Favorite 2012 photos by ProVéloPassion, part 1

Different reasons can render a photograph a favorite: an artful composition or conglomeration of color; the emotion or intent it symbolizes; a particularly expressive face; or the memories from a related event it brings to mind. Here’s part 1 of a collection of photos I took in 2012 that have become my favorites.

Lucas Euser, Kiel Reijnen, a young rider, and Alex Howes (left to right) shepherd a young rider in the turkey feather race at Tom Danielson’s Turkey Day Ride for Juniors which took place on Thanksgiving Day. Who’s feeling more accomplished?

Sometimes we all need a big cheering section to get over a hill

Peter Sagan owned the Amgen Tour of California in 2012, winning five stages and the sprint jersey. When asked after his third win whether he’d go for more, Sagan said something like, “I think people will get tired of me.” Well they didn’t, especially this lady who received his podium flowers after Stage 3 ended in downtown Livermore.

Sagan hands flowers to spectator in Livermore

I first met Joe Dombrowski at the Tour of the Gila, a five day stage race in early May in southern New Mexico. After seeing him finish the time trial looking like this, I knew I would follow his career.

This is what happens after an amazing time trial

Sometimes the best moments at a bike race happen after the race is over. This one’s from Castle Cross in Rhyolite Park.

2012 Castle Cross clean-up crew

In this post Colorado Cyclocross State Championship race shot of Maxx Chance, Mike Dessau, and Ian McPherson, Chance, who scaled this loose hill first, attempts to keep his king of the hill crown.

Maxx Chance, Mike Dessau, and Ian McPherson in “King of the Hill”

This is an example of a composition I love. The race leaders approach the Mogollon mountaintop finish in Stage 1 at the Tour of the Gila. The riders have a moment of respite from the wind that typically tears the race to pieces after the ascent begins.

Mogollon climb: Rory Sutherland, Chris Baldwin, Sebastian Salas, Chad Beyer, Marc de Maar, Tyler Wren (l – r)

Temperatures averaged in the upper 90 degrees Fahrenheit at the Tour of Utah, where the lack of moisture on top of the heat made riders thirsty. Here Nathan Haas attempts to ventilate after the Stage 4 Salt Lake City finish.

Nathan Haas after the finish of Stage 4 of the Tour of Utah in Salt Lake City

More to come in part 2.