One last post...maybe.
Funny how the posts seem to slow down after work ends and training time begins. Bad news for our GDP.

Let me clear the air about something I feel bad about. Before I threw my two cents into the ring, I should have offered Kurt my condolences. Not doing so showed no tact and was insensitive. Kurt, I don't know you, but I apologize nonetheless. Crashing is never a matter to take lightly and implying that it was all your fault was never my intention.

Although I still stand by my theme that most...(not all) crashes can be prevented. I didn't see the crash. I wasn't there and as much as it pains me to say it, Bernie is right in saying I have no room to comment about this incident. Although, I still think he's the antichrist.

On another front, Jess, I've collected all your posts from all the forums and have forwarded them to Lieberstein. I think he should know what you are doing on our fair county of Napa's dime. PS. does anyone know where I can get a 1991 37 tooth suntour chainring???

:D Just ride your dame bike!

At 37mph a rider is traveling 16.5 meters per second.

How about a rule...?

No person will be allowed to take a photo or record video while standing, crouching, laying, leaning, sitting or otherwise being on the race course when any rider in the race is within 150 meters. A minimum distance of 15 meters is allowed when the photographer/videographer is in, or on a moving vehicle that is moving at least as fast as the closest riders.

Any person that violates this rule may be asked to leave the race venue immediately and will not be allowed to post their images or links to them on any NCNCA or ncncaracing.com or NCVA web page for one year.

Kurt
Sorry about your injury's.
Hope you heal quick.
It may be a day late, and a
dollar short for you, but
on the the other forum, MadAxeman
(EMC/VELLUM CRIT)
has requested that all Photographers
check in before taking pictures of
any Races. I guess you, and the others
by posting your concerns have caused
others to act.

JRB431 wrote:Quote:But all I can say is that Kurt's bike-handling skills and racing experience are absolutely without question. I mean, the dude is some kinda' national and regional motorcycle champ.

Maybe the skills don't translate so well.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos.php?id=/photos/2006/jun06/nevadacity06...

Just sayin.'

(Sorry Kurt, couldn't resist).

Even Valentino Rossi gets it wrong once in a while.

For the record I was coasting in the concrete parking lane well off the racing line and partially protected (but apparently not enough) by the scorer's stand when the swerving rider hit me from behind.

With over 30 years of two wheeled racing experience, I've seen my share of pavement and dirt up close. I've lost friends, and had friends lose the ability to walk, so I'm kinda up on the stakes here. Given the type of impact and speed I could have been hurt far worse, and the rider who hit me was incredibly lucky he didn't go down.

Hey, racers goof up once in a while. I'm included. But she's not a racer. Or an official. Or one of those (god love 'em) folks who come out to hold a flag at a corner for 8 hours in the sun in return for a soggy Subway sandwich and a luke warm Coke. She's just, supposedly, a "fan".

What galls me here is that Veronika used bad judgment, had NO business being on the racing surface, was warned, ignored the warning, by several accounts LEANED INTO the oncoming traffic, caused the accident (she's not there there's no swerve), then walked off. She gets called out on it and plays the victim (go back and read her post), gives a massively qualified impersonal apology, then strolls off the forum with some flippant comment. And that's it. I haven't heard a peep from her since.

Methinks she doesn't get it. Which worries me to no end that this will happen again with her. I've no doubt she's nice and all that. So are a lot of people who get drunk and cause fatal car accidents. And they didn't mean to either.

Whatever. I'm going to try to channel my energy into healing and finding a way to be in once decent piece for Mt. Hood.

Bernie ... Todd ...
Hellfire ... Homeroom ...

I love both you guys, and I consider myself pretty resilient, but I sure as hell wouldn't want to see you wrestling in spandex.

So just knock off that kinda' talk. [:barfing emoticon:]

Bernie your a tough nut to crack. Like the sound of one hand clapping.

Quote:If you think I'm a tough-guy and that makes you feel threatened, then good for me. (It's bike racing, not the UFC, calm down)

Quote:you are actually stupid enough to make some kind of insinuation at all that Kurt is at fault

Quote:I think all of you who are defending this photographer are full of s**t.

