Bergen 2017, Elite Men's Road Race: Throwing for His Third

When the Elite Men finally reappeared into the stationary camera lens, it was clear that Julian Alaphilippe (France) and Gianni Moscon (Italy) had been caught by the cream of the men's peloton.  And that we were going to be treated to an intense mass sprint for the line, and for the World Road Championship.  It was looking like Alexander Kristoff (Norway) was going to pay back all of his countrymen and women along the sides of the road in Bergen.  Seemingly he had the better of the two time defending world champion, Peter Sagan (Slovakia).  But it was Sagan's perfectly timed bike throw (a move similar to a runner throwing their chest out to break the tape at the line) that won him an unprecidented third Men's Road World Championship.  It was Michael Matthews (Australia) pounding his handle bars in frustration taking the bronze medal and Matteo Trentin (Italy) finishing just off the podium in fourth.  For Kristoff, while disappointing not to win his home country Worlds, he can consol himself knowing he provided Norway with their only medal in the 2017 UCI Road World Championships.

He will have a tough time equally Jeannie Longo (France) who has taken the title four times in a row from 1995-89 (there was no race in 1988 due to disputes between Russian and the United States over boycotting the Olympics).  She came back in 1995 to get her fifth title.

But for now he can claim the honor of the most consistent Men's UCI Road World Champion!  Chapeau, Peto!

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

This is most likely the last race I will paint for the 2017 season.  Thank you for reading!  See you when it all starts again in January of 2018

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3038157-56-239826/PaintingThrowing-for-His-Third--Bergen-56.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Men's Road Race: Heia!

Heia (Norwegian for Go) is what the fans were yelling as the peloton and every other racer road by.  While I doubt that Gianni Moscon (Italy) was saying, "heia!" he definitely wanted Julian Alaphilippe (France) to go as hard as he could.  The pair had opened up about eight or nine seconds on the peloton as the crested the Salmon Hill climb for the final time.  Now it was a ten kilometer basically down hill dash for the line.  A large group of all of the race favorites were chasing hard pulling away from the rest of the peloton that wouldn't see them again until the post race festivities.

We were all in dismay around the world as the video feeds dropped first from the motorcycles and then the helicopters as the chase was truly on for the Rainbow Jersey.  All we could do was watch lead vehicles ride by waving to the crowds as we waited for the peloton to appear near the finish and into the lenses of the stationary cameras.  Would these two stay away, or would it be a bunch sprint?

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3038112-55-239826/PaintingHeia!--Bergen-55.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Men's Road Race: Getting Clear

The commentators for NBC Sports, Bob Roll and Paul Sherwin, had dubbed the short climb prior to Salmon Hill, the "Hill with No Name."  It was there that the Frenchman Tony Gallopin launched his attempt to get clear of the peloton.  He opened up a nice gap almost immediately, even if this the one kilometer where there were no fans watching at the side of the road.  It took a few moments for the peloton to react.  Surprising considering the strenght and reputation of Gallopin.  With the big climb and 13 kilometers yet to go, it was a tall order to stay away to the line.  However, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3038098-54-239826/PaintingGetting-Clear--Bergen-54.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Men's Road Race: Go at the Bell

As the race approached the final lap, the peloton caught the previous move of six riders.  Just as the bell started ringing for the final lap (or Bell Lap), it was Luis Mas (Spain) who seemed to take it as a signal to go on the attack.  Jack Haig (Australia) was still on the front from the previous attack, along with Tim Wellens (Belgium).  The rider in the white kit is Jarlinson Pantano (Colombia) who is just about to chase the sprinting Mas.  Even with the flurries of attacks, it is beginning to look like the men's race will be the first road race to end with a mass sprint.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3038083-53-239826/PaintingGo-at-the-Bell--Bergen-53.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Men's Road Race: Is this the Move?

