Gent-Wevelgem 23, Women's Race: Showing Her Colors

Ever the professional, Marlen Reusser (SD Worx) had the wherewithal to unzip her rain jacket so her team's rather brightly colored jersey would be visible to fans and photographers alike.  Equaling her professional finale was the way she was not only able to hold off the chasing peloton, but she continued to build on her lead.  When she saluted the crowd at the finish she had to wait almost three minutes to see who would be joining her on the podium at the award ceremony.

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, but yes international shipping is both available and extra. 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3942741-66-207546/Painting/showing-her-colors-gw23-12.html

 

Gent-Wevelgem 23, Women's Race: Can They Catch Her?

It would seem that a group of seven should be able to chase down a single escapee in the final 30 kilometers, but instead partially due to the leader's teammate, Christine Majerus (SD Worx) the gap just kept growing.  These seven including Majerus and Shirin Van Anrooij (Trek-Segafredo), Elinor Barker (Uno-X), Eugenia Bujak (UAE Team ADQ), Pfeiffer Georgi (DSM), Shari Bossuyt (Canyon SRAM) and Anna Hendersen (Jumbo-Visma) seemed unable to close the widening gap.  If they aren't careful, they will find that the rest of the peloton will be able to catch them instead.  If they do, then these women will have even less of a chance of getting onto the podium in Wevelgem.

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, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.  

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3942738-65-207546/Painting/can-they-catch-her-gw23-11.html

 

Gent-Wevelgem 23, Women's Race: Solo Over the Kemmelberg

I suspect that the rather elite chasing peloton thought they would be able to catch Marlen Reusser (SD Worx) on the final trip up the Kemmelberg.  Instead, as she went up the fabled cobble climb, she opened up another handful of seconds.  It was beginning to look like she might not be caught at all.  By now she had a minute and seven seconds on the chasers with another 35 kilometers left 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, but yes international shipping is both available and extra. 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3942704-64-207546/Painting/solo-over-the-kemmelberg-gw23-10.html

Gent-Wevelgem 23, Women's Race: Using Her Skill Set

Marlen Reusser (SD Worx) was able to get away from the peloton on the final climb of the Baneberg.  She opened up a few seconds on the chasers but then used the time trial skills that won her the European Time Trial Gold Medal back in 2019.  She uses those same skills to chase down breaks and set a tough pace in service of her teammates.  Today, she was able to use those same skills on her own behalf.  By the time she turned onto the main road back towards the Kemmelberg she had already put a minute into those 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 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, but yes international shipping is both available and extra. 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3942695-63-207546/Painting/using-her-skill-set-gw23-9.html

Gent-Wevelgem 23, Women's Race: Jump On!

Today's race has been marred by crashes and bad luck, seemingly most of it befalling Marta Bastianelli (UAE Team Emirates).  In the most recent one she wasn't as damaged as much as others.  They were able to get back going as well, at least Katia Ragusa (Liv Racing Teq Find) and Katarzyna Miewadoma (Canyon-SRAM) were able to get up and chase the now diminshed peloton.  As Ragusa speed past the struggling Bastianelli she seemed to call to her to jump onto their express train.  With 42 kilometers to go, it seemed as though they won't have too much problem getting back on terms.  

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, but yes international shipping is both available and extra. 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3942691-62-207546/Painting/jump-on-gw23-8.html

Gent-Wevelgem 23, Women's Race: Opening Up a Gap

This trio of stars of the women's peloton used the first trip up the Kemmelberg to open up a bit of a gap on those still in the peloton.  It was Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) who seemed to glide up the cobbles with both Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM) and Anna Hendersen (Jumbo-Visma) struggling to hold onto the Belgium's wheel.  With 52 kilometers to race it might be the move that wins the race.  Then again, the peloton might just get itself organized on the way back down the other side.