Quote:Remember Todd, when we were in kindergarten, and we were starting to learn to take responsibility for our actions? Did some of us forget?

I like your style Bernie. Calling names, proud of threats, and your telling ME to calm down!?!? I did go to kindergarten, but fortunately, I also went beyond that. I even finished middle school.

Bernie, we obviously like pushing eachothers buttons so give me an email(I don't know how to PM) and we can arrange to get a beer after a race or fight in spandex or maybe even both! todd_hennings@hotmail.com

Perhaps we can agree that crashes are bad, should be prevented when possible and often times result for poor judgement. However, maybe we can also agree that there are alternatives to wildly swerving at the last minute to a avoid a stationary object or to collide with said object.

Well-said Bernie. Thanks.

My point, Todd, was to possibly illustrate or make you think about and wonder, "What if I were Kurt, how would I feel right now?" This was in reference to the loving support Veronika received, though this was quite clearly her fault. The accident was at the end of the 30+ 3/4's, and I watched the whole thing (the accident) from start to finish, from right across the street. It seems to me that if any of you are actually stupid enough to make some kind of insinuation at all that Kurt is at fault, (or the rider that hit him) you may have never been in anything close to a situation like it. You can have your opinion, but I watched it. And I've had something very similar happen to me.
The Chinese man was brought up for one reason; to show that maybe when a bike racer hits something that shouldn't be there on the course, maybe, JUST MAYBE, the rider is not at fault, as so many of you seem to imply.
And just so you know, when all of the involved riders at Tympani last year met with the officials after the crash AND the Chinese man, who had wandered on the course and been hit be several of us, one of the officials who spoke some Chinese talked with the man, and then telephoned his niece, who lived 5 minutes from the course and drove down to get him. After she arrived, he told the official through her that "he might want to hire a lawyer, in case something comes up later."
Lastly, I'll state whatever I feel, and you can do the same, but to do it behind a nickname or anonomously, as some of you have, seems to me to be the utmost display of cowardice ever , especially when pointing out what Kurt did wrong, which I still believe is nothing. Even Veronika signed on as herself! As for the macho stuff, take it however you like, I don't care. If you think I'm a tough-guy and that makes you feel threatened, then good for me. (It's bike racing, not the UFC, calm down) Did you expect to see opinions with hugs and kisses (xxxooo) after them.
I talked to Kurt after the race and crash, he is on my Team, and believe me Todd, this is no vent session. WE, THE RIDERS, if I may speak for a few who post that I know and talk to IN PERSON, face to face, with my real name, really do want to find solutions to some of the problems we face at races, ESPECIALLY crashes.
And the fact that many of you "alternative explainers" side with the tone of "let's make it Kurt's fault, because Veronika is just too nice," or "Veronika always has our best interest in mind," instead of "Hey, you know, she's nice, but maybe did something wrong and didn't mean to" shows me that you really don't get what is going on here.
Remember Todd, when we were in kindergarten, and we were starting to learn to take responsibility for our actions? Did some of us forget? It sure seems that way, doesn't it?

Oh Todd, Todd, Todd ...

The stern and serious face (wait, there is no "emoticon" for stern and serious ... so lets' use the polite smile instead :) ) responds that this discussion accomplished a lot more than "venting." Racers, officials, photographers and other supposed-to-be-sideliners are apparently reading this Forum and/or passing along its contents to interested parties (like Veronika). It would be difficult to argue that the issue of keeping a clear race course will not be a higher priority at races in the coming weeks or months than it would have been had Kurt not begun this discussion.

The open-your-eyes, buddy face ( :shock: ) notes that Kurt neglected to identify the photographer on race day, and it may have been better he didn't given his ire and her denials. While a Forum may be inappropriate for calling out a race cutey you'd like to meet, it certainly is advantageous and appropriate where issues of racer safety at future events is at issue.

But most importantly, the super-cool-dude face ( 8) ) alerts you to some of the good and entertaining sarcasm and wit (some of which gemstones were of your own carving) that have adorned the thorny crown of this thread. I mean, what the hell else are we going to spew about? A carpooler in distress? Get a car! A poor waif who needs a 60 cm frame? Get a job! Go to Craig's List! Whatever!