A number of riders bridged up to the attack by Marco Haller (Austria) and worked hard to make it stick.  For Lars Boom (Netherlands), Jack Haig (Australia), David de la Cruz (Spain), Odd Christian Eiking (Norway) and Time Wellens (Belgium), they were hoping that this was going to be the winning move.  The group quickly opened a gap on the peloton.  With representatives from the most aggressive teams of the race thus far, Belgium, Netherlands, Norway and Australia, the peloton was being a bit slow to react.  On the other hand, the French, Poles, and Italians had missed the move and would soon be obliged to chase.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3038065-52-239826/PaintingIs-this-the-Move?--Bergen-52.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Men's Road Race, Enthusiastic

With the peloton "gruppo compacto" it was now the time when riders were attacking one after the other.  Marco Haller (Austria) chose his spot well.  On the fan packed climb of Salmon Hill, amongst hundreds of Norwegian flags and thunderous cheers of "Heia, heia!" he opened up a gap on an inattentive peloton.  All Worlds long I have been hearing the heia cheer, and it sounds like a good Southern greeting as in "Hi, ya' (short for Hi, y'all)."  Many riders have tweeted about just how exciting it was to ride up this hill with all of the support along the roadside.  It must have been truly inspiring for any of the Norwegian riders.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3038037-51-239826/PaintingEnthusiastic--Bergen-51.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Men's Road Race: No Time to Stop

Just as the early break was caught by the peloton, they were all riding through the feed zone.  Conor Dunne figure now was a good time to grab lunch, he is only about half way through the 259 kilometer race.  When I was racing amateur, I always thought I was too tall to make a serious go of racing (plus I wasn't winning every time I went out, either), but Dunne is the tallest professional cyclist by far.  He stands at 6' 8", so tall that I couldn't even fit his head into the painting!  The course had two feed zones where riders could attempt to grab bidons and musettes from the soigneurs since going to the team cars would expend too much energy.  The size of this peloton, 196 riders, meant the caravan was a long, long way away.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3038026-50-239826/PaintingNo-Time-to-Stop--Bergen-50.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Men's Road Race: A Substancial Gap

The early break had swollen to ten riders (not all of whom you can see here) that built up a lead of just under 10 minutes on the idling peloton.  Four of the riders in the break were the sole representatives of their countries including Matti Manninen (Finland), Eugert Zhupa (Albania) and Salaheddine Miraouni (Moracco).  One of the main drivers of this break was the American with the Dutch name, Alexey Vermeulen.  Just swinging off of the front is Willem Smit (South Africa).  Smit would eventually be caugt by the peloton, spit out the back and then pulled from the course for being too far off the pace.

With a course of 11 laps, the organizers don't want any lapped riders endangering the full speed peloton in the final laps.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3038023-49-239826/PaintingA-Substancial-Gap--Bergen-49.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Men's Road Race: Warming Up

As the peloton came onto the 11 lap circuit, after having already gotten 39 kilometers into their legs, they were definitely warming up.  With the feed zone and scores of soigneurs just up the road, many like Nikias Arndt (Germany) decided to pull off a layer or two.  Just ahead of the disrobing Germany was Luke Durbridge (Australia).  I always feel a bit sheepish about one of my paintings of Durbridge from 2014.  He was accidentally knocked over by a soigneur on an opposing team in the Tour de France.  He jumped back up and pushed the offender over, got back on his bike and rode on.  I capture that moment in my book, "Book du Tour".  I have been trying to show his better side ever since.  This duo was letting a bit of a gap open, but with Durbridge's power, it will be closed in a heartbeat.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3038016-48-239826/PaintingWarming-Up--Bergen-48.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Men's Road Race: From the Start

It was two Irishman and an Azerbaijani (sounds like the start of a joke doesn't it?) who went on the attack right from the start of the Elite Men's Road Race.  Conor Dunne (Ireland), who had gotten in the early move here in Richmond, Virginia in 2015, looks over his shoulder at his teammate, Sean McKenna.  Between them is Elchin Asadov for Azerbaijan.  The trio would eventually be joined by seven more riders, and they would collectively build quite an advantage in the early part of the race.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3038004-47-239826/PaintingFrom-the-Start--Bergen-47.html