2026 UCI Road World Championships, Montreal, Elite Men's Road Race: A Powerful Sextet

Purchase this painting here: "A Powerful Sextet UCI26-11" (Original art by Greig Leach)

It was Mathieu Van Der Poel (Netherlands) who started this move.  He was quickly joined by Quinn Simmons (USA) and Wout Van Aert (Belgium).  Those three were joined not much later by Primoz Roglic (Slovenia), Oscar Onley (Great Britian), and Anthon Charmig (Denmark).  Given the short punchy climbs and constant turning of the urban course, this was a group that had the chops to stay of the front for the remaining eighty kilometers.  At this point they have forty-two seconds on the disorganized chase behind.  The presence of Simmons and Van Aert means that their teammates are doing their best to disrupt the chase of the other riders 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 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 → 

2026 UCI Road Worlds Championship, Montreal, Elite Men's Road Race

Purchase this painting here: "How Am I Doing? UCI26-10" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Once the peloton, or what was left of it, caught the morning breakaway, Anthon Charmig (Denmark) decided it was his turn to try.  With 95 kilometers to race, he was taking a risk trying to go it alone.  After building up an eight second advantage, he looked back to see if anyone was going to join him in the effort.  Going solo left little chance of success, but if a couple of others bridged up to the Dane, he then may well have a chance to claim the Rainbow jersey.

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: The Rainbow Is Gone

All during the women's road race the cameras kept catching rainbows appearing while the rains pelted the women's peloton.  Today the sun shone all day, but then that is not the rainbow that has left this quartet.  Instead it is the rainbow bands of the world champion that have ridden out of their grasp at the end of the 270 kilometers of racing.  Pascal Eenkhoorn (Netherlands), Mauro Schmid (Switzerland), Mattias Skjelmose (Denmark) and Lorenzo Rota (Italy) had seen both Alexey Lutsenko and Remco Evenepoel ride away from them.  They didn't have the legs to go with either rider.  Lutsenko was still up the road, so the best these four could hope for was to race for the bronze medal.  In the end, their race fell even further apart.  They managed to catch Lutsenko, but then slowed down too much as they each watched the other not wanting to be the one to be on the front of the group in the final kilometers.  They were caught by the chasers, and all hopes of even being on the podium evaporated in an instant.

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/3907917-32-295031/Painting/the-rainbow-is-gone-uci22-32.html

Wollongong 2022, Men's ITT: Early Kilometers

Magnus Cort (Denmark) gained international fame with his exploits while the Tour de France was in his home country coming away with the Maillot a Pois as the race went to France.  He then held on to the jersey for eight more days making him a Danish hero.  Every painting I did of him in the Tour sold, one actually going to Magnus himself.  I was so honored.  Naturally, I wanted to paint him again before the season is out, so this was it.  As he said on social media after the race, it wasn't the day he had hoped for.  But it was nice to see him out on the road again.  Hopefully, he will have a better day in the road race on the weekend.

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/3906188-9-295031/Painting/early-kilometers-uci22-9.html

Wollongong 2022, Women's ITT: Under 23

Wollongong 2022 is the first time the the U-23 designation has been awarded to the women's races.  While the younger riders were on the road competing with the Elite Women they were also competing for their own rainbow jersey of time trial champion.  You may notice that Emma Norsgaard Bjerg (Denmark) is racing with a black bib number not the white numbers in the previous paintings.  That black number is what denotes that she is racing in the U-23 competition.  While she finished in 14th place on the day, I do believe that placing was enough for her to win the Silver Medal in her specific classification.  This is one of the paintings that I will have posted on YouTube as I create it in real time.

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/3905967-4-295031/Painting/under-23-uci22-4.html

Flanders 2021: On a Fast One

One of the challenges with painting a time trial is trying to guess who will be the players in the leader board at the end of the day.  Kasper Asgreen (Denmark) was out on a strong ride putting in yet another new best time at the first time check.  He stayed near the top as he completed the course, claiming the second spot on the podium when he finished.  Unfortunately for the Dane, two of the three behind him out road him.  He finished the day in that awful position of just off of the podium.  As I watched the race I was struck by just how many bike lanes were all over the course most of which were protected from cars and trucks (that is what the red stripe is going across the road... the red streak is Asgreen).  I think I need to spend some time riding in Europe soon.

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/Flanders-2021/3837385-5-292177/Painting/on-a-fast-one-uci21-5.html

Olympics 2020, Now He Goes!

