Paris Olympics 2024, Women's Track Cycling Keirin Semi Finals: Winding Up

Coming from road cycling, this is a rather rare site (except just before a rider gets disqualified).  The Keirin starts with a specific order of riders following the Demy around for the first three laps as it slowly increases it speed.  After the second laps riders are free to change their order behind the Demy.  After the third lap the motorbike pulls off and the race is on!  As they speed up it is Matilda Gros (France) followed in turn by Katie Marchant (Great Britain) and Emma Hinze (Germany).  Alas, the Frenchwoman did not make it through to the finals, yet both the German and the Brit are through to vie for another medal to add to the ones they have already have in the team track cycling events.

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.

"Winding Up PO24-82" (Original art by Greig Leach)

 

Paris Olympics 2024, Men's Track Cycling Omnium Tempo Race: Chasing the Italian

In the second event in the Men's Omnium is the Tempo Race.  The riders amass points by either winning lap sprints (1 point) or by lapping the peloton (20 points).  Whomever amasses the most points by the end of the 40 laps of the velodrome wins the race, however the points they win do not carry over into the Omnium points total.  With just a lap or two to go, Elia Viviani (Italy) decided he should earn at least one point, meaning he should hold eighth by the end of the second event.  Chasing the Italian is another road cyclist, Ethan Hayter (Great Britain).  He finished one place behind Viviani.

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.

"Chasing the Italian PO24-81" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Women's Track Cycling Team Pursuit: Split Times

The British quartet of Elinor Barker, Josie Knight, Anna Morris, and Jessica Roberts got off to a bit of a slower start in their Bronze Medal race against Team Italia.  They did manage to keep building up (or Italy began to waiver) as the laps progressed.  You can just see the British coach giving them their split times as they fly past at roughly forty miles an hour.  Bear in mind that they are riding a single speed fixed gear bike with a huge gear ration.  They did come back to take the Bronze medal continuing their streak of medaling in every Olympic game in this event since its introduction into the Summer Olympics.  Sadly, despite their great start, Italy will continue to be the bridesmaid and never the bride in this track cycling contest.  The country only has two medals in track cycling total.  I guess they will leave their prowess to road cycling.

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.

"Split Times PO24-75" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Women's Triathlon: Running Up the Champs Elysees

Without the chance to see the Champs Elysees in the Tour de France, it was nice to get a peek today in the Women's Triathlon.  The women had already made the loop by bike, but they went back up the famous Parisian boulevard again in the final leg of their race.  It was Julie Derron (Suisse) leading the small group containing Beth Potter (Great Britain), Cassandre Beaugard (France) and her teammate Emma Lombardi.  Chasing behind is first the defending Gold Medalist, Flora Duffy (Bermuda) and then a bit further back is Taylor Spivey (USA).  Beaugard does go on to win with Derron taking silver and Potter taking the bronze.  I am sure that Beth Potter gets quite a bit of teasing about being a Potter in the UK.  Here is hoping we will see the Champs again in the men's and women's road races this coming 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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Running Up the Champs Elysees PO24-40" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Women's Triathlon: Making Her Transition

Taylor Brown (Great Britain) had made up quite a bit of time in the cycling portion of the Women's Triathlon.  She was the first to come back to the Pont Alexandre III to transition from the bike to the running leg of the event.  She quickly shed her helmet and slipped on her running shoes as she headed out for the final leg of the Triathlon.

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.

"Making Her Transition PO24-39" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Men's Mountain Biking: Who Will It Be?

It was truly amazing to see Tom Pidcock (Great Britain) fight his way back to the front of the race after having a flat tire.  I am quite sure that neither Victor Koretzky (France) nor Alan Hatherly (South Africa) were overjoyed to see the Brit.  Pidcock has just come off of the Tour de France, so he has a deeper fitness and stamina then most anyone else in the race.  These three just have about another kilometer to race and it is unclear who will take which medals, but it will be these three for the top three places.  Koretzky had one more attack in him and dropped Pidcock for a bit.  Pidcock did come back and passed the Frenchman on a narrow stretch making contact in the effort.  Koretzky had to pull a foot out of his cleats and there went his Gold Medal.  Pidcock repeated his Tokyo Olympics Gold, with Koretzky finishing with the Silver, and Hatherly the Bronze.  The Bronze is the first Olympic Mountain Biking medal for his country, his continent and his hemisphere.  Well done all three!

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.

"Who Will It Be? PO24-23" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Men's Mountain Biking: Leading Them Around

Unlike the women's race yesterday, the men stayed in a large peloton as they made their way around the first two laps of the four and a half kilometer Mountain Bike course.  They were led up the climb again by Mathias Flueckiger (Suisse) who was closely watched by Victor Koretzky (France) and Tom Pidcock (Great Britain).  Just peeking into the frame is his teammate Nino Schurter.  Each country is only allowed a maximum of two men in the race, but most are the only one representing their country.

