Photography from The USA Pro Challenge

A different perspective of cycling

Tonight I am sharing the photography of Ryan Muncy. Ryan has a unique style and eye for the sport of bike racing. A racer turned photographer, he has an artist's eye for capturing the race in a way you might not typically see in main stream media. A local photographer in Denver, you can follow more of his work at Facebook Ryan Muncy Photography.

For those of us familiar with Ryan's work - including many local racer's around Denver/Boulder - we can recognize an image as Ryan's within seconds. His style and the gear he uses is unique. For local photographers, we often have fun with remarks like "look this is my Ryan shot."

Ryan Muncy   Photo © By Karen at Pedal Dancer®

JJ Haedo  Photo © Ryan Muncy

Chris Froome  Photo © Ryan Muncy

Mic Rogers  Photo © Ryan Muncy

Lachlan Morton and Thomas Dekker  Photo © Ryan Muncy

Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen  Photo © Ryan Muncy

David Zabriskie and Lachlan Morton  Photo © Ryan Muncy

This year's trophy   Photo © Ryan Muncy

Team RadioShack Leopard Trek  Photo © Ryan Muncy

Chris Baldwin laughing  Photo © Ryan Muncy

Axel Merckx  Photo © Ryan Muncy

Jens Voigt  Photo © Ryan Muncy

Andreas Kloden  Photo © Ryan Muncy

Team RadioShack  Photo © Ryan Muncy

Team Saxo Bank Tinkoff  Photo © Ryan Muncy

Initial Press Conference  Photo © Ryan Muncy

Chris Froome  Photo © Ryan Muncy

Peter Sagan  Photo © Ryan Muncy

Team Presentation of Argo Shimano  Photo © Ryan Muncy

More Race Photography:

Please also see the amazing work of Ryan Wallace from the 2013 USA Pro Challenge: Ryan Wallace Photography of the USA Pro Challenge. Ryan is truly one of my favorite photographers.

And more photography from the 2013 USA Pro Challenge: Photography of Chuck Parsons

The photography of Laurie Valaer may be seen here: USA Pro Challenge 2013 - Results Stage 2, Aspen - Breckenridge Colorado. I really enjoy Laurie's eye for photography.

I was very happy to encourage and feature these four photographers during the tour. I aspire to learn more from each of them.

Word of the Day at the TDF: le frère

le frère (brother) 

After watching this video of Frank and Andy at the 2011 Tour de France, Stage 7 - Frank and Andy Schleck (by OzCycling), and watching the brothers work repeatedly together in stage after stage of the Tour de France this year, I pause to reflect on brotherhood. There is a bond between those two, that we all witness, that becomes palpable when they are together. As a fan it is of course very nice to see, but having them together also adds a level of suspense or emotion to the race. When one falls how does the other react? When one bonks, when the other excels. It is as if we are given immediate feedback into the emotions of a cyclist simply by looking at the brother. 

Le frère = brother. fraternité = brotherhood

There are actually a number of brothers in the pro peloton, although Fränk and Andy Schleck might be the most well-known and the only pair of brothers in the Tour de France this year. Let's take a look at la famille of professional cycling. The brothers on professional cycling teams:

Brothers in the Pro Peloton
 

Fränk and Andy Schleck 

Names:  Fränk René, Andy Raymond 
Ages: Frank - age 31, born 5 April 1980. Andy age 26, born June 10, 1985
Ht,Wt: Frank - 6'1", 143lbs, Andy - 6'1", 149lbs 
Country: Luxembourg 
Pro Team: both brothers ride for Team Leopard Trek (both are at the 2011 Tour de France)
Websites: http://frankschleckofficial.com/, http://andyschleckofficial.com/  
Jens Voigt interviews Fränk and Andy on being brothers  on Bicycling.com
Video: a little Frank and Andy attitude, this old one of their brotherly love
Brothers on podium a Tour first
 

Peter and Martin Velits

Names:  Peter, Martin (twins)
Ages: Peter - twins, both are age 26, born February 21, 1985.
Ht,Wt: Peter - 5'10", 152lbs, Martin - 6'1", 154lbs
Country: Slovakia
Pro Team: both brothers ride for HTC Highroad (only Peter is at the 2011 Tour de France)
Websites: http://www.velits.net/

Juan José and Lucas Sebastián Haedo

Names:  Juan José (JJ), Lucas Sebastián 
Ages: Juan José - age 30 born January 26, 1981. Lucas Sebastián - age 28, born April 18, 1983. 
Ht,Wt: Juan José - 5'8", 159lbs, Lucas Sebastián - 5'8", 140lbs
Country: Chascomús, Argentina 
Pro Team: both brothers ride for Saxo Bank-Sunguard (neither are at the 2011 Tour de France) 

Allan and Scott Davis

Names: Allan Howard, Scott 
Ages: Allan age 30, born 27 July 27, 1980. Scott age 32, born April 22, 1979.
Ht,Wt: Allan -  5' 8", 160lbs, Scott - 5'7", 130lbs 
Country: Ipswich, Queensland 
Team: Scott Davis retired from Team Astana in October 2010, Allan remains on Team Astana (not at the 2011 Tour de France)

Andy and Ben Jacques-Maynes

Names: Andy, Ben 
Ages: twins both brothers are age 33, born September 22, 1978.  
Ht,Wt: Andy - 6'0", 170lbs, Ben - 6'1", 165lbs
Country: California, USA
Team: Bissell Pro Cycling (US Continental team)

If anyone knows of any other brothers who race together - please let me know.

And now, a thanks to my own brother Michael (Straw, Mike, Miguel, Michel - he has a lot of names). For all the times I have followed his wheel . . .

or ridden side by side - (below on the Col du Galibier, and Alpe d'Huez)

and all the loading and unloading of bikes he has done for me over the years - 

Thanks!

Anyone up for a ride with their brother? ... I forgot the Meyer brothers!!

Update 08/02/11: I just came across this good blog post by PedalingtheRoad created on July 7, 2011, Brothers in le Tour

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Stage 3 Tour of California

Amgen Tour of California - Stage Finish in Modesto

It was a rainy windy cool day in Modesto, but lots of fun waiting around for the laps at the finish.

There may be no Fabian or Basso at this tour, but don't worry I found JV eating Kettle chips! (All is right as a fan).

Jonathan Vaughters

Photographs from the day ...

Amgen Tour of California Stage 3 finish in Modesto

Bob Roll

Bob Roll's shoes - styling

what is a day without Tacos and Kettle Korn

The fans had 3 large screen TV near the finish to watch the race

The race is here:

Whoa, I knew they would swing wide on the corner, but this is a little close

Ben Swift in the Leaders Jersey

Greg Henderson (Team Sky) takes the sprint win of stage 3:

Greg Henderson

The non-winners of stage 3

After the race - tired riders trying to figure out which way to the bus?

Peter Sagan

Taylor Phinney

A couple of Haedos

Alex Dowsett

Kenda Riders

Ryder Hesjedal

Chris Horner

JJ Haedo

Thor Hushovd

George Hincapie

Ben King

Andrew Talansky

Taylor Phinney

And they cleaned the bikes for hours after the wet rainy stage ...

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