Every year, the Robert Cameron Law Cycling Series brings world class competition to Victoria, British Columbia. Road racing, sprints, youth events and the elite Russ Hay’s/Accent Inns Grand Prix — subject of this post — provide plenty of action for the photographer to follow.

Despite a persistant flu bug, I dragged myself down to the criterium (circuit) course last Sunday, hoping I’d be able to concentrate enough to focus. After all, next to birds, photographing speeding cyclists demands good eye to hand coordination.

It wouldn’t be the first time I’d attended these events (minus the flu). Other years I’ve photographed the road race, time-trials and the predecessor of this race: The Bastion Square Grand Prix. In 2010 and 2012, in addition to stills, I made video shorts of that “crit.”

And so, I defied the sinus headache and racking cough to witness the dizzying feats of the peloton.

The start/finish this year moved from downtown to the stretch of Bellville Street fronting the Parliament, perhaps a better choice in terms of attracting fans. It really is the prime race, as far as spectator sport goes. Watching these men and women circle the city at speeds averaging close to 50 km/h is truly exciting, whether you’re a cycling buff or not.

Unfortunately, due to the aforementioned health issue, I didn’t get my gear assembled and myself out of the house before the women’s event had finished, so the images in the slideshow gallery below record the elite men’s race.

I’m a lifelong cycling fan and retired participant, but I hope everyone can appreciate the grace, grit and skill depicted in these images. A few of these will mark the beginning of a new gallery: Sport & Adventure.

Technical details: Camera: Nikon D-800; Lenses: AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II, TC-20E III 2x Teleconverter, AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED; Flash: Nikon SB-700 Speedlight