Takeaways from photographing the Giro d’Italia.
Here are my takeaways as a photographer covering the Giro d'Italia.
1: It's very tough on both body and mind.
2: Your remit is not the riders (mostly).
3: Business first, fun last.
4: You don't get to spectate the race.
5: Rinse and repeat.
The Giro d'Italia, the beautiful race, is over for another year. Now I've had time to process the experience, here are a few thoughts.
You know that feeling you have after travelling home from vacation? That's every day at a Grand Tour. You're always tired. Running on adrenaline and caffeine. Up early to prep' and plan. Kit, logistics, travel, timing. Then hopefully executing and delivering. After a long day of work on the ground it's time to settle in for a couple of late-night hours of bleary-eyed editing, perhaps over a couple of bites of much neglected food. It rapidly drains your physical and mental energy. There never seems enough time to recover before the next day. My Garmin health data informs me I still have not recovered.
Unlike much of the domestic racing I cover where riders and their families buy photos and prints for their wall, Grand Tour riders have an abundance of photos provided for free. Clients are business', not riders. Teams with responsibilities to sponsors, equipment manufacturers, organisers, magazines etc. Your focus has to shift slightly. This demands a different approach. It's not about what you want to photograph - mostly.
Me on the “pink carpet” in Viareggio, Stage 11 of the Giro 2025
"But you get to see the race from the inside." - I can honestly say I've never known what's happening in any race I've covered. Stage 10 of the Giro, Lucca to Pisa individual time trial, I knew the changing weather would have influenced the outcome, but that's about it. I had to sacrifice the race start to be in the team bus holding area getting essential shots for one of the teams. Followed by a 2km run back to my car to drive to the finish in Pisa. Most of the roads are closed. Accreditation grants access to some, but not all. Fighting through spectators and tourists to find locations, angles and backgrounds. The finish line was packed with other photographers. I needed a different angle. Unique location found, the storm arrived. A unique angle (leaning Tower of Pisa, the Basilica, storm clouds and spectators as a backdrop) remains unique for all of 10 minutes.
Race over. Job done, right? Nope. Podium ceremonies. Rider's reactions. Back at the team buses. Soaking wet. Tired. Hungry. Very dehydrated. Remain focused for the editing session. Recover for tomorrow.
Rinse and repeat.
It's tough. I'd go back tomorrow in a heartbeat.