Ronde van Vlaanderen '25: On His Own, Now

Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) use the last time up the Oude Kwaremont to rid himself of all of his competitors.  While he has gone from much further out to win a race, he still found himself racing to victory in another Monument with fourteen kilometers to go.  With a twenty-six second gap (and growing) to the four behind, it was clear this race was going to be his.  In fact, the strength of this painting and the lack of a really good image at the finish, I let this symbolize his victory today.

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.

"On His Own, Now RVV25-6" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Ronde van Vlaanderen '25: I See You

As the favorites went over the top of cobbled climb of the Oude Kwaremont they hit the cement slab roads of Flanders.  Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) had chased down the attacking Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) with Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) who was quick to get back on terms.  Van der Poel looks back into the eyes of Pogacar perhaps trying to assess the Slovenians condition.  I am quite sure he wanted to make sure that he saw that van der Poel was right back in the race.  At this point Pedersen was just happy to be on the wheels.

Spoiler, Pedersen was able to win the sprint for second place - I'll tell you more about who won later.

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.

"I See You RVV25-4" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Ronde van Vlaanderen '25: Swapping Back

The first half of the Ronde van Vlaanderen wasn't the best for the defending champion, Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck).  After a bike crash, and mechanical, and now a swap back to his preferred race bike, he was spending a lot of time chasing.  At least this bike change was planned and done a good ten kilometers before the next cobbled climb.  We quickly saw him rejoined the peloton and dive through the riders to get back on the front of the race.

It is always nice to get a bit of a push from your mechanic and the team.

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.

"Swapping Back RVV25-2" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Ronde van Vlaanderen '25: Counter Move

With the early breakaway still up the road, these four decided it was time for a counter move.  I believe it was Stefan Kung (Groupama-FDJ) who set things off.  He was joined by Vito Braet (Intermache-Wanty), Davide Ballerini (XDS-Astana) and the ever watchful Tiesj Benoot (Visma-Lease a Bike).  Benoot knew that if this group could join the leaders, it would put his team at an advantage when it came to the closing kilometers of the race.  With 101 kilometers yet to race, they were a little over a minute behind the lead group and they had about three quarters of a minute on the rather large peloton behind.

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.

"Counter Move RVV25-1" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Ronde Van Vlaanderen 23, Men's Race: Fastest Ever!

When the lead group came back around to the Oude Kwaremont everyone expected Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) to go on the attack.  And he did.  The problem however was that none could stay on his wheel when he went on the final climb of the fabled cobbled hill. Even with a head wind, he was able to increase his lead on the solo chase of Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and the large group of eight behind him.  In winning today's race, he made it in a record time, the fastest ever Ronde Van Vlaanderen.  He is now the third rider in history to win at least one Tour de France and this race.  The most notable member of the small club is Eddy Merckx.  Let the comparisons begin (as it they hadn't alreday).

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-/3943954-520-195767/Painting/fastest-ever-rvv23-7.html

 

Ronde Van Vlaanderen 23, Men's Race: Back Together

Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) may have dropped the pair of Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) and Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) on the Oude Kwaremont, but they were able to get back up to him in a few kilometers time.  The three went together up and over the Koppenberg, but it did look like Van Der Poel was having a bit more trouble staying there then Van Aert.  He does have the honor of wearing bib number 1 as the defending champion of Ronde Van Vlaanderen.  Will he have the legs to repeat the feat?

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-/3943944-518-195767/Painting/back-together-rvv23-5.html

 

Ronde Van Vlaanderen 23, Men's Race: Off on His Own

The second trip up the Oude Kwarremont it was Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) that left the peloton of elite riders to go off in chase of the remaining break away members still up the road.  Spoiler alert, the next time up this hill he was alone again, but ahead of the rest of the race.  Pogacar was able to use his climbing prowess on the longest climb of the day to push himself away from the others.

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-/3943940-517-195767/Painting/off-on-his-own-rvv23-4.html

 

Ronde Van Vlaanderen 23, Men's Race: The Help He Wanted

The German Champion, Nils Politt (Bora-Hansgrohe) was happy to see Axel Zingle (Cofidis) ride up to him.  Politt had attacked the peloton in hopes of bridging up to the leaders, but had been struggling on his own, caught in no-man's land between the two groups, he was unable to make more progress until Zingle came along.  The pair joined up with the leaders just in time for the big names to start attacking each other.

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-/3943938-516-195767/Painting/the-help-he-wanted-rvv23-3.html

Ronde Van Vlaanderen 23, Men's Race: Off in Search of the Others

With the small break away now successfully up the road the American Matteo Jorgensen (Movistar) decided it was a move he wanted to be in as well.  Ever the opportunist, Benoit Cosnefroy (Ag2r-Citroen) was quick to jump on to the tail with the M on it.  The two were successful in getting up to the leading group with another 90 kilometers to 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 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-/3943937-515-195767/Painting/off-in-search-of-the-others-rvv23-2.html

 

Ronde Van Vlaanderen Women '22: Coming Home Together

Defending Ronde Van Vlaanderen champion, Annemiek Van Vleutin (Movistar) was in a tough position coming to the five kilometer banner with two women from Team SD Worx.  On the back of the threesome was the leader of the team (the one with the one at the end of her bib number), Lotte Kopecky.  The Belgium champion had the advantage of having her teammate, a former winner of this race herself, Chantal Van Der Broek-Blaak, on the front driving the pace all of the way to the finale.  Less anyone forget, here is a perfect example of cycling being a team sport, not just the racing of an individual.

