Wollongong 2022, Men's ITT: Coming Home, Fast!

Tobias Foss (Norway) proved today that there is a reason that you race the race.  No one had mention Foss as a potential winner of the Elite Men's Individual Time Trial.  He was posting new best times at every check point on the road, including at the finish.  But as his bib number shows, he had eleven other men racing their hearts out behind him, many of whom are renowned specialists against the clock.  Most notably were; the two time winner of the Tour de France, the current winner of the Veulta d'Espania, and the two time Rainbow Jersey in this very discipline.  Yet in the end he was able to but in an amazing final ten kilometers to win the gold medal (and the right to wear the Rainbow Jersey everytime he races a time trial for the next 12 months).  Kung came close, but came up just a mere three seconds short of Foss' time.  Chapeau!

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 $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Wollongong-2022-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3906195-12-295031/Painting/coming-home-fast-uci22-12.html

Wollongong 2022, Men's ITT: On the Rivot

"On the Rivot" is an old cycling expression that goes back to the days of leather saddles (Brooks made the best - I raced on one back in the 70s).  The saddle had a brass rivot on the front of the seat.  When one is putting everything into the pedals, one has a tendency to slide forward, and thus finding oneself on the rivot at the front of the saddle.   It has come to mean that the rider is going as hard as they possibly can.  That is exactly what Stefan Kung (Switzerland) was doing on this ride.  He was second at the first check and first at the second one.  With only three men behind him, those time stood.  He was 14 seconds ahead of the Norwegian, Tobias Foss, at the second time check, but lost 17 seconds in the final ten kilometers of the time trial.  While he held off those behind him, he would have to settle for the silver medal today.

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 $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Wollongong-2022-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3906194-11-295031/Painting/on-the-rivot-uci22-11.html

Wollongong 2022, Men's ITT: New Best Time at Dumfries

The Men's (and the Women's) time trial course took the riders up the 8 % climb up Dumfries Avenue.  At the top of the climb was the intermediate time check.  As Bruno Armirail (France) reached the summit for the first time he had the newest best time.  Alas, the next to riders on the road behind him went over faster, consecutively.  All day the crowds have been gathering along the side of the road.  While those we can see seem rather sedate, those on the otherside of the road were having quite the party.  They even eventually got organized enough to pull of a small crowd wave.  Armirail finished the day in 10th place overall.

It is worth noting, the this is the first time in the UCI Road World Championships that the Elite Men and Elite Women have raced the same course and distance in a time trial at the world championships.  And they raced both races on the same day, too.

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 $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Wollongong-2022-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3906193-10-295031/Painting/new-best-time-at-dumfries-uci22-10.html

Wollongong 2022, Men's ITT: Speeding

Luke Plapp (Australia) was going out on a fast run in the first heat of the Elite Men's Individual Time Trial.  As he came out of a sharp corner he was well over the 40 kilometers per hour speed limit.  He finished the 32 kilometer course with an average speed of 49.5 kph.  Unlike his country woman in the Women's ITT he didn't stay as high up in the standings as Grace Brown (she got the silver medal).  He eventually slipped to twelfth place by the end of the day.  

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 $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Wollongong-2022-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3906182-7-295031/Painting/speeding-uci22-7.html

Flanders 2021: Celebrating Another One

Flippo Ganna (Italy) had the rare opportunity to celebrate his victory in a time trial as he crossed the line in Bruges.  As the defending World Champion in the time trial discipline he had the luxury of being the last guy to ride down the start lamp, so as he crossed the line, he knew his best time would be THE best time.  The Belgium cycling fans pressing against the barriers would have to content themselves with the knowledge that their men, Wout van Aert and Remco Evenepoel had taken silver and bronze respectfully.  I believe the last man to win back to back TT titles was the man who will retire after these Worlds, Tony Martin.  Chapeau, Ganna!

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-2021/3837391-7-292177/Painting/celebrating-another-one-uci21-7.html

Flanders 2021: On a Fast One

One of the challenges with painting a time trial is trying to guess who will be the players in the leader board at the end of the day.  Kasper Asgreen (Denmark) was out on a strong ride putting in yet another new best time at the first time check.  He stayed near the top as he completed the course, claiming the second spot on the podium when he finished.  Unfortunately for the Dane, two of the three behind him out road him.  He finished the day in that awful position of just off of the podium.  As I watched the race I was struck by just how many bike lanes were all over the course most of which were protected from cars and trucks (that is what the red stripe is going across the road... the red streak is Asgreen).  I think I need to spend some time riding in Europe soon.