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, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3942659-61-207546/Painting/opening-up-a-gap-gw23-7.html

 

Gent-Wevelgem Women '22: Appearing When It Matters

All race long Elisa Balsamo (Trek-Segafredo) had been lurking around the back of the peloton allowing her teammates to chase down all of the attacks (it is their job since she is the team leader). Yet here she was showing herself just when being seen meant she was able to take out the victory in the eleventh edition of the women's Gent-Wevelgem.  Just off camera it was last year's winner Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma) taking second, with Maria Giulia Confalonieri (Ceratizit-WNT) taking the last step of the podium.  Perhaps because she kept going in all of the break away attempts, Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) had to settle for fouth on the day.  Those waving the Belgium flag behind the mass sprint would have dearly prefered the Belgium champion to have one rather than the Italian in the World Champion's Rainbow Jersey.

This is the last of this race's paintings.  I'll be back next week with both the men's and women's Ronde Van Vlaanderen.  There will be more races after that with the big one being both the Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes this July.

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/3875783-40-207546/Painting/appearing-when-it-matters-gw22-13.html

Gent-Wevelgem Women '22: I Shouldn't Have Looked

The theory is that if a sole break away rider looks back over their shoulder it means that they are starting to lose steam.  As they look, they are either hoping that someone is coming to join them in the effort, or wondering if they have the legs to hold off the fast closing peloton.  Unfortunately, it was the latter for Grace Brown (FDJ Nouvelle-Aquintaine Futuroscope).  As she looked behind, she could see the all out efforts of Riejanne Markus (Jumbo-Visma) and the break away killer for the day, Ellen Van Dijk (Trek-Segafredo).  All day whenever a group need to be pulled back for her team leader, it was Van Dijk that would hit the front of the chasing group.  As soon as she did, that was the end of the chances of any group of escapees.  Earlier she had been called back from a group of escapees just to bring her teammates back into contention.  She did.

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/3875767-39-207546/Painting/i-shouldnt-have-looked-gw22-12.html

Gent-Wevelgem Women '22: Picking Her Pocket

I doubt Christine Majerus (SD Worx) was actually picking the pocket of her teammate Chantal Van Der Broeck-Blaak, but that is what it looked like.  I think actually there was something flapping in the wind that hadn't gotten stuffed all of the way down.  Ever conscience of wind drag Christine thought she might help out Chantal save a modicum of energy.  Should it be a problem Chantal does have Rachel Neylan (Cofidis) as a witness to the "crime."   This group was also saving their energy by hanging out at the back of the leading group with just another 24 kilometers to race.  One can almost be sucked along by those breaking the wind at the front of the group, but if there is an attack you are SOL to get on terms. Majerus jersey is that of the Champion of Luxembourg.  That's why the teammates' jersey don't match.

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/3875762-38-207546/Painting/picking-her-pocker-gw22-11.html

Gent-Wevelgem Women '22: Way Over the Top

When I created this title I thought I was being very clever, now as I write this I don't know what I was thinking.  Perhaps I was referring to the crowds yelling as Grace Brown (FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine Furturoscope) tossed her bottle into the fans at the top of the Kimmelberg.  Or it could be the long line of soigneurs reaching to hand bottles to their riders.  But then most likely, it was that Grace Brown went over the top of the climb with a gap on the chasing peloton, and that is clearly the way she wanted to go over the top... get it?

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/3875743-37-207546/Painting/way-over-the-top-gw22-10.html

Gent-Wevelgem Women '22: Are We Waiting?

These leading four women had build up about 15 seconds on the peloton, but were debating whether they should way for three more trying to get on to their wheels.  Liane Lippert (DSM) looked back to see just how close the chasers were as Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon SRAM) took a swig from her waterbottle.  They, along with Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) and Anna Henderson (Jumbo-Visma), decided it would be best to wait for three more in hopes of strengthening their chances of staying off the front.  Alas, it was the wrong decision.  Their delay was enough to give hope to the Trek-Segafredo lead chase from the peloton.

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/3875657-36-207546/Painting/are-we-waiting-gw22-9.html

Gent-Wevelgem Women '22: A Slim Advantage

With another 55 kilometers to race, Annad Henderson (Jumbo-Visma), Lotte Kepecky (SD Worx) and Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon SRAM) were building a very slim lead on the chasing peloton.  They had built up a gap of just six seconds.  Not much of an advantage, nor was it enough to keep others from bridging across to the four leaders.

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/3875654-35-207546/Painting/a-slim-advantage-gw22-8.html