These images were shot by Danish sports photographer Fredrik Clement during the Giro D’Italia, Italy’s annual 23-day cycling race in May. Clement has been following Denmark’s professional cycling team, Team Saxo-Tinkoff since January 2013 for his upcoming book, “Collectif.” The book will be created by Clement, Art Director Jan Rasmussen and Project Manager Jesper Grundhal, who all share a love and passion for cycling. “In Denmark, we all grow up on bikes. Denmark is a cycling country and every child learns how to ride a bike,” says Clement. “Also, the sport is big in Denmark. For me, as a photographer, cycling has endless stories.”
Clement spent years developing the close relationship he now has with Team Saxo-Tinkoff by shooting images for the team’s sponsor, Saxo Bank. “This has been key in the team’s trust in me and agreeing to take part in the book project,” he explains. Access was granted, though Clement has not been taking many photos of the cyclists on the tour bus, which he calls a “free zone.”
Clement has been updating the Collectif website every step of the way. Clement is currently following Team Saxo-Tinkoff as they ride in Le Tour de France, which ends Sunday, July 21. He’s paying close attention to team leader Alberto Contador, who won Le Tour in 2007 (with the Discovery Channel team), and is one of only five riders to have ever won all three Grand Tours of road cycling.
Nice work
Great post and photos. My wife’s friend loaned her a book called “One American Woman Fifty Italian Men” by Lynne Ashdown, http://lynneashdown.com/, and ever since she read it she’s been very interested in cycling. As soon as she gets home I’m going to show her this article, I’m sure she will be thrilled that I came across it. Again, great photos, it’s true what they say “a picture is worth a thousand words”!