Jakob Fulgsang (Denmark) realized that the race was going up the road.  He jumped clear of the peloton in hopes of bridging up to the two that were off the front.  Tadej Pogacar (Slovenia) didn't have the legs to stay with either the original attack of the move from the Dane.  He can be excused, after all it was only a week ago that he won the Tour de France by a very convincing margin.

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/3826102-5-291661/Painting/now-he-goes-o21-5.html

Yorkshire 2019 - Elite Men's Road Race: Three Men, Three Medals

It was now down to just three men on the front end of the race.  With just four kilometers left it was Mads Pedersen (Denmark) leading Stefan Kung (Switzerland) and Matteo Trentin (Italy) towards the final turns and climbs of these rather amazing (although wet) World Championships.  Of the trio, it is Trentin who had the reputation of being a world class sprinter.  He has spent the last couple of months racing in the European Champion's Jersey, but would gladly trade it in for the Rainbow Jersey of World Champion.  So with three men, it means they all will take home a medal, it just comes down to what medal it may be.  It seems very unlikely that anyone can come across the gap given it was over a minute with less than four kilometers.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

Please be sure to visit my YouTube Channel and subscribe if you like what you see.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Yorkshire%202019/3400879-51-266225/Three%20Men,%20Three%20Medals%20%20UCI19-51.html

Yorkshire 2019 - Elite Men's Road Race: Launching

Mads Pedersen (Denmark) was the first to bridge across to the duo of Stefan Kung (Switzerland) and Lawson Craddock (USA).  As the Dane and Kung climb up the Oak Beck Hill, it was Craddock who found his legs just didn't have it anymore.  Craddock, as he had in his first Tour de France, fought to stay in the race, but this time he eventually pulled off the bike.  With the American gone, it was looking like Pedersen and Kung were going to have the legs to go the distance.  And it was quite a distance, 258 kilometers in the cold and wet.

Watch this painting come together in this quick time lapse video.  You can see it here and on my YouTube channel.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

Please be sure to visit my YouTube Channel and subscribe if you like what you see.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Yorkshire%202019/3400872-48-266225/Launching%20%20UCI19-48.html

Yorkshire 2019 - Elite Men's Road Race: One Long, Cold Wet Line

As I have said already, it was not a pleasent day to be out on the roads of Harrogate today.  The peloton looked rather sodden as they rode through the finish line on the first of nine laps through the city.  They had pulled back the earlier break away, there were just too many guys who could take the race to allowed them their lead.  As they splashed past the crowds, it was the French team being lead by Remy Cavagna and Anthony Roux, with Magnus Cort and Kasper Asgreen (Denmark) helping to set a tough pace on the front of the strung out peloton.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

Please be sure to visit my YouTube Channel and subscribe if you like what you see. 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Yorkshire%202019/3400607-45-266225/One%20Long,%20Cold,%20Wet%20Line%20%20UCI19-45.html

Yorkshire 2019 - U23 Road Race: Where Did You Go?

"Where did you go?"  That had to be the question Idar Anderson (Norway) asked as he looked behind him.  He had been driving the pace of this small escape group, flicking his elbow for someone to come through to share the work.  When no one pulled through, he swung to the right and peered over his shoulder to find no one behind him.  Behind, Kaden Groves (Australia) wiped his nose and Anreas Lorentz Kron (Denmark) refused to hold onto the Norwegian's wheel.  The fight seemed out of the group despite having a half a minute on the chasing peloton.

Watch this painting come to life in a quick time lapse video on my YouTube channel and here:

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

Please be sure to visit my YouTube Channel and subscribe if you like what you see.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Yorkshire%202019/3397192-31-266225/Where%20Did%20You%20Go?%20%20UCI19-31.html

Yorkshire 2019 - Jr Women's ITT: Counting Down

Mette Egtoft Jensen (Denmark) was set to start her effort in the Junior Women's Individual Time Trial.  Jensen was starting mid way down the start order based on her UCI ranking (think tennis seeds).  Thing is, you need to race the race.  She did tickle the placings early on, but ultimately those starting later were the ones contending for the medals.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Yorkshire-2019/3393280-10-266225/PaintingCounting-Down--UCI19-10.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Men's ITT: No Change

So one of the big debates of the men's time trial was whether or not to change bikes before hitting the Mount Floyen climb.  On one hand, it is easier and arguably quicker to ride up the sharp switchbacks and steep roads on a convention road bike, or the other hand, it seems to cost the riders about ten seconds to make the switch.  And a bit longer to get back up to speed.  Lasse Norman Hansen (Denmark) was one of those who opted not to change.  The first rider to stay on his TT bike was one of the early leaders on the day.  Hansen was not that rider.

