Diversity In A Criterium
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Project:
Diversity In A Criterium
Cycling attracts people of diverse backgrounds, but it can be hard to see unless you attend a large race or group ride. I didn’t quite realize this until I arrived at the Intelligentsia Cup, originally with the intention to document the professional and amateur racers. In a makeshift studio built on the streets next to Glen Ellyn and the Intelligentsia Coffee Roasting Works I realized what I was actually documenting: differences in nationality, gender, race, and style amongst crit racers.
These images have been styled to reflect the brand colors of the race's main sponsors: Intelligentsia Coffee and SRAM. Additionally, they are colored only with varying tints of red to symbolize the similarities between cyclists regardless of differences in their background.
*Interviews are still being conducted with pictured racers to collect information about their background and views on diversity in cycling.
For Intelligentsia Cup - Chicago, IL
July 2018
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Marvin Maya
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Carla Natria
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Avery Young
Avery got into cycling as a messenger on the streets of Chicago. He enjoys how racing tests his physical and mental limits. He believes that income has alot to do with diversity in cycling. His team, Veloz, is in their first year, and works to promote cycling to minorities, women, and juniors. He wants everyone to have the opportunity to race at any level, and have fun doing so.
From Chicago, IL
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Kristen Arnold
Kristen picked up cycling through a family she babysit for. "They hooker her on cyclocross, mountain, and road biking at the same time," she says. She now races for Meteor // Intelligentsia, a Domestic Elite Team based in NYC. Her teammates are from throughout the U.S. and 4 foreign countries. I asked her about diversity in cycling and she said "We need more of it!"
From Columbus, OH
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Ash Duban & Nicole Mertz
Nicole (right) began cycling in college on a lime green Cannondale while looking for a way to stay in shape after being a lacrosse and hockey player. She's now a member of the Domestic Elite team: Meteor // Intelligentsia.
From Austin, TX (Ash); Minneapolis, MN (Nicole)
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Joseph Proszowski
Joe found cycling after looking for an alternative to football. He first rode track bikes after being introduced to them by a friend. Joseph, is also part of Veloz, a young team dedicated to cycling minorities.
From Chicago, IL
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Matt Sedwick
Matt got into cycling after seeing a bootleg version of the MASH SF video. His first bike was a converted 1940's fixie that he rode without breaks on a 52x15, which he doesn't recommend. He's on a proper bike now and coaches/races for Intent Cycling Team while running @thecyclissimo, a race commentary You Tube Channel. He's thankful for how many people of different backgrounds that he's met though traveling and cycling. Matt hopes that everyone has an equal opportunity to get into the sport.
From DeKalb, IL
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Kelly Neuner
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Becca Book
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Will Cottrell
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Brooke Hannon
From Bloomington, IN
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Stephen Bromiel
"My summers [growing up] were spent riding to parks, the pool, the library, anywhere the bike could take me." Eventually, Stephen was introduced to crits, and was hooked. He believes that criteriums bring a unique group of people together. His team, Intent, has riders with roots not only in the Midwest but also in Australia and Columbia. He said "It's great racing with people who bring pieces of their culture to the crit scene making it more diverse."
From Grand Rapids, MI
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Leah, Becca, and Kelly
Leah (left) learned the hard way about the importance of braking downhill while growing up riding in Seattle. She now lives in Brooklyn, bike commutes regularly and races for Formula Femme. She's feels very at home in the cycling community and is dedicated to making the sport more accessible to everyone. Becca (center) & Kelly (right) share their stories in their individual portraits.
From Seattle, WA
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Will Cottrell
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Brooke Hannon
From Bloomington, IN
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Charlotte Culver
From Sydney, Australia
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Emile Abraham
From Republic of Trinidad & Tobago
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David Sutherland
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Stephen Merlo
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Sean
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Frank Izquierdo
From Quebec, Canada
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Darel Christopher
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Yurii Morozov
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Oliver
From Quebec, Canada
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Emile Abraham
From Republic of Trinidad & Tobago
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Crew:
Photography by George Armstrong
Art Direction by George Armstrong
Assistance from Elisha Knight
Editing by George Armstrong
Downloads:
If you are an administrator or sponsor of Intelligentsia Cup you will be able to access all files in Google Drive via the link below.
If you are a pictured racer then G.A. will reach out to you individually.
Download Photos