Photo ABCs

Ben King, Professional Bicycle Racer, Bird Photographer?

Ben King is an American professional cyclist, with a history of stage wins in the Vuelta a España and the Tour of California, and winner of the 2010 US Road Race Championship.

I was intrigued to read this VeloNews article about his love (and skill!) at nature photography, and specifically, bird photography!

The photos in the article illustrate that he does more than just go out and hope to find a bird and photograph it, but takes time to carefully observe the birds, know the birds, and anticipate when and where to take the most interesting pictures which will show fascinating behavior. This takes great maturity and patience. It also helps that he grew up roaming the woods of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, and can take advantage of his parents' 200 acres of habitat!

He states that wherever he travels in the world (a professional cyclist does little else besides train, race, and travel!) there are new and different birds to see. I suspect that his passion will continue when his racing career is over.

Good luck, Ben!

Here is a photograph I took of Ben King during the 2016 Tour of California, during the time trial in Folsom, California:

Julian Alaphilippe

Julian Alaphilippe has surprised the entire cycling world by capturing the yellow jersey in this year's Tour de France and maintaining it through the individual time trial and the first high mountain stage today in the Pyrenees. Only time will tell how long he will hold on to the jersey! This year's Tour de France is the most open, exciting, and entertaining tour in many, many years!

Here is Alaphilippe competing in the 2016 Tour of California time trial in Folsom, California. This time trial was decisive in his winning the 2016 Tour of California.

Alaphilippe (sans mustache and beard),charms the fans after the Folsom stage of the 2016 Tour of California.

Paul Sherwen

I am in shock to learn that Paul Sherwen has passed away at the young age of 62.

I saw Paul race in the 1979 Tour de France, when he was one of the few English-speaking riders in the peloton.

He became better known in the following years as a cycling commentator, half of the beloved duo of Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen, covering the Tour de France and other cycling events for NBC and other English-speaking outlets around the world.

Cycling will not be the same without Paul's voice and upbeat personality.

This photo was taken near the finish line of the 2012 Mt. Baldy Stage of the Tour of California, as he prepared to go on the air.

Matt Keenan, a superb cycling announcer from Australia, offered his tribute to Paul here.

George Bennett

George Bennett of New Zealand, riding for team Lotto Jumbo, placed fourth in the stage 6 Big Bear time trial, but beat race leader Rafa Majka by enough time that he assumed the race lead. As the positions did not change on stage 7, George Bennett surprised everyone by winning the 2017 Tour of California!

Rafa Majka

Rafa Majka, in the race-leader's yellow jersey, competes in the stage 6 time trial at Big Bear Lake during this year's Tour of California.

Though he rode well, Majka would lose the overall lead to George Bennett.

Peter Sagan

Everyone's favorite bike racer, Peter Sagan, competes in the Tour of California, during the stage 6 time trial at Big Bear Lake, on May 19 of this year.

He is wearing his green points-leader jersey, which he has won seven times!

Andrew Talansky

As the Tour de France is rapidly approaching (it begins on July 1!) I should get around to posting a few photos I took at this year's Tour of California bicycle race, held during May of this year.

Every year I try to see at least one or two stages (usually more). This year I watched the end of stage 5 at Mt. Baldy, and stage 6, the time trial at Big Bear Lake.

Here Andrew Talansky edges out disappointed race leader Rafa Majka for the stage win on Mt. Baldy, as George Bennett follows just behind (in the shadows) and ahead of Ian Boswell (in front of the motorcycle camera).

More Tour of California

The Tour de France starts tomorrow!!! Look for almost all of the riders I've pictured in the past few weeks to feature prominently in this year's Tour de France:

Peter Sagan will be favored to win yet another green jersey with little competition.

Mark Cavendish will try to surpass Bernard Hinault for second place in total career Tour de France stage wins, with competition from Alexander Kristoff and others.

Rohan Dennis will try to win the flatter of the two individual time trials, and otherwise try to help his teammates Richie Porte and Tejay Van Garderen place high in the overall competition.

Daniel Teklehaimanot will try to wear, or win overall, the polka-dot jersey for best hill climber.

Vasil Kiryienka will compete for the time trial victory and be a tireless worker for Team Sky and its favorite for overall victory Chris Froome.

Look for Julian Alaphilippe in the white jersey for best young rider!!!

Here are some remaining images from the 2016 Tour of California.

Julian Alaphilippe engages the crowd at the awards presentation in Folsom.

Superfan Dore heads back to his car after cheering for Bradley Wiggins and others during Stage 7 in the hills near Santa Rosa.

Alexander Kristoff takes a drink after winning the Stage 7 sprint into Santa Rosa.

 

On the podium in Sacramento, Julian Alaphilippe savors his overall victory of the Tour of California, flanked by second and third place finishers Rohan Dennis (left) and Brent Bookwalter (right).

Danilo Wyss, in his Swiss National Champion jersey, Taylor Phinney, and their BMC teammates engage in a champagne battle on the podium in Sacramento. Team BMC won the team competition for best overall time as a team.

Podium girl Joanna Zanella is about to get sprayed with champagne as she attempts to photograph Team BMC's celebration!

 

Peter Sagan

Peter Sagan, with an uncharacteristically serious look, awaits the awards presentations in Sacramento, after the final stage of the 2016 Tour of California. Sagan would be awarded second place for the stage, and awarded the green jersey for the overall sprint points competition. He shows off his rainbow jersey, as the winner of the 2015 World Championship race.

Podium Girl

For five years, Allison Steinkamp and Joanna Zanella have been the podium girls at the Tour of California, assisting in the awards presentations.

Here Allison surveys the scene before taking the stage in Santa Rosa.

Here is an interview with Allison and Joanna.