Wollongong 2022, Women's ITT: Defending Her Title

As Ellen van Dijk (Netherlands) approached the final kilometers of her ride, it was clear that she should be able to defend her Rainbow Jersey from 2021, moving her into a rare group of three time champions at this discipline on the world stage.  Naturally, one of the TV motos had been assigned to follow her around the course through the streets of Wollongong.  Yes she did win the day but she was clearly fading in the final ten kilometers.  However she was able to reclaim the rainbow stripes by a mere fourteen seconds.  It was thirteen seconds more that she had to have.

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/3905968-5-295031/Painting/defending-her-title-uci22-5.html

Wollongong 2022, Women's ITT: Chasing Down Under

I couldn't resist the opportunity to make this pun.  Not only is Kristen Faulkner (USA) racing in Australia, but she is chasing the time of the current leader, Grace Brown of Australia.  If you don't know, the country is known as "down under."  At this point, Faulkner was riding in second place on the road.  And did finish the day in sixth place.  Not a bad showing for a former venture capitalist!  

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/3905964-3-295031/Painting/chasing-down-under-uci22-3.html

Wollongong 2022, Women's ITT: Competely Focused

As she waited to start her race of truth, Annemiek Van Vleutin (Netherlands) could be seen completely focused on the task at hand even before she took to the start house.  As she went down the start ramp, she was no less dialed in as she got herself up to speed.  Unfortunately, she wasn't able to match the speed of the Australian in the hot seat waiting at the end of the course.  She finished her day in seventh, at least she can take comfort in knowing she was in the top ten.  I imagine she will be just that much more intense when it comes time for the road race this coming weekend.

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/3905962-2-295031/Painting/completely-focused-uci22-2.html

Wollongong, Women's ITT: Riding at Home

The UCI Road World Championships got underway Sunday in Wollongong, Australia (that is Saturday night for us here in the USA), but I didn't start painting the racing until Monday.  Grace Brown (Australia) went out hard and fast setting the best time at every time check, including that all important one at the end of the course.  She then spent hours waiting in the hot seat to see if anyone was going to beat her time.  She had some scares, but in the end, it was the very last woman to finish the course who finally edged her out by twelve seconds.  It does mean that Australia claim the first silver medal of the 2022 Women's UCI Time Trial Championship.  

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/3905959-1-295031/Painting/riding-at-home-uci22-1.html

Flanders 2021: Leading All the Way to Brugge

Marlen Reusser (Switzerland) was posting the new best times as she went through both the first and second time checks.  She was holding off Annemiek van Vleutin (Netherlands) behind her.  I am sure that her sport director was yelling encouragement in her ear the whole 30 kilometers to Brugge.  Ellen van Dijk (Netherlands) had a brilliant final kilometers actually increasing her pace as she got closer to Brugge.  Reusser wasn't quite able to accomplish the same acceleration coming up just 10 seconds shy of van Dijk's time.  So it wasn't the Rainbow Jersey for the Swiss woman, but she does end the day with the silver medal.

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-2021/3837725-13-292177/Painting/leading-all-of-the-way-to-brugge-uci21-13.html

Flanders 2021: The Elder States Woman

With apologies I couldn't resist this titled.  In fact, I came up with the title before I created this watercolor.  You see, Amber Leone Neben for the United States of America is the oldest women competing in Flanders this year.  At 46 years old she is five years older than anyone else in the race, and she is from the States, so thus the title.  It is also a riff on the obsessively formal manner that US Senators will use when addressing each other, think, "The elder statesman from Ohio" for example.   But enough about the title, Neben was burning up the course and took a new second place as she crossed the line in Brugge.  Alas, two out of the three women behind her posted just slightly better times, so she ended her time trial in fourth overall.  For comparison, the winner was young enough to be her daughter.  I point this out not because she is a woman, but she gives hope and faith to all of us older cyclists.  Plus, it belies the ridiculous (now gone) rule for a median age of a team for women's cycling.

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-2021/3837724-12-292177/Painting/the-elder-states-woman-uci21-12.html

Flanders 2021: Perfect Form

As I start to write this, I realize that the title could be misinterpreted by those with a less than chase mind.  I am talking about Juliette Labous's (France) perfect aerodynamic tuck.  What did you think I meant?  Labous was posting some excellent times out on course including her second place as she crossed the line in Brugge.  With some very strong riders behind her, that placing dropped to a sixth over all for her effort in the Elite Women's time trial.  Not to shabby.

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-2021/3837723-11-292177/Painting/perfect-form-uci21-11.html

Flanders 2021: Can Lightening Strike Twice?

I feel I may need to explain this title.  This is Anna Kiesenhofer (Austria) who just one the Gold Medal in the Olympic women's road race.  She won by getting into an early break and then leaving that group on her own.  Her solo effort (and the lack of race radios behind) gave her the win in Tokyo.  The ability to ride alone is what this discipline is all about.  Sadly for Kiesenhofer today wasn't to be her day as she finished in 17th place on the day.  But on the other hand, she is the Olympic Champion for another three years.

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-2021/3837720-10-292177/Painting/can-lightening-strike-twice-uci21-10.html

Flanders 2021: Catching Her Minute Woman

This titled isn't entirely accurate.  Actually, Ellen van Dijk (Netherlands) started a minute and a half after Lisa Klein (Germany) who is just ahead of her.  It wasn't that Klein was riding slow, she took 7th place in the final placings on the day, it was just that van Dijk was just that fast.  Not only did she pass the German ahead of her, but she just missed catching Leah Thomas (USA) who finished her ride just about 10 seconds ahead of van Dijk.  Keep in mind Thomas had started a full three minutes ahead of the Dutch woman.  With that kind of a ride it should come as no surprise that she is the new World Champion in the Women's Elite Time Trial.  It did mean she had to wait for 37 other women to finish their efforts before she knew that the title and the rainbow stripes were hers.

