2026 UCI Road World Championships, Montreal, Elite Men's Road Race: How Much Longer?

You can purchase this painting here: "How Much Longer?" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Now it was just six that were off the front as they headed up the climb of Mont Royal.  As the group of Jamie Meehan (Ireland), the two Eritrea riders Biniam Girmay and Henok Mulubrhan, Felix Engelhardt (Germany) and Andreas Leknessund (Norway) fought on, they were being shown the time gap of a mere minute and a half.  The Irish fans were thrilled to see their man still off the front of the group.  As it is always done in the Worlds, no team has race radios, so the time being kept by the moto is far more important than its normal ceremonial function at the Tour.

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 → 

UCI Road World Championships, Zurich 2024, Elite Women's Road Race: Four Women Two K

Just two more kilometers to race and it seems as though the podium would be decided between these women.  Ever cautious, Lotte Kopecky (Belgium) looks back to check and see just how close those chasing behind might be. Right behind her is Demi Vollering (Netherlands) who is a prolific racer who has yet to win the World Championships.  Behind her is Liane Lippert (Germany) and it is Elisa Longo-Borghini (Italy) riding shotgun.  The Italian is best positioned to launch a surprise attack in hopes of out sprinting the others.

If they get too cute trying to out fox each other, the two or three behind could catch back on and spoil the party.  Two out of the three are known to be great sprinters.

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.

"Four Women Two K Z24-5" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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. Women's Track Cycling Team Sprint: Finishing It Off

In the team sprint, each woman takes a single lap and then swings off in hopes of getting the anchor woman to the line faster than the other team on the track.  Team Germany started with Pauline Grabosch who is now dropped away.  As Emma Hinze is just swinging wide Lea Freidrich revs up to make the final dash to the finish line.  She was able to outsprint her opponent in the Bronze Medal race to claim the Bronze Medal for Germany.

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.

"Finishing It Off PO24-76" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Wollongong 2022, Mixed Team Relay: She Has to Wait

Liane Lippert (Germany) looks back trying to encourage Mieke Kroger to stay on her wheel as the climb the last rise up towards the finish line in the Mixed Team Relay in Wollongong, NSW. Kroger had done a long hard pull across the flats but couldn't match the climbing prowess of her teammate Lippert.  As they climbed they yelled back and forth, knowing that their time would depend on the second woman to cross the line.  Clearly Lippert was getting frustrated but she knew she must wait for her teammate so that they could work together in hopes of making the final step of the podium currently occupied by the home team, Australia.  At the line they were just eight seconds slower than the Australians.  I doubt the eight seconds were lost at this moment, but it didn't help.  

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/3906811-19-295031/Painting/she-has-to-wait-uci22-19.html

Beijing 2022: Jumping into Gold

Just as I typed out the title of this painting did I realize that I had used yet another pun in my titling of my artwork.  I had wanted to paint one of the German sleds just to add a bit of a variation of the overwhelmingly cool palette of vitually all of these Winter Olympics watercolors.  Their yellow (or golden yellow) sleds are a pleasant change for the eyes.  Plus this is Laura Nolte (Germany) jumping into her sled on her final glide down the House of Speed track.  Her Gold Medal run meant that Germany all but one of the sliding events held in these Games. Now that is impressive!

This also marks the end of my paintings of the Olympic Games.  I will start back painting cycling this weekend with the Omloop het Nieuwsblad and the Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne races.  I know that I didn't paint every event and certainly not every Olympian or medal winner, I'm bot sure that would be possible.  However, reach out to me through the website if you would like to commission a watercolor of something I didn't paint.

