UCI Worlds, Zurich 2024, Elite Men's Road Race: Trying to Cover Pogacar

Knowing that the real race was up the road, Tadej Pogacar (Slovenia) attacked the peloton on Witikon Climb.  The first to attack was Quinn Simmons (USA) but when the Slovenian superstar came up to him, he just couldn't stay on the wheel of the lime green express train.  Michael Matthews (Australia) was fading away just as quickly as the American.  With 100 kilometers to go, I don't think anyone really expected him to launch so early, but it wasn't like the Slovenian teammates didn't telegraph the impending attack.  However, knowing Tadej is going to go, and being able to go with him are two entirely different things.

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.

"Trying to Cover Pogacar Z24-9" (Original art by Greig Leach)

UCI Road World Championships, Zurich 2024, Elite Women's Road Race: Holding a Minute

 As in every UCI Worlds the Dutch fans were out in force all along the 154-kilometer course in and around Zurich with ever wilder fan costumes, flags, and banners.  Just as noticeable are their orange clad racers setting the pace off the front of the peloton.  One the wheel of her teammate Reijane Markus, Marianne Vos (Netherlands) helps pull the quartet in their effort to stay away from some of the other favorites for the day.  On Vos' wheel is Justine Ghekiere (Belgium).  Looking back to see just how close the chasers are is the Australian, Ruby Roseman-Gannon.  The foursome had built a lead of just over a minute, but as they rode by the large painted Dutch flag the gap had dropped to fifty seconds.

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.

"Holding a Minute Z24-3" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Men's Track Cycling Team Pursuit: Just Seconds to Go

Team Australia was in a real tight battle with Team Great Britain in the Gold Medal race in the men's team pursuit.  The Brits had started out with the lead, but the Aussies came back.  As they hit the bell lap the Brits were closing back in, but had one of there riders touch wheels and get stuck off of his seat on the crossbar.  I'm not saying that Australia wouldn't have won regardless, but it would have been even closer.  Kell O'Brien (Australia) is circling the inner track having swung off having done his part to set the pace for his fellow teammates, Sam Welsford, Oliver Bleddyn, and Connor Leahy.  The foursome took the Gold Medal, the first for down under since 2004.  The only other gold in this event was way back in 1984.  I am sure they would like to increase the frequency of Gold otherwise they will be waiting until 2044.

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.

"Just Seconds to Go PO24-76" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Women's Skateboarding: Drop It

Watching Arisa Trew (Australia) was just awesome!  And that is a word I use as sparingly as it should be.  Her tricks were stunning, and her fluidity was seamless. Wow!  Clearly, she was the gold medalist even before the remaining skaters had their turn.  None were able to outscore her final run.  So, an Olympic Gold Medal it is!

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.

"Drop In PO24-71" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Women's 100M Backstroke: Off the Wall

Looking at this painting now, it is a bit difficult to see that we are looking at the fronts of these swimmers as they leap away from the wall at the start of the 100 Meter Backstroke.  Off the wall first in green is Kaylee McKeown (Australia) on her way to winning the Gold Medal and setting a new Olympic Record.  To her rights is Regan Smith (USA) who took the Silver Medal, and to her right is her teammate Katharine Berkoff who finished the night with the Bronze Medal.  Australia has been dominating in the pool in Paris, with few other countries getting a win in any of the other 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.

"Off the Wall PO24-33" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Men's 4x100 Freestyle Relay: Final Leg

Not only fast swimming, but perfectly timed transitions took Team USA to Gold.  The last swimmer for USA had a clear advantage diving into the pool as Team Italy jumped, and Team Australia prepared to chase down the Americans.  Unable to catch the final American swimmer, Australia pulled into second to claim the Silver Medal and Italy faded a bit to take home the Bronze.

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. 

"Final Leg PO24-11" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Women''s 4x100 Freestyle Relay

Team Australia continued its dominance of this event today.  They have now won the Women's 4x100 Freestyle Relay four consecutive times.  It was Team USA just barely touching the wall ahead of Team China to claim the Silver Medal, with China taking Bronze.  I find painting the swimming events rather difficult to paint but I am rather satisfied with this one.

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. 