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-2021/3837385-5-292177/Painting/on-a-fast-one-uci21-5.html

Flanders 2021: The Other Belgium Hope

Wout van Aert (Belgium) may have had a bit less pressure on him knowing that his teammate was sitting in the hot seat with the best time thus far.  Yet he was still super focus and ready to lay out a strong ride to trade the stripes of his country's flag for the Rainbow Stripes of World Champion.  In this past Tour de France he won the final time trial, but then he also won a stage on the top of a mountain and in a field sprint on the Champs Elysees.  As he road the course, he had the best time including at the end of the course.  With just one guy on the road he was ensured a medal.  He ended the day with the Silver, making it two Belgiums on the podium in the Elite Men's Time Trial.  Not bad for the home team on the opening day of Flanders 2021!

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-2021/3837381-4-292177/Painting/the-other-belgium-hope-uci21-4.html

Flanders 2021: On Home Roads

Remco Evenepoel (Belgium) choose to go out early for the Elite Men's time trial.  I may have been nerves, or just a desire to get done what needs to be done.  Whatever the reason, he was the one setting new best times at every time check on the course.  And that included the most important one at the end of his all out effort.  The down side of going early was that now he had to wait to see if his time would stand up to all of the guys (43 of them) yet to come to Brussels.  Spoiler... He finished the day with the bronze medal, but it was only the last two guys who moved him out of the hot seat he had held for most of the day.

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-2021/3837373-1-292177/Painting/on-home-roads-uci21-1.html

Yorkshire 2019 - Elite Men's ITT: Starting the Celebration

It is an extreme rarity to see a rider celebrate his ride in an individual time trial, after all, it is all about time gains and a celebration slows a rider down.  However, Rohan Dennis (Australia) had such a lead (and he can see the clock as he nears the finish) that he allowed himself a luxury of a celebration.  Dennis had pulled out of the Tour this year just ahead of the individual time trial and has been under press scrutiny ever since.  So he can be pardoned his feeling of vindication in defending his Rainbow Jersey in the Elite Men's ITT.  Under his arm the winner of the Vuelta d'Espania, Primoz Roglic (Slovenia) had been caught by Dennis, but out sprinted the Australian to the line.  He was over three minutes behind Dennis on time but couldn't resist the temptation to race to the line.

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%202019/3395491-28-266225/Starting%20the%20Celebration%20%20UCI19-28.html

Yorkshire 2019 - Elite Men's ITT: Looking for the Podium

Nelson Oliveira (Portugal) had been on a great ride.  As he turned to climb up the hill to the finish line it looked as though he might have a chance at making the podium.  There were some great rides going on behind him, but if he could come in in the top two positions, he may just have a chance at the podium.  Unfortuately, he faded on the long ride up Parliment Street and finished his ride at fourth and the day in eighth.

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%202019/3395487-27-266225/Looking%20for%20the%20Podium%20%20UCI19-27.html

Yorkshire 2019 - Elite Men's ITT: Off the Radar

Lawson Craddock (USA) showed, yet again, his strength of character.  No one seemed to be paying any attention to his ride despite his posting great times all along the route.  There was plenty for commentators and TV cameramen to focus on, but it was dedication to craft that brought Craddock to the line in second at the time he finished.  He later dropped to 6th overall.  Not a bad ride at all, and the best posted by an American in the Men's ITT.

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%202019/3395485-26-266225/Off%20the%20Radar%20%20UCI19-26.html

Yorkshire 2019 - Elite Men's ITT: Fastest Thus Far

Filippo Ganna (Italy) was on a great ride doing everything he could to pull on the next Elite Men's Time Trial Rainbow Jersey.  Ganna was posting the best times at the first and (here) the second time check.  He continued the strong ride up Parliment Street to the line in Harrogate taking over the lead up to his finish.  While he did not win the day, he did take the Bronze Medal for his efforts.

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%202019/3395478-25-266225/Fastest%20Thus%20Far%20%20UCI19-24.html

Yorkshire 2019 - Elite Men's ITT: On a Good One

Rohan Dennis (Australia) was clearly on a good ride today.  He was posting substantially better times than everyone to go before out on the course.  On the other hand, it was a truly bad day for Victor Campenaerts (Belgium).  Campenaerts had crashed which necessitated a bike change.  A little later, he had to change bikes again due to a mechanical.  The two incidents set up this catch by Dennis and left him well out of the medal hunt.  Surprisingly, Campenaerts did finish 11th as he rode across the line in Harrogate almost four minutes behind the time of Rohan Dennis. 

