Gent-Wevelgem '25: Capturing the Moment

I was confident that Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) would make his long solo effort stick.  In his post-race interview, he revealed that he wasn't so sure.  He pointed out that he was well aware just how fast the peloton can close in the final kilometers of a race.  It wasn't until he looked back at four-hundred meters and saw no one that he finally felt that he would win Gent-Wevelgem for the second time in a row.  He has now won a total of three times, tying a record held by Cippolini, Sagan, Boonen and Merckx.  That is some seriously big names in the annals of professional cycling.  No man has won Gent-Wevelgem four times.... yet.

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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Capturing the Moment GW25-6" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Gent-Wevelgem '25: No Progress

Despite the combine efforts of Timo Kielich (Alpecin-Deceuninck), both Jonas Abrahamson and Rasmus Tiller (Uno X-Mobility) and Yves Lambert (Soudal-Quick Step) the peloton wasn't making any real progress towards catching Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek). Lidl-Trek did have two of Pedersen's teammates, Alex Kirsch and Toms Skujins, doing their best to disrupt the chase of their defending champion.  With eight and a half kilometers to go, they were still a minute and twenty seconds behind the flying Dane.  They did manage to catch the other three that were also unsuccessful in their chase of the leader as well.  Now it looks like Pedersen has a very strong chance of winning his third Gent-Wevelgem.

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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"No Progress GW25-5" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Gent-Wevelgem '25: Losing Ground

Despite their best efforts, the trio of Victor Campenaerts (Visma-Lease a Bike), Marco Haller (Tudor Pro Cycling) and Arjen Livyns (Lotto) kept losing time to the flying Mads Pedersen.  Haller was the sole survivor of the early breakaway.  Both Campenaerts and Livyns had bridge up to Haller in the last twenty kilometers or so.  With thirty-two kilometers to race, they were now a minute and a half behind the lone leader and roughly a minute ahead of the reduced chasing peloton.  It did want to do this piece since I so enjoyed the inflatable of the sun created by Eneco.

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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Losing Ground GW25-4" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Gent-Wevelgem '25: Going on the Kemmelberg

After having bridged up to the early breakaway, it was Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) who used the final climb of the Kemmelberg to drop them.  You know by his bib #1 that he is the defending champion of Gent-Wevelgem.  He clearly had the legs to stage a great defense of that title with another fifty-six kilometers to race.  It is a bit of a tall order to go solo from this far out, but he has shown the form to make me believe it may just be possible.

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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Going on the Kemmelberg GW25-3" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Gent-Wevelgem '25: With a Slight Advantage

As with most of the Classics, the day started with a group eight guys getting of the front together.  Today was no different. Sam Maisonobe (Cofidis), Jasha Suttelin (Jayco-Alula), Max Walker (EF Education-EasyPost), Samuel Leroux and Alex Coleman (TotalEnergies), and Marco Haller (Tudor Pro Cycling) build up a four-minute lead over the peloton at one point.  By the time Victor Campenaerts (Visma-Lease a Bike) joined the escapees, they had just under a minute's advantage with seventy-four kilometers yet to go.  It wasn't looking like it would be a day for the breakaway.  But then, it rarely is.

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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.  

"With a Slight Advantage GW25-2" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Gent-Wevelgem '25: Chasing the Leaders

With the early breakaway within reach, first Johan Jacobs (Groupama-FDJ) and then Victor Campenaerts (Visma-Lease a Bike) go off the front of the peloton in hopes of joining the leaders with 100 kilometers to go.  Campenaerts was successful in the effort, but Jacobs didn't quite have the legs to stay on the Belgium's wheel.  

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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Chasing the Leaders" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Gent-Wevelgem 23, Women's Race: Showing Her Colors

Ever the professional, Marlen Reusser (SD Worx) had the wherewithal to unzip her rain jacket so her team's rather brightly colored jersey would be visible to fans and photographers alike.  Equaling her professional finale was the way she was not only able to hold off the chasing peloton, but she continued to build on her lead.  When she saluted the crowd at the finish she had to wait almost three minutes to see who would be joining her on the podium at the award ceremony.