"Fourth Time Gold PO24-10" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Women's ITT: Nearly Gold

 I was hedging my bets when I titled this painting.  I felt reasonably sure that Grace Brown (Team Australia) would take the Gold in the Women's Individual Time Trial, but there were still two wet corners before the finish.  I have always been a fan of Grace, so I was thrilled to see her having such a great day out.  She ended up taking the win by just over ninety seconds.  She has stated that she plans on retiring at the end of this season, but I imagine there will be pro teams trying to convince her to keep racing.  The title still works because she is just a couple of hundred meters from winning Gold, so she is nearly gold now.  Or the Team Australian kit is nearly gold and green.

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. 

"Nearly Gold PO24-7" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Down Under, Stage 5: First Ones to the Beach

When I titled this painting of the early break away, I forgot that the stage had started at the beach at Christie’s Beach.  So I guess this painting of Samuele Battistella (Astana-Qazaqstan), Johan Jacobs (Movistar), Liam Walsh (Australia), and Casper Pedersen (Soudal-Quick Step) should have been titled the “First Ones Back to the Beach.”  The break was started by Pedersen about ten kilometers into the stage.  By the time they came back to Snapper Point the foursome had built up a two and a half minute gap on the peloton with another 93 kilometers to race.  With the sting in the tail of the stage, they may have just been trying to get to the back to back climbs of Willunga Hill to finish the stage.

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-Down-Under/3996114-196-194179/Painting/first-ones-to-the-beach.-tdu24-19.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 4: We Tried

After 120 kilometers Jackson Medway (Team Australia) and Vinicius Rangel (Movistar) could see the peloton in the distance closing down their break away attempt.  The pair shook hands to celebrate the effort and collaboration in what was a doomed effort for a stage victory.  Still, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

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-Down-Under/3996043-194-194179/Painting/we-tried.-tdu24-17.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 4: No Contest

It is not uncommon for those in a small break away to share the prizes available out on course, but this duo of Vinicius Rangel (Movistar) and Jackson Medway (Team Australia) didn’t even feign interest in the first intermediate sprint, nor again when they came to the second sprint in Strathalbyn.  In fact that seemed only too willing to work hard together in hope of the peloton getting the chase wrong.

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-Down-Under/3996035-192-194179/Painting/no-contest.-tdu24-15.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 4: And Now There Are Three

After launching an early break away, Jackson Medway (Australia) was quickly joined by Pieter Sherry (Soudal-Quick Step).  About ten kilometers into that duo’s effort, Medway looked back to find that they had been joined by the Brazilian Vinicius Rangel (Movistar).  Making it a group of three off the front of the peloton by less than half of a minute.  As soon as Sorry welcomed Rangel into the group he radio his team car.  Whether he was told to drop out of the break, or was telling his team director that he was going to, Serry sat up, and went to the side of the road for a “nature break.”  I suspect that the seasoned pro didn’t see the point in a huge effort that was doomed to fail on such a day clearly marked as the last day for the sprinters.  What ever the reason, the break away went back down to two riders just as quickly as it had become three.  I never did see Sorry for the rest of the stage.

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-Down-Under/3996034-191-194179/Painting/and-now-there-are-three.-tdu24-14.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 3: What’s the Plan?

Once Tristan Saunders’ teammate claimed the max points on offer for the King of the Mountains in the stage, it was Axel Marrault (Cofidis) asking what the plan was for the rest of the trio left off the front of the peloton.  Stefan De Bod (EF Education-EasyPost) was just getting on with the business at hand despite the conversation behind.  The group had over three minutes on the peloton, but over another 100 kilometers to race on a stage designed for the sprinters seem to indicate that these three didn’t have much hope of caring there break away all of the way to victory in Campbelltown.

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-Down-Under/3995894-188-194179/Painting/whats-the-plan-tdu24-11.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 2: Attacking the Climb

This duo of Jardi Christian Van Der Lee (EF Education-EasyPost) and Luke Burns (Team Australia) had gotten away almost from the very start of the 141 kilometer stage.  With another 78 K to ride, Luke Burns jumped away from his break away companion to go over the top of the Fox Creek Climb in first.  In so doing, he claimed the virtual King of the Mountains jersey.  Later, he went over again, thus ensuring that he will be wearing the polka dots for at least two days.  Van Der Lee did take the intermediate sprints.  I’ll have to wait and see if he is wearing the red numbers of most aggressive rider in today’s stage tomorrow.  The pair had built up a six minute advantage over the peloton, but with 78 to go, their gapped had dropped to just under three and a half minutes.