Thank God for you, Kurt "Leatherman" Bickel and Bernie "Hell's Fury" Silviera -- yes, and you too, Todd "Homeroom" Hennings. Without you all I'd have to focus on work. Thank heaven for you! :cry:

A Man Called Zebra By Some, Albino Tiger By Others

WOW!

OK. I wasn't there and I don't know any of the parties involved, so I'll admit that I really have no room to comment. I do resent the tone that any riders that offer an alternative view point, can't possibly know what they're talking about. As if they have never found themselves in similar situations.

The truth is similar situations are probably too numerous to count. My point was illustrated by Bernies last post. There is a differnece between a stationary woman kneeling on the gound (whatever her intention) and a 73 year old non english speaking chinese man wandering into the course (Although, if he didn't speak english, how do you know he's 73...nevermind)

Also, what is with this macho use your real name stuff? Is this some sort of threat? The bottom line is this whole string of posts was never set up to set up share thoughts or find solutions. Rather, it is clear from the tone that it was vent session that should have been handled on a personal level. I would venture to guess most of what we "alternative explainers" are reponding to is the tone rather than the content.

JRB431 wrote:Quote:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos.php?id=/photos/2006/jun06/nevadacity06...

All I can say is, after seeing those road-rash shots and the above link...I hope these forums never have a thread about saddle sores...

:shock:

R4L

You know, once again the strong, honest and persuasive opinions on this Forum have swayed me. Not to mention the photos.

Kurt - You have more scar tissue than Frankenstein and Evil Knievel combined. Given the thickness of your skin, you should bite the proverbial and apologize to that fine upstanding young artist for screwing up her shot. You almost made her miss THE FINISH for God's sake.

And then where would we have been? Without that artist's vision of the finish of the 45/55's race at the 2007 Cloterium FOREVER!

Come to think of it - Where are the photos of the 45's race, anyway? If they're missing it's Kurt's fault!! It must be. He probably scared Veronika from completing her project, and all the other artists have scattered in fear as well. I mean, imagine some bloody, twisted, broken, Franken-racer, clad in tattered lycra and streaked with asphalt burn and gravel, molesting a sensitive artist as he did. Of course they're all scared! How shall we, the community, react to a monster in our midst?

And to those of you witnesses who are sooooooooo certain that our gentle artist Veronika did anything wrong, you must be in league with the monster! I beg you to reconsider your opinions, your observations, your judgments. Our kind Veronika is not capable of making a mistake, of being responsible, of ignoring the consequences of her actions.

Shall we gather the torches and head to Reno? Follow the Zebra up the hill! And don't try to ply us with your Reno-wn Bacchanalia. We're coming for YOU, Kurt!

Quote:But all I can say is that Kurt's bike-handling skills and racing experience are absolutely without question. I mean, the dude is some kinda' national and regional motorcycle champ.

Maybe the skills don't translate so well.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos.php?id=/photos/2006/jun06/nevadacity06...

Just sayin.'

(Sorry Kurt, couldn't resist).

Just to back up everything Kurt has said here. I was standing behind the front of the truck at the start finish line leaning on the hood taking pictures when Veronika walked over and stood right in front of me. She made a comment that she was short enough not to be in my shot. She was ON THE RACING SURFACE and I made a comment about that to her but she ignored it because she was too busy getting ready for that "perfect shot". I guess I should have just picked her up and moved her but she is the "professional". I have been shooting races for a few years now and have been bike racing for over 5 years. I know where to stand and where NOT to stand and where Veronika was standing/kneeling was A BAD SPOT!!! Right past the start finish line on the inside line. We all know how the last couple laps go in a race. It is balls to the wall all out and at that time NO ONE should be out on the course, not even officials!!! I watched Veronika lean out to get her shot an in doing so forced a rider to swerve into Kurt and crash him from behind. As I watched Kurt skid on his back, my first insinct was to go help him and as I ran over I looked back and Veronika was gathering her other camera off the start/finish trailer and running to the other side to get her SHOT of the finish. No care in the world of what she just caused. After the race was over the rider that had to swerve and crashed Kurt came over and apologized many, many times to Kurt and told the same story that I witnessed that he had to swerve to miss a photographer.
Moral of the story? Keep off the racing surface!!! No shot is worth a rider going down. Officials should pay attention to this.

