Doha 2016, Men's U23 Road Race, Working Together Now

It seems that the break got itself re-organized, perhaps the ever closing peloton made them realize that they still needed each other.  The tall Swiss rider Patrick Muller, is just about to take over the head of the group from Jean Claude Umizebe (Rowanda).  Everyone else is doing their share of the work, mainly because Pascal Eenkhoorn (Netherlands) is policing the group.  He seems to be giving an earful to Amanuel Gebrezgabihier (Eritrea).  Gregory Daniel (USA) is just getting on with the job and hand with his jersey zipped down in hopes of staying a little cooler.  I would think that the Africans in this group would be best suited to the climate but it seems to be the northern Europeans who are fairing best in the heat.

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/2864961-44-227958/PaintingWorking%20Together%20Now%20Doha44-Greig-Leach.html#.V__Ej-ArLIU

Doha 2016, Men's U23 Road Race: Falling Apart

The traditional early break formed piece by piece, eventually building to nine riders.  The initial break was formed by the Dutchman, Pascal Eenkhoorn.  Some of those that joined him can be seen in this painting including Gregory Daniel (USA), Mahdi Rajabikabodchesmeh (Iran), Bryan Gomez (Columbia), Amanuel Gebrezgabihier (Eritrea) and the Irishman Michael O'Loughlin.  At this point over 100 kilometers into the race, the break was starting to attack each other, while others like the Irani rider were struggling with leg cramps and the oppressive hear.  Most of the attacking was coming from O'Loughlin, seems like he was fulfilling an old stereotype.

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/2864951-42-227958/PaintingFalling%20Apart%20Doha42-Greig-Leach.html#.V_-6OuArLIU

Tour of California, Stage 4: Dropped Them All

Gregory Daniel (Axeon Hagens Berman), bedecked in the bright blue jersey of most courageous rider from his efforts in Stage 3, showed no signs of being star struck.  The young American launched his attack on the penultimate climb of the day.  He looked back over his shoulder to confirm that not only was he the first over the climb, but he had dropped the rest of the members of the break.  With just 5 miles left to race on the longest stage of the Tour, he was hoping to hold off the break and the closing peloton.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting created live during the race using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my cycling art is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  You will also find my art/cycling books on the 2014 Tour du France and the 2015 UCI Road World Championships on the site as well.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post. Don't delay, these are one of a kind original paintings, so once they are gone, they are gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2792954-18-223355/Painting.html#.Vz0OvfmDGko

Tour of California, Stage 4: Taking a Peek

The only thing odder than seeing the famous sprinter, Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data), in a break away, is seeing him lead the small group up a climb.  I am curious what was going through Gregory Daniel's (Axeon Hagens Berman) mind as he rode along with one of the legendary figures still competing on the ProTour.  Also with this group was yet another of the young riders from Rally Cycling, Will Routley.  It feels like Rally Cycling and Axeon Hagens Berman have had a player in every break away in every stage of this year's Tour.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting created live during the race using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my cycling art is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  You will also find my art/cycling books on the 2014 Tour du France and the 2015 UCI Road World Championships on the site as well.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post. Don't delay, these are one of a kind original paintings, so once they are gone, they are gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2792939-17-223355/Painting.html#.Vz0LdPmDGko

Tour of California, Stage 3: Leaving the Others Behind

Feeling the peloton closing in and the weakening of the other members of the break away, frist Tanner Putt (UnitedHealthcare) and then Gregory Daniel (Axeon Hagens Berman) attack the other escapees.  Gregory Daniel is the rider who is in one of the most popular images I painted during the UCI Road World Championships in Richmond, Virgina.  The painting is of the young American riding over the James River on the Lee Bridge with the downtown city skyline just over his shoulder.  It is a treat to see those I watch race in the Under23 and Junior races move up into the developmental and Pro teams.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting measuring 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting (and all of my cycling art and cycling books) are available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting (and yes international shipping is available), just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2792231-12-223355/Painting.html#.VzvGC_mDGko

Richmond 2015 UCI Worlds: Fighting Their Machines

The second race to face the climb up the wall of 23rd Street was the U23 Men's Road Race.  While most of the media, fans, and pre-race hype focused on Libby Hill, it was the short steep climb up the newly laid cobbles of 23rd Street that was the real challenge.  Early into the nearly 110 mile race, a race that included 11 trips up this climb, Davide Martinelli (Italy) tested his legs leaving Gergory Daniel (USA) and the rest fighting with their machines to hold onto the Italian's wheel.  This climb leads the riders up from the now defunct tobacco warehouses that lined the canal on the river's edge.

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: Looking Them Over

Almost from the second that the Junior Men's race got underway, three guys went on the early break.  The American, Gregory Daniel, looks over his should at the German rider trying to decide if he and the Italian had the legs to pres the advantage.  The break is riding pass the first place I lived when I first came to school in Richmond, VA on the campus of the Virginia Commonwealth University.  The University wisely canceled classes for the entire week of racing, partly because the race courses all went through the middle of the city streets that comprise the campus.  More likely they felt that the students wouldn't go to class, opting instead to watch the racing (I certainly would have skipped every class.)

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 works are being created live at the main Fanfest area near the finish line in full view of fans and cyclists alike (although not those out on course).  The originals and two sizes of prints are available for purchase at Fanfest and later will be on offer at www.richmond.com.

Richmond 2015 UCI Worlds: Swinging Pass Robert

The original break of three changed members and grew with only Jose Luis Rodriguez of Chile left from the first attackers.  Now it is a Colombian, Jhonatan Restrepo tacked onto the back of Eddie Dunbar's wheel, proceed by Gregory Daniel (Team USA).  Leading them all around the statue to Robert E Lee is the Kazakhstan, Oleg Zemlyakov.  Much was made of the wrong-ness of keeping the statues to those who fought on the side of the American Civil War that was pro-slavery.  But then if one removes all evidence of their history, they are doomed to repeat it.

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: Part of the Home Team

Gregory Daniel of Team USA may be showing us why the race organizers decided to send the riders over the Robert E Lee Bridge above the James River.  It certainly may for a beautiful view of downtown rising above the fall line of the mighty James.  This is a view that rewards my bike rides into the city from my southside home, but I can ensure you that this Greig can come close to matching the speed of this Greg.  Daniel went on to claim a podium position as he finished amongst the tall buildings that he was able to see from this lofty vantage point.  Unfortunately, he wasn't able to hold that position at the end of the day.

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.