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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3942741-66-207546/Painting/showing-her-colors-gw23-12.html

 

Gent-Wevelgem 23, Women's Race: Solo Over the Kemmelberg

I suspect that the rather elite chasing peloton thought they would be able to catch Marlen Reusser (SD Worx) on the final trip up the Kemmelberg.  Instead, as she went up the fabled cobble climb, she opened up another handful of seconds.  It was beginning to look like she might not be caught at all.  By now she had a minute and seven seconds on the chasers with another 35 kilometers left to go.

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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3942704-64-207546/Painting/solo-over-the-kemmelberg-gw23-10.html

Gent-Wevelgem 23, Women's Race: Using Her Skill Set

Marlen Reusser (SD Worx) was able to get away from the peloton on the final climb of the Baneberg.  She opened up a few seconds on the chasers but then used the time trial skills that won her the European Time Trial Gold Medal back in 2019.  She uses those same skills to chase down breaks and set a tough pace in service of her teammates.  Today, she was able to use those same skills on her own behalf.  By the time she turned onto the main road back towards the Kemmelberg she had already put a minute into those behind.

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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3942695-63-207546/Painting/using-her-skill-set-gw23-9.html

Gent-Wevelgem 23, Men's Race: Winning Together

With 35 kilometers to race it was clear that Christophe Laporte (Jumbo-Visma) and his teammate Wout Van Aert were going to take first and second in this edition of Gent-Wevelgem, the only question was who would win and who would take second.  It was clear leading up to the final meters that the two had been having quite the conversation. I am sure it was part celebration and part how shall we come to the line in Wevelgem.  They each gestured to the other in respect and admiration.  They then clasped hands in a combined victory salute as they rolled to victory with the rest of the peloton almost two minutes behind.  It seems like they had decided between them that since Van Aert had won last weekend, this one should go to Laporte.  While the Belgium fans would have prefered a Belgium had one, it had been 25 years since a Frenchman had won, until today!  Chapeau!

It does remind me of their three man victory salute at the opening of the Tour de France either last year or the year prior.

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-/3942464-513-195767/Painting/winning-together-gw23-6.html

 

Gent-Wevelgem 23, Men's Race: Long Chase, Short Road

All during the race I have had trouble identifying which rider was whom, I am quite sure I wasn't the only one struggling with the race numbers hidden under various jackets and rain capes.  So I can't say which of the Israel Premier Tech riders was leading the chase (unsuccessfully) of the escapeing duo, but he was being aided by Daniel McLay (Arkea Samsic), Alexis Renard (Cofidis) and Rasmus Tiller (Uno-X).  It was awful nice of Uno-X to give Tiller Norwegian Champion's jacket and vest along with his champion's jersey.  I don't know which of the Bora-Hansgrohe riders is looking back to see if any help was forth coming.  With 14 kilometers left to race, it is very unlikely the couple of seconds they were pulling back were going to get them to the leaders in time, thus the title, "Long Chase, Short Road."

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-/3942463-512-195767/Painting/long-chase-short-road-gw23-5.html

 

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: You Game?

With the peloton all back together having just caught Anthony Turgis (Total Energies), it was Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) using the second time up the Kimmelberg to push the pace in hopes of dropping as many as possible.  As he looked back he found his teammate, Christophe Laporte, the only one staying with him on the slick cobbles of the fabled hill.  Surprisingly, it was the sprinter Caleb Ewan (Lotto Dstny) who was the best of the rest.  It did seem as though Ewan had a bit of trouble getting around the fading Turgis which may explain why he couldn't go with the yellow clad duo.  As I restarted the race -after painting this I began to realize that I had just painted the winning move of this edition of Gent-Wevelgem.

