2026 UCI World Champions; Montreal Elite Women's Road Race: Paying Honor

Purchase this painting here: "Paying Honor UCI26-2" (Original art by Greig Leach)

With several laps to go, the defending champion Magadeleine Vallieries (Canada) found herself in a group with her teammate Adele Normand, Aqua Marina Espinola (Paraquay) and others now over six minutes behind the leaders.  It was clear to all that her injuries and the time it took to get going again she would not be contending the finale in her home country.  However, in honor of racing on home roads, and to the Rainbow Jersey, she kept riding until this whole group was pulled of the course by the race commissares.  She was in tears as she struggled to dismount from her bike when her day was finished.  It was finished when she went down in the first lap on the climb up Mont Royal, but she wanted to keep going 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 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 → 

Wollongong 2022, Elite Men's Road Race: Up & Over, Again

The twelve laps around the Wollongong circuit took everyone up and over Mount Pleasant repeatively zapping strength from the legs every time.  The early break was still away with 93 kilometers to go. Each rider followed the other over the top and filed into a long single file line down the other side.  While there are others in the group, this is Pieter Serry (Belgium) following, Pavel Sivakov (France), then Luke Plapp (Australia), Lukasz Owsian (Poland), Pier-Andre Cote (Canada) and just dropping out of sight of the fans is Guy Sagiv (Israel).  They may be doomed in their efforts to stay off the front since the peloton has pulled them back to an under four minute advantage.  Only time will tell if it is all worth the effort for the group.

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/3907913-29-295031/Painting/up-over-again-uci22-29.html

Beijing 2022: Fighting for Gold

My wife, the actor Bridget Gethins (look her up on IMDB.com) noticed that yet again I forgot to titled and sugned this painting while she was selecting her favorite of the day.  She came up eith "Fughting for Gold: which is far superoir to my idea of "Sprinting for Gold"  (This is why she titles all of my large scale works).  Ivanie Blondin (Canada) and Francesca Lollobrigida (Italy) got out of the final turn first, but it was Irene Schouten's (Netherlands) incredible sprint that decided the Gold Medal.  Blondin held on for a close run Silver. And the it was Lollobrigida (the great niece of the famous Italian actress from the 60s) and Mia Manganello Kilberg (USA) in her first international race vying for the Bronze.  It went to the Italian.

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-2022/3868157-55-293321/Painting/fighting-for-gold-beijing-2022.html

Beijing 2022: Making Sure

There are two disciplines in the Winter Olympics that strongly resemble all of the aspects of cycling.  Speed skating is one of those.  Many of its events are identical to track cycling.  Riding a velodrome is still one of the things on my cycling bucket list. Meanwhile, back at duscussing this painting... Irene Schouten (Netherlands) keeps a close eye on her main competitors; Gina Lollabridgida (Italy), Valerie Maltias (Canada) and the Japanese skater who's name I wasn't able to catch.  She crashed out of this semi-final heat and her name wasn't posted on the finish listing.

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-2022/3868136-54-293321/Painting/making-sure-beijing-2022.html

Beijing 2022: Pushing Forward

Well, tecnically, Eric Radford is pulling his figure skating partner, Vanessa James (Canada) back, but pushing forward feels so much more inspiring.  As far as I know this is the first time I have seen a figure skater of color take to the ice ib the Winter Olympics.  It is almost definitely the first time I have seen a mixed race pair of skaters compete on the international stage.  I am old enough to have been alive before mixed race marriages were legal in the USA.  So while James/Radford may have finished in 12th place they have pushed the world of figure skating and the Winter Olympics forward.

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-2022/3868082-53-293321/Painting/pushing-forward-beijing-2022.html

Beijing 2022: Any Part Will Do

Well, not really, the skis don't count, any body part will do.  At the end of their semi final in the Women;s Freestyle Cross, Daniela Maier (Germany), Fanny Smith (Switzerland) and Brittany Phelan (Canada) stretched as they could to claim a chance to ski for a Gold Medal.  Maier and Smith got the chance.  However, Smith finished in third but was yellow carded moving her to fourth and Maier into 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 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-2022/3867274-44-293321/Painting/any-part-will-do-beijing-2022.html

