Gent-Wevelgem Men '22: Coming, Or What?

Most every time the camera cut to the early break away, Johan Jacobs (Movistar) was gapping his break away companions.  As the group road onto the cobbles as the exited Leisele he looked back to see were Jelle Wallays (Cofidis), Lars Saugstad (Uno-X) and Alexander Konychev (BikeExchange-Jayco), or perhaps he was just enjoying the early spring vistas.  I say they were riding onto the cobbles, but all of them had slipped over to the much smoother bike path, rather than jarring their teeth on the cobbles to there left.  It is a rare thing when the bike bath is the better road surface in my riding experience.

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/Spring-Classics-/3875461-471-195767/Painting/coming-or-what-gw22-1.html

Omloop 2021 - Was It Worth It?

 That is the question that Jonas Rutsch (EF Education-Nippo) had to be asking himself as the peloton chased him down on the pave of Haleweg.  The young German had gone off in an attempt to bridge up to the five man break, but just couldn't get onto the wheels of the escapees.  He spent a lot of energy in what proved to be a failed attempt to establish an ally up the road for his team leader.  With 52 kilometers left to the finish, he now may be wondering if he will be able to stay with the group on the bergs and paves yet to come.

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-2021/3796483-2-290150/Painting/was-it-worth-it-ohn21-2.html

Ronde Van Vlaanderen, Up the Wolvenberg

 Ronde Van Vlaanderen (and most of the Belgium Classics) are known for their short, very steep, cobbled climbs.  Sebastian Mora Vedri (Movistar) is bringing up the rear of the peloton on the Wolvenberg climb.  He sits behind riders from several different wild card teams including Cofidis, Circus-Wanty Gobert, and Bingoal-WB.  Normally, these embankments on each side of this stretch of pave would be four or five team with screaming Belgium (and world wide) cycling fans, but generally the public follow the wishes of the organizers and the government of Belgium and stayed away.  All of Belgium will go back into lock down on Monday due to a resurgence of Covid-19.

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/2020-Bike-Racing-Revised-Season/3722699-32-280747/Painting/up-the-wolvenberg-rvv20-3.html

Ronde van Vlaanderen: Together in Misery

It seems that it was not only Tom Boonen (Quickstep) that was having some rough luck on the rough pave of Flanders.  At first it appeared that a fan's jacket had caught Oliver Naesen's (Ag2r La Mondiale) wheel, but looking closer, it was Peter Sagan (Bora Hansgrohe) who had clipped the banners hanging from the barriers along the side of the race course.  Also tangled up in the crash was Greg Van Avermaet (BMC).  Van Avermaet was the first to jump back onto his bike and rejoin the race.  Sagan had a bit more trouble getting underway.  I never did figure out what happened to the Frenchman, Naesen.

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.

Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne: On the Hunt

The constant turns, short climbs and sections of pave had split the peloton into numerous groups,  With a break away of roughly eight guys up the road, it was the second group of twenty that held most of the favorites.  At this point, they were being lead by Tony Martin (Katusha) sporting his new team colors, coincidentally, it was his former teammate, Dries Devenyns (Quickstep) who had just swung of the front to let Martin pull the peloton along.  Unfortunately, Martin crashed shortly after I painted this, skinning his face on the asphalt, and dropping back into the following peloton.  His crashed was caused by the forming echelon and the crowd of riders trying to find shelter from the wind.

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%20/2926072-329-195767/PaintingOn%20the%20Hunt%20KBK17-2.html#.WLONPvkrLIU

Omloop Het Nieuwesblad: Lunch as a Group

Omloop Het Nieuwesblad marks the peloton's return to Europe and the cobbles of the North.  As the riders face the cold winds and rough roads of Belgium in late winter, food is an all important factor in providing the energy to complete the 200 kilometers from Ghent all the way back again.  Tucked into the front of the group is Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) proudly wearing his new won Rainbow Jersey of Road World Champion.  Would today be the day that sees the Champion's jersey is the first to cross the line back in Ghent?  It hasn't happen since I was last racing in 1977.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson and Company, www.richesonart.com.  Plus this painting is avialable through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to purchase your piece of this early spring semi-classic.  International shipping is available.

Then there is my new book of the 2015 Road World Championships entitled, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships.  Available world wide and at www.artofcycling.bike.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2720032-250-195767/Painting.html#.VtMfVPkrLIU

Asked by a member of Lotto Soudal

Some days Twitter can provide rather exciting surprises.  I was going about daily chores when I got a message from Kris Boeckmans with two paintings attached.  Seems he wanted a painting of his most recent race victory in Nokere Koerse on the cobbles of Belgium.  If you would like me to paint your most recent race (or something from you deep past on the bike), please get in touch through my artist website at www.greigleach.com

You can follow me on Twitter,@artofcyclingand on Facebook, www.facebook.com/Greigsart  You can message me through either one of those platforms as well.