The story of La Vuelta es Así is one of a passion to pursue the untold stories of cycling. What began as a grassroots Colombian project has now found its way to the heart of Spain, covering one of the world’s most prestigious women’s cycling events: La Vuelta Femenina. This is a journey through the lens of two storytellers—Mateo and Cristian—whose mission is to bring the soul of Colombian cycling to the global stage, and vice-versa.
Origins: From Colombian roads to the world stage
La Vuelta es Así was born in 2021, sparked by a call from the Fundación Esteban Chaves, which was a youth and under-23 cycling club in Colombia. One of the club’s photographers invited Mateo to help document these grassroots races. What began as coverage of local youth events quickly evolved, leading the team to cover the Vuelta a Colombia, the country’s most important cycling event.
From the outset, the project’s goal was clear: to showcase the vibrancy of Colombian cycling, to promote the bicycle as a tool for change, and to capture the stories behind the athletes—their stories, their families, their struggles, and the moments that make cycling more than just a sport. Their focus was always on storytelling; not race results, but on what it meant to be there for the rider, reflected by their suffering, drive, and dreams.
“We wanted to show Colombian cycling, promote the sport in our country, and take Colombian cycling further. Our photos focus on telling stories: the athletes themselves, their families, capturing moments that will have a memory associated with them, not just a result.” – Mateo
From the Trenches: Covering races without access
The early days of the project were marked by limited resources and even less access. They covered races from the side of the road, without press passes or preferential entry. Their work was raw, authentic, and deeply connected to the experience of the athletes. They were, quite literally, “in the trenches”—documenting the sport from the same point of view as the fans or the families of the riders.
This approach, while challenging, shaped the unique perspective of La Vuelta es Así. It forced them to find stories in the margins, to connect with people, and to see cycling not just as a competition, but as a community event.
A turning point for the project came when they decided to also focus on women’s cycling. They recognised that this side of the sport was the more affected one by the lack of equality between genders, and that their work as photographers could make a difference by providing exposure and visibility. By telling the stories of women athletes, they could help attract attention from brands and sponsors, benefiting both the project and women’s cycling as a whole.
For four years, they covered the most important races in Colombia, including UCI events. But eventually, curiosity and ambition drove them to look beyond their borders. They wanted to see what women’s cycling looked like at the highest level, to witness firsthand whether the inequalities they saw in Colombia persisted on the world stage.
La Vuelta Femenina became their target. It was logistically and economically feasible, and it offered a unique opportunity to experience a women’s Grand Tour from the inside.
Same sport, different worlds
2025 marked the first time La Vuelta es Así covered a major women’s Grand Tour with press access. For the first time, they had access to the finish line, to the teams, and the inner workings of the race. “We were surprised by the dignified way the race and the organisation treat the media. Because there is less coverage compared to men’s cycling, we have better conditions, more benefits, and more opportunities,” Mateo admits.
This access allowed them to capture the race’s defining moments: the tension of the start, the agony of the climbs, the euphoria of victory, and the heartbreak of defeat. But it also allowed them to see the differences between the world they knew in Colombia and the world of European cycling.
Covering La Vuelta Femenina was an empirical study of the contrasts. In Colombia, cycling is more relaxed; the same person has different responsibilities, as photographer, organiser, friend, and fan. In Europe, everything is more structured, with clear roles, in the eyes of Mateo.
In this race, they met again their fellow countrywomen and long-time friends: the Colombian cyclists Andrea Alzate and Angie Londoño, both riding for Eneicat-CMTeam. They were able to catch up, talk about their time racing in Colombia, and their career progression after racing in Europe.
Supporting them at this level, seeing them carry their country’s colours with pride, was one of the meaningful parts of this experience for Mateo and Cristian: “There is mutual respect. We created content with the Colombian athletes, but above all, we are friends. It’s a matter of patriotism and camaraderie. It was beautiful to support them at this level, to see people who carry Colombia in their hearts.”
The Colombian riders, as they admit, tend to race more conservatively at home, while in Europe, the pace is relentless and the competition fierce. The same goes for photography: in Colombia, access to the race and the riders is easier, but in Europe, it’s not the same story.
Working in a new environment often feels like stepping into a different world. With limited local knowledge and fewer established connections, access isn’t always easy. Back home in Colombia, the team already has strong relationships with the athletes, making content creation a more natural and seamless process. Here, however, they found themselves starting from scratch, slowly building trust. Their aim was to create not just engaging visuals, but content with real depth-stories that resonate on a more meaningful level. Through patience and persistence, they began to bridge the gap.