Beijing 2022: Staying with It

Hillary Knight (USA) may have missed her first try at this goal, but she stayed with it.  Picking up her own rebound she was able to flip the puck over the Canadian goalie's outstretched mitt.  Knight's effort got the USA on the scoreboard but they were still trailing Canada 3-1.  The more southern "Americans" did score again but still found themselves taking the Silver Medal and Canada the Gold.  Just another four years and the will be back out on the ice together 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/Winter-Olympics-2022/3867220-42-293321/Painting/staying-with-it-beijing-2022.html

Beijing 2022: Face Off

This is the seventh Winter Olympics that the Women's Ice Hockey Gold Medal game has been contested by USA and Canada.  That makes this titled have another layer as Canada and USA as the two teams face off to decide who will take home the Gold Medal from Beijing 2022.  At this point Canada is leading 2-0.

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-2022/3867200-41-293321/Painting/face-off-beijing-2022.html

Beijing 2022: In Pursuit

The cyclist in me loves the speed skating events.  I raced bikes way back in the 70s and speed skating was considered the best winter training regiment for cyclists.  Conversely, cycling was felt to be the best summer training until the invention of inline skating.  The similarities are so strong that this Canadian Women's team is doing the team pursuit an event that can be found in track cycling too.  The Canadians did well in their qualifing race moving themselves into second overall thus emsuring that they would be able to compete for a medal on Monday.

 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-2022/3866316-25-293321/Painting/in-pursuit-beijing-2022.html

Beijing 2022: Photo Finish

Eliot Grondin (Canada) went just a tad early with his snowboarder's equivilant of the sprinter's lunge.  Alas, his timing and balance weren't quite what thet should have been and he lost control.  However, I think that Alessandro Haemmerle (Austria) had him beat regardless.  Haemmerle took Gold by two one hundredths of a second, leaving Grondin to claim Silver.  You can just see the feet and board of Omar Visintin (Italy) who took thr 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 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-2022/3865894-17-293321/Painting/photo-finish-beijing-2022.html

Beijing 2022: Leading All the Way Down

Lindsey Jacobellis (USA) has finally atoned for a showboat mistake three Olympic Games back. Then she had a big lead and put a little flair on the fill jump of her race,  She fell.  She was able to jump up and finish for the Silver Medal that year.  The next two Olympics she slid off course.  But this year she put the perfect run together leading the whole way down the course.  Behind her Chloe Trespeuch (France)claimed Silver and Meryeta Odine (Canada) rounded out the podium.

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-2022/3865385-13-293321/Painting/leading-all-the-way-down-beijing-2022.html

Beijing 2022: Push the Pass

 The team short track event looks like utter chaos, but is usually beautifully choreographed ballet on speed skates.  This is the third semi final of the women's 3000 M Short Track Relay.  This is the push off that replaces the traditional baton pass seen in track and field.  You are seeing Team Canada followedclosely by Korea and the Russian Olympic Federation (ROC).  Both Canada and Korea advanced to race for the gold medal.

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-2022/3865377-12-293321/Painting/push-the-pass-beijing-2022.html

Olympics 2020, The Next to Get Away

This trio that went off the front next was a bit more threatening.  All three had just finished some great racing in the Tour de France and were more than ready to take it to the peloton.  When they left the peloton on the foothills of Mount Fuji there was no one else up the road.  Tadej Pogacar (Slovenia) looks back over his shoulder to see what king of a gap he, Brandon McNulty (USA) and Michael Woods (Canada) had generated.  With just 37 kilometers left to race of a long, hard day, it was time to get down to the business of winning gold.

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/2020-Summer-Olympics/3826100-4-291661/Painting/the-next-to-get-away-o21-4.html

Olympics 2018: Traffic

The finals in the Women's 1000M Short Track was quite the exciting race.  With two South Koreans in the race, Sukhee Shim and Mimjeong Choi, whipping up the crowd.  As they women came into the final lap, however, one of the Korean women went down taking her teammate with her.  In the tight corners of short track, there is a lot of traffic and competition for a piece of ice.  It was Suzanne Schulting (Netherlands) taking Gold, followed by Kim Boutin (Canada) for Silver and Arianna Fontana (Italy) grabbing the Bronze.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available by emailing me at greigsart@gmail.com.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  It is $75 plus shipping.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com.  And yes, international shipping is available.

