2014 UCI Worlds: I Did It!

With enough time in hand to celebrate his surprise victory, Michal Kwiatkowski, made a meal of it.  First clasping his face in disbelief, then swinging his arms wide in victory.  He crossed the line reaching down to kiss the Polish flag emblazoned upon his jersey.  He was chased all the way to the line, with Simon Gerrans (Australia) claiming the silver and Alejandro Valverde (Spain) grabbing bronze for the second year running.  While Kwiatkowski is new to the Worlds, Valverde has been on the podium seven times now, just never on the top step.  Just slipping into fourth place was the Danish rider, Matti Breschel, who had started the attacks that led this group to the line almost together.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website, www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/2014%20World%20Championships/2443458---202544/Painting.html#.VCi5Tc_D_IU

2014 UCI Worlds: I Can Do This!

As he looked back over his shoulder with just over a kilometer to go this time, he could see a small group closing in.  And the peloton not far behind them.  He saw that former World Champion, Philippe Gilbert (Belgium) was leading, Cyril Gautier (France) and the two Spaniards, Roaquim Rodriquez and Alejandro Valverde, back towards his wheel.  With just about another 4 or 5 minutes of effort, Michal Kwiatkowski (Poland), must have been thinking, "I can do this!"  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is 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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/2014%20World%20Championships/2443438---202544/Painting.html#.VCi1Ps_D_IU

2014 UCI Worlds: Leading Them Home

Just as in the professional teams, the national teams have both domestiques and designated team leaders, leaders who ride as protected riders.  Ion Izagirre (Spain) riding for the "home team", went to the front to chase down the breakaway for his teammates, Alejandro Valverde (who rides with him on the Movistar squad) and Joaquim Rodriquez.  Benefiting from his efforts, tucked in behind the strong man from the Basque countryside, were this year's winner of the Tour de France, Vincenzo Nibali (Italy) and the climbing sprinter, John Degenkolb (Germany).  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is 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.  While you are there, why not take the time to browse all of the art that is on offer?  Remember, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/2014%20World%20Championships/2443426---202544/Painting.html#.VCivAM_D_IU

2014 UCI Worlds: Zipping Through Down

The Elite Men's Road Race marks the completion of the UCI World Road Racing Championships and the seventh day of races.  With 14 laps of the 18.2 kilometer course, the men were facing a long day in the saddle covering 154 kilometers in roughly six and a half hours.  The first break away of the day was able to build up a fifteen minute advantage on the peloton.  A peloton that didn't feel like taking risks early on the rain soaked roads of north western Spain.  The early group contained C.J. Quintero (Colombia), M Kvasina (Croatia), O. Polivoda (Ukraine) and Z. Savicka (Lithuania).  While the foursome was hopeful, there was little chance that the big names of the sport would let them steel the day or the Rainbow Jersey.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson and Company, www.richesonart.com.  The painting, and all of my works from the UCI Worlds, are 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.  But while you are there, why not take the time to browse all of the art on offer?  International shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/2014%20World%20Championships/2443368---202544/Painting.html#.VCihD8_D_IU

2014 UCI Worlds: Biding Their Time

Once the peloton had pulled back the Slovenian, Spela Kern, the women dropped into riding tempo.  The course of seven laps included to sharp climbs that weren't too hard on the first trip up, but as the day wore on, the hills seemed to get steeper and steeper.  The Dutch team in their distinctive bright orange jersey, had the two consecutive time defender of the Rainbow Jersey, Marianne Vos.  Because she has been so dominate, having won the silver medal at the preceding 6 consecutive Worlds, it was up to her team to do the work on the front of the peloton.  Team USA was ever attentive, their team leader, Shelly Olds, as been locking horns (or handlebars) with Vos all season long and the team felt she had the form to get around the Dutch star.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available for purchase through my artist website, www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  While you are there, take the time to check out my soon to be released, "Book de Tour".  The book is my collection of paintings and blog post of the 101st Tour de France, along with La Course by Le Tour. 

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/2014%20World%20Championships/2442578---202544/Painting.html#.VCcO68_D_IU

2014 UCI Worlds: Going for a Fourth

Tony Martin rolled down the start ramp and out on the course around Ponferrada, Spain, in search of a record breaking fourth consecutive World Time Trial Championship.   Martin of Germany, has an incredible record in the Worlds and in German, as well as the ProTour calendar.  This year he won the only time trial in the Tour de France, but also claimed his first road race stage victory in his career in the same Tour.  Wearing race bib number one, he was the last to head around the 29.5 kilometer course.  An advantage as he will know the split times of everyone on the road ahead of him.  He would always know if his efforts were enough, but he had some very stiff competition just two minutes up the road.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is 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.  While you are there, why not take the time to look around at all of the artwork on offer?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/2014%20World%20Championsips/2441852---202544/Painting.html#.VCTvAc_D_IU