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-2021/3837713-9-292177/Painting/catching-her-minute-woman-uci21-9.html

Flanders 2021: She's Just Getting Started

The American Leah Thomas was one of the earlier women to ride down the start ramp in the Elite Women's Time Trial.  She has just made the turn at the bottom of the start ramp as she sprints to get up to speed.  She has just over thirty kilometers of effort ahead of her.  An effort she will make all on her own.  While she posted some early strong times, she finished her day in 14th 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 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-2021/3837706-8-292177/Painting/shes-just-getting-started-uci21-8.html

Yorkshire 2019 - Elite Women's ITT: Getting It Right

Lisa Klein (Germany) already has a Silver Medal from the Mixed Relay, but I am quite sure she was planning on adding to her medal count today.  She did stay on course as she turned on to the final climb up Parliment Street.  It seems that the course officials learned from their and Aigul Gareeva's (Russia) mistakes from the Junior Women's ITT with a marshal blocking the possiblity of going the wrong way.  Klein just missed the podium at her finished, but dropped to fifth with the bronze medal ride of Annemiek Van Vleuten.

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%202019/3394311-19-266225/Getting%20It%20Right%20%20UCI19-19.html

Yorkshire 2019 - Elite Women's ITT: She Has Some Work to Do

Two time reigning Elite Women's Individual Time Trial Champion, Annemiek Van Vleuten (Netherlands) has some serious work to do if she was going to win her third Rainbow Jersey.  Van Vleuten was running around a minute and a half behind the American Chloe Dygert who had already compelted her ride.  In fact, it was going to be and effort to better her countrywoman, (and Road World Champion) Anna Van Der Breggen.  At the end of the day, Van Vleuten captured Bronze on the day with Van Der Breggen claiming Silver, continuing the overall dominance of Dutch Women in the world of cycling.

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%202019/3394235-18-266225/She%20Has%20Some%20Work%20to%20Do%20%20UCI19-18.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

Yorkshire 2019 - Elite Women's ITT: Setting the Standard

Alena Amialiusik (Belarus) may have been the fifth women to start in the Elite Women's Individual Time Trial, but she was the second to cross the first time check on the 30 kilometer course.  With having passed so many who started before her it is no surprise that she set the early best time out on course.  She just got around Olga Shekel (Lithuania), who was setting the second best time with her effort.  Amialiusik carried her advantage all of the way to the finish atop Parliment Street in Harrogate.  And advantage she held through another 29 riders ending her day in ninth overall.

You can watch me create this painting as I talk about watercolors and this bike race on my Youtube channel and here.

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

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/Yorkshire%202019/3394094-15-266225/Setting%20the%20Standard%20%20UCI19-15.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Women's ITT: Looking for the Podium

Linda Villumsen (New Zealand) has had a very strong track record over the years in this event.  She won in Richmond, Virginia (my home town) in 2015.  She has also had three bronzes and two silvers as well.  Today as she drove into the final bends by the harbor, she was looking to get onto the podium once again.  Her times already showed that she would not repeat her ride in Richmond, but this time she wasn't going to find the podium at the end of her 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/3035001-21-239826/PaintingLooking-for-the-Podium--Bergen-21.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, Elite Women's ITT, Early Times

Olympic Gold Medalist, Anna Van Der Breggen (Netherlands) was the second women to roll down the start ramp.  I saw that as a surprising choice for such a high ranked member of the pro peloton.  But clearly she knew what she was doing.  She logically posted best times all along the course, and then watched the weather turn a bit foul as the day wore on.  Ultimately, it was one of her teammates who took the Rainbow Jersey in the end, but she finished the day with the Silver Medal, making it a one two sweep for the Dutch women.  Will the men do the same tomorrow?

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/3034945-16-239826/PaintingEarly-Times--Bergan-16.html

Doha 2016, Elite Women's ITT: Just Around the Bend

With the finish line (and a Rainbow Jersey) just around the corner, Katrin Garfoot (Australia) caught and passed her minute woman, Alena Amialiusik (Belarus).  It had to help Garfoot to have a late race carrot to chase down, just that extra little incentive to spur her to push just that much harder.  Catching the Belarus racer was no mean feet, Amialiusik took tenth overall.  Garfoot pushed all of the way, and while she made the podium it was the bottom step and the bronze medal.  Certainly better then her fourth place in Richmond last year.

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/2864273-32-227958/PaintingJust%20Around%20the%20Corner%20Doha32-Greig-Leach.html#.V_2rouArLIU

Doha 2016, Elite Women's ITT: Driving Home

Ann-Sophie Duyck (Belgium) got out of the saddle and sprinted to the finish line.  Her efforts may have made her feel like she had given all she had (and I believe she did) it still put her off of the podium in 8th place.  Admirable given the size and talent of the field, but not what she was hoping for.  It was great to see a bit of a crowd watching her at the finish line.  I do remember here is Richmond that the crowds were no where near as big for the ITT events, but continued to grow as the Championships moved towards the final road races.

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/2864266-31-227958/PaintingDriving%20Home%20Doha31-Greig-Leach.html#.V_2ozOArLIU