Ronde van Vlaanderen '25: Off He Goes!

As I am sure everyone expected, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) went on the attack just as the cobbles began on the Oude Kwaremont.   Both Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Edward Planckaert (Alpecin-Deceuninck) watched him launch the attack but didn't have the acceleration to go with the move.  Planckaert's teammate Mathieu van der Poel found himself out of position, but was able to weave through to get back to the World Champion's wheel.  The crowds on both sides of the road were loving their front row 'seats' to the Slovenian's display of power.  With another 56 kilometers to race, there was plenty of time to set things right.  Conversely, there were plenty of more climbs for Pogacar to go 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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Off He Goes! RVV25-3" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Ronde Van Vlaanderen 23, Men's Race: Off on His Own

The second trip up the Oude Kwarremont it was Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) that left the peloton of elite riders to go off in chase of the remaining break away members still up the road.  Spoiler alert, the next time up this hill he was alone again, but ahead of the rest of the race.  Pogacar was able to use his climbing prowess on the longest climb of the day to push himself away from the others.

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-/3943940-517-195767/Painting/off-on-his-own-rvv23-4.html

 

Ronde Van Vlaanderen, One of These Two

 With Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step) out, the race was down to Wout Van Aerts (Jumbo-Visma) and Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix).  Both riders had spent too much effort watching each other in last week's Gent-Wevelgem and marked each other out of contention for the sprint finish.  Clearly the pair had no intention of repeating their mistake.  While they had dueling words through the cycling press all week, today they were willing to collaborate to stay away and let their legs decide who was the better rider on the day.  On their last trip up the Oude Kwaremont and the final climb, they stuck to each other like glue, and continued to work together.  They have almost a minute and a half on the remnants of the peloton and they had no intention of letting anyone back into the race.

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/3722742-36-280747/Painting/one-of-these-two-rvv20-7.html

E3 Harelbeke: Kop van de Wedstrijd

Kop van de Wedstrijd as best I can understand means the head of the race, at least that is what kept flashing on the screen as they showed the leading group on the road.  This threesome of Greg Van Avermaet (BMC), Philippe Gilbert (Quickstep) and Oliver Naesen (Ag2r La Mondiale) had over a minute on the remnants of the peloton.  As they road up the penultimate climb, the Oude Kwatrmony, they must be beginning to think that the win would be between themselves.  All three riders are from Belgium, and Gilbert is the reigning Belgium National Champion, so it looks like the drought of Belgium winners will be coming to an end today.

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/Spring%20Classics%20/2939896-385-195767/PaintingKop%20van%20de%20Wedstrijd%20E317-6.html