Gent-Wevelgem 23, Men's Race: Riding Away

Having gotten a gap on the way up the Kimmelberg, Christophe Laporte (Jumbo-Visma) and his teammate, Wout Van Aert pushed on whilst going down the other side of the climb.  The two quickly opened up just over a minute on the disorganized peloton unable to get back on terms behind.  The peloton was being frustrated by two more of this duo's teammates.  With this situation, Jumbo-Visma was in an enviable position, should Laporte and Van Aert stay away, they will win.  Should they be caught, then Nathan Van Hooydonck and Olav Kooij will be well rested and more than capable of mounting a very strong sprint for victory.  Whether this was by design or good fortune, it was sure to be a winning strategy.

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, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3942462-511-195767/Painting/riding-away-gw23-4.html

Gent-Wevelgem 23, Men's Race: Each Chasing the Others

On the "climb" of hill 63 (a whooping 63 kilometers above sea level) Fabio Jakobsen (Soudal-Quick Step) bedecked in his European Champion's jersey could see his prey just up the road.  He was trying to bridge across to the five man group who had managed to ride away from the peloton.  They in turn were chasing the early break away who were just about to summit the climb.  Everyone has spent long miles racing in the cold, wet, breezy roads of Flanders all in search of cycling glory.  Jakobsen never did make the juncture.  And once caught by the peloton again, soon found himself off the back thanks to this effort.  Still, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

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, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3942439-509-195767/Painting/each-chasing-the-others-gw23-2.html

Gent-Wevelgem 23, Men's Race: Sneaking Off the Front

As the peloton got within a minute of the early break away this group of four managed to slide off of the fornt in hopes of bridging across the gap.  Kim Heiduk (Ineos-Grenadiers) looks back over his shoulder to find that he, Nathan Van Hooydonck (Jumbo-Visma), Florian Vermeersch (Lotto-Dstny) and Matej Mohoric (Bahrain-Victorious) have gotten about a four second gap on those behind.  If they are able to bridge across to those ahead their added numbers should be able to open up a more sustaintial on those behind losing touch behind them.

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, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3942423-508-195767/Painting/sneaking-off-the-front-gw23-1.html

Flanders 2021: The Sprint to the Rainbow

Having been led out in her sprint by none other than her country woman, Elisa Longo Borghini (Italy) Elisa Balsamo had nothing for it but to go hard to the line, braid flying out behind her.  Also behind her and unable to come around was the three time World Champion, Marianne Vos (Netherlands).  Bringing up the best of the rest is Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Poland) claiming her first medal in the UCI Road World Championships.  But it is Balsamo who will be wearing the Rainbow Jersey every time she takes to the start in a road race for the next year.  What a nice new jersey to bring to her new team, Trek-Segafredo, starting next season.  As Balsamo raised her arms in victory, we could just see Longo Borghini mirroring her celebration in their distance.

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-2021/3838702-27-292177/Painting/sprinting-to-the-rainbow-uci21-27.html

Flanders 2021: Rolling Out

Most times my paintings do what they should, but then there are others...  this is a bit of the latter.  Michal Kwiatkowski rolled off the start ramp on the coast in hopes of a strong ride.  It is his ability to ride miles after miles on the front of the peloton that makes his team, Ineos-Grenadiers, so hard to keep out of a leader's jersey.  I am sure he was hoping his legs would deliver that kind of a ride for some personal glory.  It should be pointed out that he is a former UCI World Champion on the road yet I don't think he was one of the main contenders for the rainbow jersey in the time trial.

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-2021/3837377-3-292177/Painting/rolling-out-uci21-3.html

E3 Harelbeke: Dropping Off

The early break of four riders quickly became three as Sjoerd Van Ginnekin (Roompot) dropped off of the pace as they ascended the Kapelberg.  It was Dries Devenyns (IAM Cycling) that lifted the pace on the climb, fortunately for them, Sean De Bie (Lotto Soudal) and Kristian Sbaragli (MTN-Qhubeka) were able to hold the Belgium rider's wheel.  The foursome had an avantage of four minutes on the peloton earlier in the race, but now it gap was only a minute between the two groups.

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 for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2533364---195767/Painting.html#.VRZmfPnF-xU

E3 Harelbeke: Holding on to the Tail

The combination of a large peloton and very narrow roads made for a very long line indeed.  As the riders approached each of the 17 cobbled bergs of E3 Harelbeke, the pace would be lifted by the domestiques to get their men into the best possible position before the narrow ascents the define racing in Flanders.  For those at the back like Marc Sarreau and William Bonnet of FDJ, it can look like a long, long way to the business end of the race.  The wide open flat farm lands can also provide few places to hide from the winds of March.

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 for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2533362---195767/Painting.html#.VRZkavnF-xU