The best of 2011

It’s funny how we humans need these arbitrary milestones like New Years Eve, for example. Normally, I’m all into reflecting to the whole year behind us and looking forward to the next one, but right now I don’t have that feeling at all. The reason for that must be that I’m right in the middle of the cyclo-cross season and today is just another day off between races. I went to cover a race yesterday and I’ll do the same tomorrow. I can’t really go out and drink today because I need to get up 7am tomorrow morning. I think, the year’s end, for me at least, will arrive when the ‘cross season ends in mid-February.

That being said, I wanted to look back on 2011 and wanted to show you, dear reader, what I thought were the 11 best photo of mine in 2011. 10 is another arbitrary number we tend to use when we create top lists, so I ended up with 11 photos. But before I get on with the images, I want to say thank you to a couple of people. The list is long and I’ll pay my dues in my book later on, but I really wanted to say thank you to my Mum and Dad, who believe in my dreams and help me in many ways to follow them. I would also like to thank Andras – he has been going way out of his way by lending his car to me week in, week out. Without his help, these trips would be way more difficult – and expensive. It’s not a long-term solution, but I’m very grateful for that. Last but not least, I would like to thank Marijke, who directly (at her house in Kortrijk) and indirectly (in Nieuwpoort) hosted me very kindly throughout this season and again, she went out her way many times to help me out and to make me feel at home as much as possible. There were many more, who helped me so far and I would like to thank them all – there will be a special section in the book about all the people who helped me one way or the other.

Finally, I would like to thank all my readers, who keep coming back, often or rarely, all the love and attention you pay to my photos and keep me motivated to carry on. Thank you for coming back, please keep coming back in 2012, it is going to be a great year!

And now for something completely different: my best photos from 2011.

First up - a photo of Zdenek Stybar. I took it in Zonhoven back in October. It was a very hard, sandy course and I quite like how this photo came out, with the sand, Stybar and his custom tyres.
First up - a photo of Zdenek Stybar. I took it in Zonhoven back in October. It was a very hard, sandy course and I quite like how this photo came out, with the sand, Stybar and his custom tyres.
Had it been raining and muddy, this would have been the shot of the year, in my opinion. It's (almost) perfectly lit, Stybar is tack sharp but you can still see the intensity of the race. I even like the sun and the shadows, but the mud is sorely missed.
Had it been raining and muddy, this would have been the shot of the year, in my opinion. It's (almost) perfectly lit, Stybar is tack sharp but you can still see the intensity of the race. I even like the sun and the shadows, but the mud is sorely missed.
I wasn't sure to include this one or not but I can't help to love it. It was taken at Asper-Gavere, stunning colours and I love how Klaas Vantornout turns back to check whether teammate Kevin Pauwels is ok - who adjusts something on his bike in the background.
I wasn't sure to include this one or not but I can't help to love it. It was taken at Asper-Gavere, stunning colours and I love how Klaas Vantornout turns back to check whether teammate Kevin Pauwels is ok - who adjusts something on his bike in the background.
THE sprint of the year, at Koksijde, Sven Nys vs Kevin Pauwels, the old guard against the new titan.
THE sprint of the year, at Koksijde, Sven Nys vs Kevin Pauwels, the old guard against the new titan.
Another photo from Koksijde, Thijs Al kicks up some sand on one of the trickier descents. It's funny how easy it is to take dramatic, sandy shots at Koksijde.
Another photo from Koksijde, Thijs Al kicks up some sand on one of the trickier descents. It's funny how easy it is to take dramatic, sandy shots at Koksijde.
Those of you who know me know that I'm an avid hater of podium shots - I still included this one. I really like how the disembodied hand with the custom umbrella complements the podium. It was another great win for Pauwels.
Those of you who know me know that I'm an avid hater of podium shots - I still included this one. I really like how the disembodied hand with the custom umbrella complements the podium. It was another great win for Pauwels.
This one got, by far, the most feedback on Facebook - and it is my other favourite photo (the other being the Stybar behind the tree one). Everything came together nicely, the background, the lighting, Nys kicking up some sand, etc. Most of the time I see on the little screen of the camera if a photo came out well, but then and there I missed this one and I only saw it back at the press centre. It was a lucky day.
This one got, by far, the most feedback on Facebook - and it is my other favourite photo (the other being the Stybar behind the tree one). Everything came together nicely, the background, the lighting, Nys kicking up some sand, etc. Most of the time I see on the little screen of the camera if a photo came out well, but then and there I missed this one and I only saw it back at the press centre. It was a lucky day.
Crossing the finish line - short of a sprint finish, it's rarely a spectacular thing so I figured I might as well try to find another angle to capture the hardships and the joy of winning. Marianne Vos won the GP Rouwmoer by a mile so I was confident I wouldn't miss anything important if I capture her entering the tent where the winner gets cleaned up.
Crossing the finish line - short of a sprint finish, it's rarely a spectacular thing so I figured I might as well try to find another angle to capture the hardships and the joy of winning. Marianne Vos won the GP Rouwmoer by a mile so I was confident I wouldn't miss anything important if I captured her entering the tent where the winner gets cleaned up.
There is not much to be said about this photo - mud porn. Simples.
There is not much to be said about this photo - mud porn. Simples.
After going through the top 11 photos, I realised there were only two that featured women. I wondered why that was and the only explanation I could come up with was that their races are much shorter. They last only 40 minutes and do 4-6 laps, while the men do at least 8 laps, but sometimes even 11 is possible, so you've got much more opportunities to take photos and find great angles. That being said, I really like the intensity Daphny Van Den Brand and Marianne Vos combat for the lead.
After going through the top 11 photos, I realised there were only two that featured women. I wondered why that was and the only explanation I could come up with was that their races are much shorter. They last only 40 minutes and do 4-6 laps, while the men do at least 8 laps, but sometimes even 11 is possible, so you've got much more opportunities to take photos and find great angles. That being said, I really like the intensity Daphny Van Den Brand and Marianne Vos combat for the lead.
Tim Johnson, speed, concentration and good lighting - it sums up pretty much this photo.
Tim Johnson, speed, concentration and good lighting - it sums up pretty much this photo.

These were the highlights of 2011, it’s been an amazing year, thanks again for everything – see you in 2012!

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