The Art of Capturing Cycling’s Biggest Moments

What does it really take to photograph the biggest races in the world?
In this episode of the Castelli Podcast, we sit down with Ashley & Jered Gruber — two of the most respected documentary photographers in professional cycling. The conversation was recorded at Usteria Posta in the heart of the Dolomites.

From chasing the peloton on in-race motorbikes at the Tour de France to navigating the chaos of Flanders Classics, we dive deep into what it means to capture cycling at 60km/h — where split-second decisions, instinct, and years of technical mastery collide.

We talk about:
– Shooting on a moto inside the race
– Planning 8–10 locations per stage
– The pressure of Spring Classics like the Ronde & Roubaix
– The €1,000-per-night Tour de France apartment
– The shot that got away (and still hurts)
– Why Flanders feels different from ASO races
– What’s actually in the camera bag on race day
– And why technique only works if your instincts are trained

Ashley & Jered also reflect on their early years, discovering Graham Watson, building a life between the Dolomites and Girona, and why documentary photography is ultimately about emotion — not perfection.

If you love:
– Pro cycling
– The Tour de France
– Spring Classics
– Behind-the-scenes race access
– Sports photography
– Creative process & storytelling

This one’s for you!

Subscribe for more conversations with the people shaping modern cycling — from riders and performance experts to the storytellers behind the sport.

– CONNECT ⁠–
Ashley Norris Gruber
https://www.instagram.com/ashleygruber/

Jered Gruber
https://www.instagram.com/jeredgruber/

Igor Tavella
https://www.instagram.com/igortavella/

Ustaria Posta Hotel
https://www.instagram.com/ustariaposta/
https://www.ustariaposta.it/

Host: Søren Jensen
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjensen77/

Castelli Cycling
www.castellicycling.com

CHAPTERS
00:00 – Intro
00:36 – Why You Must Shoot Differently Every Year
00:57 – Recording in Badia, Dolomites (Before the Move to Girona)
01:55 – First Time in Alta Badia (2008–2009 Stories)
02:51 – Meeting Igor & Finding a Home in the Dolomites
04:10 – Life on the Road: Belgium, Base Life & Brutal Schedules
05:13 – €1,000-a-Night Tour de France Apartment (Courchevel Chaos)
06:36 – Best Professional Advice Ever: “Charge More.”
07:02 – The Favorite Photo We’d Take to the Grave
08:03 – The Shot That Got Away (Roubaix Regret)
10:02 – Losing a Lens Mid-Race 😳
11:49 – Most Underrated Roads in Europe
12:14 – French Basque Country & Pyrenees Love
14:26 – Post-Tour Recovery: Sleep, Bikes & Doing Nothing
16:17 – 7 Weeks on the Road: The Hardest Stretch Ever
16:47 – Why Flanders Classics Feel Different
18:29 – The Energy of Belgium vs ASO Races
19:29 – Technique vs “The Eye”: What Really Matters?
21:31 – Planning 8–10 Moto Locations per Race
22:40 – Running the Kwaremont Through the Crowd
24:06 – Koppenberg, Paterberg or Oude Kwaremont?
25:22 – How to Get an In-Race Moto Slot
28:31 – What’s in the Camera Bag on a Moto?
30:32 – Different Photographer Mindsets (Wait vs Chase)
32:10 – Cutting the Course: The Fastest Way Through a Race
34:21 – Working With Your Moto Pilot
35:48 – Thinking in 4D: Missed Opportunities
37:26 – Discovering Graham Watson (The OG)
40:18 – How Do You Explain This Job to Non-Cyclists?
41:01 – Beyond Cycling: Outdoor, Motorsports & Documentary Work
43:47 – Outro

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