Associated Press photographer Laurent Cipriani has been covering the Tour de France since 2011, taking hundreds of pictures to tell the story of cycling’s biggest race.
Besides the sporting highlights of the ultimate endurance event, Cipriani has spent weeks taking photos of the millions of fans lining the roads every year in the sizzling heat of the French summer. These fans are not always in the crowds dangerously pressing in on the cyclists as they pass by — but solitary figures or couples quietly waiting outside their village homes, shops and garages, before briefly becoming part of the global race in their own rural setting.
On the passenger seat of a press motorbike, Cipriani started shooting fans in 2013, when Tour organizers celebrated the 100th edition of the race. His purpose was to draw a “portrait of France” through fans from all origins who have contributed to make the Tour not only one of the biggest sporting competitions, but also a cultural event.
“Spectators become actors, they write their own story, the story of an ephemeral world in which we are the spectators,” Cipriani said.
The photos show a snapshot of Cipriani’s work.
Click on any image below to launch the gallery.
A young girl carries a baby doll as she stands alongside the route of the twentieth stage of the 102nd edition of the Tour de France, between Modane and Alpe d’huez, Saturday, July 25, 2015. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
A couple stand outside of their garage as they wait for the race to pass during the fifth stage of the 102nd edition of the Tour de France, between Arras and Amiens, France, Wednesday, July 8, 2015. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
A man stands by his vehicle as he waits for cyclists to pass during the twelfth stage of the 102nd edition of the Tour de France, between Lannemezan and Plateau de Beille, France, Thursday, July 16. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
A couple shelter under an umbrella as they line the route of the last stage of the 102nd edition of the Tour de France, between Sevres and Paris, Sunday, July 26, 2015. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
A man and a woman stand on the side of the road to watch the third stage of the 100th edition of the Tour de France, between Ajaccio and Calvi, France, Monday, July 1st, 2013. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
Spectators stand next to a Gendarme as they gather to watch the first stage of the 100th edition of the Tour de France, between Porto-Vecchio and Bastia, France, Saturday, June 29, 2013. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
A man stands on a rock on the side of the road to watch the first stage of the 100th edition of the Tour de France, between Porto-Vecchio and Bastia, France, Saturday, June 29, 2013. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
A couple stand outside their home as they wait for the pack to pass during the nineteenth stage of the 100th edition of the Tour de France, between Bourg-d’Oisans and Le Grand-Bornand, France, Friday, July 19, 2013. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
A man and a woman stand on the side of the road as they wait for the fifth stage of the 100th edition of the Tour de France, between Cagnes-sur-Mer and Marseille, France, Wednesday, July 3, 2013. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
A man stands outside of his apartment as he waits for the fifth stage of the 100th edition of the Tour de France, between Cagnes-sur-Mer and Marseille, France, Wednesday, July 3, 2013. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
A woman stands on the side of the road to watch the eighth stage of the 100th edition of the Tour de France, between Castres and Ax 3 Domaines, France, Saturday, July 6, 2013. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
A man sits on a bollard on the side of the road as others stand in the windows of apartments as they wait for the arrival of the twelfth stage of the 100th edition of the Tour de France, between Fougeres and Tours, France, Thursday, July 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
A man stands by the side of the road as he waits for the arrival of cyclists during the nineteenth stage of the 100th edition of the Tour de France, between Bourg-d’Oisans and Le Grand-Bornand, France, Friday, July 19, 2013. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
A man and a woman stand on the side of the road waiting for the arrival of competitors during the seventh stage of the 101st edition of the Tour de France, between Epernay and Nancy, France, Friday, July 11, 2014. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
People wait for the arrival of cycle racers during the tenth stage of the 101st edition of the Tour de France, between Mulhouse and La Planche des Belles Filles, France, Monday, July 14, 2014. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
A woman and young boy stand on the side of the road waiting for the arrival of competitors during the seventh stage of the 101st edition of the Tour de France, between Epernay and Nancy, France, Friday, July 11, 2014. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
A woman waits for cycle racers to arrive during the eleventh stage of the 101st edition of the Tour de France, between Besancon and Oyonnax, France, Wednesday, July 16, 2014. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
A woman holds on to her post box as she leans forward to see the arrival of competitors during the twelfth stage of the 101st edition of the Tour de France, between Bourg-en-Bresse and Saint-Etienne, France, Thursday, July 17, 2014. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
A woman stands on the side of the road outside of a hotel during the eleventh stage of the 102nd edition of the Tour de France, between Pau and Vallee de Saint-Savin, France, Wednesday, July 15, 2015. (AP Photo/Laurent Rebours)
Two women stand outside a garage as they wait for the arrival of cycle racers during the fifteenth stage of the 102nd edition of the Tour de France, between Mende and Valence, France, Sunday, July 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
A man and a woman wait on the steps of their house as they wait for the arrival of cycle racers during the fifteenth stage of the 102nd edition of the Tour de France, between Mende and Valence, France, Sunday, July 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
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AP Images is the world’s largest collection of historical andcontemporary photos. AP Images provides instant access to AP's iconic photos and adds new content every minute of every day from every corner of the world, making it an essential source of photos and graphics for professional imagebuyers and commercial customers. Whether your needs are for editorial, commercial, or personal use, AP Images has the content and the expert sales team to fulfill your image requirements. Visit apimages.com to learn more.
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