It’s not often that one has the opportunity of having a chat with a cycling photographer, especially one who mostly focuses on women’s races. Anton Vos, professional photographer and brother of cycling superstar Marianne Vos, kindly offered us this chance just a few minutes before the finish of the last stage of Emakumeen Bira, taking a short break from his busy work schedule.
From your perspective as a photographer, what are your views on women’s cycling? Do you see any signs for a better future?
Yes, definitely. There are more, and better teams now, and it’s also very important that there are more pro men’s teams with women’s squads coming, even more in the future, I think. Also, the top riders are getting more attention so everything it’s becoming bigger and bigger.
How do you see the organization of Emakumeen Bira compared to other important international races?
It’s very, very good, both for the riders and the rest of us. For example, personally I didn’t expect to find wifi connection here in the bar and that makes my job a lot easier. They have a variety of drinks: water, cola… after the race, which is great for all of us -not every race offers this-. The roads are very well prepared, so the cars and vehicles are where they have to be. It’s very safe, and that’s essential, because safety is more important than the race itself.
It’s really good to hear that… to be honest, I didn’t expect such a positive answer.
Yeah, it really is!
Why did you become a cycling photographer?
Well, first of all because I’m a cyclist myself. I started to make photographs for the website of my sister. Then I got a bigger camera and, as there’s not so much coverage of the women’s races and I am there all the time it’s easier to do it. I work for the agency Cor Vos, which is very famous in Holland, and back when I started there was only coverage of the men’s races, basically. Now women’s races are getting more attention and that’s also important.
Anton during the interview
What has been the best and the worst thing that has happened to you while doing this work?
The worst was this year in Cittiglio, during the Trofeo Binda, because my camera was not well set up and I was taking blurry pictures all the time! The best one was also in Italy, last year in the Giro Donne, when I took a picture of Marianne riding with the pink jersey with the Colosseum of Rome as background and that, as a photographer, was really amazing.
I know the picture you’re talking about and it’s indeed amazing!
Yeah! And the best thing overall was being at the Olympic Games in London, but I couldn’t make photographs there, because one of the guys of our agency already had an acreditation, and the organization was very strict with the acreditations.
In your experience, which riders do you consider the most photogenic?
Scandinavian and Italian riders, Anna Sanchís [laughs], and… well, I can say more names but I have my personal favourites [laughs again]. There’s Evie Stevens who is always smiling and also Marta Bastianelli who always puts funny faces. So maybe it’s not exactly what you’re asking about, but they’re great when it comes to taking funny pictures.
The one with Sabrina Stultiens and Marianne Vos you took yesterday [Saturday 8th of June] on the podium was also good!
Yes, indeed. That’s a funny picture [laughs].
Let’s talk a little about your sister Marianne now. Being the older brother, when did you realize that she was going to be a phenomenon? I mean, when she still was very young…
My father always said that she could go very far, but how far, when didn’t know yet back then. When you’re very young it’s hard to make predictions, you don’t know when the progression is going to end, but by the time she was a junior rider we already saw she was extremely talented and was getting bigger and bigger. Last year, in 2012, she had an amazing season, with the Olympics and the Worlds…
Yes, basically a perfect year. Do you think she still can improve even more?
She can improve, but now she’s focusing on being better with the mountain bike so it’s more about improving in other disciplines.
But in road racing, do you think she already reached the top with the Olympics last year?
Yeah, yeah. But that’s the point, that was her main goal as a rider and everything that comes now on the road is basically a bonus for her.
Thanks to @babelia1 for her collaboration during the interview.