1 of {count}##
Back to Start
- View Larger Image.
Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies in Portugal: Wohlberg
Performance director Eric Wohlberg carefully applies information on important points in the race to each rider's stem before each stage. A piece of masking tape with some sharpied numbers can be extremely critical. Photo: ©Sam Wiebe
- View Larger Image.
Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies in Portugal: Legs
Tom Zirbel's impressive legs. Photo: ©Sam Wiebe
- View Larger Image.
Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies in Portugal: Caravan curiosity
The most interesting vehicle in the race was definitely this odd little number, but Optum didn't see it once on course actually using that loudspeaker. Photo: ©Sam Wiebe
- View Larger Image.
Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies in Portugal: Coffee
Coffee and bikes are inseparable. Caffeine is widely consumed before each stage, for obvious reasons. Photo: ©Sam Wiebe
- View Larger Image.
Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies in Portugal: Young and Anderson
Boivin's leadout riders Eric Young and Ryan Anderson looked punished yet exhilarated after the finish. Photo: ©Sam Wiebe
- View Larger Image.
Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies in Portugal: Kwiatkowski
Optum's Guillaume Boivin finished among an elite top-10 as the world champion Michal Kwiatkowski (Etixx-Quick-Step) celebrated his teammate Gianni Meersman's win. Photo: ©Sam Wiebe
- View Larger Image.
Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies in Portugal: Spectator
Straight chillin. Portugal is chock-full of colorful graffiti. Photo: ©Sam Wiebe
- View Larger Image.
Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies in Portugal: Sprinters
The Optum sprinters stayed tucked in nicely through a hairy roundabout near the finish of stage 1. Photo: ©Sam Wiebe
- View Larger Image.
Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies in Portugal: Women's team
This old woman would not be denied her chosen route by this Portugeuse women's team. Photo: ©Sam Wiebe
- View Larger Image.
Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies in Portugal: Terraces
A stunning view of the Portugeuse countryside, extending to the Atlantic Ocean and beyond. Photo: ©Sam Wiebe
- View Larger Image.
Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies in Portugal: Sousa
Portugeuse soigneur Jose Sousa (pronounced Joe-ZAY) seems to know everyone in the peloton. His name was announced many times over the race's loudspeakers at each start and finish. Here he grabs a sandwich from a former mechanic from his racing days. Photo: ©Sam Wiebe
- View Larger Image.
Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies in Portugal: Bridge
The peloton crossed over a stunning suspension bridge outside of Lagoa. Photo: ©Sam Wiebe
- View Larger Image.
Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies in Portugal: Leaders
Jersey holders line up across the start tape before the beginning of stage 2. Photo: ©Sam Wiebe
- View Larger Image.
Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies in Portugal: Wohlberg and Woods
Two generations of Canadian cycling, Eric Wohlberg and the team's newest star, Mike Woods. Photo: ©Sam Wiebe
- View Larger Image.
Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies in Portugal: Mechanical
In the time trial, mechanical errors are devastating to a rider's chance at a result. A Portugeuse rider from the Tavira team worked to get his chain unwrapped from his crank as another rider blazed past. Photo: ©Sam Wiebe
- View Larger Image.
Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies in Portugal: Zirbel TT
Tom Zirbel, laser focused before his time trial run. Success in the race of truth requires the utmost focus. Photo: ©Sam Wiebe
- View Larger Image.
Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies in Portugal: TT prep
The team set up near a small playground to prepare for the time trial. Not sure what these two were thinking, but they definitely don't look impressed. Photo: ©Sam Wiebe
- View Larger Image.
Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies in Portugal: Sprint
An elite group charged to the finish line of stage 2 behind Sky's Geraint Thomas, who soloed to victory. Photo: ©Sam Wiebe
- View Larger Image.
Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies in Portugal: Freeway
The sun emerged after a cloudy and misty start to stage 4. The peloton picked up speed on this wide-open freeway. Photo: ©Sam Wiebe
- View Larger Image.
Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies in Portugal: Start
Bike racing, the most colorful sport in the world. Photo: ©Sam Wiebe
- View Larger Image.
Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies in Portugal: Team bus
Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies' setup is dwarfed by the massive busses of nearly every other team involved in the race. Photo: ©Sam Wiebe
- View Larger Image.
Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies in Portugal: Gaimon scar
Phil Gaimon shows off a nasty old scar. When asked about its origin, he replied, "Some crash from my Cat. 4 days. Not really sure, they all blend together." Photo: ©Sam Wiebe
- View Larger Image.
Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies in Portugal: Monte Malhao
The peloton stormed up Monte Malhao on the first of two laps up the mountain. Sky's Richie Porte would break away for the win. Photo: ©Sam Wiebe
- View Larger Image.
Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies in Portugal: Gaimon
Phil Gaimon kept the throttle pinned on Monte Malhao. He finished 15th on the stage. Photo: ©Sam Wiebe
- View Larger Image.
Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies in Portugal: Scenic
The crowds on Monte Malhao for the queen stage's final climb were massive. Photo: ©Sam Wiebe
- View Larger Image.
Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies in Portugal: Fans
Patiently waiting for the peloton to arrive. Photo: ©Sam Wiebe
- View Larger Image.
Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies in Portugal: Bikes
A different type of bike rider was caught ogling the team's Diamondback bikes. Photo: ©Sam Wiebe
- View Larger Image.
Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies in Portugal: Food
Some delicious Portugeuse treats near the finish of stage 5. Photo: ©Sam Wiebe
- View Larger Image.
Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies in Portugal: Leadout
The Optum leadout assembles. Tom Zirbel is a powerful rider and helps the sprinters get positioned here. Photo: ©Sam Wiebe
- View Larger Image.
Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies in Portugal: Peloton
The final straightaway of the Volta ao Algarve came complete with a very sketchy bend featuring a set of pylons. Luckily, no one got hurt. Photo: ©Sam Wiebe
- View Larger Image.
Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies in Portugal: Stage details
Guillaume Boivin's detailed notes on the finish of stage 5. Photo: ©Sam Wiebe
- View Larger Image.
Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies in Portugal: Legs
Will Routley and Mike Woods have distinctly different musculature and different riding styles to boot. Photo: ©Sam Wiebe
- View Larger Image.
Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies in Portugal: Young
Sprinter Eric Young warms up his legs before his only chance at a field sprint in stage 5. Photo: ©Sam Wiebe
- View Larger Image.
Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies in Portugal: Zirbel
Race complete. Tom Zirbel dives into some chicken piti piti, one of Portugal's many delicious snacks. Photo: ©Sam Wiebe
- View Larger Image.
Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies in Portugal: Greipel
German champion André Greipel is a mammoth of a man, and he made quick work of the rest of the field in the final sprint. Photo: ©Sam Wiebe
- View Larger Image.
Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies in Portugal: Young fans
Three young race fans gave their seal of approval on the 2015 Volta ao Algarve. Photo: ©Sam Wiebe
The post Photo Essay: Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies in Portugal appeared first on VeloNews.com.
View the full article
