2026 UCI Road World Championships, Montreal, Elite Men's Road Race: Three Going Away

Purchase this painting here: "Three Going Away UCI26-12" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Under the strength of Mathieu Van Der Poel (Netherlands) this trio dropped their former breakaway companions.  Quinn Simmons (USA) had clearly decided he was going to stay on the only former champion in the group's wheel and was going every time Van Der Poel attacked.  Oscar Onley (Great Britian) was not the team's original plan, but it seems that the burden of winning for his country has now fallen to him.  Both Simmons and Onley have teammates in the chasing groups that are under a minute behind with another seventy-four kilometers left to race in these Worlds.

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 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 Championships, Montreal, Elite Women's Road Race: Shades of the Tour

You can purchase this painting here: "Shades of the Tour UCI26-7" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Despite Kasia Niewiadoma (Poland) having gotten the jump on Demi Vollering (Netherlands) it was the Dutch woman who raised her arms in victory in Montreal!  Niewiadoma appeared to cramp up just as Vollering pulled even with her in the sprint.  In the distance you can just see Elisa Longo Borghini (Italy) who had just caught the other two when the sprint kicked off.  So it is that Vollering takes first with Niewiadoma in second, just as they were in the Tour de France Femmes, and Longo Borghini takes another bronze medal at another World Championships.  I don't image that the animosity that erupted at the Tour Femme between second and third was quelled today.  Instead, I think it has been further inflamed.  As on prone to cramps, I truly feel for Niewiadoma 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 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 World Championships, Montreal, Elite Women's Road Race: Cheering the Podium?

Purchase this painting here: "Cheering the Podium UCI26-6" (Original art by Greig Leach)

The thousands of cycling fans along every kilometer of the course in Montreal were being treated to a spectacular race today.  As they cheered this trio of Demi Vollering (Netherlands), Elisa Longo Borghini (Italy), and Kasia Kiewiadoma (Poland) it seemed clear that they were cheering for the top three steps of the podium.  In another twelve kilometers we will all know who will stand on which step at the finale.

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 World Championships, Montreal, Elite Women's Road Race: Chasers & Disrupters

Purchase this painting here: "Chasers and Disrupters UCI26-5" (Original art by Greig Leach)

With her teammate up the road, Puck Pieterse (Netherlands) shifted from launching the attack to disrupting those trying to chase down Demi Vollering.  It was her job now to slow the chase being mounted by Marlen Reusser (Switzerland) and Kasia Niewiadoma (Poland).  Niewiadoma does have a teammate in the trio thirty-one seconds up the road.  With twenty-five kilometers to race, there was still a chance for these women to vie for 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 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 World Championships, Montreal, Elite Women's Road Race: Blowing Up the Peloton!

Purchase this painting here: "Blowing Up the Peloton UCI26-4" (Original art by Greig Leach)

With 39 K to race the Dutch finally made the move they had been riding for all day.  As they elite of the peloton hit the climb up Mont Royal for the third time, Puck Pieterse (Netherlands) went to the front and drove the pace for her teammate Demi Vollering.  The two were able to drop everyone except Dominika Wlodarczyk (Poland) and Elisa Longo Borghini (Italy).  Just after I painted this, Vollering went off on her own hoping to go solo to win the Rainbow Jersey.  Several other women thought differently.

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: Holding a Minute

 As in every UCI Worlds the Dutch fans were out in force all along the 154-kilometer course in and around Zurich with ever wilder fan costumes, flags, and banners.  Just as noticeable are their orange clad racers setting the pace off the front of the peloton.  One the wheel of her teammate Reijane Markus, Marianne Vos (Netherlands) helps pull the quartet in their effort to stay away from some of the other favorites for the day.  On Vos' wheel is Justine Ghekiere (Belgium).  Looking back to see just how close the chasers are is the Australian, Ruby Roseman-Gannon.  The foursome had built a lead of just over a minute, but as they rode by the large painted Dutch flag the gap had dropped to fifty seconds.

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.

"Holding a Minute Z24-3" (Original art by Greig Leach)

UCI Worlds, Zurich 2024, Women's Elite Road Race: Attacking in the Rain

For a wide number of reasons, it has taken me quite some time to finish painting the UCI Road World Championships in Zurich.  In fact, I've had to limit myself to just the women's and men's road races.  My wife had shoulder replacement surgery the day before the races started and recovery has been tough.  I had the pleasure of serving has her nursemaid, so painting wasn't really an option.  And then there has been lots of administrative issues on top of that.  Nevertheless, here we are.

