  She wasn't the only one to hit the tarmac today, but she looked like she was on a medaling ride.  She did manage to gather herself and finish with a Bronze Medal in the opening cycling event of these Games.

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. 

"Wet Roads PO24-5" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Yorkshire 2019 - Elite Women's Road Race: In the Middle

The new World Champion, Chloe Dygert (USA) in the time trial was doing her best to chase down the leader on the road (and the woman she had bested by one and a half minutes earlier in the week).  Dygert was the one animating the race getting away from those chasing her on her second attempt to get free.  After gaining on the leader, it was looking like she was not continuing to close.  Unfortunatley the duo being was putting time into her lead.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

Please be sure to visit my YouTube Channel and subscribe if you like what you see.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Yorkshire%202019/3398417-40-266225/In%20the%20MIddle%20%20UCI19-40.html

Yorkshire 2019 - Elite Women's Road Race: Thirsty Work

Soraya Paladin (Italy) dropped back from the front chase group to get a bottle and talk race tactics with her coach.  The Italians were in a good position with two riders in this group.  In even better shape is defending World Champion, Anna Van Der Breggan (Netherlands) whose teammate was the one off the front solo.  The American, Chloe Dygert, was the one leading the chase.  It doesn't look like this group is making much of an impression on the former Time Trial Champion, although it is Dygert who is the brand new Champion against the clock.

Watch this painting come to life in this time lapse video on my YouTube channel, and here:

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

Please be sure to visit my YouTube Channel and subscribe if you like what you see.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Yorkshire%202019/3398404-38-266225/Thirsty%20Work%20%20UCI19-38.html

Yorkshire 2019 - Elite Women's ITT: Breathtaking

Breathtaking was how the commentator, Anthony McCrossan describe Chloe Dygert's (USA) ride in today's time trial.  I think we can take this both literally and figuratively.  When she finished her ride she was over three and a half minutes faster than anyone to finish their race thus far.  She ended the day taking the Rainbow Jersey of World Champion by just over a minute and a half from Anna Van Der Breggen (Netherlands) and an additional ten seconds from Annemiek Van Vleuten (Netherlands).

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

Please be sure to visit my YouTube Channel and subscribe if you like what you see.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Yorkshire-2019/3394133-17-266225/PaintingBreathtaking-UCI19-17.html

Yorkshire 2019 - Elite Women's ITT: Two by Two

I pulled this title from two (sorry, yet another pun) different aspects of this painting.  First it has been raining so hard that it seemed that the animals should be gathered two by two and loaded onto Noah's Ark.  In fact, it looks like Noah just to the left of the painting checking is loading manifest.  The other, Chloe Dygert (USA) was on a storming ride to Harrogate catching riders two by two who had started their time trial ahead of her.  Dygert was clearly ignoring the signage on the roadway suggestion she go slow.  When the American went through the time check out on course, she was over four minutes faster than all of those who had gone before her.  Nobody logged a better time at the check than she did for the rest of the day either.

See this painting come to life in this fun time lapse video.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

Please be sure to visit my YouTube Channel and subscribe if you like what you see.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Yorkshire%202019/3394101-16-266225/Two%20by%20Two%20%20UCI19-16.html

Doha 2016, Women's TTT: Tucked In

While I had hoped to repeat the on site live painting of the 2015 UCI Road World Championships that I did here in Richmond, Virginia, many others that were on the roads of Richmond are now racing through the desert in Doha, Qatar.  Starting the racing off in the Elite Women's Team Time Trial for Twenty16-Ridebiker was the star of the Junior Women's \ITT and Road Race, Chloe Dygert (USA).  Her American team sat atop the leader board for a little while (the advantage of being an early starter), but finished the day in fifth place.  The weather was certainly a factor today with truly hot temperatures and strong winds full of blowing sand.  Fortunately, there was only one crash, but it put Raboliv out of medal contention.

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/2863207-1-227958/PaintingTucked%20In%20Doha1-Greig-Leach.html#.V_qKufArLIU

Women's Tour of California, Stage 3: Stretching Her Legs

Chloe Dygert (Twenty 16-Ridebiker) bedecked in her rather attractive pink detailed Best Young Rider's Jersey, was the second rider to attempt to spoil the day of the sprinters.  Dygert used this very tactic to claim the Rainbow Jersey in her Junior Women's race in the 2015 UCI Road World Championships.  I imagine that there were some in the peloton who knew that this was one rider that they couldn't allow to escape their clutches.  She also claimed the Rainbow Jersey in the Junior Women's Individual Time Trial, so she is no stranger to riding fast on her own.

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".

Naturally, Chloe Dygert features prominently in my book on the Richmond 2015 races.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2795396-52-223355/Painting.html#.V0NHp_krLIU

Women's Tour of California, Stage 2, Double Checking

Ever the experience racer, Kristen Armstrong (Twenty 16-Ridebiker) looks back over her shoulder to make sure that she has brought the necessary number of teammates to the line.  In a Team Time Trial, the time for all of the riders is taken when a predetermined number of riders cross the finishing line.  In this case the magic number was four.  The young start of the Richmond UCI Road World Championships, Chloe Dygert, was the fourth and the one to stop the clock for the winning time for her team.  Chloe Dygert won both her classes' time trial and road race claiming the rainbow jersey for both victories.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting along with my book, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI World Road Racing Championships," 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.  Remember, it is a one of a kind piece, so once it is sold, it is no longer available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2794409-39-223355/Painting.html#.V0FHFfkrLIU