Koksijde, Men's Cyclo-Cross: Chasing the Podium

Try as he might Toon Aerts (Deschacht-Hens-FSP) just wasn't able to bridge up to the two leaders today in the sands of Koksijde.  On the up side, those chasing him were unsuccessful as well.  Aerts claimed the final step of the podium in the cold wins and deep sand on the edge of Belgium and the North Sea.

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 Podium CX-K25-6" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Koksijde, Men's Cyclo-Cross: Surfing the Sand

Every sport has its own jargon, and cyclo-cross is no different.  Today I learned that there is such a thing as 'surfing the sand.'  It means to ride relaxed when in the deep sand.  The trick (apparently) is to keep one's speed up and to not fight the bike too much.  Today in the early laps, Tibor del Grosso (Alpecin-Deceuninck) was giving a master class to the master of sand behind him, Laurens Sweeck (Crelan-Corendon).  However, Sweeck soon came back and eventually won today's race in Koksijde, with del Grosso finishing the day in second place.  I believe each man had their best finish thus far this season.

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.

"Surfing the Sand CX-K25-5" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Koksijde, Men's Cyclo-Cross: A Slight Advantage

The young Dutchman Tibor del Grosso (Alpecin-Deceuninck) was having an incredible race against one of the masters in the sand, Laurens Sweeck (Crelan-Cortendon).  While they were only into the second lap, he had built up a ten second lead over the man nicknamed "the Sandman."  Surprisingly, not only was he putting time into the more experienced Belgium in the sand, he was also doing it on the harder mud packed surfaces of the course.  

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.

"A Slight Advantage CX-K25-4" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Koksijde, Women's Cyclo-Cross: Making Her Own Track

Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck) made her own track through the deep sand on course in Koksijde.  Pieterse won my heart in her amazing ride and stint in the Maillot a Pois in this past Tour de France Femmes.  I was disappointed not to see her win earlier in the week, but she came back with vengeance at the end of today's race claiming her first cross victory of the season by twenty seconds over the reigning World and Dutch Champions.  I might fast becoming a fan of Cyclo-Cross.  At least of the women's races.

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.

"Making Her Own Track CX-K25-3" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Koksijde, Women's Cyclo-Cross: Climbing the Dune

It is just sand that makes Koksijde so difficult.  Within sight of the start line the peloton faces a wall of sand that can only be scaled by shouldering one's bike and running up the deep sand.  I can't imagine scaling this once, let alone the five times that the pro women managed this feat.  At this point the Dutch Champion, Lucinda Brand (Baloise Glowi Lions) is leading the World Champion, Fem vamn Empel (Visma-Lease a Bike) up the climb as they both chase the sole leader already down the other side.

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.

"Climbing the Dune CX-K25-2" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Koksijde, Women's Cyclo-Cross: Sand Pit

I've been stuck at home nursing my first bout of Covid and have gotten into watching Cyclo Cross.  It took me a couple of races, but I am really starting to get into it.  However, watching the pros race, I have decided that it would be foolish for me to give it a go after all.  I figured, if I am watching, I might as well paint the racing, too.

This is the Women's Koksijde race in the extreme north of Belgium that features sand dunes as the major challenge to the riders.  This is the second dune the peloton faced and is being led by Inge van der Heijden (Crelan-Corendon) who is just about to remount at the top of the climb.  Behind her, Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck) is taking her last steps before swinging her bike off her back and back under her for the descent.

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.

"Sand Pit CX-K25-1" (Original art by Greig Leach)