Casey, I remember that one. I was standing right by the photographer after having finished the M35+ race that day. I think it was in '91 or '92. I'll never forget the sound of all those bodies hitting the pavement.

As in the case in the current discussion, the photographer, who had this huge video camera, showed no concern with the carnage he had just caused. He was more interested in the damage to his camera and then tried to slyly sneak away. A couple of us chased him down and grabbed him so at least the officials could talk to him.

Sorry to hear about all this Kurt. Heal fast. I'll bet you're back faster than me and my cracked hip bone.

M.Welch

A number of years ago I remember a photographer caused a pretty big crash at the Burlingame Crit. The photographer was leaning out into the street just past the start finish line. it was near the end of the race and there was a break off the front of the Cat 3 race. Because of the accident the Cat 3 race had to be stopped so we could bring an ambulance onto the course to transport a seriously injured rider.

It is a bad idea for spectators, photographers, course marshals or officials to be out on ( or leaning out into) the racing surface. Hopefully everyone will learn from this incident and be more aware in the future.

todd h wrote:Unless the photog randomly jumps into a pack of riders, it seems to me it is the swerving rider who owns most of the responsibility. .

You're right Todd. The riders should not swerve. They should hold their line and if they hit somebody it will be better. You go first. Maybe the spectator won't be killed. And if they are killed, you can explain to their family that you were doing the most responsible thing by not swerving to avoid them.

My bad, Todd ...

Bernie is the Crucible Guardian of Hell.

I am humbled in the presence of His voice. Yowch.

I'm just the Crucible to weigh her against a duck, Todd.

But all I can say is that Kurt's bike-handling skills and racing experience are absolutely without question. I mean, the dude is some kinda' national and regional motorcycle champ.

Also, his good nature and humor are equally noteworthy. I mean, so far even I haven't been able to get him pissed off (yet). Even after two races as VOS!

I think that if Kurt and Veronika have worked this out amicably, so be it. I admire her for coming to the Forum and enjoining her tribunal before we started pricking the Cupie Dolls or scrolling her name in road rash blood into the Big Book.

Z-Man

I think all of you who are defending this photographer are full of s**t. If it were YOU taking a shower and stinging for the next week or two, and trying to yawn but you can't, because it feels like you're dying to yawn when your rib is cracked, because of some idiot on the course, I wonder if you'd say all the things you are.
I hit a 73 year old Chinese man who couldn't read English or understand "stop" being yelled at him from a corner worker chasing him for about 50 yards who was holding a giant flag, but at least the guy couldn't understand English. I was at the front of the pack, almost missed him until he turned and headed across the front of me. But I suppose that was my fault, too.
"Veronika, is SO nice" according to several people defending her. Fine. WHY HASN"T SHE APOLOGIZED ONCE?!!!!!
Kurt's not asking for money, just SOME kind of acknowledgement that maybe she feels just a little, JUST A LITTLE, remorse or sympathy for the pain she caused. And don't give me that crap about the motos being in the same place, they were moved for SAFETY reasons.
So for all you bone-headed self-centered supposed bike loving riders or fans of riders, if you are not racing, STAY OFF THE COURSE! Just like the riders are expected to do if they're not racing.
If you REALLY love the sport.
And if you don't have the huevos to put your real name up, don't post. What are you afraid of?

Unless the photog randomly jumps into a pack of riders, it seems to me it is the swerving rider who owns most of the responsibility.

I nearly hit the two parked motorcycles after the S/F line in Santa Rosa in seperate races. However, if I swerved becasue I didn't see past the wheel in front of me, I'd have a hard time convincing the people I took down that it was the motorcycle's fault.

My two-cents. Let the witch hunt continue.

About 22 years ago I was watching the final sprint of the 1,2 race at the Fitchburg criterium. A man (spectator) was in the street just before the start/finish line. The field was sprinting and the man was struck by at least one rider and died instantly.

I expect he was a nice guy and loved cycling, but he's still dead.

Nobody has questioned intention. I seriously doubt anyone starts the day saying to themselves "I think I will cause some serious injury today". What is in question is reckless disregard for an officials instructions and warning about a decision to place oneself in poor location.