The weather was horrible for the elite women's race, but despite the slick roads and biting cold, it was an aggressive and exciting race.  With 71 kilometers to race the aggressions were started by Riejane Markus (Netherlands) use one of the seven trips around Zurich to launch an attack.  First to respond to the Dutch woman was Niamh Fisher-Black (New Zealand). They were marked in turn by Mie Bjorndal Offestad (Norway) and Chloe Dygert (USA).  Behind these four, the leading peloton struggle to get on terms with Markus' move.

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.

"Attacking in the Rain Z24-1" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Women;s Mountain Biking: Continuing Her Chase

Puck Pieterse (Nederland) was chasing the lone leader on her own, looking like she was in the perfect form to at least take a Silver Medal on the day.  Then fate struck.  Pieterse had a flat and had to limp her bike to the Tech Area to get a wheel change.  It would obviously be impossible for a team car to follow in this kind of a course.  She got a good change, but it took her out of the medal running.  She did finish sixth on the day.  Not what the day promised nor what she hoped for.

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. 

"Continuing Her Chase PO24-17" (Original art by Greig Leach) 

Wollongong 2022, Women's ITT: Defending Her Title

As Ellen van Dijk (Netherlands) approached the final kilometers of her ride, it was clear that she should be able to defend her Rainbow Jersey from 2021, moving her into a rare group of three time champions at this discipline on the world stage.  Naturally, one of the TV motos had been assigned to follow her around the course through the streets of Wollongong.  Yes she did win the day but she was clearly fading in the final ten kilometers.  However she was able to reclaim the rainbow stripes by a mere fourteen seconds.  It was thirteen seconds more that she had to have.

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/3905968-5-295031/Painting/defending-her-title-uci22-5.html

Wollongong 2022, Women's ITT: Competely Focused

As she waited to start her race of truth, Annemiek Van Vleutin (Netherlands) could be seen completely focused on the task at hand even before she took to the start house.  As she went down the start ramp, she was no less dialed in as she got herself up to speed.  Unfortunately, she wasn't able to match the speed of the Australian in the hot seat waiting at the end of the course.  She finished her day in seventh, at least she can take comfort in knowing she was in the top ten.  I imagine she will be just that much more intense when it comes time for the road race 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 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/3905962-2-295031/Painting/completely-focused-uci22-2.html

Beijing 2022: Getting There First

The trio of Choi Min-Jeong (Korea), Arianna Fontana (Italy), and Suzanne Schulting (Netherlands) skated away from the rst of the field in the Women's Short Track 1500 M.  The trio came out of the final term to race for a share of the three medals on offer.  Each skater has already won a medal in these games, the only question was what color of medal would each receive.  None were able to overtake the other in the final meters to the line making it Gold for Choi, Silver for Fontana, and Bronze for Shulting.  Don't feel too bad for the ladder, each already have a Gold medal from these Games.

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-2022/3866939-39-293321/Painting/getting-there-first-beijing-2022.html

Bejing 2022: Going One, Two

 With only a single pass in the entire 500 meter Women's Short Track, Arianna Fontana (Italy) held off a fast closing Suzanne Schulting (Netherlands) to claim Gold and had to her ever growing trophy cabinet.  Schulting isn't exactly lacking in Olympic medals either adding a silver medal to her collection.  Both American skaters had fallen in the quarterfinals, thus unable to compete for medals in the 500.  I sure hope we will get to seem them skate in the longer events later in the Games.

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-2022/3865055-3-293321/Painting/going-one-two-bejing-2022.html

Flanders 2021: Getting a Gap

The Dutch women were on fire in the road race today.  It seemed that they were on the attack every other kilometer.  As so as one rider in orange was caught, another jumped free of the group.  This time it was Ellen van Dijk (Netherlands) who was looking back over her shoulder to see just who was with her and how big the gap was back to the rest of the peloton.  She was followed closely by riders from Australia, Italy, Great Britain, and France.  With 44 kilometers to race, this probably wasn’t the winning move, but those behind could not afford to let the strength of this group getting any advantage or their race would be over. 