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-Down-Under/3995711-183-194179/Painting/attacking-the-climb.-tdu24-6.html

Wollongong 2022, Elite Men's Road Race: The Sprint Behind

I am sure they all thought they would be sprinting for the Rainbow Jersey, but that coveted price has already crossed the line two minutes earlier.  So it was Christophe Laporte (France) taking the best of the rest sprint (and the silver medal), just nipping the Australian sprinter, Michael Matthews.  They were followed by Wout Van Aert (Belgium) - 4th, Matteo Trentin (Italy) - 5th, and the ever present (and three time Road World Champion) Peter Sagan (Slovakia) in seventh place.  I hadn't seen Sagan all day, but here he was when it mattered.  

This will most likely be my last cycling painting for 2022.  I thank you all for reading along.  I hope you have enjoy the artwork.  And a big thank you to everyone who has purchased one of my paintings or prints!  It truly means alot.  The more I can sell, the more I am able to create.  So, again, thank you!

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/3907969-35-295031/Painting/the-sprint-behind-uci22-35.html

Wollongong 2022, Women's Road Race: Forcing Them to Chase

As the women's race neared its conclusion, Team Australia began sending rider after rider up the road to see of they could break the peloton apart. With just 32 kilometers left to decide who would be the next Elite and U23 Women's World Champion, it was Sarah Roy's (Australia) turn to see what she could do to enliven the race.  She built up eight seconds on those behind, but as the short steep climbs loomed, she wasn't able to stay away from the pure climbers behind.  Still, nothing ventured, nothing gained.  

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/3907616-23-295031/Painting/forcing-them-to-chase-uci22-23.html

Wollongong 2022, Mixed Team Relay: Time to Use the Turbo

If you are unaware, Luke Durbridge's (Australia) - he is on the front - nickname is 'Durbo Turbo'.  He is often found on the front of the peloton chasing down break aways for his BikeExchange-Jayco team.  Today he is using that particular skill to pull himself, Michael Matthews and Team Australia towards a new best time as the men's half of the Mixed Team Relay.  His efforts and that of his female teammates were enough to earn the home team a bronze medal after a long time in the hot seat.  It does seem to be a pattern of these Worlds, to have an Australian rider sit in first place right up until the end of the time trials of these games.

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/3906699-14-295031/Painting/time-to-use-the-turbo-uci22-14.html

Wollongong 2022, Men's ITT: Speeding

Luke Plapp (Australia) was going out on a fast run in the first heat of the Elite Men's Individual Time Trial.  As he came out of a sharp corner he was well over the 40 kilometers per hour speed limit.  He finished the 32 kilometer course with an average speed of 49.5 kph.  Unlike his country woman in the Women's ITT he didn't stay as high up in the standings as Grace Brown (she got the silver medal).  He eventually slipped to twelfth place 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 $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/3906182-7-295031/Painting/speeding-uci22-7.html

Wollongong, Women's ITT: Riding at Home

The UCI Road World Championships got underway Sunday in Wollongong, Australia (that is Saturday night for us here in the USA), but I didn't start painting the racing until Monday.  Grace Brown (Australia) went out hard and fast setting the best time at every time check, including that all important one at the end of the course.  She then spent hours waiting in the hot seat to see if anyone was going to beat her time.  She had some scares, but in the end, it was the very last woman to finish the course who finally edged her out by twelve seconds.  It does mean that Australia claim the first silver medal of the 2022 Women's UCI Time Trial Championship.  

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/3905959-1-295031/Painting/riding-at-home-uci22-1.html

Beijing 2022: A First for Her Country

Jaclyn Narracott (Australia)slide down the track and into Australian history.  She was fast enough to win her country's first sliding medal, a Silver.  Not only was it a treat to watch her run, it was great to see some color streaking down the ice.

 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/Winter-Olympics-2022/3866413-26-293321/Painting/a-first-for-her-country-beijing-2022.html