If a race official or promoter tells you to move...MOVE!
Period...end of discussion!

Ron

Veronika is a very sweet lady with the racers best interest at heart. She has been supporting cycling by taking professional photos for years and has been incredibly generous with her sharing of photos of me and my teammates. While I am sure there were many factors that culminated into this crash, I am confident that she had no intention of jeopordizing anyone's safety. I hope that she continues to photograph the NRC and local races.

.l

JonathanLee wrote:That there was a crash and it has cost folks injuries, parts, headaches, really sucks. No one wants to see a crash or even be in one. Especially us racers. I hope you recover quickly and tear it up at your upcoming races
Jonathan

Jonathan,

I appreciate your post, far more than I appreciate Veggienuts or whatevers "grow up" blather. By his/her assessment if some one drove their car through the barricades and ran over a racer, well, you signed the release right? If an official who was high on crack runs naked onto the course well, you signed on for that. And there's really a vast difference between competitors and non competitors.

Look, I'm happy to compare racing X rays with anyone. I'll win 98% of the time. Go road race motorcycles for 15 years and you build up a nice file. I had lawyers offering to rep me right and left and never took them up on any PI claims.

I guess what galls me about this, more than anything, is that Veronika was specifically warned that she was, for the lack of a better phrase "in the line of fire", and told someone who knew more than she did that she was fine. It also galls me that she's obtuse enough to complain that I wasn't all hugs and kisses when I talked to her, and is complaining about being tapped by a wheel? I have a buddy who's in the hospital still waiting for a lung to drain. Does she really get the stakes that are at risk here?

She wasn't shooting from behind a haybale. She was out on the course. That's clear from a variety of folks. I WANT her to get it. I want her to be more aware and hope you're right that she WILL get it. But I haven't seen a single thing that would definitively make me believe she does.

I don't think she's a bad/evil person. Her heart's in the right place. i'd like to limp away from this knowing her head is too. I'm not in the "ban Veronika" camp. Honest.

Vegienat, how about you use your real name when you make your assertions? Or are you a simple coward?

Blaming the riders trying to avoid her? Pathetic. Disregarding other witnesses at SR and Wente who told her she was in the way and posed a danger to the riders? Ignorant.

Release forms do not absolve, nor protect photographers. It is not the responsibility of the officials or anyone else to tell a photographer where they can, and can not stand. The photographer assumes that responsibility on their own.

Would Kurt be injured if Veronika wasn't in the way? No. She was warned about the danger, and she later chose to act in a way that led to the injuries. End of story.

That there was a crash and it has cost folks injuries, parts, headaches, really sucks. No one wants to see a crash or even be in one. Especially us racers. I hope you recover quickly and tear it up at your upcoming races

That said, i am going to vouch for Veronika in several ways.
1) i know her personally and know she would never want ANY harm to come to the racers especially if it were her fault.
2) I was near the crash and while i cant say i saw exactly what caused it i can say that Veronika was behind the S/F truck as was the other photographer, NOT in the path of the cyclists.
She had been there often throughout the entire day and on many laps beforehand, no one in the other races had an issue with her in that area.
3) The officials were actually asking the photogrpahers to take pix from there. I, with camera in hand, was asked by the officials to move away from BEHIND a hay bail at the S/F and to get behind the truck or in the coned off sections. Same place veronika was shooting from...
4) Lastly, as much as it sucks crashes do happen, (my teammate crashed out pretty bad at the same race) I have crashed a lot due to folks i would call morons at the time. But i dont think we should be going after the people involved to seek reimbursement, or payments to charities

That all said i m very confident Veronika has taken this to heart and will be even more cautious for our sakes. AS she said she does this for the love of it Toyota United's has asked her to Photag for them for the past several years and she has done so at their races on her own dollar.
be safe and race well all!

