Bicycle races are coming your way

Last week, Prescot, which features regularly in these pages, played host to the Time Trial stage of the Tour of Britain. It is not the first time the town has hosted the Tour, with a stage having finished at Knowsley Safari Park a couple of years ago. I did not watch on that occasion, as it seemed a lot of effort for the less than even possibility of one good photo of the peloton, or waiting for hours to get a good spot for the finish, only to find an official or press photographer in front of me at the key moment.

The time trial is a different matter, a 10 mile course from the Safari Park, through Prescot and Knowsley Village, with riders starting at one minute intervals over two hours. So, it was easy to find a spot with an unobstructed view and experiment with the best locations and techniques. For a sport I had never tried photographing before, I was quickly happy with the results, with my fifth frame of the day making it in to the collection.

Jim Songezo (South Africa, MTN Qhubeka)

For about three miles, from the edge of the town and along Knowsley Lane, the course went in both directions along the same road, so there were shots to be had of riders passing in opposite directions.

Roman van Uden (New Zealand, Node 4 Giordana, foreground) passes Jimmy Engoulvent (France, Sojasun)

As this is a time trial, not many riders pass each other in the same direction. However, as the inbound side was 3km from the end of the course, it was possible to have made up the minute on the rider in front.

Matthias Krizek (Austria, Cannondale) overtakes Dean Downing (UK, Madison Genesis)

You may think a cycle race is just cyclists, racing, but there is more on the road than that. Each rider is preceded by a motorcycle to ensure the road is clear (spectators and passing members of the public can cross between competitors). Most of the motorcyclists were Police Officers, so, as costs are billed to the Tour, it probably makes a small contribution to the Police budget. The riders are also followed by a support vehicle carrying the Prime Minister's shoes spare cycles for use in the event of an accident or a fault with a machine. I am not sure what happens if one rider overtakes another, as there is definitely no room for the support vehicles to overtake.

Some riders were followed by a motorcycle with a camera crew, although I do not know what use the resulting film will be, apart from for anatomy students studying the working of the muscles in the legs and backside.

Wouter Sybrandy (Netherlands, IG Sigma) receives the attention of the video camera

The day was damp, with spells of moderate rain, with those starting about half an hour in to the event getting the wettest of the weather.

Will Stephenson (UK, Rapha Condor JLT)

During the race, I made my way towards the town, taking me to the main road, and opportunities for cornering shots as the riders took the roundabouts.

Alistair Slater (UK, Great Britain)

There were more spectators here, some offering enthusiastic support to the riders ...

Sebastien Reichenbach (Switzerland, IAM)

.. and some who looked put out that they were not allowed to join in.

"I could be chasing this lot!"

I had not thought to download the start order to take with me, although it was useful for subsequently captioning the pictures. Not knowing who was coming round the corner, I missed some better known competitors - Mark Cavendish whizzed past as I was checking my exposures. However, I did not miss Sir Bradders, who did not err, winning the stage and going on to win the Tour.

Sir Bradley Wiggins (UK, Sky)

The rest of the pictures from the day can be seen here.