Behind The Scenes - Episode 6

Recently, we have been sharing with you the daily life of the team by opening the backstage doors to you, giving a voice to those who work in the shadows to allow you to live an exceptional experience. For our sixth episode, we’ll chat with Genia, our photographer & videomaker.

How did you get to the Sa Calobra Cycling Club?
Genia Tkacheva : I arrived in Mallorca in 2019 and am a freelance photographer / filmmaker. I work for sporting events such as the UCI Mallorca Challenge race, for individuals, or companies, whether for photoshoot sessions or to produce promotional films. I met Aurélien on a race he was participating in here in 2020. He liked the photos I had taken during the race and offered me to come and film during the camps.

What does a day of shooting look like?
G.T We always try to choose the sunniest day of the week to film. Then we coordinate with Michal and Aurelien to film the riders in different situations, at different places on the route. Sometimes in movement from the car, from the side of the road, or from the air with the drone. It allows to have a wide variety of shots. It's much nicer than a GoPro-like video where you just watch the road goes by, don’t you think?

What is your favorite route to film?
G.T It's hard to say. Of course, Sa Calobra is an incredible place to film, especially with the drone. But Formentor or the ride from Andraxt along the coast also offer very spectacular views. I also like the Wednesday ride, with the coffee-cake break at the top of Sa Batalla.

Each video is unique. How do you do?
G.T We avoid planning too much. Even if the routes are sometimes the same, each camp is different. Riders are different. What I try to capture above all are their reactions in full swing. A facial expression, a smile, a grimace, the moments of complicity between them. The riders make the videos, not us! Most of the time, we do the editing based on these unusual moments during the ride, which is impossible to predict in advance and makes each video unique.

Do they feel comfortable with the camera?
G.T You would be surprised to see how comfortable they are, even the most shy ones! Very quickly, they forget the camera and concentrate on their effort. Spontaneity is what gives the best reactions. But I have to say that some are very good at playing with the camera. They stand on the pedals, wince, or jump in front of the group as soon as they feel they are being filmed. Real pros, ha ha ha.