Olympics 2018: Face Off

Seems appropriate to paint this scene for the Women's Hockey Gold Medal game.  Team USA and Team Canada have faced off for the Gold for three Olympics in a row now.  In their round robin game, Canada won by a goal with the Americans almost scoring as time ran out.  At this point in the game, the score was 2-1 Canada.  Team USA was up for the fight.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available by emailing me at greigsart@gmail.com.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  It is $75 plus shipping.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com.  And yes, international shipping is available.

Olympics 2018: Cornering

One of my favorite Winter Olympic events is the Short Track, possibly because this is one of the sports I enjoyed as a teenager (not that it was called short track back in the 70s).  In the finale of the Women's 1000M race, it was A. Fontana (Italy) leading into the final turn.  Behind her, M. Choi (South Korea) was fighting for position with K. Boutin (Canada).  As they crossed the line, it was the Italian taking the victory, with the Korean coming in second.  The battle for the best line literally pushed Boutin out of medal contention.  Choi was disqualified, moving Boutin into the Bronze Medal.  And, yes, Fontana took the Gold.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available by emailing me at greigsart@gmail.com.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  It is $75 plus shipping.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com.  And yes, international shipping is available.

Bergen 2017, U-23 Individual Time Trial: Down the Ramp

Alexander Cowan (Canada) was one of the early riders in the first group to roll down the ramp at the start of the 42 mile individual time trial.  All of the Under 23 men would be doing a short and then long lap around the streets of Bergen.  The second lap takes in the climb up the Birkelundsbakken that was the undoing of many of even the best men and women in the professioanl peloton.  Cowan was not expected to be a rider to figure in the medals, but you can win if you don't race.

The starters were broken into five groups to prevent riders from being on the short lap and the long lap similtaneously.  The time trial discipline is all about a clear open road and a single rider against the clock.  With mutliple support vehicles and racers trying to vie for space on the road, it would have provide some riders with an unfair advantage had there not been spaces between the starting groups.

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/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3034566-11-239826/PaintingDown-the-Ramp-Bergen-11.html

Rio Olympics: Hugs All Around

I was struck by the kindness and sportsman(woman)ship of the top four finishers in the women's mountain bike race.  Gold Medalist Jenny Rissveds (Sweden) reaches out to hug Emily Batty (Canada) who had just finished her race in fourth place.  Beside them draped in the Polish flag, Silver Medalist, Maja Wloszczowska (Poland) embraces the Bronze Medalists, Catherine Pendrel (Canada).  The mutual respect is the embodiment of the Olympic spirit and the heart of most women's sports.  We men have so many things to learn...

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.  Remember this is an original work of art, so once it has been sold, it is gone.  Don't delay buy it now!

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Summer%20Olympics/2840450-199-226051/PaintingHugs%20All%20Around%20Rio199-Greig-Leach.html#.V7k6A5grLIU

Rio Olympics: In Search of the Others

Without much time left to race, Catherine Pendrel (Canada) took off in search of those ahead.  She had dropped the last of the Swiss riders, Jolanda Neff and her own teammate Emily Batty.  Pendrel wasn't able to catch either Maja Wloszczowska (Poland) nor Jenny Rizzveds (Sweden), but she did garner herself a Bronze Medal on the day.

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.  Remember this is an original work of art, so once it has been sold, it is gone.  Don't delay buy it now!

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Summer%20Olympics/2840448-198-226051/PaintingIn%20Search%20of%20the%20Others%20Rio198-Greig-Leach.html#.V7k1cJgrLIU

Rio Olympics: Chasing the Others

It upsets me to look at riders with so little covering their skin.  I won't even ride without gloves, I prefer to keep my skin on my body and not leaving it on the road.  Sara True (USA) and Kristen Sweetland (Canada) were trying to catch back on to the leading peloton.  True was having a bit of trouble with the one short steep climb on the course, or perhaps it was the equally steep descent.  True eventually withdrew from the race with horrible quad cramps.  I have been there, I know there is simply nothing she could do to continue, try as she might.  A rough way to end your Olympic dreams.

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.  Remember this is an original work of art, so once it has been sold, it is gone.  Don't delay buy it now!

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Summer%20Olympics/2840422-189-226051/PaintingChasing%20the%20Others%20Rio189-Greig-Leach.html#.V7kZlZgrLIU