{"id":10415,"title":"Balint Hamvas, top cyclocross photographer","description":"We caught up with top cyclocross photographer Balint Hamvas. During an enjoyable interview, he told me about freezing in the Alps, travelling by e-bike and how he faked his way into professional photography.","content":"

Published in<\/strong>: CYCLOCROSS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

We caught up with top cyclocross photographer Balint Hamvas. During an enjoyable interview, he told me about freezing in the Alps, travelling by e-bike and how he faked his way into professional photography.<\/p>

Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore<\/strong>\"\"
Gareth Williams<\/u><\/a>,\u00a0Florence - July 2006 - Cathedral Duomo<\/a>,\u00a0CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/p>

To be a cyclocross pilgrim<\/h3>

Prior to meeting Balint Hamvas for the first time, I\u2019d already had a few thoughts about how I might frame my story about him. I'd considered entitling it \u2018The Pilgrim\u2019. In my mind, I'd replaced the great cathedrals of Europe such as Cologne, Chartres and Firenze\u2019s Santa Maria del Fiore with the famous cyclocross courses.<\/p>

Each winter he pursues his lonely trek to the citadel of Namur, the bowl of Zonhoven and the dunes of Koksijde. Forced by devotion, he separates himself from his family, embracing only his fellow photographic initiates.<\/p>

His desire to minimise his carbon footprint has caused him greater hardship still. The mental connection with Opus Dei is not hard to make. Visions of Tom Hanks dashing through the pages of a Dan Brown novel fill my thoughts.<\/p>

Papal plots<\/strong><\/h3>

My thoughts of plots involving the Holy See are quickly dispelled. Balint couldn\u2019t be less like Tom Hanks. It\u2019s easy to like Balint and the time we spend chatting passes all too quickly. He is funny, relaxed and generous with anecdotes. We share an enjoyment of train travel, are both \u2018believers\u2019 in e-bikes and have a desire to reduce our carbon impact. If Balint suffers for his art, it does not show.<\/p>

The impressionist<\/strong><\/h3>

I comment to Balint that his pictures evoke the atmosphere of professional cross races. They convey an impression rather than recording a strict narrative. More impressionist than realist.<\/p>

His approach to photography was inspired by remarks made by a friend reviewing his pictures. His friend commented that the images were entirely framed by the riders. \u201cWhat is happening outside of the picture?\u201d His friend asked. The distinctive style was born.<\/p>

Breaking into photography<\/strong><\/h3>

Balint's interest in photography was inspired by his father's hobby. A keen mountain biker, Balint decided in 2001 to photograph an MTB world cup. He travelled by train from Hungary to the ski resort of Kaprun high in the Austrian Alps. He sat casually in a t-shirt and flip-flops as his westbound train left behind the warmth of Hungary's summer. He called one of his friends who were already in Kaprun to receive the helpful advice that \"he should prepare to wrap up warm.\"<\/p>

Balint quickly discovered that not only was he underdressed but he was also underfunded. He had brought with him approximately 200 Austrian Schillings for his entire stay. A tour of the smart ski shops of Kaprun soon revealed that most coats were in the region of 400 Schillings.<\/p>

Settling on a lightweight rain jacket that provided modest insulation, he was left with a mere 30 Schillings. On his first night, he persuaded a food vendor to give him the sandwiches that he was about to throw out. With help from Hungarians, who took pity upon him, he survived the experience.<\/p>

Not the Zenit of his career<\/strong><\/h3>

Returning to Hungary brought only disappointment. His sturdy Russian Zenit camera had a fundamental flaw. It leaked light. Having deposited his four rolls of colour film he waited with anticipation until the day was due to collect them. He handed over a small fortune and discovered, to his deep dismay, that 80% of them were useless. Disenchanted he put down his camera and resolved never to bother again.<\/p>

Fortuitously for cyclocross fans, he was enticed back to photography a few years later when a friend showed him a digital camera. No more film!<\/p>

His interest took off when he was injured before the 2005 Hungarian national mountain bike championships. Unable to compete he took pictures instead. A passion was born. The first cyclocross race he photographed was the 2008 world cup in Tabor and he was instantly hooked.<\/p>

Faking it<\/h3>

As Balint quickly discovered, wishing to be a professional photo-journalist and achieving this aim are two different things. His first request to obtain accreditation was quickly accepted but with a major caveat. \u201cJust provide us with a copy of your press card.\u201d Obtaining a press card is not an easy task. It's the sort of catch-22 that would deter even the most ambitious. Not our Balint.<\/p>

Armed with a recently purchased laminator he created a Hungarian press card. Initially, the organisers were suspicious but probably concluded that he wouldn\u2019t travel all the way from Hungary if he were not a genuine professional. By now he was living in London so it was not, in reality, such an epic trip. I imagine him giving the card the dog-ear treatment to lend it that additional air of authenticity.<\/p>