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.

"Leading Them Around PO24-20" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Wollongong 2022, Women's Road Race: Off the Front

As the women hit the Wollongong city circuit for the first time it was Elynor Backstedt (Great Britain) off the front with two others.  Her sister had already won the Junior Women's Road Race, and she was hoping she would be able to bring home her own Rainbow Jersey in the U23 Women's Road Race.  Backstedt was joined in the effort by fellow U23 rider Caroline Andersson (Sweden) and the Elite rider Justine Ghekiere (Belgium).  The three had opened up roughly a minute and a half on the peloton as they approached the start of the first of six laps through the city.  Still, the peloton had yet to show any real aggression.  They still have another 87 kilometers to race, so... plenty of time to go.

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/3907614-21-295031/Painting/off-the-front-uci22-21.html

Beijing 2022: Less Heighth, More Style

I'm sure I'm not the only one who wishes they had spell check in their pen.  So it goes.  Gus Kenworthy (Great Britain) was one of the few skiers that was able to complete a fourth run in a very windy half pipe.  Conversely, he was unable to get the kind of big air that is required to put down a Gold Medal run.  The cross and down drafts that would have high gusts blew up at almost any time.  Many were blown way off line, but more about that later.  Without the big air, even this Switch 900 wasn't enough to move him above 8th place.  Never the less, his style was still a pleasure to watch.

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-2022/3867878-51-293321/Painting/less-heighth-more-style-beijing-2022.html

Yorkshire 2019 - Elite Women's Road Race: Thirsty Work

Soraya Paladin (Italy) dropped back from the front chase group to get a bottle and talk race tactics with her coach.  The Italians were in a good position with two riders in this group.  In even better shape is defending World Champion, Anna Van Der Breggan (Netherlands) whose teammate was the one off the front solo.  The American, Chloe Dygert, was the one leading the chase.  It doesn't look like this group is making much of an impression on the former Time Trial Champion, although it is Dygert who is the brand new Champion against the clock.

Watch this painting come to life in this 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%202019/3398404-38-266225/Thirsty%20Work%20%20UCI19-38.html

Yorkshire 2019 - Elite Women's Road Race: Making It Hard

As the peloton started up the second early climb, up the Lofthaus, it was some of the big names of women's cycling pushing the pace.  Annemiek Van Vleuten (Netherlands) seemed to be riding team strategy by going as hard as she could in hopes of softening the race for her teammates.  At this point it was Lizzie Deignan (Great Britain) was holding her wheel, riding shoulder to shoulder with the Italian, Elisa Longo Borghini.

See this painting come to life as I talk about the race, painting this image and who knows what else that popped into my head on my YouTube channel (and right 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%202019/3398397-37-266225/Making%20It%20Hard%20%20UCI19-37.html

Yorkshire 2019 - U23 Road Race: Arms Spread Wide

So it wasn't one of the leading five to take the victory in Harrogate after all.  It was Nils Eekhoff (Netherlands) had bridged across to the leaders and then had the legs to out sprint everyone.  As I am writing this, I am listening to the NBC Sports online podcast and learning that Eekhoff has been disqualified.  I still don't know why.  That means that each of the finishers have been moved up a spot.  Therefore, Samuele Battistella (Italy) wins the race, with Stefan Bissengger (Switzerland) takes Silver and the Yorkshire man, Thomas Pidcock (Great Britain) does make a medal run after all taking the Bronze.  That was a bit strange.

In the end it was determined that Eekhoff had spend to much time drafting off the back of his team car trying to rejoin the race after crashing out on course.

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%202019/3397276-35-266225/Arms%20Spread%20Wide%20%20UCI19-35.html

Doha 2016, Elite Women's Road Race: On the Bell Lap

The next to go was Dani King (Great Britain).  She was wise enough to wait until the bell lap, before trying to escape the clutches of the peloton and the Dutch team.  It was Amy Pieters (Netherlands) and Emma Johansson (Sweden) who responded first to the Brit's attack.  The trio got a bit of a gap, but there was too much at stake for any team to let a solo break (or even this small one) succeed.  The other thing that has struck me about Doha and The Pearl, is the seemingly unending amount of ongoing construction.  Even here you can see two large scale apartment buildings rising from the artificial island in the sea.  I wonder where all of the inhabitants came from considering there was barely anything twenty years ago.

