Friday Feature: Team UK Youth

If you remember a few weeks ago, we did a VeloEye profile on up-and-coming photographer Dan Redrup. With the Tour of Britain kicking off this weekend, we jumped at the chance when he offered us a piece about his weekend with Team UK Youth at the beginning of August. Take it away, Dan …

Over the first weekend in August, I had the opportunity to link up with Team UK Youth for the Prudential Ride London-Surrey Classic. My camera and I followed them both behind the scenes and on the road. I’ll let my pictures do most of the talking …

Ben (head soigneur) making final preparations in the team van

Head soigneur Ben makes final preparations in the team van

Marcin Bialoblocki and Sam Hayes(mechanic)

Marcin Bialoblocki and mechanic Sam Hayes

Sam Hayes preparing the bikes (mechanic)

Sam preparing the bikes

Massage

Massage

Niklas Gustavsson

Niklas Gustavsson

Marcin Bialoblock takes a coffee as race preparation

Marcin takes a coffee as race preparation

Team bike by Cervelo

Team bikes by Cervelo

Marcin Bialoblocki and Niklas Gustavsson warming up

Marcin and Niklas warming up

Niklas Gustavsson signs an autograph for a young race fan

Niklas signs an autograph for a young race fan

Jon Mould waits before the start of the race

Jon Mould before the start of the race

Vaconsoleil soigneur waits for his riders

Vacansoleil soigneur waits for his riders

Ben is in position to feed the riders with their mussets

Ben is in position to hand out the musettes

Madison Genesis rider Picking up their feed

Madison Genesis rider picks up his feed

Garmin Sharp soigneur in the feed zone

Garmin-Sharp in the feed zone

Young supporters of Team GB on the slopes of Surrey

Young supporters of Team GB on the slopes of Surrey

I had a fabulous weekend with the team – everyone welcomed me and gave me freedom to take the pictures I wanted in order to tell the story I wanted to tell, so thanks guys!

Team UK Youth is owned by Nigel Mansell (looks like Formula 1 drivers really do have a penchant for cycling!) and is currently second in the UK rankings, behind Sky. The team was formed to represent the work and values of UK Youth, a charity that supports over 750,000 young people, helping them to raise their aspirations, realise their potential and have their achievements recognised via non-formal, accredited education programmes and activities.

All photographs ©Dan Redrup. Follow him on Twitter; or visit his website.

Follow Team UK Youth on Twitter and visit their website. For more information on UK Youth charity, visit their website.

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