By Trish Albert
Wow! Elation is what I feel after last week’s Tour De Georgia, a 6 day long stage race that started in Savannah on April 22 and ended in Atlanta on April 27. As a want-to-be photographer and avid cycling fan and racer, I was able to get a media pass, so that I could be right up in the action with the riders. This would be the first time I would not have to fight the crowds for that One photo of the week.
Because of my “real job,” I could only cover the weekend stages. After my experiences this year, I will be covering more stages next year. The weekend started out with an aborted attempt to race in Athens. After quite a bit less sleep than I planned on Friday night, I decided not to do the Twilight 3\4 crit at 8 am on Saturday. The 4:45 wakeup time was too much for me to bear. I hit snooze and did a 2 hour ride around from the house. Running late as usual, I tossed all of my gear in the car and headed towards Gainesville for the Stage 4 finish. The public relations firm who was giving out the media passes had not arrived by 1, so I cruised around the start/finish area. It was dead except for a few people hanging out here and there. As the afternoon wore on until about 3 pm, it became a little more crowded, especially by the food vendors and the expo area. If small town America will not come out to see a bike race no matter how much it is likened to NASCAR, they will come for food. The media people finally arrived, and I was able to pick up my press pass—a little pass in a clear thing that I hung around my neck. The word “Media” printed on it was my ticket for the weekend. Having already exhausted the expo area and events going on downtown, I went back to my car to hang out for a while. Soon after the one of the Postal team cars came up. I snapped one photo and went back into the finish area. It was about 2:45, and the crowds began to thicken along Green Street, where the finish line was. The announcers started calling out action from the road. There was a breakaway with some of the key players except for Henk Vogels, the Yellow Jersey holder. Gasps could be heard. After one last stroll around, I set up in the Photo Pit, where the press shoots from. Because I was there early, I got a great spot; because I’m short, I did not make the tv camera crews mad like the taller guys that got in their way. About 3:15, the race was getting close. Crowds were 4-5 deep along Green Street. One of the video motos came along, and the crowd went wild. The announcers called out that the race was coming into town. Caravan cars were diverted onto a side street so as not to get in the way of the finish. The lead group rounded the corner for home. I began to click away to get the perfect shot; around me I could hear others doing the same. The crowd went wild as Fred Rodruigez (Sidermac) inched out Chris Horner (Saturn) for the stage win. The top three stage riders were hustled into the press tent, and the interviews began. I got a word with Fred and Under 23 leader Saul Raisin (Ofoto-Lombardi Sports), who is from Dalton, GA. Saul could not have been smiling bigger as Saturday’s stage started in his hometown. Watch for this kid in the future. He has grace, poise, and humility, which reminds me a bit of Tyler Hamilton (CSC). I was not quite sure what to do after asking a few questions to the riders, so I put my tape recorder up as others were asking the questions. Watch and learn. I also snapped a few candid photos. The riders were then called to the awards stage. I was right in front of it and did not have to fight tall people to get a good spot. Once again, being short, they allowed me to get in front. I took nearly an entire roll of the awards ceremony and landed several of the shots on cyclingnews.com—the pinnacle for any want-to-be photographer in the virtual cycling world. Being so close, I could see the riders’ every expression. Chris Horner is very outgoing and was exuberant on the podium. He showed his absolute enthusiasm for winning. Freddy and Saul were a bit more subdued. Chance Regina and John Floyd, both from Atlanta, presented the Maxxis Sprinter’s jersey. Chance surprised John with the opportunity about 2 minutes before the awards. The press conference was something like is seen at on television—a bunch of reporters asking a panel of people tons of questions although with more courtesy than is normally seen, and these questions were all cycling related. After the press conference, I spoke to Chris Horner once more to ask him for a clarification on something he had said. I also got some really good photos of him hanging around one of the Tour De Georgia cars. I headed home after a long day and spent several hours scanning in photos for cyclingnews.com.
