Tour de France Femmes 23, Stage 1: The First to Wear Yellow

Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) used the climb to get away from the peloton, and then used her time trial skills to stay off the front.  She left everyone almost a minute behind as she rode towards the line in Clermont-Ferrand.  Not only will she wear the first Maillot Jaune of the second Tour de France Femmes, if it were possible, she would also be wearing the Maillot Vert and the Maillot a Pois as well.  She was first over the only climb therefore she is the best climber today, and she won the stage so by the points definition she is the best sprinter today as well.  Since she can only wear the Yellow Jersey, the Green will be on the shoulders of Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (AG Insurance-Soudal-Quick Step) and the Polka Dots will be on the shoulders of Katarzyna Niewadoma (Canyon-SRAM).  With six climbs tomorrow and both a sprint and a bonus sprint, I am sure the jerseys will move about a bit 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 $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-2023/3967218-143-297438/Painting/the-first-to-wear-yellow-tdff23-5.html

 

Tour de France Femmes 23, Stage 1: Racing for Second

With her teammate up the road, Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime) was looking for her sprinter Lorena Wiebes to see if they could take all three steps of the podium.  Keeping an eye on her was Elise Chabbey (Canyon-SRAM) the Swiss Champion, followed by Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (FDJ-Suez).  The rest at made the mistake of letting one SD Worx girl get away, they weren't about to let anymore escape.  

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-2023/3967217-142-297438/Painting/racing-for-second-tdff23-3.html

 

Tour de France Femmes 23, Stage 1: Attacking on the Climb

Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) used the only categorized climb of the day to get a gap on the rest of the peloton.  Behind her Ashleigh Moolman Pasio (AG Insurance-Soudal-Quick Step), Evita Muzic (FDJ-Suez) and Veronica Ewers (EF Education-TIBCO-SVB) all must have assumed that the Belgium champion was just going for the Queen of the Mountain points and let her go.  That should have seemed like a bad idea.  Kopecky is known for going on long solo raids for victories and this was only another sixteen and a half kilometers to race for the first Maillot Jaune of the Tour de France Femmes.

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-2023/3967215-141-297438/Painting/attacking-on-the-final-climb-tdff23-3.html

 

Paris Roubaix Femmes 23: Down in Front!

As this chase group of 16 got close to the early break away on Pave Sector 9, the Pont Thibaut, last year’s winner, Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo) lost control of her bike on the muddy cobbles.  As she went down the rest of the group either went down with her or were caught behind the twisted pile of bikes and bodies.  Somehow, only Romy Kasper (AG Insurance-Soudal-Quick Step) manage to stay upright.  She was able to push on as Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) and her teammate in the WWT points jersey fell over the former Italian champion.  As I said in an early post, Paris Roubaix can have a way of changing riders’ fortunes in a blink of an eye.

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-/3944955-524-195767/Painting/down-in-front-prf23-4.html

Paris Roubaix Femmes 23: Checking the Damage

As she came off of Sector 12, Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) looked back to see just how much damage her pace did over the cobblestones.  Still holding onto the Belgium’s wheel is Pfeiffer Georgi (DSM) and behind her a couple of the women of Trek-Segafredo.  As the riders come off of each section of pave, their soigneurs hold spare wheels aloof in case the stones weren’t kind to their riders wheels.  While neither of the women on the front of this group were French, the cycling fan on the side of waved the French tricolour for everyone riding by.

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-/3944943-523-195767/Painting/checking-the-damage-prf23-3.html

Gent-Wevelgem 23, Women's Race: Using Her Skill Set

Marlen Reusser (SD Worx) was able to get away from the peloton on the final climb of the Baneberg.  She opened up a few seconds on the chasers but then used the time trial skills that won her the European Time Trial Gold Medal back in 2019.  She uses those same skills to chase down breaks and set a tough pace in service of her teammates.  Today, she was able to use those same skills on her own behalf.  By the time she turned onto the main road back towards the Kemmelberg she had already put a minute into those behind.