2014 UCI Worlds: It's About the Position

The Time Trial, or the Race of Truth, is all about the individual's ability to slip through the wind with the least amount of  drag possible.  To that end, Tejay van Garderen, drops into his aerodynamic tuck, with his arms as close together as possible, the head down and the back arched all to present as little of his body to the wind.  The bikes are designed with the same basic purpose.  However, neither the bike nor the position of the rider astride the machine, are about control or agility, they are only about speed.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is 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.  Be sure to check out my soon to be released book of annotated art of the 101st Tour de France, "Book de Tour".  It is available for pre-order and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/2014%20World%20Championsips/2441850---202544/Painting.html#.VCTq2s_D_IU

2014 UCI Worlds: Slipping Through the Wind

Sylvain Chavanel is the three time Time Trial Champion of France, but has yet to win in the Worlds.  While we have grown use to seeing him in his tricolore national kit, at the worlds no one wears a championship jersey while racing.  Instead they will where their national colors, but in a team uniform that every racer will don on race day.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is 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.  While you are at the website, you can pre-order my book of paintings of the 2014 Tour de France, "Book de Tour".  International shipping is available for both the paintings and the book.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/2014%20World%20Championsips/2441848---202544/Painting.html#.VCTnnM_D_IU

2014 UCI Worlds: Hitting the Start

The United States brought a really strong team to Ponferrada, Spain in hopes of going home with a Rainbow Jersey.  Perhaps with Fabian Cancellara choosing not to ride in the Men's Elite Time Trial there was a chance, but they would have to get past the three time World Champion, Tony Martin.  And Martin would be the last to roll down the start ramp today.  Andrew Talansky rolled down the start ramp roughly mid way through the start order, looking for the form that enable him to win the Criterium du Daphine earlier in the season.  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.  The painting is 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.  But while you are there, why not take the time to look at all of the cycling art on offer? 

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/2014%20World%20Championsips/2441844-8-6-202544/Painting/Sports.html#.VCTlFs_D_IU

2014 UCI Worlds: Rolling Out

The Elite Women rolled down the time trial start ramp today in Ponferrada, Spain, searching for a Rainbow Jersey at the end of their solo effort against the clock.  Anna Solovey of Ukraine was out on a fast ride around the outskirts of the city before swinging back towards town.  She was first at each of the time checks along the route and logged the fastest time across the line when she finished.  However, with a time trial, no rider knows their ultimate placing until the final rider has finished her effort.  All Solovey could do was sit in the throne in the club house waiting to see if she would be forced to give up her seat and her dream of the coveted Rainbow Jersey of Women's World Time Trial Champion.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson and Company, www.richesonart.com.  The painting is also available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular work, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But while you are there, why not take the time to browse all of the cycling art on offer?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/2014%20World%20Championsips/2441240-5-0-202544/Painting/Sports.html#.VCM34M_D_IU

2014 UCI Worlds: The Last to Go

With the Women's Under 23 Time Trial race coming to a close, it was the Australian, Alexandra Manly, who had the honor of being the last to roll down the start ramp in Ponferrada, Spain.  As she stomped on her pedals, she knew that two of her teammates were currently holding first and third at the finishing line.  Manly had reason to dream of donning the Rainbow Jersey at the end of the day.  She managed to finish third overall last year in Italy and the two who had finished ahead of her had aged out of the Under 23 category.  Unfortunately, it was not to be her day, perhaps it was the rain that had continued to worsen as the day's racing progressed.  So while it was an honor to start last, it was a distinct disadvantage.  She could comfort herself in the knowledge that her country women held their placings.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is 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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/2014%20World%20Championsips/2440518---202544/Painting.html#.VCDm4M_D_IU

2014 UCI Worlds: New Best Time

All of my cycling paintings are done in as close to real time as possible, without knowledge of the final results.  That being said I was excited when Emma White, riding for the United States, was able to post the new best time with only roughly a quarter of the field of women yet to cross the line.  In any time trial, the rider holding the fastest time over the course will sit in the 'throne' of race leader until either their winning time is confirmed or they have to surrender the chair to the rider who has cover the course in less time.  White was able to hold the chair for some time before the Australian who claimed the overall booted her out of her chair.  Actually the Aussie, Macey Stewart, was quite polite in her victory.  This is an original watercolor and ink painting that is 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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/2014%20World%20Championsips/2440516---202544/Painting.html#.VCDkKc_D_IU

2014 UCI Worlds: Starting at Home

With the Elite men's and women's team time trials over and done, it was the time for the individual time trialist to take the stage in Ponferrada, Spain.  The morning roads were given over to the Junior Women's Time Trial for those under the age of 23.  One of the early riders to start down the ramp for just over twenty minutes of all out effort was one for the home team, Maria Calderon of Spain.  Without a general classification to set the order of starters, the UCI started those they expect to post slower times first ending with the rider highest place in 2013 still eligible to race in the category.  This is an original small watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company, www.richesonart.com.  In addition the painting is 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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/2014%20World%20Championsips/2440514-1-0-202544/Painting/Sports.html#.VCDhFs_D_IU