Flanders 2021: Better Line Up, Better Speed

The trio of Elise Chabbey, Nicole Koller, and Marlen Reusser found it necessary to reset their riding order as the kilometers ticked by.  Reusser was hitting a brutal pace on the front and Chabbey just couldn’t pull through when her teammate needed to drop off of the front.  As she struggled, Koller moved up to the front to take over the pace making for the team.  It wasn’t long after the Chabbey had to surrender to the pace of Reissner (who plans to attempt the hour record next week) and left it to her two country women to finish the leg of the Mixed Team Time Trial.  They just barely lost out on the bronze medal by a fraction of a second to Italy.  Was this the moment it happened?

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-2021/3838531-17-292177/Painting/better-line-up-better-speed.-uci21-17.html

Flanders 2021: A Little too Soon

I’m am not quite sure how or why Christina Schwieberger (Austria) went a little too early when it was the women’s team’s time to hit the Mixed Team Time Trial course.  She desperately tried to hold still on the ramp as she waited for her teammates, Kathrin Schwieberger and Sarah Rijkes to get the green light for the start.  Was it her starting too soon, or did the guy holding her upright while she waited just let her go.  Regardless, she did not start off put ended up waiting for the others at the base of the ramp.  Once they started, she re-clipped and off the three went.  Her entire team ended the day in 12th place so perhaps they were penalized for her false start.

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-2021/3838530-16-292177/Painting/a-little-too-soon.-uci21-16.html

Flanders 2021: Passing the Devil

He had to show up after all these Worlds are being raced in his home country.  The male half of the Spanish team, Xavier Mikel Azparren, Diego Lopez and Lluis Mas, seemed to take no notice of Didi Senft as the sped by.  Senft is a long time fixture on the side of the road at most major European cycling events. It always warms my heart to see him bedecked in his Devil’s outfit leaping high in the air as he cheers on every cyclists as they ride pass him.  The Spanish trio was on a good ride but didn’t managed to finish in the top ten at the end of the day.  Hopefully, both the Spanish men and women will fair better in there respective road races on the weekend. 

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-2021/3838529-15-292177/Painting/passing-the-devil.-uci21-15.html

Flanders 2021: Working Together

 The first to roll down the start ramp in Knokke Heist was the UCI World Cycling Team for the Mixed Team Time Trial.  The race is comprised of a team of three men who race on leg of the course and then as they finished, a three woman team starts off for the second leg.  The intermediate time is taken when the second rider crosses the line, and then the final combined time is taken when the second rider in the women’s team crosses the finish line.  This team is made up of riders from many nations including a refugee from Syria who have traveled to the UCI training center in Switzerland in hopes of furthering their cycling careers.

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-2021/3838528-14-292177/Painting/working-together.-uci21-14.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: Perfect Form

As I start to write this, I realize that the title could be misinterpreted by those with a less than chase mind.  I am talking about Juliette Labous's (France) perfect aerodynamic tuck.  What did you think I meant?  Labous was posting some excellent times out on course including her second place as she crossed the line in Brugge.  With some very strong riders behind her, that placing dropped to a sixth over all for her effort in the Elite Women's time trial.  Not to shabby.

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-2021/3837723-11-292177/Painting/perfect-form-uci21-11.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: Catching Her Minute Woman

This titled isn't entirely accurate.  Actually, Ellen van Dijk (Netherlands) started a minute and a half after Lisa Klein (Germany) who is just ahead of her.  It wasn't that Klein was riding slow, she took 7th place in the final placings on the day, it was just that van Dijk was just that fast.  Not only did she pass the German ahead of her, but she just missed catching Leah Thomas (USA) who finished her ride just about 10 seconds ahead of van Dijk.  Keep in mind Thomas had started a full three minutes ahead of the Dutch woman.  With that kind of a ride it should come as no surprise that she is the new World Champion in the Women's Elite Time Trial.  It did mean she had to wait for 37 other women to finish their efforts before she knew that the title and the rainbow stripes were hers.

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-2021/3837713-9-292177/Painting/catching-her-minute-woman-uci21-9.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