Those who know me know that in the past, around 20Kg ago, I was a professional rider, so I love the sport with all my heart; lucky for me, one of my teammates is known as a sports director on a professional team, and he invited me to go as their photographer for a race called the Settimana Ciclistica Italiana, or Giro de la Sardegna in Italy.

The team is called the Vini Zabu, is an Italian Professional team, going to almost all the major races around the world, and this is my photo diary of the best pictures on that race, the rest you can follow on my Instagram @jorgerieraflores

More info: Instagram

Yes I know, but I had to write here some inspirational quotes to make sense of this picture so here it goes, there’s always someone ready to push you forward when you are down.

Mechanics working 24/7 to keep the bikes ready, and clean for the stages.

Mechanics work non stop, before the stage, during and after.

all the staff is like a big family with 5 jobs each, is interesting to see how every one had different roles, the massagists are also the bus drivers, and the snack chef for the stages, mechanics are also drivers and take care of the clothes.

Sport directors take care non only of the strategy but also to keep the riders motivated, is between playing chess and been a therapist at the same time.

Riders visualising the race ahead.

During the race, while in the car was interesting to see how, first every team helps everyone not only their own team, if a rider needs water but their car is not there, other teams will offer, same if a rider is on the back of the peloton after a puncture, every team car will help him get back to the race.

This was a pretty common sight, riders going for water or after an accident, chain the peloton behind the team cars.

there were always fans on the road, from kids to as you can see here older guys.

during the race.

After each stage, mechanics will clean each bike, including the spare ones, and check that everything works correctly.

One of the most traditional rituals of professional cycling, putting on the numbers on the cycling shirt, everyone does it differently and people tent to do it exactly the same for every race for good luck.

Theres always some driving before an after the stage but the mood inside the bus is always cheerful.

Before each stage, the sport directors will brief the riders about what they will encounter on that day stage, where they need to be ready, direction of the wind among other things.

Each team has 2 cars, the second car job, is usually to cut ahead form the race and position itself in places where they can provided supplies to the rider during the stages, water, food among others.

Crashes are normal, but this one in particular was particularly painful since it was on the the riders from the Italian team that was going to the Olympics the next day.

And to finish the stage, every rider will get a massage to move the lactic acid from their muscles to be ready for the next stage.

Theres a lot of work to be done, each day, from bikes, to food, but everyone love the sport and are happy to do it.

You can see here, staff fro other teams sharing a laugh and a coffee before the stage.

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