Team spirit is really needed in all Tours. It is not just several guys in lycra putting on the show and taking to the podium. There is a team of nutritionists, physios and mechanics building and keeping up team spirit. A small number of those with the team’s director sit in the team cars. They have to keep within the speed limit, and follow strict rules for riders and public safety.
In 2016 I was in one of those cars. Sitting in the back with the wheel spokes just millimetres from my face there was a strong smell of rubber. I was recalling all of my motorcycle pillion passenger skills to shift balance as the car took the windy roads at a good speed. It’s probably the closest I’d get to being on a media bike during a pro-cycling race. Courtesy of Hereford team, NFTO, I was enjoying the experience of being thrown around in the team car. It flew behind the cycles from Otley to Doncaster on day 2 of the Tour de Yorkshire.
There are simple rules when photographing in most sports that involve racing. These are:- (i) don’t get run over and (ii) don’t get in the way of the teams doing what they do. In the back of the car it was also listen to the radio calls and keep an eye out for riders with mechanical or technical problems. The crew also keep an eye out for any errant fans getting a little over-zealous and standing in the road! It was fantastic to hear the dialogue between the race team director and the soigneurs. Each rider responding to a different kind of encouragement. I also got to hear more about the preparations of the riders and the team.
The scenery was racing by at a blur. It was great seeing for real that moment when riders go through yellow fields. In Yorkshire it was local oil crop rapeseed – in France there is always one or two through the sunflower shots. Round and through they went. It was a day when we seemed to be constantly in sight of the cooling towers at Ferry Harbour.
The time absolutely flew by, as there was always something happening. The chance to experience the speed the riders take the hairpins, the climbs and the distance so exciting. Finally we were streaming in to Doncaster where the heavens opened yet again. The riders made their way back to the team bus for the warm-down, food and liquids, before heading off for the next start town which was in Middlesborough next day.
It seemed the perfect image to capture; the pinkish grey skies of Yorkshire threatening to quench the thirst of the crops but soak the riders. The Ferry Harbour cooling towers in the background as the riders were strung out during the 136 km day of racing.
Painting and Limited Edition Prints:
“Cold Play’ was exhibited at Greenstage Gallery in September 2016 as part of hArt 2016 with the work of Ed Ball who is also influenced by noise. Created on a 100 x 50 cm primed canvas on stretchers using Winsor & Newton water-based oils, thinner and linseed oil, framed in white-limed wood. The painting was sold to be given as a leaving gift to a jeweller in London.
Limited edition prints professionally printed on A2 (60 x 42 cm paper), image size 50 x 25 cm can be ordered from the Prints page.
