Paris Olympics 2024, Women's Road Race: The Narrow Climb to Montemartre

J'adore Paris!  And have been many times including walking this very street.  At the top of the hill is a lovely square populated by artists selling their tourist focused artwork.  I doubt they were out there today.  Bridget and I had the chance to talk with a few and she let them know I was an artist.  We were invited back to the studio of one guy to space that many of the "tourist artists" kept their studios where they made their "real" work.  If I am not mistaken, the door to that space is just to the left as we look that this painting.  It almost looks like Kristen Faulkner (USA) is looking to see what paintings she can spy through the door.  In reality, she is looking at Mavi Garcia (Espana).  The pair were leading this small group that got established after a crash at the base of this climb.  Along for the ride are Blanka Vas (Hungary) and Marianne Vos (Netherlands).  This feels like it must be the move that will stick today.

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.

"The Narrow Climb to Martmontre PO24-62" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Women's Road Race: Starting a Move

As the women returned to Paris, it looks like Mavi Garcia (Espana) is starting a move out of the peloton with 67 kilometers to go.  The Spaniard was joined in the effort by Marianne Vos (Netherlands), Noemi Ruegg (Suisse) and Ashleigh Mooman (South Africa).  They opened a bit of a gap, but no one was going to let this strong of a group get away.  With this move, attacking became the pattern for the rest of the race.  Most every time someone went, they were chased down by the rest of the peloton.  What would it take to break things open?

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.

"Starting a Move PO24-61" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Flanders 2021: Adding to Her Advantage

The next to get away from the aggressive Dutch led peloton was Mavi Garcia (Espana).  Unlike anyone before her, she opened up a thirty second lead on those chasing behind.  She had 21 kilometers left to race, but at least through the downtown, fan lined, streets of Leuven, no one was getting any closer to the Spaniard’s wheel.  Even the official’s motorcycle and the Shimano service moto were having trouble getting through the sharp corners as quickly as Garcia.  It was going to take a united effort to pull this woman back.

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-2021/3838697-25-292177/Painting/adding-to-her-advantage-uci21-25.html

Flanders 2021: Passing the Devil

He had to show up after all these Worlds are being raced in his home country.  The male half of the Spanish team, Xavier Mikel Azparren, Diego Lopez and Lluis Mas, seemed to take no notice of Didi Senft as the sped by.  Senft is a long time fixture on the side of the road at most major European cycling events. It always warms my heart to see him bedecked in his Devil’s outfit leaping high in the air as he cheers on every cyclists as they ride pass him.  The Spanish trio was on a good ride but didn’t managed to finish in the top ten at the end of the day.  Hopefully, both the Spanish men and women will fair better in there respective road races 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 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-2021/3838529-15-292177/Painting/passing-the-devil.-uci21-15.html

Olympics 2020: Popping on the Final Climb

With over two hundred kilometers in their legs already, the final climb was taking its toll on many at the back of the peloton.  Some, like Jan Polanc (Slovenia) had been working on the front for their team.  Others, like Eddie Dunbar (Ireland) had launched an attack and been pulled back by the peloton.  And then still others just found the distance and the pace too much like Merhawi Kudus (Eritrea) and the Spanish duo of Alejandro Valverde and Jesus Harrada.  

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/3826099-3-291661/Painting/popping-on-the-final-climb-o21-3.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Men's Road Race: Go at the Bell

As the race approached the final lap, the peloton caught the previous move of six riders.  Just as the bell started ringing for the final lap (or Bell Lap), it was Luis Mas (Spain) who seemed to take it as a signal to go on the attack.  Jack Haig (Australia) was still on the front from the previous attack, along with Tim Wellens (Belgium).  The rider in the white kit is Jarlinson Pantano (Colombia) who is just about to chase the sprinting Mas.  Even with the flurries of attacks, it is beginning to look like the men's race will be the first road race to end with a mass sprint.

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/3038083-53-239826/PaintingGo-at-the-Bell--Bergen-53.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Men's Road Race: Is this the Move?

A number of riders bridged up to the attack by Marco Haller (Austria) and worked hard to make it stick.  For Lars Boom (Netherlands), Jack Haig (Australia), David de la Cruz (Spain), Odd Christian Eiking (Norway) and Time Wellens (Belgium), they were hoping that this was going to be the winning move.  The group quickly opened a gap on the peloton.  With representatives from the most aggressive teams of the race thus far, Belgium, Netherlands, Norway and Australia, the peloton was being a bit slow to react.  On the other hand, the French, Poles, and Italians had missed the move and would soon be obliged to chase.

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/3038065-52-239826/PaintingIs-this-the-Move?--Bergen-52.html

Bergen 2017, U23 Men's Road Race: Time to Pull Them Back

With just four laps left to race, the Spanish team decided it was time to chase down the remnants of the early break.  They wanted to set it up for a bunch sprint for the finale in hopes that their sprinter, Ivan Garcia, would be able to take out the win for Espana.  Garcia had just missed on the stage of this year's Vuelta in to his hope town of Gijon, I am sure he would love to redeem that effort with a win 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.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3037105-34-239826/PaintingTime-to-Pull-Them-Back--Bergen-34.html