On Track Bradley Wiggins

On Tour Bradley Wiggins - www.ontourbradleywiggins.blogspot.com

Scott Mitchell (modcyclingphoto) on Twitter

3 comments:

neilwelsh said...: Great moody shots; 28 February 2011 at 05:09
Mark said...: Great photo story. Love the tension and emotion.; 13 March 2011 at 06:03
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Also visit my website - vakantiehuizen; 17 June 2013 at 08:52

On 20th Febuary 2011 I travelled to Manchester Velodrome to photograph my friend Bradley Wiggins. Brad was returning to the track for the first time since the Beijing Olympics.

He was competing in the team pursuit and was riding alongside 3 other British world class cyclist's, Ed Clancy, Geraint Thomas and Stephen Burke.

This was my first ever visit to a Velodrome and at first instance it seemed a rather odd place. It was extremely loud and warm. The roar from the audience combined with thudder of frantic tyres on boards created quite an atmosphere. Six thousand people cheering as the British riders pass by. Loud then fading out, Loud again and so it goes on as the noise follows the riders.

As a photographer my highlight of the day was shooting the GB team firstly during the morning qualification and then later throughout the gold medal final. The four riders worked together to form a single engine, combined they were machine like. There was no room for individulism. It was just four guys going at tremendous speed. They ride in excess of 50kmh and are within inches of each others wheels, swinging off the front then falling in behind to begin the process again. Trackside the noise of 8 full disc carbon wheels rolling by, the chain's whirling and the shouts for more effort will be my biggest memory of the day.

Here are my first attempts at what is in truth something difficult to shoot. Lots of noise, poor lighting, very fast moving cyclist and limited access weren't an ideal combination for photography however the tension, enclosed space and supporters made it an exciting place to be. This and the amazing speed that four British riders achieved gave me something really worth photographing!

I hope to shoot again at the Velodrome in the coming year.