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/3036141-23-239826/PaintingNo-Change-Bergen-23.html

Bergen 2017, U23 Individual Time Trial: As Fast as He Can

The Dane, Mikkel Bjerg, was setting the best time at nearly every time check along the course.  He seemed to have measured his effort perfectly as he crested the Birkelundsbakken climb.  He just had do drive as hard as he could down the other side, across the pave and through the turns to the harbor.  All he could do is ride as fast as he could.  He did set the new best time at the line, unseating his teammate.  But having ridden in the first group, he was going to have a very long wait to see if his time would stand up.  It did!  Others got close, but none within 20 seconds of the second Danish U23 champion in three years.

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/3034570-13-239826/PaintingAs-Fast-as-He-Can-Bergen-13.html

Doha 2016, Jr. Men's ITT: Fastest Thus Far

Julius Johansen (Denmark) had a great run, setting best times all along the course.  However, it seems he may have gone too deep to early as he faded in the final lap of the course around The Pearl.  Johansen finished in the arguably toughest place on the general classification, fourth place.  His near miss made it look like the Americans had a chance to put to men on the podium for the second year running.  The question remains, which steps of the podium will they occupy?

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/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2864241-25-227958/PaintingFastest%20Thus%20Far%20Doha25-Greig-Leach.html#.V_2WX-ArLIU

Doha 2016, U23 Men's ITT: Defensive Riding

Mads Wurtz Schmidt (Denmark) was the last to take the start on The Pearl in Doha.  Schmidt was having the rare opportunity to race in defensive of his Rainbow Jersey from Richmond, Virginia.  Usually, the winner from the previous year isn't eligible to race in the U23 category.  Schmidt had made the decision to race with only one chain ring on the front of his bike in an effort to reduce the wind drag from a derailleur he wouldn't need.  In his effort to do all he could to do to win, he may have ruin his chances to succeed.  He had to slow and reach down and manually re-position his chain losing precious seconds and putting the fear of a repeat into his riding style.  So it was that he was unable to succeed in defending, and ended the day in 21st place.

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/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2863826-22-227958/PaintingDenfensive%20Riding%20Doha22-Greig-Leach.html#.V_yAzeArLIU

Doha 2016, Men U23 ITT: Around the Bend

With the Junior Women finished with their race, it was the time for the U23 (Under 23) Men to take to the roads of The Pearl.  The men would be covering the same course of the young women and then another 15 1/2 kilometers more, covering a second lap with some variations.  Going in the early heat was the Dane, Mads Pedersen.  The course seemed to never have a piece of straight road.  The riders faced round-a-bouts, sweepers and sharp corners on their way to the chance of a new Rainbow Jersey.

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/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2863805-17-227958/PaintingAround%20the%20Bend%20Doha17-Greig-Leach.html#.V_x0YOArLIU

Rio Olympics: Rowing for Silver

With the women from Great Britain holding such a commanding lead in the Women's Pair rowing event, the race was now for Silver.  The boats vying for the remain podium spots were Genevieve Behrent (New Zealand) and her teammate, Rebecca Scown versus Hedvig Rasumssen (Denmark) and her compatriot, Anne Andersen.  New Zealand was able to surge ahead to claim the Silver and Denmark followed up for Bronze,  The USA was just out of the medals in fourth place.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Summer%20Olympics/2836753-91-226051/PaintingRowing%20for%20Silver%20Rio91-Greig-Leach.html#.V69ecJgrLIU

Rio Olympics: Chasing Gold

This duo of Jakob Fuglsang (Denmark) and Greg Van Avermaet (Belgium) had managed to drop the others they had been with and went off in search of the lone rider up the road.  With one guy ahead of them, they knew they were racing for silver and bronze, unless they could catch Rafal Majka (Poland).

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Summer%20Olympics/2833917-11-226051/PaintingChasing%20Gold%20Rio11-Greig-Leach.html#.V6Z4r7grLIU

Rio Olympics: One More Time

With everyone back in at least the front group.  It was time to go up the final climb of the Olympic road race.  Leading the way is the Jakob Fuglsang (Denmark) who usually rides in support of the man behind him, Vincenzo Nibali (Italy) although, not 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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Summer%20Olympics/2833911-9-226051/PaintingOne%20More%20Time%20Rio9-Greig-Leach.html#.V6Z1zbgrLIU