Jonathan

You have got to be kidding.. I've read all of this "tragedy". First of there's also plenty of people who saw the crash and stated it was the cyclist disfunctional handling skills. Where's the guys response who made you fall? Anytime you participate in a criterium, you should know by now, there's great potential of crashing. That is why you sign a Release form. Would you do this if an official accidentally step in the way? I've done plenty crits and people crash because of bot dots in the road. Are you going to sue the city or ask for replacement of your gear.
Veronika has been to many many races, mostly Pro races, as you have read, and nothing of the sort has come up. I saw her at Wente and nothing of the sort with the officials happened. So I don't know where you are getting your informaton. The officials would say something if they feel it was dangering the riders. That didn't happen. You really think that someone who enjoys taking pictures of cyclists would be in the way. She was in that spot the whole race... Also, think about it... If the official would have said something to her, don't you think they would have said something after the crash stating if was her fault. That didn't happen because it wasn't her fault.
If you really need to go after anyone it's the guy who bumped you off your bike. Grow up and take responsibility. It's racing.. Crashes happen. They suck, but they happen.

So I've PM'd Veronika with this and am posting my proposed resolution here:

I've got about $250 in torn up clothes and gear. I've asked her to make a donation in that amount to a charity of my choice (probably the Reno Bike Project that rehabs old scoots for kids). I've also asked her to accept responsibility for her actions and to post an unqualified apology. And that she stay the heck on the sidewalk and yell at folks who don't.

I can live with the injuries, though I'm hoping the Webcor Climbing Machine will have a little pity on me at the BHRR.

Ball's in her court.

Veronika Lenzi wrote:And I was at the same spot for nearly every final laps, no one told me I shouldn't have been there.

This is absolutely untrue. Matt Davis, a fellow racer from Reno, in fact told you on the prior to the crash that you were in the way and should not be there. I'll have him sign in to verify this if you'd like. He was also taking pictures in that area. You walked out onto the course in front of his camera angle (he was of out of the way).

There is no "IF" you caused the crash. You did. THAT was verified by the rider who swerved to avoid you and hit me. He came over to check on me and pointed you out, as did Matt, as has another poster to this board.

Let me provide you with my own pictures:

I can't show you the cracked rib, or the sore ankle. And bear in mind that these injuries look a lot better after I spent thirty minutes in my shower scrubbing them with a soap and wash cloth to remove the dirt and gravel. This was unpleasant to say the least.

As for my post accident demeanor, I tend to be a little frenetic after being crashed into at 40+ MPH and grated along the pavement, and someone points out the person who caused of this, tells me they were even warned of the danger they were causing, and this person walked away without so much as a "are you OK?"

And I already apologized for "bumping" you with my rear tire when I turned to walk away with my unrideable bike. Don't even try to play that you are somehow a victim of my anger or tapping you with the wheel of my bike, that's just going too far.

You owe more than an "If I, If I, If I" apology, both to me but mostly to the riders you endangered through your carelessness. I'm going to PM you about making this right.

WarrenG wrote:An official at the Wente RR has confirmed to me that there was a female photographer at the race making a nuisance of herself.

And a course marshall who was near the S/F at Wente had a similar complaint about a particular female photographer. Who was that female photographer?

One rider swerves to avoid a photographer, clips another rider's front wheel, and for a half second at 36mph they try to stay upright before one rider finally can't hold on and hits the ground, about 40 feet after the initial swerve.

Normally, the riders at Santa Rosa were coming through the S/F near the middle of the road, 10+ feet from the left side, but in the final sprint things spread out much more and there is NO EXCUSE for any photographer to be even one foot onto the road.

Isn't this why the pro photographers use a long lens and get that finish photo from 150+ feet beyond the S/F? And the full-time pro riders usually manage to avoid them, but they're not cat 3's who have never seen a photographer standing in the way right after their sprint.

OMG. I'm not a mystery. Yes you have all seen me out there. And yes, my name is Veronika Lenzi, and yes I not only took pictures of Sterling Magnell, but I also took him into my home when he needed a place to live and I supported him in his personal and cycling career for two years, and I still support him. I also sponsor Steven Cozza. That's a little back ground of how I got involved with cycling in general.

I DO NOT take photo's to get that "next" picture. In fact, I do not 'sell' my photo's, I give them to whom ever would like to have pictures of themselves racing. And if it weren't for people like me, some of you wouldn't get pictures of yourselves on websites like ncncaRacing.com or CyclingNews.com. I have been taking photo's for several years now, and in fact until this year ONLY took pictures of the PRO 1/2 races. But at Wente and the Clo Criterium, I spent my entire day, taking photo's of all of you. Where's the love?????

