Liege Bastogne Liege '22: Catch and Hope to Release

On the way up the final climb, the Cote de la Roche-aux-Faucons, Remoc Evenepoel (Quick Step-Alpha Vinyl) jumped clear of the chasing peloton.  Evenepoel is known for going on long solo efforts to win a race.  Today he left it rather late for his normal standards.  He actually tapped his head to tell us all that he knew he was racing smart today.  He picked up and dropped each member of the early break away.  It was only Bruno Armirail (Groupama-FDJ) who could hold the young Belgium riders wheel.  Yet he to was eventually dropped as the pair got within twenty kilometers left to race.  Those of you who fish should get where I was coming from with this title.

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 and Steve Quiller brushes 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/Spring-Classics-/3881100-505-195767/Painting/catch-and-hope-to-release-lbl22-5.html

LBL Men: Who Is With Me?

Michael Woods (Israel Start Up Nation) hit the front on the Cote de La Roche aux Faucons.  He hoped to drop some of the faster finishers that couldn't climb as fast as he could.  On his wheel was Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step) who could be described as a strong finisher and a strong climber.  Just gapping off the back of the duo were David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) and Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates).  I loved the look of the socially distanced fans watching their heros from the other side of the hedge.  It wasn't the normal wild throngs of cycling fans, but then Covid-19 has made everything change over the last year for us all.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above.  Since ti is an original work of art, it is a first come first seved reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburth 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/Spring-Classics-2021/3808164-40-290150/Painting/who-is-with-me-lbl21-5.html

LBL Femmes, Schooling the Peloton

 Sometimes there is an image that I just can't resist painting.  This was just such a moment, and it fit the story of what was happening in the final kilometers of today's race.  Lizzie Diegnan (Trek-Segafredo) was schooling all of those behind on how to race the final kilometers of the Liege Bastogn Liege Femmes.  As she hit the foot of the final climb, the Cote de la Roche aux Faucons, she had a minute on those that seemed unwilling to commit to chasing and just fifteen kilometers to race.  I'm often ask how I choose what to paint from each race, here is an example of part of that selection process.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow th edirect link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above.  Since ti is an original work of art, it is a first come first seved reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburth 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/2020-Bike-Racing-Revised-Season/3714911-20-280747/Painting/schooling-the-peloton-lbl20-3.html

LBL: Risking It All

Others had tried on the way up and over the Cote de la Roche aux Faucons, but it was Jakob Fulgsang (Astana) who got away from everyone else.  His race almost came to grief on the wet roads and the slick painted markings.  He turned his bike sideways and yet managed to keep himself up right on the way back down the other side of the climb. 

Ironically, in the Rio Olympics, it was Annemiek van Vleutin who crashed and broke her back in very similar circumstances.  Ironic because she was the winner today of the Femmes Liege Bastogne Liege.  Clearly she has recovered from that rather horrible day in 2014.

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.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/3325640-448-195767/Risking%20It%20All%20%20LBL19-6.html

LBL: Getting Away

With the final ascent up the Cote de la Roche aux Faucons, it was time to make an attempt to catch the race napping.  Tim Wellens (Lotto Soudal) was the first to go, perhaps hoping to be the first Belgium rider to win the race since 2011.  More likely he just want to win.  After a bit of drying out, it was a cruel fate of weather that the final kilometers including a steep descent would be contested on wet roads.

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.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/3325636-447-195767/Getting%20Away%20%20LBL19-5.html

Liege Bastogne Liege: Move & Counter

With the final member of the early break caught, it was time for the attacks to come from the peloton.  The Cote de la Roche aux Faucons provided the perfect launch pad.  First to attack was Philippe Gilbert (Quick-Step) who was countered by Sergio Henao (Sky).  Quick-Step has been able to use its strength in numbers to great affect this season, so it was that Bob Jungels (Quick-Step) that was able to counter the counter attack by Henao.  Striving to hold onto the Luxembourg Champion's wheel was one of two Canadians in the race, Michael Woods (EF Education First-Drapac).  With just twenty kilometers left to race, it was the time to try a split the peloton apart, and that is exactly what was taking place on the penultimate climb of the day.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3151254-427-195767/PaintingMove-&-Counter-LBL18-7.html

Liege Bastogne Liege: Damn, They're Here!

I am sure that in his heart of hearts Jerome Baugnies (Wanty Groupe-Gobert) didn't honestly believe he would hold off the entire peloton. However, I am sure he was disappointed to see the Bahrain-Merida led peloton catch him at the bottom of the Cote de la Roche aux Faucons. I am assuming that Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida) put his team on the front in hopes of launching an attack on the fast approaching climb. Pulling back the last man of the break away was just an added advantage.
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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3151252-426-195767/PaintingDamn,-They're-Here!--LBL18-6.html

Liege Bastogne Liege: Playing Their Cards

With moves and counter moves being pulled back into the peloton and multiple riders now with a better chance of pulling off the surprise victory, everyone thought they would play their cards for themselves and for their respective teams.  Romain Kreuziger (Tinkoff Saxo) went on the attack first, but his move was quickly covered by Giampaolo Caruso (Katusha) as the pair climbed the Cote de La Roche-aux-Faucons.  Thousands turned out to watch their heroes climb, to drink beer and munch on the famous Frites.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that 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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2546760---195767/Painting.html#.VT46piHBzGc