Flanders 2021: Four Chasing One

With fifteen kilometers to race, this foursome was just 12 seconds behind the lone figure of Julian Alaphilippe (France).  Michael Valgren (Denmark) was on the front with Jasper Stuyven (Belgium) having just swung off the front.  Both Dylan van Baarle (Netherlands) and Nielson Powless (USA) were resting in the Dane’s draft before it was their turn to push the pace.  But try as the quartet might, they were continuing to lose time against the defending World Champion.  They never did catch him, leaving these four to fight it out for the remaining two steps of the podium.  Those went to Valgren, who took bronze, and Dylan van Baarle (Netherlands) who claimed silver.  After all the work that Team Belgium had but in all day, they missed out on the medals with Stuyven managing a fourth place.  The American, Powless, took fifth place ahead of a fast closing Thomas Piddcock (Great Britain).

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 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/Flanders-2021/3839019-33-292177/Painting/four-chasing-one-uci21-33.html

Flanders 2021: Bouncing Up the Veeweidestraat (well actually the Bekestraat)

 

Yes, the cobbles on the Bekestraat were rough, but it was Julian Alaphilippe (France) was going to make it very rough on the peloton as well.  I titled it before I realized I had the name of the climb wrong, so this is the Bekestraat, not the Veeweidestraat.  Alaphilippe was putting so much into the pedals that he bounced off of the barriers as he looked for the sweet smooth spot at the edge of the cobbles.  On his wheel, Wout van Aert saw the danger and did his best to go with the Frenchman’s move.  Down the hill were both Matej Mohoric (Slovenia) and in the gutter on the other side of the “road” was Zdenek Stybar (Czech Republic) all trying to stay with the attack of the defending World Champion.

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 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/Flanders-2021/3839017-31-292177/Painting/bouncing-up-the-veeweidestraat-uci21-31.html

 

Flanders 2021: Opening Up Another Gap

With 87 kilometers to race, it was Remco Evenepoel (Belgium) still pushing the pace and starting another break away. This time he was joined by Neilson Powless (USA), Mads Wurtz Schmidt (Denmark) and about six others.  While it was great to see cycling fans all along the multi-lap course, it made me nervous.  I am not sure when I will be comfortable with large crowds in this Covid influenced world.  Not that I have ever been a fan of big crowds in my life.  Having finished the first set of laps through Leuven, the peloton was now back on their way to do another Flanders circuit.  It was nice to see at least one member of Team USA on the front of the race.

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 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/Flanders-2021/3838933-30-292177/Painting/opening-up-another-gap-uci21-30.html

Flanders 2021: Leading Them Around

 

Once the previous three were caught, and then the early break of the day was reeled in too, it was time for Germany to hit the front and force the pace.  While Georg Zimmerman was on the front, the Belgium team was not missing any moves.  After Remeco Evenepoel was back in the field, it was Victor Campenaerts (Belgium) that was on Zimmermann’s wheel representing the host country.  The next rider following the leaders was another German, Nikias Arndt.  With 120 kilometers yet to race, it was wild just how aggressive the racing had been since the start in Antwerp.

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 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/Flanders-2021/3838931-29-292177/Painting/leading-them-round-uci21-29.html

Flanders 2021: Is this a Move?

It may have been very early for it but this sure looked like a move to take the win, regardless that there were another 175 kilometers to race.  It was Remco Evenepoel (Belgium) riding off the front of the peloton on the cobbled climb of the Moskesstraat.  The fan holding up the sign with his name on it must have felt as though he was the one to inspire the move.  Benoit Cosnefroy (France) and Magnus Cort (Denmark) quickly jumped on to the wheel of the local rider.  The three build up a nice lead that it took the peloton 40 kilometers to pull back in. 

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 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/Flanders-2021/3838924-28-292177/Painting/is-this-a-move-uci21-28.html

Flanders 2021: Adding to Her Advantage

The next to get away from the aggressive Dutch led peloton was Mavi Garcia (Espana).  Unlike anyone before her, she opened up a thirty second lead on those chasing behind.  She had 21 kilometers left to race, but at least through the downtown, fan lined, streets of Leuven, no one was getting any closer to the Spaniard’s wheel.  Even the official’s motorcycle and the Shimano service moto were having trouble getting through the sharp corners as quickly as Garcia.  It was going to take a united effort to pull this woman back.

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 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/Flanders-2021/3838697-25-292177/Painting/adding-to-her-advantage-uci21-25.html

Flanders 2021: Off on Her Own

It was intriguing trying to figure how who was allowed to go up the road and who was chased down as soon as the tried a move.  Clearly, if you are wearing orange you will be chased down.  Aude Biannic  (France) got away on a small rise while on the streets of Leuven.  At 30 kilometers to go, it was a tall order to hold of the elite of women’s cycling all of whom wanted to spend the next year in the Rainbow Jersey of World Champion.  As you can tell by the volunteer waving the yellow pennant, the rest of their peloton was just down the hill out of sight.

