Women's Omloop: Covering the Chase

I imagine that Katarzyma Niewiadoma (Canyon/SRAM) was discussing what they were going to do about Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo) with Grace Brown (FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine Futuroscope).  It is Elisa's job to not help this group bridge up to her teammate, Ellen Van Dijk.  Should the other two make the juncture, then she will have the legs to go for the win on her own.  That is classic team tactics, even if it is frustrating for those who don't have a teammate up the road.

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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3868995-26-207546/Painting/covering-the-chase-ohn22-10.html

Women's Omloop: Just Three on the Kapelmuur

Having dropped one of their fellow escapees, it was this trio that made the iconic climb up the cobbled hill to the church at the summit of the 18% grade of the Kopelmuur.  Now it is Marlen Reusser (SD Worx) setting the pace with Liane Lippert (DSM) on her wheel.  With the crest of the climb in sight, Ellen Van Dijk (Trek-Segafredo) was letting their wheels go just a tiny bit.  She knew she would easily catch back on on the sweeping smooth descent down the other side.  Again, it is a treat to see the course line with fans.  Although it does make me a bit nervous, I'm not ready to find myself in a crowd yet.

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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3868988-25-207546/Painting/just-three-on-the-kapelmuur-ohm22-9.html

Women's Omloop: Building a Gap

Using the climb of the Elverenberg-Vossenhol, this quartet got off the front of the peloton.  As she had on the previous climb, Ellen Van Dijk (Trek-Segafredo) lead the other up the climb including Liane Lippert (DSM), Anna Henderson (Jumbo-Visma) and the Swiss Champion, Marlen Reusser (SD Worx).  With 30 kilometers left to race they had built up a 27 lead over the chasers, and their advantage over the peloton was continuing to climb.

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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3868985-24-207546/Painting/building-a-gap-ohm22-8.html

LBL Women: Her First!

Demi Vollering (SD Worx) paid back the efforts of her teammate Anna Van Der Breggan.  You can see her at the back of the group beginning to celebrate Vollering's first WWT win of her career.  Annemiek Van Vleutin (Movistar) turned herself nearly inside out (or at least sideways) trying to out sprint the younger Vollering but had to content herself with second place.  Rounding out the podium was the Italian Champion, Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo).  The former Polish champion, Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM) took fourth which was still better than some of the pre-race favorites.

This ends the Spring Classics and means I will not be back painting racing until the Dauphine.  I will follow that with my yearly pilgrimage to the depths of the Tour de France, although I will be there in spirit and paint brush only.  Let's all hope that the race goes off in late June and July as planned.  It will mean we are all returning to a degree of normalacy if it does.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above.  Since ti is an original work of art, it is a first come first seved reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburth 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/Spring-Classics-2021/3808356-47-290150/Painting/her-first-lbl21-12.html

LBL Women: When Will the Attack Come?

As in the men's Liege-Bastogne-Liege it was five racers who would be contending for the race honors.  Also like the men, the group contained the Rainbow Jersey of World Champion.  It was a little odd to see the team leader and champion leading the quintet for the final kilometers, Anna Van Der Breggan (SD Worx).  I had not even considered that she would be riding for her teammate, Demi Vollering.  Nor could I understand that Vollering was the better sprinter of the two.  Van Der Breggan's efforts were making the inevitable attack out of the group just that much more difficult to pull off.  Behind the World Champion was the former Polish champion, Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM), followed by the current European champion, Annemiek Van Vleutin (Movistar).  On the tail of the group (the best place to attack from) was the Italian Champion, Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo).  At this point there was only two and a half kilometers to race, so everyone was a bit twitchy trying to decide when they should go for victory.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above.  Since ti is an original work of art, it is a first come first seved reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburth 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/Spring-Classics-2021/3808293-46-290150/Painting/when-will-the-attack-come-lbl21-11.html

LBL Women: This Is the Selection

While I couldn't see everyone in this move, it was clear that this was the group that would be fighting it out for victory once they got back down to Liege.  Using the last climb of the day, the Cote de La Roche aux Faucons, Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon SRAM) opened up the effort.  She was quickly covered by Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo) and Anna Van Der Breggan (SD Worx).  Hiding behind that threesome is Van Der Breggan's teammate, Demi Vollering.  Surprisingly, that is Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma) being dropped from the group in her magenta WWT points leader jersey.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above.  Since ti is an original work of art, it is a first come first seved reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburth 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/Spring-Classics-2021/3808290-45-290150/Painting/this-is-the-selection-lbl21-10.html

LBL Women: The Next to Try

This trio was the next to try and escape the clutches of the peloton of favorites.  Yet again, one of those in the break was a SD Worx rider, Ashleigh Moolman.  She was joined by Cecilie Uttrup Ludwid (FDJ Nouvelle Aquitaine Futuroscope), who is driving the pace at this point.  Rounding out the threesome is Lucinda Brand (Trek-Segafredo).  This group really has the power and the palmares to be a serious threat to run away with the race.  Staying away for another 34 kilometers might be a bit tough, but others have done as much just last year.  Unfortunatley for these ladies, that rider is chasing them from behind.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above.  Since ti is an original work of art, it is a first come first seved reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburth 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/Spring-Classics-2021/3808285-44-290150/Painting/the-next-to-try-lbl21-9.html

Strade Bianchi Donne - Leaving the Others

 Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek Segafredo) succeeded in bridging across to the front group that included Chantal Van Den Broeck-Blaak (SD Worx).  She wasn't satisfied with just joining the front group, she went off the front.  It was only Chantal who could hold the wheel of the Italian Champion.  The two built up about 10 seconds on the rest of the front group as they raced through the streets of Siena.  With just 5 kilometers left to race it was looking like the race would come down to a sprint between these two.  However a short steep climb still faced all of the women before one would race her arms in victory.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow th edirect link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above.  Since ti is an original work of art, it is a first come first seved reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburth 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/Spring-Classics-2021/3798878-9-290150/Painting/leaving-the-others-sbd21-3.html

Strade Bianchi Donne - Coming Across

 Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek Segafredo) saw the danger in the group ahead and decided it was up to her to get into the move.  She used the penultimate section of gravel to try and push off the front of those chasing with her.  She made it across, but she brought some marquee riders across with her.  I have been intrique with the use of the race motorcycles with the double front wheels.  I assume they are more stable at slow speeds, an imporant asset when riding up the steep climbs with the racers.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow th edirect link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above.  Since ti is an original work of art, it is a first come first seved reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburth 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/Spring-Classics-2021/3798875-8-290150/Painting/coming-across-sbd21-2.html