Paris Roubaix: Like a Man Possessed

I was disappointed to learn that this will be the last professional race for one of my favorite riders, Tom Boonen (Quickstep).  Boonen has won this the "Hell of the North" four times and was clearly hoping to claim a fifth win for his final race.  It was Paul Sherwen who gave me the idea for this title, as he described Boonen as a man riding like a man possessed.  It seemed to fit even better with the church tower in the background.  On Boonen's wheel is Bert De Backer (Sunweb) and Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) plus the rest of the peloton.  Although by this point, just thirteen sections of pave to go, the peloton was only about forty of the nearly two hundred men who started on the outskirts of Paris.

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/Spring-Classics-/2947346-391-195767/PaintingLike-a-Man-Possessed-PR17-5.html

Ronde van Vlaanderen: Having Problems

Bike racing takes great skill, training, and determination, but most of all it seems to take a good bit of luck as well.  And luck was not what Tom Boonen (Quickstep) found at the bottom of the Oude Kruisberg.  Instead he was plaqued by a jammed chain and perhaps a broken derailleur to boot.  As he tried to fix it on his own, he was photographed by the cameraman on the back of the motorcycle, the TV cameras and every fan behind the ropes lining the climb.  With so many strong riders climbing away from the base of the climb, it was unlikely that he would see the front of the race again 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.

It seems that the gremlins have reappeared in my interface with technology.  I am unable to upload the artwork to my website so if you are interested in purchase this piece please email me at greigsart@gmail.com.

E3 Harelbeke: Hitting Them Hard

It turn out to be the ascent of the Taaienberg where the racing got serious.  It was the five time winner of this race, Tom Boonen (Quickstep) who launched the first serious attack on the peloton.  Qucikly on to the wheel of the big man from Belgium was the Italian, Daniel Oss (BMC).  The pair had gapped the peloton being lead by the World Champion, Peter Sagan (Bora Hansgrohe).  So for the next 70 kilometers, it is time for full on racing.

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/Spring%20Classics%20/2939885-382-195767/PaintingHitting%20Them%20Hard%20E317-3.html

Doha 2016, Elite Men's Road Race: Two in a Row!

Not since 2007 has someone done what Peter Sagan (Slovakia) did today, win back to back World Championship titles.  I feel sure that never before has the complete podium been populated by three riders who have all worn the Rainbow Jersey.  While it was Sagan (Champion in 2015), it was a clearly disappointed Mark Cavendish (Great Britain) who took Silver (Champion in 2011) and Tom Boonen took silver (Champion in 2004).  It was an amazing cadre of sprinters who came to the line in Doha, and an equally surprising number who had missed the splits and the chance to compete for the 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/2866682-66-227958/PaintingTwo%20in%20a%20Row%20Doha66-Greig-Leach.html#.WAWaSOArLIU

Doha 2016, Elite Men's Road Race: Classic Style

For those of you who regularly follow my cycling art, you'll know how much I enjoy a title that has multiple interpretations.  This is just such a title.  Does it refer to the classic styling of the Belgium team jersey, the use of racing techniques employed in the Classics (mainly raced in Northern Europe in the Spring), or from the classic formation of the echelon?

A few kilometers before the peloton hit the northern most point of the course, the speed suddenly shot up as teams positioned themselves for the turn into the crosswinds.  Belgium hit the front and using the skill they have perfected riding on the winding flat lands of the North, split the peloton to splinters.  Surprisingly, the Dutch and the Germans missed the move as the main peloton broke into two majors pieces, with others in groups of ten or less scrambling behind.  The Belgium team was being led by Jasper Stuyven, but most of the team was here, including Jurgen Roelandts, Tom Boonen and Greg Van Avermaet astride his golden bike that celebrates his Olympic Gold Medal.  The Norwegian sprinters Edvald Boasson Hagen and Alexander Kristoff were among others that made the first group.