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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3942695-63-207546/Painting/using-her-skill-set-gw23-9.html

Gent-Wevelgem 23, Women's Race: Opening Up a Gap

This trio of stars of the women's peloton used the first trip up the Kemmelberg to open up a bit of a gap on those still in the peloton.  It was Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) who seemed to glide up the cobbles with both Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM) and Anna Hendersen (Jumbo-Visma) struggling to hold onto the Belgium's wheel.  With 52 kilometers to race it might be the move that wins the race.  Then again, the peloton might just get itself organized on the way back 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 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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3942659-61-207546/Painting/opening-up-a-gap-gw23-7.html

 

Strade Bianche Donne 23: Surprises Around Every Corner

 This may well become the image of this year’s Spring Classics.  As Demi Vollering (SD Worx) went off the front in search of the lone leader on the road, a horse broke free and got out onto the race course.  Vollering was first warning the TV moto of the danger, but then got a bit frustrated that the horse was slowing down her chase of the American Kristen Faulkner (Jayco-Alula).  The horse was clearly spooked by all of the commotion from the racers, the race motors and the helicopters.  I was a bit worry when the poor horse slid out on a corner.  It did get back up thus allowing Vollering to get back on with the chase.  Since painting this, it was nice to see her post on social media expressing her concern for the welfare of her four legged breakaway companion.  Given what happened at the end of the race, she could well afford to be generous in her compassion (not that she wouldn’t have been regardless).

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/3938108-57-207546/Painting/surprises-around-every-corner.-sb23-4.html

Tour Femmes '22, Stage 3: Sliding Out

Demi Vollering (SD Worx) and Liane Lippert (DSM) can be forgiven for going into this corner too hot.  They along with a group that contained Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo) were building a nice gap on the peloton behind.  Hitting the curve too fast, Vollering lost the front wheel and Lippert's reaction cause her to skid across the pavement with Dutch woman.  Borghini managed to avoid their fate and then pressed on with her attack.  It wasn't so much that she was taking advantage of their misfortune as it was that she was continuing what they all had started.  This crash, the climbs, and crashed on a couple of corners in town further split up the already fracture peloton.  Both riders on the ground got back up and back into the race.  Vollering got up very quickly and finished just eight seconds behind the stage winner.  Lippert took a little longer to get sorted, and then wasn't with a strong set of chasers back towards the leaders.  It should be noted that Borghini was fifth on the day just three seconds ahead of the first to go down on this corner.

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-2022/3895918-158-294403/Painting/sliding-out-tdff22-17.html

Liege Bastogne Liege Femmes '22: Annoyed with the Tactics

Once Annemiek Van Vleutin (Movistar) went on the attack it was only Marlen Reusser (SD Worx) who could hang onto the Dutch woman's wheel.  Much to Van Vleutin's frustration, Reusser was only there to make sure she didn't get too far up the road.  Reusser was riding in defense of her team leader, Demi Vollering.  As much as Van Vleutin flicked her arm for Reusser to take a turn on the front the Swiss Champion wasn't doing a damn thing to help her pull away from her teammates.  While Van Vleutin may have been frustrated, it just a traditional team racing tactic.  On the other hand, it doesn't strike me as a good idea to anger such a strong rider like Annemiek.  More on that later...

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/3881382-50-207546/Painting/annoyed-with-the-tactics-lbl22-10.html

Liege Bastogne Liege Femmes '22: On the Back Foot

As the break away and the peloton hit the penultimate climb, the Cote de la Redoute, the moves started.  Just ahead of the remains of the early break away is the fast disappearing leader, and race favorite, Annemiek Van Vleutin (Movistar).  Her attack had put the defending LBL champion, Demi Vollering (SD Worx) on the back foot.  Her teammate Ashleigh Molman Pasio went to the front and helped Vollering chase down the Movistar team leader.  Never one to miss a good move, Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo) jumped onto the wheel of Vollering knowing it was a good wheel to pull her up to the race leader.

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/3881377-49-207546/Painting/on-the-back-foot-lbl22-9.html

Paris Roubaix Femmes '22: Now There Are Three

Turns out at least one more woman had the legs to bridge up to Marta Bastianelli (UAE Team ADQ) and Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx).  That was Lucinda Brand (Trek-Segafredo).  As they left Pave Sector 10, the three were continuing to add to there advantage on the peloton.  Will they be able to keep growing their gap?

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/Spring-Classics-/3879566-487-195767/Painting/now-there-are-three-pr22-3.html

Paris Roubaix Femmes '22: Is This The Move?