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-2021/3838685-23-292177/Painting/getting-a-gap.-uci21-23.html

Flanders 2021: Rolling Through Quickly

Regular readers of this blog will know that I enjoy a title that has more than one possible interpretation.  The same is true for virtually all of my large scale artwork as well.  Here, The Dutch men, Bauke Mollema, Keon Bouwman and Jos van Emden were taking very quick pulls on the front of their trio as they neared the end of their leg of the Mixed Team Time Trial in Brugge.  When the women had finished their leg of the race, they had improved on the time gaps handed to them by these three guys.  The Dutch are the defending champions in this discipline, but today they saw their title go to Germany.  With the rides of Annemiek van Vleutin, Ellen van Dijk, and Riejanne Markus the team in orange claimed the silver medal in Brugge.

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-2021/3838544-20-292177/Painting/rolling-through-quickly.-uci21-20.html

Flanders 2021: Catching Her Minute Woman

This titled isn't entirely accurate.  Actually, Ellen van Dijk (Netherlands) started a minute and a half after Lisa Klein (Germany) who is just ahead of her.  It wasn't that Klein was riding slow, she took 7th place in the final placings on the day, it was just that van Dijk was just that fast.  Not only did she pass the German ahead of her, but she just missed catching Leah Thomas (USA) who finished her ride just about 10 seconds ahead of van Dijk.  Keep in mind Thomas had started a full three minutes ahead of the Dutch woman.  With that kind of a ride it should come as no surprise that she is the new World Champion in the Women's Elite Time Trial.  It did mean she had to wait for 37 other women to finish their efforts before she knew that the title and the rainbow stripes were hers.

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-2021/3837713-9-292177/Painting/catching-her-minute-woman-uci21-9.html

Olympics 2021, Yet Again!

The Dutch were on a very aggressive ride today.  Each would go on an attack only to be caught by the peloton.  But as soon as one was caught another would go.  I think this was the third time Annemiek Van Vleutin (Netherlands) had escaped the clutches of the peloton.  This one looked like it might be the move that left the peloton for the rest of the race.  She was eventually caught again.  I was cheering for her success in hopes that she could erase the disaster that befell her in the Rio Games five years ago.  While on a lone break for the line, she fell on the final descent and broke her back.  To see her riding again at all is a true show of determination, yet being in a possible winning move at the next Olympics is simply amazing.  Spoiler alert.  She was caught, yet manage to sprint for what she thought was the Gold Medal.  She hadn't realized there was still one rider up the road, but does take home the Silver.

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/3826239-12-291661/Painting/yet-again-o21-12.html

Yorkshire 2019 - Elite Men's Road Race: Three After Three

With just thirty two kilometers left to race, it was time to be off the front.  With three guys up the road, this trio of Mathieu Van Der Poel (Netherlands), Daniel Martinez (Colombia) and Matteo Trentin (Italy) were hoping to get to the business end of the race.  Van Der Poel and Trentin are two of the names that have been bandied about as being the one that will pull on a warm, dry, Rainbow Jersey.  Martinez was just smart enough to catch a good set of wheels when he saw them.

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%202019/3400875-49-266225/Three%20After%20Three%20%20UCI19-49.html

Yorkshire 2019 - Elite Women's Road Race: All by Herself

It is rare that someone can claimed that they won the race all on their own in a road race.  I think in this case, there is no other way  to describe the amazing ride of Annemiek Van Vleuten (Netherlands).  She rode 105 kilometers off the front on the Elite Women's Road Race all by herself!  She had built up a lead quite quickly over the top of the Lofthaus climb.  She saw her advantage drop to about 45 seconds after about 20 kilometers, but no one ever gained on her for the rest of the race.  She had plenty of time to savor her victory.  It was her teammate, Anna Van Der Breggan coming in two minutes later for Silver and the Australian a few more seconds behind for Bronze.  The American, Chloe Dygert finshed good minute behind Spratt for a well earned (yet disappointing) fouth place.  The peloton had dropped over six minutes to the leader.

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%202019/3398426-42-266225/All%20by%20Herself%20%20UCI19-42.html

Yorkshire 2019 - Elite Women's Road Race - Chase Two

Chase Two is how the TV graphics describe the second chase group on the road.  With just 16 kilometers left to race, there was one woman off the front, another between, and then this pair, Amanda Spratt (Australia) and Anna Van Der Breggen (Netherlands).  These two knew they were still in for a medal, but may still have enough time to catch the two up the road.  Van Der Breggan has a small dilemma, it her teammate in the lead and she can't risk pulling anyone else up to Annemiek Van Vluten's wheel.  As I painted this, Dygert was 2:12 behind Van Vluten and this paier are at 2:32.  It could still come back together, but most likely the Rainbow Jersey has been decided.

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%202019/3398423-41-266225/Chase%20Two%20%20UCI19-41.html