2026 UCI Road World Championships, Montreal, Elite Men's Road Race: Three Decades Later

Purchase this painting here: "Three Decades Later UCI26-17" (Original art by Greig Leach)

This painting has sold, but digital prints are available.

When Brandon McNulty (USA) held his head in disbelief as he claimed victory in the UCI Road World Championships in Montreal it is wild to think that it has been thirty-three years since and American has won the Rainbow Jersey.  That was five years before McNulty was born!  He is only the third American to ever pull on the Rainbow Jersey of world champion.  With Lance Armstrong having won in 1993 and Greg Lemond winning it in both 1983 and 1989.  I was amused that while mentioning that it had been thirty-three years since an American had won, the announcer Anthony McCrossan neglected to say Armstrong's name.  As I mentioned in my previous painting, he takes over the title from his trade team teammate, Tadej Pogacar, giving UAE Team Emirates reason to celebrate and allows them to continue to post of having the best cyclist in the world.  Chapeau, Brandon!

The clump of riders behind included the Silver Medalist Michael Matthews (Australia) and the Bronze Medalist Mathieu Van Der Poel (Netherlands).  McNulty's teammates Quinn Simmons finished fourth and Matteo Jorgenson finished seventh, making it three Team USA guys in the top ten!

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 top of this post to purchase this painting. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

And learn about Leach's published books at The Art of Cycling: Cycling Books by Greig Leach

Learn More About the Artist → 

2026 UCI Road Championships, Montreal, Elite Women's Road Race: Shades of the Tour

You can purchase this painting here: "Shades of the Tour UCI26-7" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Despite Kasia Niewiadoma (Poland) having gotten the jump on Demi Vollering (Netherlands) it was the Dutch woman who raised her arms in victory in Montreal!  Niewiadoma appeared to cramp up just as Vollering pulled even with her in the sprint.  In the distance you can just see Elisa Longo Borghini (Italy) who had just caught the other two when the sprint kicked off.  So it is that Vollering takes first with Niewiadoma in second, just as they were in the Tour de France Femmes, and Longo Borghini takes another bronze medal at another World Championships.  I don't image that the animosity that erupted at the Tour Femme between second and third was quelled today.  Instead, I think it has been further inflamed.  As on prone to cramps, I truly feel for Niewiadoma today. 

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 top of this post to purchase this painting. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

And learn about Leach's published books at The Art of Cycling: Cycling Books by Greig Leach

Learn More About the Artist → 

UCI Worlds, Zurich 2024, Elite Men's Road Race: A Tip of the Crown

Perhaps this title needs a little explaining.  In the world of professional cycling, the Triple Crown is winning the Giro d'Italia, the Tour de France, and the World Championship in the same season.  Until today, only two men have managed the feat.  The first was Eddy Merckx of Belgium who did it 50 years ago this week, and the second was Stephen Roche of Ireland who equaled Merckx thirteen years later.  But now, a third name can be added to that list, Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia.  In so doing he also broke his own record for longest breakaway win in a race.  This year he went from eighty kilometers out to win Strade-Bianche.  Today, he jumped free of the peloton with 100.7 kilometers to race.  I don't think he was on his own until about 50 kilometers to go, but the records will say 100 K.  He had plenty of time to think up a victory salute, but I think he might have been a bit emotional as he came to the finishing line alone, savoring the applause of the fans crowding the barriers and the roadway prior to the flame rouge.  Behind him Ben O'Connor (Ireland) came alone for the silver medal, and the defending champion, Mathieu Van Der Poel (Netherlands) outsprinted the chasing six or seven to take the bronze.

This is truly the end of my cycling season.  So I won't be back sharing my cycling art until the Tour Down Under in late January 2025.

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 Tip of the Crown Z24-14" (Original art by Greig Leach)

UCI Road World Championships, Zurich 2024, Elite Women's Road Race: Doubling Up!

