Gent-Wevelgem 23, Men's Race: Each Chasing the Others

On the "climb" of hill 63 (a whooping 63 kilometers above sea level) Fabio Jakobsen (Soudal-Quick Step) bedecked in his European Champion's jersey could see his prey just up the road.  He was trying to bridge across to the five man group who had managed to ride away from the peloton.  They in turn were chasing the early break away who were just about to summit the climb.  Everyone has spent long miles racing in the cold, wet, breezy roads of Flanders all in search of cycling glory.  Jakobsen never did make the juncture.  And once caught by the peloton again, soon found himself off the back thanks to this effort.  Still, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

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/Spring-Classics-/3942439-509-195767/Painting/each-chasing-the-others-gw23-2.html

Tour, Stage 18: Quick Change at a Bad Time

 Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo) is having a great Tour despite his near daily need of a bike change when the race is at its most decisive.  Today it was the gravel section across the final climbs plateau that puncture his front tire.  He manged to keep racing on the flat while both calling for his team car and staying with his group on the gravel road.  His bike change was swift and he was able to catch up on the decent to finish with his GC rivals.  I do enjoy seeing the cowboy bandit scarf method of a mask that Porte's mechanic is employing.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2020/3703971-126-282744/Painting/quick-change-at-a-bad-time-tdf20-119.html

Tour, Stage 18: Alone Together

 It was the Ineos-Grenadiers guys, Michal Kwiatkowski and Richard Carapaz, who were the first to hit the gravel section on the top of the Montee du plateau de Glieres.  The announcers on NBC Sports were equating this stretch of road to Paris Roubaix, but it is more clearly a mini Strade Bianchi.  Perhaps Phil Liggett didn't want to draw attention to a race that NBC doesn't broadcast.  

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2020/3703959-125-282744/Painting/alone-together-tdf20-118.html

Strade Bianche, Clouds of Dust

With Simon Clarke (EF Pro Cycling) put back into the peloton, it was Michael Gogl (NTT Pro Cycling) was the next to ride away from the group.  One of the distinctive features of Strade Bianche is the white gravel roads that kick up dense clouds of dust as the motos, race vehicles and the bikes themselves race over the rough surfaces.  Gogl seemed to be trying to go for a solo run, but with 53 K to race, it was more likely he just wanted to get out of most everyone else's dust clouds.  I am sure it made breathing a bit easier.

At the start line, and at the end of the race, the competitors would quickly don a cloth mask to help stop the spread of the Covid-19 virus.  Gogl may have been wishing he had kept his with him.  Although I find it impossible to ride with one on, and I am sure I am not putting out anywhere near the wattage he is.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2020-Bike-Racing-Revised-Season/3609580-6-280747/Painting/clouds-of-dust-sb20-6.html

Strade Bianche, Looking for Company

After Simon Clarke (EF Pro Cycling) jumped free of the reduced peloton, he looked back to see if anyone was going to join him.  With 57 kilometers and four sections of gravel to go, it was far too long to go for a solo break.  Behind he did have a teammate, he may have been looking to see if he was coming across.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2020-Bike-Racing-Revised-Season/3609537-5-280747/Painting/looking-for-company-sb20-5.html

Strade Bianche - Women, Just Not Her Day

The gravel roads conspired to ruin Leah Thomas's (Equip Paule KA) day.  After having a mechanical on one of the gravel sections, she flipped off her bike as her mechanic was giving her the push to get her up and going.  The crash certainly cost her time, but it may have been demoralizing as well.  She was able to take third on the day, but she was left to wonder what could have happened.  She was just two minutes off of the best time on the day, so she could have had her day.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2020-Bike-Racing-Revised-Season/3609380-3-280747/Painting/just-not-her-day-sb20-3.html