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/2866417-59-227958/PaintingClassic%20Style%20Doha2016-Greig-Leach.html#.WAT54-ArLIU

Paris Roubaix: Embracing His Victory

It was Matthew Hayman (Orica GreenEdge) who had slipped away at 72 kilometers to go, only to be brought back into the fold, that got the jump on the more season campaigners who came into the velodrome with the Australian.  Hayman seemed stunned and perhaps incredulous that he had actually one this most fabled of one day races.  He had just held off the veteran Tom Boonen (Etixx-Quickstep), as well as Ian Stannard (Team Sky).  Sep Vanmarcke (LottoNL Jumbo) who had felt sure the race was his twenty minutes earlier, missed the podium, having poured all of his energy into the solo effort.  Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) came home almost a minute and a half later, with Fabian Cancellara (Trek-Segafredo) arriving another three minutes later covered in the mud of northern France and the sweat of disappointment in a poorly timed tumble.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  In addition this painting, and all of my cycling artwork, is 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.

Be sure to discover my most recent book, Art of Cycling: Richnond 2015 UCI Road World Chanpionships.  You can find the book at your favorite online retailer or at www.artofcycling.bike.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2767310-318-195767/Painting.html#.Vwsn9fkrLIU

Paris Roubaix: They Clawed Their Way Back

Sep Vanmarcke (LottoNL Jumbo) heart must have sunk when he looked under his arm and say three very strong riders coming back up to his wheel.  He had been sure he had left them behind on the fourth section of cobbles, but with just 12 kilometers left to race, the lead group was now back up to four men.  Under the watchful eye of the TV moto, Edvald Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data), Tom Boonen (Etixx-Quickstep) and Ian Stannard (Sky) had pulled themselves back into contention for victory in the Velodrome that completes the final kilometers of the Hell of the North.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  In addition this painting, and all of my cycling artwork, is 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.

Be sure to discover my most recent book, Art of Cycling: Richnond 2015 UCI Road World Chanpionships.  You can find the book at your favorite online retailer or at www.artofcycling.bike.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2767307-317-195767/Painting.html#.VwslMPkrLIU

Paris Roubaix: Directing Traffic

Tom Boonen (Etixx-Quickstep) knew that two of his main rivals were over a minute behind and getting further back by the kilometer.  Boonen kept pushing those that were in the front group to keep working together.  While everyone wanted to win, none were interested in helping the four time winner Boonen get his fifth victory.  In this leading group were Edvald Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data), Imanol Erviti (Movistar), Ian Stannard (Sky) and now back in the fold, Matthew Hayman (Orica-GreenEdge), all with the pedigree to dream of victory in the velodrome of Roubaix at the end of this grueling race of 257.5 kilometers.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  In addition this painting, and all of my cycling artwork, is 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.

Be sure to discover my most recent book, Art of Cycling: Richnond 2015 UCI Road World Chanpionships.  You can find the book at your favorite online retailer or at www.artofcycling.bike.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2767301-315-195767/Painting.html#.VwsghPkrLIU

Paris Roubaix: Running Away

Four time winner of Paris Roubaix, Tom Boonen (Etixx-Quickstep) was able to use his very strong teammate, Tony Martin, to build up a nice gap from many of his rivals.  Everytime Martin, took a break from driving the pace on the front of this select group of riders, Boonen would push the pace on.  With the two men from Etixx-Quickstep was Luke Durbridge (Orica-GreenEdge) as well as riders from LottoNL-Jumbo and Team Sky.  Boonen is hoping to end the day being the first to win this fabled Monument of cycling for a fifth time.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  In addition this painting, and all of my cycling artwork, is 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.

Be sure to discover my most recent book, Art of Cycling: Richnond 2015 UCI Road World Chanpionships.  You can find the book at your favorite online retailer or at www.artofcycling.bike.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2767280-311-195767/Painting.html#.VwsWaPkrLIU

E3 Harelbeke: Pressing Their Advantage

Using the cobbled climb of the Taaienberg, several riders managed to gap the peloton.  Etixx-Quickstep managed to put three riders into the group including Niki Terpstra, Tom Boonen and Matteo Trentin.  Joining them was Fabian Cancellara (Trek-Segafredo) and Daniel Oss (BMC).  Gesturing to all who would listen was Lars Boom (Astana),  He seemed to be pointing out that Etixx-Quickstep had the numbers so they better do the work.  Shortly after I painted this, my man, Cancellara, had a mechanical and had to wait a long time for his team car to arrive with a new bike for the former Swiss champion.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting is 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.

