Richmond 2015 UCI Worlds: Home Team Girl

The American, Emma White, was one of the early riders of the Junior Women to hit the course on the first day of riders racing in their national colors.  White had been posting new best times all along the course, times that she carried with her as she pushed all of the way to the line at 5th and E. Broad Streets.  Her ride earned her the top seat as she watch rider after rider fail to knock her off of the leader's chair.  It wasn't until her teammate, Chloe Dygert, hit the line that she knew it would be silver instead of gold for her efforts on the streets of Richmond.

This is a small original watercolor created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushed from www.richesonart.com.  In addition, prints of this painting will be available through the Richmond Times Dispatch website at www.richmond.com, hopefully very soon.

Richmond 2015 UCI Worlds: Taking Them Up Libbie Hill

The Junior Women's Road Race was the first race of the road racing section of the UCI World Road Racing Championships.  The course featured some Belgium style cobble climbs, one up Libbie Hill to the top of Church Hill and the second even steeper one up 23rd Street back up to Church Hill again.  The racing took in one more climb before the finishing line, but at least the asphalt was as smooth as silk by comparison.  Emma White (Team USA) was the first to attack on the first lap up the much feared Libbie Hill.  White had taken the Silver medal earlier in the week in her class's Individual Time Trial.  I am elated to say that she garnered silver again at the finish line 7 laps later.

This is an original small watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  These paintings are created live while watching the races through a feed provided by the Richmond 2015 Worlds organization.  For two more days, you will be able to watch me create the works live at the Fanfest area at 5th and Marshall Streets near the finish line.  You can also purchase either the originals or one of two different sizes of prints while you are there, or later at www.richmond.com.

Richmond 2015 UCI Worlds: Powering to Gold

Chloe Dygert (Team USA) had to spend a long day on the top seat watching women after women try to best her time.  Dygert had to wait for over twenty others to finish before discovering that she had just one a brand new Rainbow Jersey.  Team USA captured both the Gold and Silver in the Junior Women's Time Trial honoring the host country.  The hometown crowd was rewarded with watching two flags of the United States rise over the podium as the Star Spangled Banner blared over the loudspeakers.

It is striking how much access one has to these riders.  I had the opportunity to show Chloe this painting and to congratulate her personally on her victory, along with her teammate, Emma White who was proudly wearing her silver medal.

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 paintings are for sale each day at the Downtown Fanfest in the Greater Richmond Convention Center at 5th and Marshall Streets in Richmond, VA.  There are originals and two different sizes of prints being offered for sale starting at $20.00 USD. Eventually, they will be available through www.richmond.com.

2014 UCI Worlds: New Best Time

All of my cycling paintings are done in as close to real time as possible, without knowledge of the final results.  That being said I was excited when Emma White, riding for the United States, was able to post the new best time with only roughly a quarter of the field of women yet to cross the line.  In any time trial, the rider holding the fastest time over the course will sit in the 'throne' of race leader until either their winning time is confirmed or they have to surrender the chair to the rider who has cover the course in less time.  White was able to hold the chair for some time before the Australian who claimed the overall booted her out of her chair.  Actually the Aussie, Macey Stewart, was quite polite in her victory.  This is an 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/2014%20World%20Championsips/2440516---202544/Painting.html#.VCDkKc_D_IU