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/2865857-54-227958/PaintingOn%20the%20Bell%20Lap%20Doha54-Greig-Leach.html#.WAKLPOArLIU

Doha 2016, Elite Men's ITT: Out in the Desert

Steve Cummings (Great Britian) seemed to be channeling his inner Lawrence of Arabia in today's individual time trial.  The stark desert landscape and hot, dry air couldn't have been a welcome change from the verdant countryside of his home island.  Today's course started out near the unique architecture of Le Salle on the outskirts of Doha eventually bringing the riders back on to The Pearl and the line where every race will finish.  Alas, it wasn't to be Cummings day today, he only managed a 25th 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/2864421-34-227958/PaintingOut%20in%20the%20Desert%20Doha34-Greig-Leach.html#.V_5n3-ArLIU

Doha 2016, Men's U23 ITT: Catching One

Each rider leaves the start house a minute and a half apart, but if one is riding well, the other poorly, or a combination of the two, the following rider can catch the man up the road.  So it was that Jonathan Dibben (Great Britain) was able to catch and pass Enkhtavian Bolor-Erdene (Mongolia).  Dibben was on a truly good day posting split times in the top five along the early kilometers of the course.

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/2863813-19-227958/PaintingCatching%20One%20Doha19-Greig-Leach.html#.V_x5buArLIU

Tour of Britain, Final Stage: Filming It All

Obviously, every stage, every kilometer of the Tour of Britain has been covered by TV cameramen.  There are three TV Moto's with cameramen who film the race from the back of the motorcycles, sometimes at very high speeds and in all sorts of weather.  Their work is augmented by stationary cameras along the course and at the finish line, as well as two helicopters who film from above.  There is a move to get live camera feeds from the racers bicycles as well, but those didn't figure into this stage race.  So standing up on the back of the motorcycle was the cameraman filming the break of Gabriel Cullaigh (Team GB), Jasper Bovenhuis (An Post Chain Reaction), Tom Stewart (Madison Genesis) and Taylor Phinney (BMC).  This particular moment was captured by a stationary camera positioned near the finish line (or in this case the end of the fourth lap).

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/Tour%20of%20Britain/2850506-86-189075/PaintingFilming%20It%20All%20ToB60-Greig-Leach.html#.V9ZLQZgrLIU

Tour of Britain, Final Stage: The First to Launch

The Sprint Jersey wearer, Jasper Bovenhuis (An Post Chain Reaction) was the first to jump out of the peloton, he was clearly off to rack up as many more sprint points as possible.  Immediately on to the Dutchman's wheel was Tom Stewart (Madison Genesis).  Before the duo had cover half of a kilometer both Taylor Phinney (BMC) and Gabriel Cullaigh (Team GB) joined them.  The foursome went straight to work opening up a thirty second gap on the following peloton before they were around the first lap of the streets of downtown London.

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/Tour%20of%20Britain/2850495-84-189075/PaintingThe%20First%20to%20Launch%20ToB58-Greig-Leach.html#.V9ZESpgrLIU

Tour of Britain, Stage 4: Holding Everyone Off

The Dutch National Champion, Dylan Groenewegen (LottoNL Jumbo) went early in his sprint for the line in Builth Wells.  He was able to hold off everyone behind including (in order), Daniel McLay (Team GB), Ben Swift (Sky), Carlos Barbero (Caja Rural Seguros), Julian Vermote (Etixx-Quickstep) holding onto his Yellow Jersey and Boy Van Poppel (Trek-Segafredo).  The pro British commentators were sure it was McLay had taken the victory, even after Groenewegen raised his arm after crossing the line.  They did accept McLay had not won when he was the first to reach out and shake the Dutchman's hand.

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/Tour%20of%20Britain/2848902-55-189075/PaintingHolding%20Everyone%20Off%20ToB29-Greig-Leach.html#.V9DompgrLIU

Rio Olympics: The Sweep!

Team USA managed a feat that has never been accomplished in the Women's 100 Meter Hurdles nor any event in the Summer Olympics, a sweep of the race.  Americans Brianna Rollins, Nia Ali, and Kristi Castlin took Gold, Silver and Bronze respectfully.  Castlin just barely out leaned Cindy Ofili (Great Britain) for the Bronze,   All four leaned forward to gain the best position, collectively flailing as they crossed the finish line.

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/2838917-157-226051/PaintingThe%20Sweep!%20Rio157-Greig-Leach.html#.V7W6aZgrLIU

Rio Olympics: Ramping It Up

After the Colombian had lapped the field, it was time for the second sprint of the race.  This one was rather hot with the Manx Missile, Mark Cavendish (Great Britain) mixing it up with the leader, Italian sprinter Elia Viviani.  Helping to excite the crowd was the Brazilian, G. Monteiro vying for points.  Spoiler alert:  Cavendish was able to claim an Olympic Medal at long last, a Silver.  So this season he has worn the Yellow Jersey in the Tour de France and won an Olympic Medal, these have been to of his career goals for a very long time.  Chapeau, Mark!

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/2838050-127-226051/PaintingRamping%20It%20Up%20Rio127-Greig-Leach.html#.V7M2mJgrLIU