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 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/Flanders-2021/3838689-24-292177/Painting/off-on-her-own-uci21-24.html

Flanders 2021: Getting a Gap

The Dutch women were on fire in the road race today.  It seemed that they were on the attack every other kilometer.  As so as one rider in orange was caught, another jumped free of the group.  This time it was Ellen van Dijk (Netherlands) who was looking back over her shoulder to see just who was with her and how big the gap was back to the rest of the peloton.  She was followed closely by riders from Australia, Italy, Great Britain, and France.  With 44 kilometers to race, this probably wasn’t the winning move, but those behind could not afford to let the strength of this group getting any advantage or their race would be over. 

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 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/Flanders-2021/3838685-23-292177/Painting/getting-a-gap.-uci21-23.html

Flanders 2021: Just a Few More Pedal Strokes

For Elisa Longo Borghini (Italy) and her teammate, Marta Cavalli it was just a few more rotations of the cranks before their Mixed Team Time Trial was over.  With their male counterparts, and the woman this duo left behind (Elena Cecchini) the effort earned the Italians a bronze medal.  They just squeaked in ahead of the Swiss but it was enough to be on the podium in Brugge.

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 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/Flanders-2021/3838545-21-292177/Painting/just-a-few-more-pedal-strokes.-uci21-21.html

Flanders 2021: Rolling Through Quickly

Regular readers of this blog will know that I enjoy a title that has more than one possible interpretation.  The same is true for virtually all of my large scale artwork as well.  Here, The Dutch men, Bauke Mollema, Keon Bouwman and Jos van Emden were taking very quick pulls on the front of their trio as they neared the end of their leg of the Mixed Team Time Trial in Brugge.  When the women had finished their leg of the race, they had improved on the time gaps handed to them by these three guys.  The Dutch are the defending champions in this discipline, but today they saw their title go to Germany.  With the rides of Annemiek van Vleutin, Ellen van Dijk, and Riejanne Markus the team in orange claimed the silver medal in Brugge.

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 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/Flanders-2021/3838544-20-292177/Painting/rolling-through-quickly.-uci21-20.html

Flanders 2021: Is He Waving Farewell?

I may never know why Tony Martin (Germany) was waving his arm while in the first leg of the Mixed Team Time Trial with Max Walschied and Nikias Arndt. But it almost seemed as though he was waving farewell to all of his fans from around the world.  This is Martin’s last race as a professional and thanks to these two guys and his female teammates, Lisa Breannauer, Lisa Klein, and Mieke Kroger, it was a gold medal earning finale.  While he certainly couldn’t do it alone, nor did he, it was a truly fabulous way to end an even more amazing career as a professional cyclist.  I am going to miss watching him race, but I am sure he won’t be totally gone from the cycling world.

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 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/Flanders-2021/3838543-19-292177/Painting/is-he-waving-farewall-uci21-19.html

Flanders 2021: You Only Need Two

Both Coryn Rivera and Ruth Winder knew that the time was taken when the second woman finished the course, so they weren’t too worried that they had left Leah Thomas behind.  The duo had built on the lead that their male teammates had given them, finishing their effort with the new best time.  Alas for us here in the States, their time didn’t stand up to those yet to finish.  They ended the Mixed Team Time Trial in eight place, not quite what they had hoped for as they gasped for air at the finish.

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 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/Flanders-2021/3838542-18-292177/Painting/you-only-need-two.-uci21-18.html

Flanders 2021: Leading All the Way to Brugge

Marlen Reusser (Switzerland) was posting the new best times as she went through both the first and second time checks.  She was holding off Annemiek van Vleutin (Netherlands) behind her.  I am sure that her sport director was yelling encouragement in her ear the whole 30 kilometers to Brugge.  Ellen van Dijk (Netherlands) had a brilliant final kilometers actually increasing her pace as she got closer to Brugge.  Reusser wasn't quite able to accomplish the same acceleration coming up just 10 seconds shy of van Dijk's time.  So it wasn't the Rainbow Jersey for the Swiss woman, but she does end the day with the silver medal.

