It has to be said that Saturday’s race didn’t enjoy stellar weather conditions [masterful British understatement – Ed] but that didn’t prevent one of the locals, friend of VeloVoices Nathalie Novembrini, from following the advice given by some of our professional VeloEyes about what, where, who and how to photograph the professional peloton.
Of course, no trip to any race would be complete without first scouting the team buses. After all, you don’t know who you might bump into, do you?
Cameron Meyer and Nathalie pose for Orica-GreenEDGE’s ‘Call Me’ campaign
No sign of those one-off duck egg blue Bianchi shirts. I suspect the boys are huddled inside trying to stay warm
Obligatory mighty fine bike bling, but where’s their designer? Oh Mario …
After a quick trip round the car park, Nathalie assumed her position behind the barricades to see who she could capture in her viewfinder. As you can see from the subsequent photos, she was standing opposite Alessandro Ballan‘s number one fan.
Here’s one of Kitty’s favourite kits – Farnese Vini – she loves those glowing colours. At least you could see them once the heavens opened and the mists descended
Discarded Carrot! Yes, after many years faithful service. nul points equals no contract for 2013. Please hire Amets, he keeps the TV presenters tongue-tied
Here’s a riders who checked the weather forecast – Astana’s Alexandr Dyachencko
Sorry Andriy [Grivko] but that lovely bright blue national champion’s kit is going to get very dirty, yes it is.
Nathalie has a penchant for young Italian riders with firm jaw lines, here’s Gabriele Bosisio
Here’s another one, Giairo Ermeti whose name – it has to be said – sounds like some unfortunate medical procedure.
One of the more mature riders in the peloton, Matteo Tosatto
Former rider Maurizio Fondriest and (one assumes) his missus
Nicki Sorensen, who played a part in one of the many breaks of the day
One of the Rabo boys wrapped up warmly, ready to face the onslaught
The Italians were hoping that Vincenzo Nibali might get onto the podium
Orica-GreenEGGs and Ham rider loaded and ready for bear
As you may have guessed by their size, some of the photos have been edited to exclude heads and hands which inevitably seem to get in the way when you’re taking photographs from a less than optimal position.
Everyone wanted a piece of the newly-crowned world champion, Fast PhilGil before the start of the race
Fortunately Phil’s well on the road to recovery after his fall which saw him pick up a nasty case of road rash and ruined that spotless white jersey.
Giro del Piemonte winner Rigoberto Uran was equally courted before the start
I still think Rigoberto looks older than 25!
It’s at times like these those brown shorts come into their own, shame about the largely white shirt
Then it’s into the car and off to the finish to wait for the arrival of the winner who’ll be crowned here:
This was the podium in the case of Plan A – no rain
Or here:
This was Plan B
And here he comes through the gloaming … it’s …
You can just see the race winner Joaquim Rodriguez appearing through the curtain of rain
Nathalie, thank you so much for sharing your photos with us and proving that with a wee bit of ingenuity, everyone can get some great photos at the races!