Photographer & Videomaker

Tomeu

Originally from Mallorca, Tom joined the Sa Calobra Cycling Club in 2022 as a filmmaker. Very talented, he takes the road once a week with the team, to film you during the rides, from the team car next to Thiemo, or from the air with incredible 4K drone shots.

How did you get to the Sa Calobra Cycling Club?
Tomeu Oliver: I have worked as a photographer and videomaker for sporting events since 2018, in Mallorca, but also all over the world. I have shot triathlon races, running, cycling, all types of events. Aurelien found me on Instagram. He liked my work and offered me a job to come and film during the camps.

As a native Mallorcan, how would you describe your island?
T.O It is hard to describe it. Once you have experienced life in Mallorca, you fall in love with it. The nature, the culture, the food, Mallorca has so much to offer. As much as I travel and discover new places, I wouldn't trade Mallorca for any place I have visited.

What does a day of shooting look like?
T.O We always try to choose the sunniest day of the week to film. Then we coordinate with the driver and Aurelien to film the riders in different situations, at different places on the route. Sometimes from the car, from the side of the road, or from the air with the drone. It allows to have a wide variety of shots. It's much nicer than a GoPro-like video where you just watch the road go by, don’t you think?

What is your favorite route to film?
T.O It's hard to say. Of course, Sa Calobra is an incredible place to film, especially with the drone. But Formentor or the ride from Andraxt along the coast also offer very spectacular views. I also like the Wednesday ride, with the coffee-cake break at Cycling Planet.

Each video is unique. How do you do that?
T.O We try not to plan too much. Even if the routes are sometimes the same, each camp is different. Riders are different. What I try to capture above all is their reactions in full swing. A facial expression, a smile, a grimace, and friendly moments between them. The riders make the videos, not us! Most of the time, we do the editing based on these unexpected moments during the ride, which is impossible to predict in advance and makes each video unique.

Do they feel comfortable in front of the camera?
T.O You would be surprised to see how comfortable they are, even the most shy ones! Very quickly, they forget about the camera and concentrate on their effort. Spontaneity is what gives the best reactions. But I have to say that some are very good at playing with the camera. They stand on the pedals, wince, or jump in front of the group as soon as they feel they are being filmed. Real pros, ha ha ha.