Paris Olympics 2024, Men's Mountain Biking: In the Middle

Alan Hatherly (South Africa) found himself caught almost exactly halfway between the lone leader and the group chasing behind.  With three more laps to race, he was fourteen seconds off of the lead, and thirteen seconds ahead of a chasing group of four guys.  Should things go right for him, he will become not only the first South African to medal in an Olympic Mountain Biking event, but he will be the first from the southern hemisphere to do so.

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.

"In the Middle PO24-22" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Men's Mountain Biking: Cascading Alone

Victor Koretzky (France) suddenly found himself alone off the front of the race.  He had been with Tom Pidcock (Great Britain) but the Brit had a flat tire and was gone just like that.  As he bumped over the rocks that make the Cascade section he started building his lead on those chasing from behind.  Would he be able to hold them off to repeat the race of his countrywoman Pauline Ferrand Prevot?

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.

"Cascading Alone PO24-21" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Men's Mountain Biking: Leading Them Around

Unlike the women's race yesterday, the men stayed in a large peloton as they made their way around the first two laps of the four and a half kilometer Mountain Bike course.  They were led up the climb again by Mathias Flueckiger (Suisse) who was closely watched by Victor Koretzky (France) and Tom Pidcock (Great Britain).  Just peeking into the frame is his teammate Nino Schurter.  Each country is only allowed a maximum of two men in the race, but most are the only one representing their country.

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.

"Leading Them Around PO24-20" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Women's Mountain Biking: The Sprint for Silver

Despite having to chase down the leaders of the race after having a flat tire, Haley Batten (USA) had enough left to sprint away from her erstwhile Swedish companion.  She was able to open a gap and claim the first Olympic Medal for the USA in Women's Mountain Biking.  She is now a Silver Medalist in these Olympic Games!  Chapeau, Haley!  At the finish the first thing she did was hug and congratulate the woman she had sprinted away from, Jenny Rissveds.  The two were then joined by the Gold Medalist, Pauline Ferrand Prevot.  Such a great show of sportsmanship, or should I say sportswomanship?

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.

"The Sprint for Silver PO24-19" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Women's Mountain Biking: Racing for Silver

The American Haley Batten (USA) had to chase back after a flat tire in the early laps of the race.  In fact it was Jenny Rissveds (Sweden) who alerted Batten's mechanics as she came through the Tech Zone.  This is one of the things I love about women's cycling, Rissveds' was under no obligations to help out Batten, but she made it so the American's mechanics were ready when Batten arrived for service.  While I am sure she wanted to get the Silver Medal, her action was rewarded with a Bronze.  Medaling at the Olympics is a life goal for most every athlete and only three are given in every event of 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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Racing for Silver PO24-18" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Rio Olympics: Face Plant

Unlike the Women's race, the Men's was plaqued by crashes and traffic jams.  The wet, muddy course was much more difficult to negotiate than the dry one that the women faced.  Or perhaps the cameramen didn't want to show bloodied women stuck under their bicycles.  Alexander Gehbauer (Austria) got his front wheel caught as he descended the steep stepped logs after a fast twisting downhill section.  This was his second crash in about a half of a mile.  The first had him landing on sharp boulders, at least this landing pad was mud and grass.  Small favors.

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/2840800-213-226051/PaintingFace%20Plant%20Rio213-Greig-Leach.html#.V7qKYZgrLIU

Rio Olympics: All Alone

Unlike the Swiss woman who had gone off early in the race, Jenny Rissveds (Sweden) had kept herself in check.  She stayed near the front, keeping a close eye on each of the race leaders without putting herself on the front until it mattered.  With just a lap and a half to go, she made her move on the Polish rider, Maja Wloszczowska.  She quickly distance the eventual Silver Medal winner riding alone to the end of the race and claiming the first Olympic Mountain Biking medal for her country.  And it was Gold!

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/2840445-197-226051/PaintingAll%20Alone%20Rio197-Greig-Leach.html#.V7kyvZgrLIU

Rio Olympics: Showing the Way

Linda Indergand (Switzerland) let the entire race around the course for two laps.  In may have been unwise to go out as hard as she did, but it is always worth the try.  Indergand successfully negotiated all of the twists, turns, rocks, climbs and sharp drops of the course.  In fact, I don't recall seeing any of the women crash.  Now that may have been a factor of the television coverage, although they tend to love to show the spectacle of the mayhem.

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/2840438-195-226051/PaintingShowing%20the%20Way%20Rio195-Greig-Leach.html#.V7ktTJgrLIU

Rio Olympics: Chasing Down

The Swiss rider, Linda Indergand, had gone off the front from the very start of the race around the six laps of the Olympic Mountain Bike course.  Trying to get on terms with the fleeing Indergand, was Maja Wloszczowska (Poland) followed by Jenny Rissveds (Sweden).  The duo had trouble reeling the Swiss woman back in for a full two laps.

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/2840437-194-226051/PaintingChasing%20Down%20Rio194-Greig-Leach.html#.V7kqbpgrLIU