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 $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Winter-Olympics-2022/3868221-59-293321/Painting/jumping-into-gold-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: Watching Each Other

I love watching cross country and like the announcers I see strong similarities in race tatics between this sport and cycling... including the tights.  While this is the Nordic Combined Team Relay, it does conclude with a peleton stradegy.  At this point a one skier (rider) has slipped off the front and looks poised to take Gold for Norway.  This trio, Martin Fritz (Austria), V. Gieger (Germany), and Rioto Yamamoto (Japan), are looking at each other trying to decide when they would be able to get away from the other two.  They knew the Gold Medal went up the course and that only two more medals remained for the two of them.  Alas for Fritz, he was the odd man out.

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-2022/3867265-43-293321/Painting/watching-each-other-beijing-2022.html

Doha 2016, Men's U23 Road Race: By a Wheel

The Norwegian team had done quite a bit of work to get their man to the front.  It looked like it might have been in vain when both Pascal Ackermann (Germany) and Jakub Mareczko (Italy) had the jump on the Norwegian sprinter.  Ackermann had a teammate along with him, Phil Bauhaus.  But it was the legs and determination to reward the work of his teammates that fired Kristoffer Halvorsen to the line.  His sprint brought him from behind, just catching Ackermann, nudging pass him by less than the diameter of a front wheel.  So it was Halvorsen for the Gold (and the Rainbow Jersey), Ackermann for the Silver and Mareczko for the Bronze.  Bauhaus rolled across the line in fourth with the Spaniard Ivan Garcia Cortina claiming 8th.  There are plenty of other sources if you want to know each riders placing.  I am just relating the riders that are in this painting.

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/2865112-48-227958/PaintingBy%20a%20Wheel%20Doha48-Greig-Leach.html#.WAAN3eArLIU

Doha 2016, Elite Men's ITT: Very Efficient

Tony Martin (Germany) is in a very efficient aero tuck as he pushes his massive 58 tooth chain ring over and over.  Martin set the new best time at every check point along the course on his way to the one that matter most.  It was a treat to watch the master of the discipline churn his legs on his way to his fourth Rainbow Jersey.  It has taken him three years to reclaim what he had lost first to Bradley Wiggins and then to the man behind him on the road, Vasil Kiryienka (Belarus).  This time he was able to hold off the efforts of Kiryienka, but then unlike Richmond, he came to the Worlds healthy and fit.

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/2864464-37-227958/PaintingVery%20Efficient%20Doha37-Greig-Leach.html#.V_5wsOArLIU

Doha 2016, Junior Women's ITT: Coming in Fast

The German rider Franziska Brausse was having a spectacular race. She look solid, fast and powerful on her TT bike as she negotiated the twisty course around The Pearl off the coast of Doha. Brausse posted a new best time as she crossed the finish line, but the final podium was not to be hers. She ended her day in 6th overall.

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/2863574-13-227958/PaintingComing%20in%20Fast%20Doha13-Greig-Leach.html#.V_z7QeArLIU

Doha 2016, Men's U23 ITT: Trying to Be the Third

Lennard Kamna was riding hard hoping to be the third German to find a spot on the podium.  His countrymen Marco Mathis and Maximilian Schachmann were sitting first and second with just a few more riders to finish.  If Kamna could manage to finish third overall, it would almost ensure a German sweep of the podium.  I don't think I have ever seen that feet accomplished at the Worlds so it would be quite the coup.

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/2863833-23-227958/PaintingTrying%20to%20Be%20the%20Third%20Doha23-Greig-Leach.html#.V_yEJ-ArLIU

Rio Olympics: Threading the Needle

The German and Swedish women played a scoreless first half in the Gold Medal Match of Olympic Football.  Germany scored the first of two goals just four minutes in to the second half.  Sweden played hard and put a finely placed pass into the net to come within one point of the Germans.  Germany's second goal had been kicked into the Swedish net by one of Sweden's defensive players.  With the score now 2-1, she must have felt awful.  When the game ended with the same score, I am sure she held her head low.  Germany claimed the Gold, but Sweden's Silver is the first time they have ever made it to the podium since women's football was added to the Olympic Games.  This might be why I was never a truly successful athlete, had I been one of the Swedish players, I would have gone into the game feeling like I had already won.