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%202019/3395475-24-266225/On%20a%20Good%20One%20%20UCI19-25.html

Yorkshire 2019 - Elite Men's ITT: On the Rise

I am having a little fun with this title.  Remco Evenepoel (Belgium) is on a small rise out on course as he rides in the Elite Men's ITT.  Evenepoel rode in 2018 as a Junior, but in Yorkshire he is riding with the elite men of the sport.  I am not sure if there has been a rule change, but it does make sense that if a rider has a Pro Tour team contract, then they must ride at the level of all of the other Pro Tour riders.  Normally, at the age of 19, Evenepoel would be competing in yesterday's U23 ITT, but opted instead to ride today.  He was posting best times at every point of his time trial, but dropped to second as the last man to start crossed the line in Harrogate.  Not to shabby!

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%202019/3395474-23-266225/On%20the%20Rise%20%20UCI19-23.html

Yorkshire 2019 - Elite Men's ITT - What Can He Do?

As you may have figured out, I use the TV broadcast to find these images to paint.  I usually just take images that I could physically see if I was on a motorcycle at the race.  That being said, I was intrique by this boom shot as Chad Haga (USA) rolled down the start ramp in Northallerton.  There was a strong possiblity that Haga would be able to lay down a great ride today.  Given the field of competitors, it was unlikely he would pull on a rainbow jersey at the end of the day, but a podium finish wasn't out of the question.  He did manage to finish inside of the top twenty on the day.  Perhaps his Tour de France ride left his too spent to deliver the ride he hoped for.

You can watch this painting come together in this quick 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%202019/3395468-22-266225/What%20Can%20He%20Do?%20%20UCI19-22.html

Yorkshire 2019 - Elite Men's ITT: No Picnic

Riding an individual time trial is no picnic.  However it is a great opportunity for fans of cycling to enjoy one and some great bike racing.  This couple brought their Irish Wolfhounds to watch their dogs' countryman, Ryan Mullen (Ireland) ride by.  I am sure they were there to see most, if not all, of the others speed by as well.  I have seen some terrible scenes of dogs getting into the peloton in the past, but so far, all of the British dogs have been well behaved (and controlled).  Mullen, did not have an easy day of it finishing 32nd on the day.  I seem to remember him not getting the results he wanted when he raced as a Junior back in Richmond, Virginia in 2015.

You can watch this painting come to life as I talk about the race, watercolors and my history with cycling 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%202019/3395462-21-266225/No%20Picnic%20%20UCI19-21.html

Yorkshire 2019 - Elite Men's ITT: Every Twist and Turn

The crowds out enjoying the UCI Road World Championships in and around Harrogate have been amazing.  And they are continuing to build as we move towards the road races starting tomorrow.  Alexey Lutsenko (Kazakhstan) was cheered through every twist and turn of the 54 kilometer course.  Lutsenko has quite a few thousand race kilometers in his legs already, so he didn't produce the ride he would have hoped for.  He finished his day at 25th in the overall standings.

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%202019/3395458-20-266225/Every%20Twist%20and%20Turn%20%20UCI19-20.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Men's ITT: Almost

Almost to the top.  Almost finished the day.  Almost finished with today's racing.  Almost finished with the season.  Almost missing the podium.  Chris Froome (Great Britain) was chasing the rainbow jersey all aroung Bergen today.  He was not posting the best times at any of the check points (and with Tom Dumoulin behind him, they would have stood for long anyway), and he didn't at the summit of Mount Floyen either.  Froome just edged out his trade teammate, Vasil Kiryienka (Belarus) to take the Bronze Medal.  Not what the was hoping for, but I think that having won both the Tour de France (for the 4th time) and the Vuelta a Espana (for the 1st) already this season, I think he can call it a successful season.  He does have one more race on Sunday, the Elite Men's Road Race.  That should be quite the show.

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/3036234-30-239826/PaintingAlmost--Bergen-30.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Men's ITT: With Some Time in Hand

The Slovenian, Primoz Roglic, had done a flawless bike change and hit the climb of Mount Floyen with some speed.  As he neared the summit through the tunnel of noise provided by the Norwegian fans, he had time to spare in his quest for the gold medal (and the rainbow jersey).  He set a definitive new best time, that in the end was enough for the silver medal.  Not a bad result for someone who had not enter the converstation prior to this day of racing.  But it is in the legs on the day where the race is one, or lost.

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/3036226-29-239826/PaintingWith-Some-Time-in-Hand--Bergen-29.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Men's ITT: 300 Meters

Vasil Kiryienka (Belarus) was looking like he was going to repeat his rainbow jersey from Richmond 2015 as he neared the top of the climb.  The normally stoic face of the strong man from Team Sky was twisted in pain as he crossed the line, just a fraction of a second off of the gold medal.  I am sure his ride gave his trade teammate, Chris Froome, a little more information on how to ride this very particular time trial (assuming he had access to the details of the ride).

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/3036213-27-239826/Painting300-Meters--Bergen-27.html