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The photographer: Hans Jörg Denzler

Born in Germany in 1953, Hans Jörg Denzler is one of the most veteran photographers in the paddock. His first professional pictures go all the way back to the mid-1970s, and he has covered SBK® races since the championship’s inception. As is the case with other professionals following the championship, he began travelling to just the European rounds, before later working the full season. “From one year to another it’s more races, we see many countries and it’s always an interesting occasion to see something from each place, to get to know the circuits, and of course to follow the races and riders closely”, he explains about his work. “I find it very enjoyable, I like to chat with them about the races and everything around them”.

The photo: A brief refreshment under the Thai sun

“When we are on the grid before the race start we try to find special moments. Sometimes these are between the riders and their coaches, and this picture captures one of those instances. It’s from this year, Chang Circuit, in Thailand. I saw Sofuoglu and his friend Toprak [Razgatlioglu]. Kenan is his manager but also his protector, and that’s what we’re seeing here. The temperature was probably above 30ºC, tropical heat. I saw him take the bottle of water and hold it above Toprak’s head, and then start pouring it to refresh him. I told myself: “Right, take a picture of that”. For me these are very interesting scenes to witness, I like taking photos of the moments before the action starts. The races are nice, we take a lot of action pics – but those few minutes before or after the races, on the podium and in the box, there’s always something happening and that’s what we try to capture”.