This leaves only one more full day of competition, since Sunday ends with the closing ceremonies.  This has been fun, hard and a lot of work, much like what the athletes have gone through themselves.

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/2840034-187-226051/PaintingThreading%20the%20Needle%20Rio187-Greig-Leach.html#.V7hzBJgrLIU

Rio Olympics: Lining Up the Next Jump

The Equestrian Individual Jumping is contested in two rounds, this morning first round saw 12 riders get through with perfect scores.  One of those perfect rides was the German Christian Ahlmann and his horse, Taloubet Z.  Ahlmann is looking towards the next obstacle even has he is landing the last one.

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/2839929-176-226051/PaintingLining%20Up%20the%20Next%20Jump%20Rio176-Greig-Leach.html#.V7fv25grLIU

Rio Olympics: Brilliant Race, Mate

I was unhappy with the visuals during the Men's 1000 Meter Kayak Double, but this pleased my eye.  I hope it does the same for you.  The Bronze Medal Australian team of Ken Wallace and Lachlan Tame paddled over to congratulate the exhausted Max Rendschmidt (Germany).  Rendschmidt along with his teammate Marcus Gross had claimed the Gold by at least a boat length.

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/2839219-161-226051/PaintingBrilliant%20Race,%20Mate-Greig-Leach.html#.V7aLN5grLIU

Rio Olympics: Using Momentum

Kai Kazmirek (Germany) used the power of centrifugal force and momentum to launch his shot put across the infield of the Olympic stadium.  Kazmirek is one of a huge field of athletes competing in the Men's Decathlon.  The Shot Put is the third of ten events, and the third event of the first day of competition.  Kazmirek went on to finish fourth after the first day of events.

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/2838891-152-226051/PaintingUsing%20Momentum%20Rio152-Greig-Leach.html#.V7WuCZgrLIU

Rio Olympics: Just Wide

Team Germany just missed this header on a corner kick.  They played Team Canada to a 2-0 victory, so I guess missing this goal didn't change the outcome much.  Germany will now play Sweden for the Gold Medal in Women's Olympic Football (soccer for us in the USA).  Canada will get to play a very disappoint Brazil for the Bronze.

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/2838482-139-226051/PaintingJust%20Wide%20Rio139-Greig-Leach.html#.V7RvKZgrLIU

Rio Olympics: Jumping Away

While equestrian events are always a team sport, between horse and rider, today was the first round of team jumping.  As per usual, I try to focus on the finals of what I paint, it is always a treat to check in on the preliminaries.  The German team had all for of their riders ride a fault free course, including Daniel Deusser on his horse First Class.

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/2838477-138-226051/PaintingJumping%20Away%20Rio138-Greig-Leach.html#.V7RtF5grLIU

Rio Olympics: Shoot Out

The Semi-Final round was played out by two equals.  Lisa Unruh (Germany) and Y. Tan (Chinese Taipei) played to a tie in 5 games.  With the tie, the duo went to a shoot out, one arrow, best score wins.  Tan opened with a score of seven, so Unruh was able to counter with a nine, wining the match.  Unruh went on to lose the Gold Medal round ending her Olympics with the Silver Medal in women's individual 70 meter archery.

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/2836446-76-226051/PaintingShoot%20Out%20Rio76-Greig-Leach.html#.V63cBZgrLIU

Rio Olympics: Awaiting

I was struck by this image and wanted to see if I could capture it with my brush and pen.  The racers were preparing to mount the starting blocks before starting their semi final in the 100 Meter Freestyle.  In this line up starting with the dark cap to the right are C. Mignon (France), Y. Kisil (Canada), D. Wierling (Germany), D. Scott (Great Britain), K. Chalmers (Australia), S. Condorelli (Canada), P. Timmers (Belgium) and M. Chierighini (Brazil).

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/2835383-53-226051/PaintingAwaiting%20Rio53-Greig-Leach.html#.V6rBFpgrLIU