Despite everyone gunning for her, Lotte Kopecky (Belgium) still out sprinted the pack of seven women to claim her second World Championships in a row.  While Elisa Longo Borghini (Italy) being the one to start the sprint, she was swamped by Kopecky, Liane Lippert (Germany) and Chloe Dygert (USA).  To her credit she fought back just catching the German to claim the third step of the podium.  Dygert was a full bike length behind Kopecky, but roughly another bike ahead of the Italian.  It is worth remembering that Dygert had to chase down the leaders, so it may have been that effort that burned just enough of her legs to blunt her sprint to the line.  It will be nice painting Kopecky in the Rainbow Jersey for another year.

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.

"Doubling Up Z24-6" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Wollongong 2022, Elite Men's Road Race: Not a Soul in Sight

 

Remco Evenepoel (Belgium) came to the line alone to claim the Rainbow Jersey of the UCI Road World Championships.  His gap was such that no one was visible chasing behind.  He had nearly two and a half minutes on the large group of chasers behind.  So that was plenty of time for us to watch the emotions of the moment place across his face, and hands, has he rounded the final bends of the Wollongong City circuit.  At the end of the Worlds last year he was frustrated that he could have one the title then, but had to ride for his countryman, Wout Van Aert.  This year, Van Aert was too far back to have a chance, so Evenepoel was going to let history repeat himself.  

One of the first to congratulate the new champion was Julian Alaphilippe (France) who ceded his two time title to his trade team teammate.  One of the last was his countryman, Van Aert.

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/3907952-34-295031/Painting/not-a-soul-in-sight-uci22-34.html

Wollongong 2022, Elite Men's Road Race: Time for His Close Up

Once Remco Evenepoel (Belgium) dropped his last companion, he was off on his own.  With every pedal stroke he was gaining time on those behind.  And he was getting closer and closer to being the UCI Road World Champion.  He had enough of a gap on those behind that the TV Moto was able to slot in behind him and film his solo run to victory. With just thirteen kilometers left to race he was just under a minute ahead of the remnants of the break away and almost three minutes to the peloton that contained the favorites of the day.  Barring any crashes or mechanicals, the Rainbow Jersey is his.

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/3907951-33-295031/Painting/time-for-his-close-up-uci22-33.html  

Wollongong 2022, Men's ITT: Coming Home, Fast!

Tobias Foss (Norway) proved today that there is a reason that you race the race.  No one had mention Foss as a potential winner of the Elite Men's Individual Time Trial.  He was posting new best times at every check point on the road, including at the finish.  But as his bib number shows, he had eleven other men racing their hearts out behind him, many of whom are renowned specialists against the clock.  Most notably were; the two time winner of the Tour de France, the current winner of the Veulta d'Espania, and the two time Rainbow Jersey in this very discipline.  Yet in the end he was able to but in an amazing final ten kilometers to win the gold medal (and the right to wear the Rainbow Jersey everytime he races a time trial for the next 12 months).  Kung came close, but came up just a mere three seconds short of Foss' time.  Chapeau!

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/3906195-12-295031/Painting/coming-home-fast-uci22-12.html

Wollongong 2022, Women's ITT: Young & Fast

Vittoria Guazzini (Italy) will now be the first woman under the age of 23 to claim a Rainbow Jersey as the first U23 Women's Individual Time Trial Champion.  Unlike the men's races, the women competed together at the same time in both the Elite and the U23 classifications.  So when Guazzini came to the line she was in the postion to win the Bronze Medal in the Elite race.  That is until the last woman on the road crossed the line in first place.  While it did knock her off of the podium of the elite women, it still meant that she was the new (and first) champion of the Women's U23 Individual Time Trial.  Chapeau!

