Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 6: Leaving the Others Behind

Using the climb of the Core de la Rouche du Pretre, these six women jumped clear of the breakaway that they had been with most of the day.  Leading the escapees is Sheyla Gutierrez (Movistar) followed in turned by the Olympic Time Trial Gold Mealist Grace Brown (FDJ-Suez), Justine Ghekiere (AG Insurance-Soudal), Soraya Paladin (Canyon/SRAM).  It is Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) bringing up the rear of the group.  Ghekiere has been grabbing Queen of the Mountain points all day and is now the virtual owner of the Maillot a Pois.  She is also the current virtual Maillot Jaune too, but that isn't likely to stand.  She did become the new Queen of the Mountains at the end of the day, conversely, she lost placings in the general classification.

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.

"Leaving the Others Behind TdFF24-29" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Women's ITT: Nearly Gold

 I was hedging my bets when I titled this painting.  I felt reasonably sure that Grace Brown (Team Australia) would take the Gold in the Women's Individual Time Trial, but there were still two wet corners before the finish.  I have always been a fan of Grace, so I was thrilled to see her having such a great day out.  She ended up taking the win by just over ninety seconds.  She has stated that she plans on retiring at the end of this season, but I imagine there will be pro teams trying to convince her to keep racing.  The title still works because she is just a couple of hundred meters from winning Gold, so she is nearly gold now.  Or the Team Australian kit is nearly gold and green.

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. 

"Nearly Gold PO24-7" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Fleche Wallone Femmes ‘24: The End Is Nigh

Grace Brown (FDJ-Suez) looks back to find the quickly closing peloton with another seventeen kilometers left to race.  She and the woman on her wheel, Paulina Rooijakkers (Fenix-Deceuninck), had set off to catch the two leaders yet were unable to get within a minute of the pair they were chasing.  With the penultimate climb of the day looming, it is unlikely they will be off the front for much longer.

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. 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Professional-Womens-Cycling/4009718-78-207546/Painting/the-end-is-nigh.-fw24-1.html

Tour de France Femmes, Stage 8, Just Underway

It was a treat to see Grace Brown (FDJ-Suez) start out the final stage of this Tour de France Femmes in her Australian National TT Champion's jersey.  I've got to say that FDJ know how to make a great looking national jersey for both the women and the men.  I'm talking to you UAE Team ADQ and UAE Team Emirates.  Brown got underway in Pau to a ride that was the best time as she finished her loop out and back to Pau.  She ended her day in fourth overall once those vying for the podium of the Tour had had their say.  She did well to finish the Tour in 35th as she rode in service of her teammates throughout the previous seven days of racing.

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

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2023/3969042-190-297438/Painting/just-underway-tdff23-46.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

Tour Femmes '22, Stage 8: Attacking the Final Climb

As the lead group hit the turn onto the final climb up to La Super Planches des Belle Filles Pauliena Rooijakkers (Canyon/SRAM) went hard off the front.  Yara Kastelijn (Plantur-Para) and LIane Lippert (DSM) were the first to respond.  It seems that Grace Brown was swinging out of line to be ready to help her three teammates that were in the chasing group of the Maillot Jaune.  That group was just over a minute back.  I suspect that the team wanted her to have something left in the legs to help her companions out.  FDJ had started the day with two riders in the top ten and I am sure they wanted to hold those positions or more likely to improve them 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/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3896690-191-294403/Painting/attacking-the-final-climb-tdff22-50.html

Liege Bastogne Liege Femmes '22: Disappearing Up the Road

With the first attack neutralized, Grace Brown (FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine Futuroscope) saw her chance to go on her own solo raid.  She used the final climb to open up about a twenty second lead on those chasing behind.  She had just another sixteen kilometers left to go, so she was in with a sliver of a chance to claim victory in Liege.  But remember, there is a pissed of Annemiek Van Vleutin on the road behind her, and this time she had some others who were willing to work with her.