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 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/Flanders-2021/3837725-13-292177/Painting/leading-all-of-the-way-to-brugge-uci21-13.html

Flanders 2021: The Elder States Woman

With apologies I couldn't resist this titled.  In fact, I came up with the title before I created this watercolor.  You see, Amber Leone Neben for the United States of America is the oldest women competing in Flanders this year.  At 46 years old she is five years older than anyone else in the race, and she is from the States, so thus the title.  It is also a riff on the obsessively formal manner that US Senators will use when addressing each other, think, "The elder statesman from Ohio" for example.   But enough about the title, Neben was burning up the course and took a new second place as she crossed the line in Brugge.  Alas, two out of the three women behind her posted just slightly better times, so she ended her time trial in fourth overall.  For comparison, the winner was young enough to be her daughter.  I point this out not because she is a woman, but she gives hope and faith to all of us older cyclists.  Plus, it belies the ridiculous (now gone) rule for a median age of a team for women's cycling.

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 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/Flanders-2021/3837724-12-292177/Painting/the-elder-states-woman-uci21-12.html

Flanders 2021: Can Lightening Strike Twice?

I feel I may need to explain this title.  This is Anna Kiesenhofer (Austria) who just one the Gold Medal in the Olympic women's road race.  She won by getting into an early break and then leaving that group on her own.  Her solo effort (and the lack of race radios behind) gave her the win in Tokyo.  The ability to ride alone is what this discipline is all about.  Sadly for Kiesenhofer today wasn't to be her day as she finished in 17th place on the day.  But on the other hand, she is the Olympic Champion for another three years.

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 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/Flanders-2021/3837720-10-292177/Painting/can-lightening-strike-twice-uci21-10.html

Flanders 2021: She's Just Getting Started

The American Leah Thomas was one of the earlier women to ride down the start ramp in the Elite Women's Time Trial.  She has just made the turn at the bottom of the start ramp as she sprints to get up to speed.  She has just over thirty kilometers of effort ahead of her.  An effort she will make all on her own.  While she posted some early strong times, she finished her day in 14th place.

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 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/Flanders-2021/3837706-8-292177/Painting/shes-just-getting-started-uci21-8.html

Flanders 2021: Celebrating Another One

Flippo Ganna (Italy) had the rare opportunity to celebrate his victory in a time trial as he crossed the line in Bruges.  As the defending World Champion in the time trial discipline he had the luxury of being the last guy to ride down the start lamp, so as he crossed the line, he knew his best time would be THE best time.  The Belgium cycling fans pressing against the barriers would have to content themselves with the knowledge that their men, Wout van Aert and Remco Evenepoel had taken silver and bronze respectfully.  I believe the last man to win back to back TT titles was the man who will retire after these Worlds, Tony Martin.  Chapeau, Ganna!

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 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/Flanders-2021/3837391-7-292177/Painting/celebrating-another-one-uci21-7.html

Flanders 2021: On a Fast One

One of the challenges with painting a time trial is trying to guess who will be the players in the leader board at the end of the day.  Kasper Asgreen (Denmark) was out on a strong ride putting in yet another new best time at the first time check.  He stayed near the top as he completed the course, claiming the second spot on the podium when he finished.  Unfortunately for the Dane, two of the three behind him out road him.  He finished the day in that awful position of just off of the podium.  As I watched the race I was struck by just how many bike lanes were all over the course most of which were protected from cars and trucks (that is what the red stripe is going across the road... the red streak is Asgreen).  I think I need to spend some time riding in Europe soon.

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 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/Flanders-2021/3837385-5-292177/Painting/on-a-fast-one-uci21-5.html

Flanders 2021: The Other Belgium Hope

Wout van Aert (Belgium) may have had a bit less pressure on him knowing that his teammate was sitting in the hot seat with the best time thus far.  Yet he was still super focus and ready to lay out a strong ride to trade the stripes of his country's flag for the Rainbow Stripes of World Champion.  In this past Tour de France he won the final time trial, but then he also won a stage on the top of a mountain and in a field sprint on the Champs Elysees.  As he road the course, he had the best time including at the end of the course.  With just one guy on the road he was ensured a medal.  He ended the day with the Silver, making it two Belgiums on the podium in the Elite Men's Time Trial.  Not bad for the home team on the opening day of Flanders 2021!

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 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/Flanders-2021/3837381-4-292177/Painting/the-other-belgium-hope-uci21-4.html

Flanders 2021: Fastest at the Second Check

Stefan Bissegger (Switzerland) was laying down a brilliant ride.  When he got to the second time check he logged the best time thus far.  Yes, there were some big names on the road behind him but he looked to be on a podium worthy time trial.  Unfortunately, he wasn't going to replace the lore of his countryman, Fabian Cancellara.  It was a combination of fading a bit towards the finish and some of the other behind him that left him with a seventh place on the day.

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 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/Flanders-2021/3837375-2-292177/Painting/fastest-at-the-second-check.html