I think that you should all talk to me and find out directly from me what happened or may have happened before you all get on the bashing Veronika band wagon. Sorry if I sound a bit defensive.

First off, not one official ever said a word to me about being in the way. If they would have, I would NOT have been kneeling where I was. Photographers do NOT have the 'right of way'. I know that.

Two, IF and that's a big IF, I was the cause of an accident, I am the last person in the world that would want to be the cause of injuring a cyclist. IF you knew me, you'd know that to be true.

Three, I was not the only person taking pictures in the location I was at when the accident occured, there was another person standing directly behind me. I guess he was ok where he was...

There was another photographer standing on the other side of the street that saw the accident, he says it happened at least 40 feet behind me and that I wasn't the cause. But I didn't see it, so I can't comment.

And I think what would have really been cruel after the accident is if I would have tried to get photo's of it, like most photographers would have done.

No one at Wente seemed to have a problem with me. In fact when one of the Juniors that was racing crashed, I loaded him in my car, took him to the start and helped him contact his father. I guess maybe that you would consider that to be a nuisence, then so be it.

If ANY of you ever came to me before or after a race and told me to be careful, that I am too close to the racers, I would honor your request by moving. Again, taking photo's is not a source of income for me, I do it because I love the sport, and admire and respect cyclists.

To the person that went down...IF you had approached me in a calm manner and suggested to me that someone took you out because of me, I am sure you would have gotten a different response from me than me just looking at you in awe. I frankly was speechless. There were several NorCal team members that heard your anger, and saw you purposely bump me with your bike (I guess that's ok), and they in fact called you on it. They all said they saw me kneeling in the spot that I was at for several laps. And I was at the same spot for nearly every final laps, no one told me I shouldn't have been there.

I'm upset because you don't even know me. And you're ready to ban me from races, and point fingers.

If I did in fact cause the accident, I'm very very sorry and I will be more careful in the future. I would never want to injure a cyclist, never.

Thanks for reading, and in fact thanks for letting me take pictures of you guys, because I still believe you are all awesome athletes. And if you see me at the next race come up to me and we can talk about it, calmly. And if you ask me to move or not stand at a certain spot, I'll move...Afterall it "is" about the bike, not the picture....

Veronika

In this photograph, there is a woman photographer standing in front of the cat 3 start taking pictures: http://ebyron.smugmug.com/gallery/2815765#150498339 Unfortunately, she has her back to the camera. She fits the general description, though.

An official at the Wente RR has confirmed to me that there was a female photographer at the race making a nuisance of herself.

I suggest contacting any photographers who fit the description to see if you can learn for certain who it is.

We may not be able to keep her away, but we can sure let everyone know what she's done and point her out directly when we're on the start line(s).

I witnessed it as well.

Nothing to add here; just that I'm another person who can vouch for her carelessness and complete disregard for the safety of the riders.

Oh, right. I think that was Veronika Lenzi that I saw at Wente. She usually attends races with Sterling Magnell.

The only photos shown at ncncaracing.com of Wente RR that were by a woman...
http://www.ncncaracing.com/reports/2007/0421_wenterr.php ...by Veronika Lenzi

...I dunno if other women were taking photos at Wente RR, or that it was the same person as at Santa Rosa.

Your description sounds like someone I saw taking pictures at the Wente road race.

The photos are of the women's race and she is actually in the race...

There are pics up from this female photog -

Hanan Alves-Hyde

listed as president of Peralta Cycling!!

WarrenG wrote:I saw the aftermath. She was cruel. You're still getting up off the ground and she's barely noticing you while she's looking for her next shot.

Find out who she is. My guess would be that she's not familiar with bike races like the other photographers who regularly shoot at races. More likely she's with a local newspaper.

Short with sort of blond spikey hair and two cameras.

I saw the aftermath. She was cruel. You're still getting up off the ground and she's barely noticing you while she's looking for her next shot.

Find out who she is. My guess would be that she's not familiar with bike races like the other photographers who regularly shoot at races. More likely she's with a local newspaper.