Sunday came quickly. I headed out early to get to the media room to see if I could get a ride in the caravan or on a press moto. As I arrived early, I strolled through the Hilton, snapping some photos of riders and mechanics as they got ready for the day’s action. The Flanders-Iteamnova squad were all at the coffee bar to get some last minute caffeine. Other riders hung out near the hotel entrance getting ready to ride over to the start. The location of the media room changed from the Hilton to the CNN Center as I found out at 11:50 for the noon meeting. The 10 minute run between locations wore me out and made my legs cramp. The way to the media room was well marked, and I arrived just as the Tour media people did. I was able to find out the site of the moto pit and made friends with a television crew from Wachovia. I left the CNN center after grabbing a water (free water and sandwiches for the media-cool!) and headed to look at the start/finish area. I ran into almost everyone I knew throughout the course of the day including local ace photog (photographer) Jason Spruill, who was shooting for the Jittery Joe’s team. I drooled in envy at Jason’s camera. I want one of the fancy digital professional grade ones someday after the new cyclocross and custom road bikes. I have my priorities in line. I took a few photos of the caravan and headed to the photo pit for the start of the race. As they called the first riders up, I realized that I could get out on the street in front of the riders to take pictures. With a flash of the badge and a hop over a fence, I was there—not 5 feet from the riders. Once again, no crowds, just a other media types. “Cool!” was still the only thing I could think. After the calls ups and start, I headed to the moto pit. The two volunteers only knew about the VIP motos and not the media motos. Finally, Andy Mus—head of the media public relations people—showed up and told them about the two media motos. I was relieved as shooting was not allowed from the VIP motos. One of the motos finally came up even though the race had rounded the first corner of the second lap. I hopped on and held on for dear life as the driver sped to catch up with the race. I was not sure how I was going to take photos from the back of a motorcycle, but I quickly found out. Take both hands off of the driver’s waist, turn around to the back, use the autofocus, and keep pressing the shutter button. A few are bound to come out. Com2 (Commisaire 2) let us get right up in the action of the peloton as long as the driver did not let the riders draft. We darted in and out and beside the peleton as we hit the wide streets. On the narrow streets, we had to let the riders go ahead. What a rush! It was a unique and exciting to be out there among the racers. With a quick acceleration, we came back to the moto pit, and I had to get off before the pack came through so someone else could go out. I took 2 laps to hang out with some of my friends and get some stationary shots from the first corner. Half way into the race I took a quick break and went to grab something to eat and drink. When I came back, I heard that Charles Dionne (7 Up/Maxxis) and Roland Green (USPS) went down. Their conditions were unknown. As a huge Roland fan, I was a bit concerned. The story of the day about Roland was that he was not shaving until his team won a game in the Stanley Cup hockey playoffs. I got one more ride on the press moto on about lap 6 of 9 although with a different driver this time. He would not get as close to the racers. I was able to get a few good shots as we got really close to the breakaway one time. The driver dropped back as the Saturn train drove the peloton. Another quick rider exchange, and the moto was off again. With only 2 laps to go, I headed towards the finish line to stake out my spot in the photo pit. With more media in Atlanta than Gainesville, spots would be at a premium. I was among the first to get there and hung my bag on the fence where I wanted to stand. Going into the last lap, the field came together again. I got a few quick shots as they passed and hung out for the next lap. The announcers were setting the stage for the finish as they called out reports from the final lap. Saturn and Sidermac were moving to the front along with US Postal. Even with my vantage point in the photo pit, I could barely see the finish. I zoomed my lens all the way out and hoped that the pictures came out. It was a photo finish between David Clinger (Prime Alliance) and Freddy Rogruigez. Sidermac congratulated themselves a little prematurely. I headed over to the Prime Alliance team. David won by an inch. I was so close, I could almost feel them breathing hard after the sprint. The top 3 and overall jersey winners were brought behind the main stage for interviews and prepping for the awards ceremony. The barriers were brought down, and the crowd piled onto the street. I was right in front with one more badge flash. I picked a spot in the middle in front of several tall guys. I shot several photos of each of the presentations. When Saul Raisin came out to receive the final jersey for the best Young Rider, the crowd went wild for the Georgia resident. Freddy Rodruigez was presented the Sprinter’s Jersey by Atlantan Janice Wittchebe and Change Regina, marketing director for Maxxis. Saul smiled away and seemed a little overwhelmed. Still, he kept his poise even as he was presented with a $5000 check. Chris Horner stood on stage forever as he received the KOM and Leader’s jerseys, a huge glass trophy for the overall win, and with his Saturn teammates as they got the team prize. A warning for the media from the race announcer preceded everyone up close being sprayed with champagne as Saturn celebrated. The riders were taken behind the main stage for fan pictures and autographs. Several of my friends found me, and I managed to talk Janice into coming with me to take pictures as I got to be a fan for a few minutes. The Saturn boys were so nice! After a few minutes, the riders were herded towards the press conference, and I headed with them. I got to see several of the racers riding their bikes through the CNN center to the befuddlement of the tourists standing around. The final press conference was full of happy cyclists. Each of them had the after race win glow. After questions by the media, there were a photo opportunities.
My weekend as a press member ended. I headed off to dinner with my friends.
This weekend was simply amazing. I had a great time being that close to the riders, getting to meet them and talk to them. Being so close to the action is amazing. I’m happy to say that I may have a semi regular gig with two other websites, so I’m now a “legitimate internet photojournalist.” I intend to be back in the press box when the next big race comes to town!