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/3905973-6-295031/Painting/young-fast-uci22-6.html

Paris Roubaix Femmes: Not the Best Debut for the Rainbow

 

Last week Elisa Balsamo (Valcar-Travel & Service) was winning the UCI Road World Championship, today, bedecked in her brand new rainbow jersey she was sliding through the mud in the Hell of the North.  Balsamo, was in the middle of the group chasing the lone leader when she fishtailed in the mud of Section 11 of pave, the Mons en Pevele.  She had braked a little too hard to avoid another rider going down just ahead of her.  With all of the wet mud on the rough cobblestones, it was to hard for her to keep her bike upright.  It was that much worse as she slid to a stop in a soggy mud puddle.  It could have been much worse, the road surface is very, very painful fall onto at speed.  She wasn’t hurt, but lost the wheels of the chase group and I never saw her on camera again.

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/Spring-Classics-2021/3839943-49-290150/Painting/not-the-best-debut-for-the-rainbow-pr21-2.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 1: A Little Peak

I enjoy a title that can have more than one meaning, so it is with this one.  One interpretation is that this is a little peak of the Rainbow Jersey that was won at the end of last season by Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo).  The other is that Pedersen is taking a little peak over his shoulder looking for his team car.  Joining the Dane at the back of the peloton is Antwan Tolhoek (Jumbo-Visma).  Just ahead of this duo seems to be the entire Movistar team.  I am sure all of this positioning will change in the charge to the line in another 24 kilometers.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://greigleach.artspan.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3454486-145-194179/Painting/A-Little-Peak--TDU20-2.html

Yorkshire 2019 - Elite Men's ITT: Starting the Celebration

It is an extreme rarity to see a rider celebrate his ride in an individual time trial, after all, it is all about time gains and a celebration slows a rider down.  However, Rohan Dennis (Australia) had such a lead (and he can see the clock as he nears the finish) that he allowed himself a luxury of a celebration.  Dennis had pulled out of the Tour this year just ahead of the individual time trial and has been under press scrutiny ever since.  So he can be pardoned his feeling of vindication in defending his Rainbow Jersey in the Elite Men's ITT.  Under his arm the winner of the Vuelta d'Espania, Primoz Roglic (Slovenia) had been caught by Dennis, but out sprinted the Australian to the line.  He was over three minutes behind Dennis on time but couldn't resist the temptation to race to the line.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

Please be sure to visit my YouTube Channel and subscribe if you like what you see.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Yorkshire%202019/3395491-28-266225/Starting%20the%20Celebration%20%20UCI19-28.html

Yorkshire 2019 - Elite Women's ITT: Breathtaking

Breathtaking was how the commentator, Anthony McCrossan describe Chloe Dygert's (USA) ride in today's time trial.  I think we can take this both literally and figuratively.  When she finished her ride she was over three and a half minutes faster than anyone to finish their race thus far.  She ended the day taking the Rainbow Jersey of World Champion by just over a minute and a half from Anna Van Der Breggen (Netherlands) and an additional ten seconds from Annemiek Van Vleuten (Netherlands).

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

Please be sure to visit my YouTube Channel and subscribe if you like what you see.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Yorkshire-2019/3394133-17-266225/PaintingBreathtaking-UCI19-17.html

Yorkshire 2019 - Elite Women's ITT: Two by Two

I pulled this title from two (sorry, yet another pun) different aspects of this painting.  First it has been raining so hard that it seemed that the animals should be gathered two by two and loaded onto Noah's Ark.  In fact, it looks like Noah just to the left of the painting checking is loading manifest.  The other, Chloe Dygert (USA) was on a storming ride to Harrogate catching riders two by two who had started their time trial ahead of her.  Dygert was clearly ignoring the signage on the roadway suggestion she go slow.  When the American went through the time check out on course, she was over four minutes faster than all of those who had gone before her.  Nobody logged a better time at the check than she did for the rest of the day either.

See this painting come to life in this fun time lapse video.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

Please be sure to visit my YouTube Channel and subscribe if you like what you see.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Yorkshire%202019/3394101-16-266225/Two%20by%20Two%20%20UCI19-16.html