Bergen 2017, Elite Men's Road Race: No Time to Stop

Just as the early break was caught by the peloton, they were all riding through the feed zone.  Conor Dunne figure now was a good time to grab lunch, he is only about half way through the 259 kilometer race.  When I was racing amateur, I always thought I was too tall to make a serious go of racing (plus I wasn't winning every time I went out, either), but Dunne is the tallest professional cyclist by far.  He stands at 6' 8", so tall that I couldn't even fit his head into the painting!  The course had two feed zones where riders could attempt to grab bidons and musettes from the soigneurs since going to the team cars would expend too much energy.  The size of this peloton, 196 riders, meant the caravan was a long, long way away.

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/3038026-50-239826/PaintingNo-Time-to-Stop--Bergen-50.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Men's Road Race: From the Start

It was two Irishman and an Azerbaijani (sounds like the start of a joke doesn't it?) who went on the attack right from the start of the Elite Men's Road Race.  Conor Dunne (Ireland), who had gotten in the early move here in Richmond, Virginia in 2015, looks over his shoulder at his teammate, Sean McKenna.  Between them is Elchin Asadov for Azerbaijan.  The trio would eventually be joined by seven more riders, and they would collectively build quite an advantage in the early part of the 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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3038004-47-239826/PaintingFrom-the-Start--Bergen-47.html

Vuelta, Stage 19: Lantern Rouge

The "Lantern Rouge" is the designation for the rider in last place on the general classification.  That honor is being held by the tallest main in the peloton, Conor Dunne (Aqua Blue Sport).  Dunne is riding for his team, not for a high finish.  He was largely responsible for their climber, Stephan Denifi getting into the break the lead to his stage win.  As proof of the value the team places in the Irishman, he is being assisted up the climb by his teammate, Peter Koning.  For such a big man, he is doing well to hold onto the Team Sky lead peloton as it makes climb after climb on the 156 kilometer day of racing.

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/Vuelta-2017/3031002-45-239162/PaintingLantern-Rouge-V-46.html

Tour of Britain, Stage 2: Beside the Lake

Continuing the beautiful scenery art, the organizers route the peloton (and the break away) over the dam and around the edge of Thirlmere.  Tucked onto the back of the rather large break was Bert-Jan Lindeman (LottoNL Jumbo).  Ahead of the Dutchman was the Irish National Champion Nicolas Roche (Team Sky) who was following Conor Dunne (JLT Condor) and Loic Vliegen (BMC).  The beauty of today's course is making me ache to travel to the Highlands.  My wife's relatives would like it if we did.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2848030-37-189075/PaintingBeside%20the%20Lake%20ToB11-Greig-Leach.html#.V84NEpgrLIU

Tour of Britain, Stage 2: Sprinting Through Town

It was a treat to see the tall Conor Duune (JLT Condor), I last painted the tall Irishman when he raced in the UCI Road World Championships in my hometown of Richmond, Virginia.  Ironically, I have been working on some large scale works that he features in as well, mainly due to his break away in Richmond (just like his efforts today).  Dunne had his work cut out for him trying to be the Yellow Jersey of Andre Greipel (Lotto Soudal) to the intermediate sprint point in Cockermouth.  It shouldn't need to be said, but, Greipel took the sprint (and all three sprints out on the course).  Trying to keep touch with the two fast men where Ramon Singkeldam (Giant Alpecin) and Ryan Mullen (Cannondale-Drapac).

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2848025-35-189075/PaintingSprinting%20Through%20Town%20ToB9-Greig-Leach.html#.V84FqJgrLIU

Richmond 2015 UCI Worlds: The Home Town Boy

It had to be an unbelievable day for American Ben King, he is racing on the very roads that he grew up on in Richmond, VA.  I'm sorry, but how cool is that?  Every kid dreams of playing in the big game, but getting to fulfill it is something altogether different.  While it wasn't going to be the move that won the day, King went early with a nice size group comprised of Jesse Sergent (New Zealand), Conor Dunne (Ireland) amongst others.  The Richmond fans were thrilled to see their hometown boy out on course as much as four minutes ahead of the peloton.

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.  The works were done live in the middle of the Fanfest area across from the awards podium as the racing was going on.  Prints and the originals will be available before very long at www.richmond.com (the website of the Richmond Times Dispatch newspaper).