Balint astride his e-bike<\/strong>\"\"Reproduced with kind permission from Balint Hamvas<\/p>

Travels by e-bike - the Dunkirk spirit<\/h3>

Balint's lone figure is etched against the grey sky. Strong gusts threaten his nomadic progress across the featureless winter landscape. His progress is steady though. The battery power of his e-bike makes light work of the wind that rakes the countryside. Six kilometres from the sanctuary of the Dunkirk ferry terminal, disaster strikes. Blink and the battery is dead. He regrets his negligence. The squandered opportunities to recharge.<\/p>

No longer does his bike propel him effortlessly. He is laboured now, and his camera equipment seemingly weighs ever heavier. The effort required to move forward is fierce. Without power, an hour of exhaustion passes before he completes the six kilometres.<\/p>

His passport checked, he is informed that \"If you're quick, you can still make the ferry\". Balint is pointed towards a lady in the distance who is clearly urging him to hurry. He presses on. For an age, she appears to grow no closer. Progress is slow and painful. Finally, close to defeat, he is able to embark on the final leg of his journey home.<\/p>

Carbon footprint<\/h3>

We discuss at some length his attempts to reduce his carbon footprint as he travels for work. Travelling by train to events in the Netherlands and Belgium seemed an impossibility but in 2019 he decided to catch the train to World Cup races in Bern, Tabor and Nommay, the European Championships in Silvelle, and the World Championships in Dubendorf.<\/p>

You can read about his exploits on Balint's excellent blog<\/a>. It is a tale of valiant effort, missed connections, strikes and a hire car without a USB charger, best summed up by the line \"My trip quickly unravelled when ...\".<\/p>

He then attempted to travel by ferry and bike to the races in Belgium at Ronse and Overijse. The handicap of having to convey 30KG of equipment and luggage was a significant challenge. Coupled with the lack of forethought that Belgian railways display towards cyclists.<\/p>

No lifts and trains that are either much higher or much lower than the platform. As Balint rhetorically asks \"How do disabled people, people with pushchairs or the frail get around?\". His final effort was using an e-bike. This was a breeze by comparison until the battery ran out. The Covid pandemic made e-bike travel around Europe impossible but next year?<\/p>

Balint demonstrates the art of loading an e-bike on a train<\/strong>\"\"
Reproduced with kind permission from Balint Hamvas<\/p>

Preferring cyclocross<\/strong><\/h3>

Balint is known for his cyclocross photographs. He confesses that cyclocross fulfils him more than road racing. Being relatively short, a cyclocross course provides the opportunity to cover every conceivable angle and photo opportunity. He also expresses his discomfort at riding as a pillion on the back of a motorbike.<\/p>

Whilst he can control his camera, he can\u2019t control the pilot. Skipping the road racing season gives him the opportunity to spend the time with his family that he misses in winter.<\/p>

Goosebumps<\/strong><\/h3>

I ask him about the highlights of his photographic career. He recalls the goosebumps he felt at the 2012 world championships held in Koksijde. Cyclocross had come home. The roar from the crowd was incredible and the course was lined ten deep with spectators.<\/p>

He also mentions Blanka Kata Vas\u2019s silver medal in the Under 23 race in 2020. He describes it as an unexpected and proud day to be a Hungarian.<\/p>

Cornering like Blanka?<\/strong>\"\"
Reproduced with kind permission from Balint Hamvas<\/p>

The Blanka effect<\/strong><\/h3>

Balint feels Blanka's success is unlikely to have a lasting impact on cyclocross in Hungary. He quickly draws a parallel with Evie Richards's world championship victory. Did it change British Cycling's attitude towards cyclocross?<\/p>

Like the UK, unless it involves the Tour de France, cycling as a sport is a niche in Hungary. Like the UK, Hungary has an enthusiastic cyclocross community. Urban courses don't seem that unusual including one in a film studio, that featured scenes from New York and a mediaeval town centre.<\/p>

Favourite Belgian beer<\/strong><\/h3>

We come to one of my favourite subjects, Belgian beer. \"I know it's sacrilege\" he replies, \"but I don't really like beer\". For a moment I hear the grass blowing in the wind. He continues, \"If I had to choose one it would be Westmalle Tripel\".<\/p>

He goes on to explain that he often stays with a friend in Nieuport and they always drink the Trappist Tripel. At the end of the season, he buys a crate to see him through to next September. You've got to have something to get you through the long months without cyclocross.<\/p>

A great read with a Belgian beer<\/strong>\"\"
<\/p>

The famous yearbook<\/strong><\/h3>

Balint has been publishing a cyclocross photo yearbook since 2009. They make a perfect present for any cyclocross enthusiast. I'm pleased to hear that Balint will be producing a 2020\/21 yearbook. The publication date is not yet available but it should be soon. In the meantime, you can buy previous years' yearbooks from his website<\/a>.<\/p>

23 April 2021, Tim Costello<\/p>

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