Koksijde, Women's Cyclo-Cross: Making Her Own Track

Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck) made her own track through the deep sand on course in Koksijde.  Pieterse won my heart in her amazing ride and stint in the Maillot a Pois in this past Tour de France Femmes.  I was disappointed not to see her win earlier in the week, but she came back with vengeance at the end of today's race claiming her first cross victory of the season by twenty seconds over the reigning World and Dutch Champions.  I might fast becoming a fan of Cyclo-Cross.  At least of the women's races.

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.

"Making Her Own Track CX-K25-3" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Koksijde, Women's Cyclo-Cross: Climbing the Dune

It is just sand that makes Koksijde so difficult.  Within sight of the start line the peloton faces a wall of sand that can only be scaled by shouldering one's bike and running up the deep sand.  I can't imagine scaling this once, let alone the five times that the pro women managed this feat.  At this point the Dutch Champion, Lucinda Brand (Baloise Glowi Lions) is leading the World Champion, Fem vamn Empel (Visma-Lease a Bike) up the climb as they both chase the sole leader already 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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Climbing the Dune CX-K25-2" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Koksijde, Women's Cyclo-Cross: Sand Pit

I've been stuck at home nursing my first bout of Covid and have gotten into watching Cyclo Cross.  It took me a couple of races, but I am really starting to get into it.  However, watching the pros race, I have decided that it would be foolish for me to give it a go after all.  I figured, if I am watching, I might as well paint the racing, too.

This is the Women's Koksijde race in the extreme north of Belgium that features sand dunes as the major challenge to the riders.  This is the second dune the peloton faced and is being led by Inge van der Heijden (Crelan-Corendon) who is just about to remount at the top of the climb.  Behind her, Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck) is taking her last steps before swinging her bike off her back and back under her for the descent.

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.

"Sand Pit CX-K25-1" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Richmond 2015 UCI Worlds: Anyway He Can

I found this piece of video on twitter of another one of the German riders attempting to make the best of a bad situation.  He apparently had a mechanical at the bottom of the cobbled climb of Libbie Hill.  A rider must have his (or her) bicycle with them to advance on the course, so rather than waste time standing on the side of the road awaiting neutral service, he shouldered his machine and ran up the hill.  I guess he figured the service mechanics would get to him eventually.  His progress was monitored by the race marshal clad in red leather and astride a motorcycle.

For the record Felix Gall (Austria) took first followed by Clement Betouigt-Suire (France) and Rasmus Pedersen (Denmark) rounded out the podium.

This is an original small watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  These paintings are created live while watching the races through a feed provided by the Richmond 2015 Worlds organization.  For two more days, you will be able to watch me create the works live at the Fanfest area at 5th and Marshall Streets near the finish line.  You can also purchase either the originals or one of two different sizes of prints while you are there, or later at www.richmond.com.