Plus you can see my most recent book at www.artofcycling.bike.  It contains my writings and paintings of the 2015 Road World Championships in Richmond, VA.  It is available through out the world from many different online booksellers or ask your favorite bookstore to order it for you.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2752662-299-195767/Painting.html#.Vvd-X_krLIU

Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne: Willing to Work

A smaller group of 15 riders that included some big names had used the final climb of the day and the strong cross winds to get away from the main peloton, but still had a few remaining members of the early break up the road.  Both Trek-Segafredo and Etixx-Quickstep had the luxury of having two men in the group.  Boy Van Poppel (Trek-Segafredo) was working for his teammate, Jasper Stuyven, but Tom Boonen (Etixx-Quickstep) was willing to share the work with his domestique, Julien Vermote.  Boonen had missed the move in yesterday's Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and wasn't willing to let the opportunity for victory elude him again.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and many, many other pieces of cycling art are 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.  And yes, international shipping is available.

Plus, I have just released my second book, this one entitled, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships.  Obviously, it focus on the 2015 Championships that took place here in Richmond, Virginia this past September and includes my paintings and writings on all of the races contested on the very streets that I ride every week.

I am having trouble with loading my artwork on to my website.  Please email me at greigsart@gmail.com if you are interested in purchasing this work, or any of my other Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne paintings.

Richmond 2015 UCI Worlds: Showing Some Power

As I said earlier, the Belgium team was litter with amazingly strong riders.  They went to the front of the peloton as the group swung onto the cobbles of Libby Hill yet again driving the pace to shuck as many sprinters as they could.  Sprinters are notoriously bad climbers, so this course implies that it wasn't going to be a sprinter pulling on a Rainbow Jersey at the end of the day.  Many of the roads in Belgium mirror the steep cobbled climbs of Richmond.  Although I suppose that it was Richmond that was mirroring Belgium.  One would deduce that this was a race for the long legs of Tom Boonen, and he was the one leading the team up the climb on this lap.  I suspect that he hope to intimidate his rivals into submission.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  The works were done live in the middle of the Fanfest area across from the awards podium as the racing was going on.  Prints and the originals will be available before very long at www.richmond.com (the website of the Richmond Times Dispatch newspaper).

Richmond 2015 UCI Worlds: Back Underway

Tom Boonen (Belgium) had a flat tire as the peloton approached the Libby Hill cobbles for the second of the 15 times up to the high point of Church Hill and of the course.  Boonen, ever the professional, was calm as he slipped back into the convoy of following team vehicles.  He knew that it was extremely early in the race and he would have no trouble getting back into the fold.  Boonen is one of two former World Champions on the Belgium team that are on course for the final race of Richmond 2015 UCI World Road Racing Championships.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  The works were done live in the middle of the Fanfest area across from the awards podium as the racing was going on.  Prints and the originals will be available before very long at www.richmond.com (the website of the Richmond Times Dispatch newspaper).

Paris Nice Stage 1: A Touch of Wheels

Racing full out can be dangerous, however it is often the case that a slow pace can frequently be far worst.  Tom Boonen (Etixx-Quickstep) was tooling along at the back of the peloton when he caught the wheel of the rider just in front of him.  Whether a momentary loss of concentration or a sudden move by another rider, the result was Boonen hitting the ground hard.  Also the slow pace can make the contact with the ground much harder, speed will make a rider slide along thus reducing the impact.  Watching Boonen writhe in pain, it looked like he may have broken his collar bone, a common but no less devastating injury.  At the very least, it did mean that his 2015 Paris Nice race was over.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is 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 for only $50 USD.  International shipping is available.