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/3881387-51-207546/Painting/disappearing-up-the-road-lbl22-11.html

Ronde Van Vlaanderen Women '22: Lighting the Touch Paper

Annemiek Van Vleutin (Movistar) who had won this race last year, knew that the Kruisberg was going to be a good place to put in her attack for victory.  Last year no one was able to hold her wheel and she rode the remaining 28 kilometers alone to victory.  This year however, she may have dropped Grace Brown (FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine Futuroscope) but Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) was stuck to the Dutch woman's wheel.  There were still a few women up the road, but looking at this duo, the others weren't going to be leading the race for much longer.

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/3877197-44-207546/Painting/lighting-the-touch-paper-rvv22-11.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: 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

Women's Omloop: Covering the Chase

I imagine that Katarzyma Niewiadoma (Canyon/SRAM) was discussing what they were going to do about Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo) with Grace Brown (FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine Futuroscope).  It is Elisa's job to not help this group bridge up to her teammate, Ellen Van Dijk.  Should the other two make the juncture, then she will have the legs to go for the win on her own.  That is classic team tactics, even if it is frustrating for those who don't have a teammate up the 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 $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3868995-26-207546/Painting/covering-the-chase-ohn22-10.html

Amstel Gold Women - Leading Them Around

I had not realized until I started tagging some of these paintings that I have never painted the Amstel Gold race before.  I've watch it in the past, although this is the first time I have been able to watch the women's race.  It was Grace Brown (BikeExchange) who had dropped her break away companion and led the race alone with just 11 kilometers to race.  She had about 30 seconds at this point but chasing her where some of the marquee names of women's cycling.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above.  Since ti is an original work of art, it is a first come first seved reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburth 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/Spring-Classics-2021/3806933-33-290150/Painting/leading-them-around-ag21-2.html

LBL Femmes, Trying to Cross Alone

 Realizing that the seven chasers were never going to get organized and chase down the lone leader, Grace Brown (Mitchelton-Scott) attacked her erstwhile companions.  Brown hope to be able to cross the gap to Lizzie Diegnan (Trek-Segafredo) on her own.  She had enough of a gap on the others that she didn't need to worry about taking someone forward who would only out sprint her in the end.  Alas, Brown never caught Diegnan, but was just a mere 10 seconds behind the winning Brit by the time they reached the line in Liege.  The rest of the chasers sprinted it out over a minute later with one of Diegnan's teammates taking third.  I am always concerned watching the peloton race on these Belgium cement slap roads, the center gap looks to be a tire eater and sure to cause an awful crash.  Thankfully, I have yet to see it happen.  I, however, have had a rather spectacular crash in a tram track while riding in Berlin.  I was fortunate enough to have taken my helmet with me, but I did put quite the gash in my right ear.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow th edirect link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above.  Since ti is an original work of art, it is a first come first seved reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburth 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/2020-Bike-Racing-Revised-Season/3714922-21-280747/Painting/trying-to-cross-alone-lbl20-4.html

LBL Femmes, The Chasers

 This group was desperate to chase back the lone Brit, Lizzie Deignan (Trek-Segafredo) who was a mere 50 seconds up the road.  All of us watching ponder why would they let them go, but all of us who have raced know there is that point when you just don't have the legs to go with the move.  It is a sinking feeling to watch the race go up the road and know you just can't do anything about it.  With the strength of former World Champion, Marianne Vos (CCC-Liv), along with Julietter Labous (Sunweb), Grace Brown (Mitchelton-Scott), Kathrine Aalerud (Movistar) amongst others, should have been able to collaborate in the chase, but each desired the win, thus not wanting to pull the others up to the leader.  As it is said, sometimes you have to be willing to loss to win a race.  However, I think these ladies got the wrong end of that stick.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow th edirect link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above.  Since ti is an original work of art, it is a first come first seved reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburth 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/2020-Bike-Racing-Revised-Season/3714905-19-280747/Painting/the-chasers-lbl20-2.html