As the peloton crossed Sector 12 it was Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) who went on the offensive.  As she road off the front it was only Marta Bastianelli (UAE Team ADQ) who could hold onto the Belgium Champion's wheel.  Once the pair had a gap they set about working together to grow their advantage.  While they had just under 53 kilometers to race, these two have the legs to make this attack stick.  However, so many different things can go wrong one the cobbles.

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/Spring-Classics-/3879563-486-195767/Painting/is-this-the-move-pr22-2.html

Ronde Van Vlaanderen Women '22: Closing the Deal

This painting actually has a lot going on.  Obviously, it is Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) raising her arms in victory just edging out the defending champion Annemiek Van Vleutin (Movistar).  But it was down to the hard pace set by her teammate Chantal Van Der Broek-Blaak that set the Belgium champion up for a perfect (and fresh leg) sprint.  As the race coverage swung over to the Belgium fans watching the finish, they were all spraying each other with some very tasty Belgium beers as their champion became the new champion of Ronde Van Vlaanderen.  They had been deprived of seeing the male Belgium champion, Wout Van Aert, race today due to his having Covid.  Van Vleutin seem to accept that she had very little chance of getting the win going up against two very strong teammates, but was still quite happy to take second, just the same.

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/3877206-47-207546/Painting/closing-the-deal-rvv22-14.html

Ronde Van Vlaanderen Women '22: Coming Home Together

Defending Ronde Van Vlaanderen champion, Annemiek Van Vleutin (Movistar) was in a tough position coming to the five kilometer banner with two women from Team SD Worx.  On the back of the threesome was the leader of the team (the one with the one at the end of her bib number), Lotte Kopecky.  The Belgium champion had the advantage of having her teammate, a former winner of this race herself, Chantal Van Der Broek-Blaak, on the front driving the pace all of the way to the finale.  Less anyone forget, here is a perfect example of cycling being a team sport, not just the racing of an individual.

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/3877202-46-207546/Painting/coming-home-together-rvv22-13.html

Ronde Van Vlaanderen Women '22: First to Reach the Final Climb

Both Christine Majerus (SD Worx) and Brodie Chapman (FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine Futuroscope) had team leaders in the group behind, but that wasn't stopping them from riding on their own behalf off the front.  At the base of the final climb, the Paterburg, they had a bit of a lead on those chasing behind.  The question is; should they be caught will they have the legs to help out their teammates to win the race.  If they aren't caught, who will have the legs to win 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 $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3877200-45-207546/Painting/first-to-the-final-climb-rvv22-12.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: Appearing When It Matters

All race long Elisa Balsamo (Trek-Segafredo) had been lurking around the back of the peloton allowing her teammates to chase down all of the attacks (it is their job since she is the team leader). Yet here she was showing herself just when being seen meant she was able to take out the victory in the eleventh edition of the women's Gent-Wevelgem.  Just off camera it was last year's winner Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma) taking second, with Maria Giulia Confalonieri (Ceratizit-WNT) taking the last step of the podium.  Perhaps because she kept going in all of the break away attempts, Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) had to settle for fouth on the day.  Those waving the Belgium flag behind the mass sprint would have dearly prefered the Belgium champion to have one rather than the Italian in the World Champion's Rainbow Jersey.

This is the last of this race's paintings.  I'll be back next week with both the men's and women's Ronde Van Vlaanderen.  There will be more races after that with the big one being both the Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes this July.

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/3875783-40-207546/Painting/appearing-when-it-matters-gw22-13.html

Gent-Wevelgem Women '22: A Slim Advantage

With another 55 kilometers to race, Annad Henderson (Jumbo-Visma), Lotte Kepecky (SD Worx) and Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon SRAM) were building a very slim lead on the chasing peloton.  They had built up a gap of just six seconds.  Not much of an advantage, nor was it enough to keep others from bridging across to the four leaders.

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/3875654-35-207546/Painting/a-slim-advantage-gw22-8.html

Strade Bianche Donne: Rewarding!

The title of this one goes several different ways.  Team SD Worx had been working all day knowing full well that they were going up against one of the greats in the women's peloton, Annemieke Van Vleutin (Movistar).  So it was the reward that their Belgium Champion, Lotte Kopecky was able to out position herself in the final corner of the race, thus setting herself up to out sprint Van Vleutin.  And of course, it had to be very rewarding for Kopecky herself to take such a well race victory in one of the hardest one day races on the Women's World Tour.

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/3870241-34-207546/Painting/rewarding-sbd22-6.html