One of the most striking aspects of La Vuelta es Así’s coverage of La Vuelta Femenina is their commitment to telling the stories of specific individuals; not just the athlete side, but also the women behind the scenes. In Colombia, no female photographers are specialising in cycling, but in Europe, they have found a vibrant community of women creators.
“We want to create content with women in the race—not just athletes, but also photographers. We’re interested in everything that surrounds women’s cycling. Basically, we want there to be more roles and space for women, in a safe environment.” – Mateo
This commitment extended to collaborating with other photographers, learning from them, and sharing experiences. Meeting the team from @tornanti_cc, whose work they had admired from afar, was a highlight of the trip. They highlighted the sense of community between the photographers of the race, the willingness to share knowledge, and the mutual respect among creators was both inspiring and motivating.
Behind the Scenes: The realities of the road
Life on the road is rarely glamorous. For Mateo and Cristian, the logistics of covering a European race were a world apart from what they knew in Colombia: renting a car, finding accommodation, navigating unfamiliar cities, and not without its challenges.
There were several anecdotes related to this trip. All their reservations had been made through an online platform, and on one particular day, after an exhausting and long transfer, they arrived at their destination very late. Earlier that day, they had taken photos of a group of women watching the race, who greeted the team warmly. One conversation led to another, and they soon discovered that one of the women was the mother of a cyclist.
When Mateo and Christian finally reached their hotel, they found themselves locked out, with no one from the hotel answering their calls or messages. To their surprise, the same women they had met earlier were waiting at the hotel entrance. It turned out that these women were also staying at the hotel and were the ones who helped them get in touch with the property owner. Unfortunately, the hotel staff gave them a frosty reception-“the least friendly people in all of Spain,”as they later described it. Thankfully, with the women’s assistance (small world), they were finally able to check in and settle down for the night.
The power of storytelling through photography
What sets La Vuelta es Así apart is their approach to photography. Both Mateo and Cristian are cyclists themselves, and this gives them a unique empathy for the athletes they cover. They understand the pain, the effort, and the joy that comes from pushing one’s body to the limit. Their goal is to capture not just images, but the humanity of the sport.
“The most exciting thing for us is to be there in person, photographing professional cycling: the real effort that everyone makes. It’s different from other sports.”
The photo below was Mateo’s favourite one, not because of its technical brilliance, but because of the story it tells. When the team arrived at the location, the other photographers were already in position, ready to capture the same shot as everyone else. But that’s not what drives this team; they always strive for something different.
As they looked around for a unique perspective, they noticed an old man standing on the balcony of his house, which offered a stunning view of the spot where the cyclists would soon pass. As the saying goes, cycling opens doors—and in this case, it did so quite literally. The man welcomed them into his home, inviting them to take photos from his balcony.
Mateo, the photographer, admits that this isn’t his best photo in terms of framing or composition. Yet, the story behind it is worth more than any technical perfection. It’s a story of kindness and shared passion, where strangers became friends through a simple love for cycling.
La Vuelta Femenina: The race and its impact
La Vuelta Femenina has rapidly become one of the most important races on the women’s calendar, sitting just behind the Tour de France Femmes and the Giro d’Italia Women in prestige. The 2025 edition began in Barcelona and featured a seven-day route that challenged every type of rider, from sprinters to climbers.
The race is a showcase for the best in women’s cycling, but it is also a platform for change. The increased visibility, the professional organisation, and the growing media coverage all contribute to raising the profile of women’s cycling and pushing the sport toward greater equality.
For the athletes, the stakes are high. For the photographers, the opportunity to document these moments is both a privilege and a responsibility. Through their work, Mateo and Cristian hope to inspire others to show that cycling is for everyone and that every story deserves to be told.
From the streets of Colombia to the roads of Spain, Mateo and Cristian have shown that with dedication, creativity, and a willingness to embrace new challenges, it is possible to make a difference. Their story is also a reminder of the importance of representation, giving voice to those who are often overlooked, and of creating spaces where everyone, regardless of gender or background, can thrive.
La Vuelta es Así’s coverage of La Vuelta Femenina is more than just a chronicle of a sporting event. It is a celebration of resilience, community, and the transformative power of storytelling. Through their lens, we see not just the race but the people, the struggles, and the dreams that make cycling a reflection of life itself. In a world where so much attention is focused on the winners, La Vuelta es Así reminds us that every rider, every supporter, and every storyteller has a place in the peloton.
