For almost two decades now Richard Sachs has been an integral part of the American cyclocross scene. Throughout the years Richard has sponsored some of the best riders the sport has had to offer and all the while doing it his way. His loyalty to his sponsors and riders reflects on the relationships he has maintained with them over the years. The Richard Sachs team has set an example for how a cyclocross team can be built and grown in a truly organic fashion and compete with the biggest teams out there. There is a tradition and ethos that comes along with Richard Sachs that is completely admirable, so when I received a message from Dan Chabanov asking if I would be interested in shooting photos of the team there was no hesitation.
In the opening days of September, summer’s oppressive heat had yet to diminish and the thought of all out efforts in the blazing sun did not sound appetizing at all but when an opportunity presents itself the bags get packed and off we go. Let me just say that I was a fan of Richard Sachs, not the man because I knew little about him personally but the idea of what the man is. Here is someone so invested in cyclocross that he sponsors a team, builds the frames they race on by hand, and gets out there and races himself all before spending the rest of the day working the pits. To call it passion, a labor of love is understatement, according to my opinion. (see what I did there?)
Since the first weekend of September I would do my best to capture the team racing their beautifully crafted bicycles, Dan Chabanov, Brittlee Bowman, Sam O’Keefe and Libby White. From New York, to PA, down to D.C. all the way up to Rhode Island and eventually to the final races of the year in Asheville N.C. As weekend after weekend passed I began to notice just how special the team was and how supportive they were of one another regardless of results. I also noticed that I liked Richard, more than just the idea but the man himself. Richard is as caring and is as whole heartedly involved as anyone in the sport today and it’s infectious to be around, even from a good safe distance. The team as whole had a great season, podiums, and uci points became a weekly routine and it made my job that more enjoyable.
I would like to thank Dan Chabanov for trusting me to capture images of the team and Richard and the rest of the team for letting me hang around all year. This season has been a special one for me and it had a lot to do with this little project. Bill was kind enough to let me share some of my favorite images of the team from this season and I hope you enjoy.