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-/3942459-510-195767/Painting/you-game-gw23-3.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

Gent-Wevelgem Women '22: Appearing When It Matters

All race long Elisa Balsamo (Trek-Segafredo) had been lurking around the back of the peloton allowing her teammates to chase down all of the attacks (it is their job since she is the team leader). Yet here she was showing herself just when being seen meant she was able to take out the victory in the eleventh edition of the women's Gent-Wevelgem.  Just off camera it was last year's winner Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma) taking second, with Maria Giulia Confalonieri (Ceratizit-WNT) taking the last step of the podium.  Perhaps because she kept going in all of the break away attempts, Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) had to settle for fouth on the day.  Those waving the Belgium flag behind the mass sprint would have dearly prefered the Belgium champion to have one rather than the Italian in the World Champion's Rainbow Jersey.

This is the last of this race's paintings.  I'll be back next week with both the men's and women's Ronde Van Vlaanderen.  There will be more races after that with the big one being both the Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes this July.

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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3875783-40-207546/Painting/appearing-when-it-matters-gw22-13.html

Gent-Wevelgem Women '22: I Shouldn't Have Looked

The theory is that if a sole break away rider looks back over their shoulder it means that they are starting to lose steam.  As they look, they are either hoping that someone is coming to join them in the effort, or wondering if they have the legs to hold off the fast closing peloton.  Unfortunately, it was the latter for Grace Brown (FDJ Nouvelle-Aquintaine Futuroscope).  As she looked behind, she could see the all out efforts of Riejanne Markus (Jumbo-Visma) and the break away killer for the day, Ellen Van Dijk (Trek-Segafredo).  All day whenever a group need to be pulled back for her team leader, it was Van Dijk that would hit the front of the chasing group.  As soon as she did, that was the end of the chances of any group of escapees.  Earlier she had been called back from a group of escapees just to bring her teammates back into contention.  She did.

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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3875767-39-207546/Painting/i-shouldnt-have-looked-gw22-12.html

Gent-Wevelgem Women '22: Picking Her Pocket

I doubt Christine Majerus (SD Worx) was actually picking the pocket of her teammate Chantal Van Der Broeck-Blaak, but that is what it looked like.  I think actually there was something flapping in the wind that hadn't gotten stuffed all of the way down.  Ever conscience of wind drag Christine thought she might help out Chantal save a modicum of energy.  Should it be a problem Chantal does have Rachel Neylan (Cofidis) as a witness to the "crime."   This group was also saving their energy by hanging out at the back of the leading group with just another 24 kilometers to race.  One can almost be sucked along by those breaking the wind at the front of the group, but if there is an attack you are SOL to get on terms. Majerus jersey is that of the Champion of Luxembourg.  That's why the teammates' jersey don't match.

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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3875762-38-207546/Painting/picking-her-pocker-gw22-11.html

Gent-Wevelgem Women '22: Way Over the Top

When I created this title I thought I was being very clever, now as I write this I don't know what I was thinking.  Perhaps I was referring to the crowds yelling as Grace Brown (FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine Furturoscope) tossed her bottle into the fans at the top of the Kimmelberg.  Or it could be the long line of soigneurs reaching to hand bottles to their riders.  But then most likely, it was that Grace Brown went over the top of the climb with a gap on the chasing peloton, and that is clearly the way she wanted to go over the top... get it?

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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3875743-37-207546/Painting/way-over-the-top-gw22-10.html

Gent-Wevelgem Women '22: Are We Waiting?

These leading four women had build up about 15 seconds on the peloton, but were debating whether they should way for three more trying to get on to their wheels.  Liane Lippert (DSM) looked back to see just how close the chasers were as Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon SRAM) took a swig from her waterbottle.  They, along with Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) and Anna Henderson (Jumbo-Visma), decided it would be best to wait for three more in hopes of strengthening their chances of staying off the front.  Alas, it was the wrong decision.  Their delay was enough to give hope to the Trek-Segafredo lead chase from the peloton.

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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3875657-36-207546/Painting/are-we-waiting-gw22-9.html