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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3877202-46-207546/Painting/coming-home-together-rvv22-13.html

Ronde Van Vlaanderen Women '22: First to Reach the Final Climb

Both Christine Majerus (SD Worx) and Brodie Chapman (FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine Futuroscope) had team leaders in the group behind, but that wasn't stopping them from riding on their own behalf off the front.  At the base of the final climb, the Paterburg, they had a bit of a lead on those chasing behind.  The question is; should they be caught will they have the legs to help out their teammates to win the race.  If they aren't caught, who will have the legs to win 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 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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3877200-45-207546/Painting/first-to-the-final-climb-rvv22-12.html

Ronde Van Vlaanderen Women '22: Sneaking a Peek

Maike Van Der Duin (Le Col-Wahoo) kept riding away from her break away companions.  As she left them yet again, she looked across the newly plowed field to see if she could see the peloton behind.  She had to know that the various national champions, along with the European and World Champions weren't going to let her stay away if they could catch her.  Clearly she wasn't riding in fear of their combined reputations.

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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3877196-43-207546/Painting/sneaking-a-peek-rvv22-10.html

Ronde Van Vlaanderen Women '22: Two North Americans in Europe

The idea was to imitate the classic film title, "An American in Paris."  I'm not too sure I succeed with the title, but so it goes.  Olivia Baril (Valcar-Travel & Service) and Clara Honsinger (EF Education-TIBCO -SVB) are both from North American, Baril a Canadian, and Hosinger calls the United States home.  The pair had dropped their break away companions on the previous climb as they continued to hold nearly a minute and a half on the closing peloton.  With 65 kilometers left to race it was looking good for the duo, but I believe they still have a least five climbs yet to tackle.

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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3877191-42-207546/Painting/two-north-americans-in-europe-rvv22-9.html

Ronde Van Vlaanderen Men '22: Nothing Between Them

The title comes from what the race commentator on FloBikes said as Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix) and Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) rode away from everyone else on the final ascent of the Kwaremont.  The other three off the front with them weren't able to go with their acceleration on the climb and so these two were off in search of a victory back in town.  With 13 kilometers to race and the fact that they were working well together, it was looking like it was their's for the taking.  Those behind weren't giving up just yet, however.

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-/3876952-482-195767/Painting/nothing-between-them-rvv22-5.html

Ronde Van Vlaanderen Men '22: Bridging Up

The race has been split and rejoined so many times that I have gotten a bit confused as to which group was on the front as the race unfolded.  This rather spectacular threesome of Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates), Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ) and Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Finix) were just about to catch the two leaders Dylan Van Baarle (Ineos-Grenadiers) and Fred Wright (Bahrain-Victorious).  If the five get together at the top of the Steenbeekdries it is unlikely the rest of the peloton will see them again.

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-/3876949-481-195767/Painting/bridging-up-rvv22-4.html

Ronde Van Vlaanderen Men '22: From the Back to the Front

It was stunning to watch Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) fly pass the peloton as if they were sitting still as he went up the cobbles on the Oude/Kwaremont.  It seems as if he was gliding across the Belgium cobbles as everyone else struggled to hold the wheel of the two-time winner of the Tour de France.  Struggling behind were the guy who kicked off the agression, Ivan Garcia Cortina (Movistar) with both Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo) and Ben Turner (Ineos-Grenadiers) as they all were getting a gap on the rest of the remaining peloton.

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-/3876946-480-195767/Painting/from-the-back-to-the-front-rvv22-3.html

Ronde Van Vlaanderen Men '22: Just Catching On

The move from Ivan Garcia Cortina (Movistar) ~ see previous post ~ helped form a strong group of 13 riders that may well be in a position to win today's Ronde Van Vlaanderen.  Realizing the danger, this trio of Kevin Geniets (Groupama-FDJ), Tim Wellens (Lotto Soudal) and Connor Swift (Arkea-Samsic) rode hard to bridge the gap to the group.  At this point there is still the early break away of six riders up the road, but no one seems to be paying them much mind.  Certainly not the camera motos, the producers or myself for that matter.  This is where the racing was at.

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-/3876938-479-195767/Painting/just-catching-on-rvv22-2.html

Ronde Van Vlaanderen Men '22: Kicking It Off

Yes the race had already covered 178 kilometers but it wasn't until Ivan Garcia Cortina (Movistar) attacked the peloton that the race really kicked off.  Mick Van Dijke (Jumbo-Visma) had just swung off from his turn on the front when Ivan decided it was time to attack the favorites in this group.  Perhaps he was hoping to catch the others napping since another 88 kilometers to race was a bit early to go off on a lone effort.  Behind the Spaniard's wheel Olivier Le Gac (Groupama-FDJ) and Alberto Bettiol (EF Education-EasyPost) were able to cover the move.  Others were not so lucky thus the first selection of Ronde Van Vlaanderen was made.

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-/3876937-478-195767/Painting/kicking-it-off-rvv22-1.html