Interaction: Léon van Bon’s Ghent six-day photography

Interaction: Léon van Bon’s Ghent six-day photography

Photographer and former rider Léon van Bon turns his lens on rider interaction at his favourite six-day event in Ghent

Ghent Léon van Bon Racing six-day

Léon van Bon isn’t sure how many times he rode the Ghent Six Day: “If I must guess I would say five times as a pro and twice as an amateur.” Whatever, it’s an event the Dutchman quickly learnt to love – first as a competitor, now as a photographer. 

“I love this event mostly for the atmosphere,” he says. “It’s a prestige event and people seem to really understand cycling here. Even when they are drunk.”

It was on the track that Van Bon first made his mark as a rider, winning multiple Dutch titles and a silver medal in the points race at the Barcelona Olympics. But even once his attentions turned to the road (he became a serial classics contenders and double Tour de France stage winner), the Ghent six day was “the one you always wanted to ride – or even better to win”. 

He adds: “It is hard. The races are fast. And the track is small. But maybe that’s also why I love it.”

Since pursuing photography after he retired from racing, he finds that the Ghent Six still throws up that alluring mix of ambience and difficulty.

“Shooting in Ghent’s light conditions are challenging but that also gives some feeling to the pictures which suit the event perfectly,” he notes. “It pushes you to creativity.” 

In this selection of photographs from the 2017 edition, Van Bon focussed on a theme of rider interaction. Whether that be with each other or the crowd, on the bike or off it, he says “it is always a nice thing to capture”. 

Some of the most intimate pictures come in the downtime between races – riders chatting, checking their phones, getting things off their chest as they take a massage. 

“It doesn’t really matter if the scene is very slow, like the two riders in a cabin or a rider posing with the public,” says Van Bon. “It tells a story.”

 

The post Interaction: Léon van Bon’s Ghent six-day photography appeared first on The world's finest cycling magazine.

Ghent Léon van Bon Racing six-day

READ MORE

Tour of Flanders 2025 women preview - Can Elisa Longo Borghini achieve back-to-back wins?

Tour of Flanders 2025 women preview - Can Elisa Longo Borghini achieve back-to-back wins?

The UAE Team ADQ rider starts as favourite on Sunday but she faces tough competition from the likes of SD Worx-Protime

Leggi di più
Tour de France in the Basque Country 2023

Itzulia Basque Country 2025 preview: route, predictions, and contenders

An overview of the punishing six-day race in northern Spain, which this year promises to be an open and exciting affair

Leggi di più
Wout van Aert at Dwars door Vlaanderen 2025

Does Visma's Dwars door Vlaanderen disappointment reveal the blueprint for Flanders victory?

Dutch team’s challenging Classic’s campaign continues after three teammates squander winning opportunity at Dwars door Vlaanderen

Leggi di più
Juan Ayuso is coming good on his enormous potential: ‘He’s getting better and better every day’

Juan Ayuso is coming good on his enormous potential: ‘He’s getting better and better every day’

The young Spaniard almost won his second successive WorldTour stage race, but despite having to settle for second at the Volta a Catalunya, he is...

Leggi di più
The final dress rehearsal: Who will win Dwars door Vlaanderen 2025?

The final dress rehearsal: Who will win Dwars door Vlaanderen 2025?

Can Visma-Lease a Bike turn their Classics season around? Will a changed route make a difference to the riders we see at the front of...

Leggi di più
‘We hope the engine burns a bit longer’ – Primož Roglič definitely isn’t slowing down

‘We hope the engine burns a bit longer’ – Primož Roglič definitely isn’t slowing down

The 35-year-old is still winning even against the sport's young superstars – he now only needs to win the Tour de Suisse to complete the...

Leggi di più

READ RIDE REPEAT

JOIN ROULEUR TODAY

Get closer to the sport than ever before.

Enjoy a digital subscription to Rouleur for just £4 per month and get access to our award-winning magazines.

SUBSCRIBE