If you are enjoying reading about cycling with this accompanying artwork be sure to check out my recently publish book on the Tour de France, Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France.  The book is available through most every online book sellers around the world, just google the title to learn where you can get your copy and avoid international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2522862---195767/Painting.html#.VP6B0vzF-xU

Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne: Ramping Up the Pace

Tom Boonen (Etixx-Quickstep) hit the front of the peloton and raise the pace just that much more. Today Boonen shifted from protected rider to "super" domestique.  It may well have been in order to pay back the team for his rather disappointing finish yesterday in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.  Joining Boonen at the pointy end of the pack were Maarten Tjallingii (Lotto NL Jumbo), Bradley Wiggins (Team Sky) and Phillippe Gilbert (BMC).  With the early break back in the fold, it was time to ramp up the pace to discourage any one else from having a go at the favorites in the peloton.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting is 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.  If you enjoy reading about cycling with this accompanying artwork, be sure to discover my recently publish book on the Tour de France, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France"  It is available worldwide through most online book retailers.  Just google the title to discover where you can get your copy, often without international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2519508---195767/Painting.html#.VPSHE_nF-xU

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad: Strength in Numbers

Etixx-Quickstep managed to get the perfect numbers in the final break away of the day.  Somehow they got three of their men, Niki Terpstra, Stijn Vandenbergh and Tom Boonen and had only one other rider with them, Ian Stannard (Team Sky).  Both Boonen and Terpstra are very experienced racers of the Classics, however, Stannard is the defending champion of this race.  Etixx-Quickstep had the added luxury of having yet another rider in the three man chasing group.  Stannard did have a slight advantage, with etiquette and expectation allowing him to sit in on the back of the group foregoing any pulls with his nose in the wind.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is 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.

If you are enjoying reading about cycling this way and the accompanying artwork, be sure to check out my recently published book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France"
http://www.greigleach.com/gallery/201710/Book+de+Tour/#.VPOW8vnF-xU

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2519190---195767/Painting.html#.VPOmo_nF-xU

Paris Roubaix: Who Is Going to Chase Him?

After Boonen (OPQS) had bridged up to the break and later attack that group, it was the sprinter Peter Sagan (Team Cannondale) that set off from the peloton to join up with the group up the road.  Once they had all reeled Boonen back in it was Sagan's turn to go for the solo attack hoping to catch them all napping.  He attacked just as the group caught Boonen, slowed and started looking at each other to see who had anything left.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2345299---195767/Painting.html#.U0ryv8_D_IU

Paris Roubaix: Going Again

Tom Boonen (OPQS) was quite entertaining in the break trying to get everyone to ride hard, however none wanted to carry him to the finish.  There was quite a bit of angry gesturing going on before he put that anger into the pedals and road them all off of his wheel on the third to last section of pave.  He came to this race with a mission and wasn't going to let a bunch of passengers slow him down.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist website at www.greigleach.com or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2345275---195767/Painting.html#.U0rpbM_D_IU

Paris Roubaix: Up to Half a Minute

A holdover from the days before race radios the race organization provides a motorcycle with a chalkboard who will ride between each group on the road showing them the time gaps.  This is so low tech that it is done with a stop watch and written with chalk on a traditional chalkboard.  Some races have gone to the dry erase board which will work a little better in the rain.  This is the break with Thor Hushovd (BMC), Simon Geraints (Sky) and now with Tom Boonen (OPQS) who have the power to stay away to the finish.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase through my artist website, www.greigleach.com or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2345233---195767/Painting.html#.U0rfNM_D_IU

Paris Roubaix: Playing His Card

Once Tom Boonen (OPQS) had seen that Thor Hushovd (BMC), Geraint Thomas (Team Sky) and others were in a strong break away up the road, he jumped out of the peloton on one of the harder cobbled sections and powered his way up the road on his own.  Boonen has won this race four times in his career and he was eager to be the first to claimed the Cobble Trophy for a record setting fifth time.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist website at www.greigleach.com or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2345199---195767/Painting.html#.U0rcMM_D_IU