Cycling photography for February - Part I The Local East Coast Australian Time is plus 30 minutes Etoile de Besseges GP d'Ouverture "La Marseillaise" Trophy Riviera Challenge Mallorca World cyclo-cross championships GP Costa degli Etruschi Margaret Hemsley and Greg Boorer's wedding Rabobank team presentation Liquigas team presentation U.S. Postal team presentation Fakta team presentation Etoile de Besseges Immediately following the GP d'Ouverture is the five day, Etoile de Besseges stage race. Nico Eeckhout (Lotto) - raises his arms after winning the first stage Nico Eeckhout - enjoys his win in stage one Nico Eeckhout - puts on the leader's orange jersey Steffen Radochla (Festina) - wins stage two Steffen Radochla - celebrates on the podium after his win Belgian Nico Eeckhout (Lotto) - still in orange at the end of day two Damien Nazon (Bonjour) - triumphs in stage 3 Nico Eeckhout - puts on the leader's jersery for the third time Florent Brard (Festina) - wins the final stage Florent Brard - celebrates on the podium after his win Nico Eeckhout (Lotto) - was the overall winner GP d'Ouverture "La Marseillaise" The first French race of the season was dominated by Danish team CSC-World Online, with Jakob Piil and Nicolaj Bo Larsen riding to a 1-2 finish, and Laurent Jalabert gaining the most aggressive rider's jersey. 150 riders started in La Seyne-sur-mer - for the GP d'Ouverture. Laurent Jalabert (CSC-World Online) - won the most aggressive rider Jakob Piil Storm (CSC World Online) - raises his arms in triumph. Jakob Piil Storm - holds his trophy on the podium Trophy Riviera Held in Croatia near the town of Umag, the Trophy Riviera races are designed to attract tourism to the region. However, it looked chilly in February as these shots show. The peloton lined up (and rugged up) - on the start line. Dean Podgornik (KK Sava Kranj) - finished in third place The peloton follow - led by Branko Filip (Krka) The podium: Morten Pedersen, Vladimir Miholjevic and Dean Podgornik Podium (as above) Challenge Mallorca The first major European race of the season is the Challenge Mallorca, five one-day races with a general classification at the end. Kai Hundertmarck (Telekom) - one of the many chasers Mathew Hayman (Rabobank) - crosses the finish line to win stage 2 Mathew Hayman - is kissed on the podium after winning stage 2 The Rabobank team - keep the tempo high during the final stage Robbie McEwen (Domo-Farm Frites) - beats Erik Zabel by a bike length Mathew Hayman (Rabobank) - celebrates on the podium after winning the overall classification World cyclo-cross championships The winners and best American rider, pictures from AFP Erwin Vervecken - crosses the line in victory and mud Erwin Vervecken - somewhat cleaner, on his way to the gold Henke Kupfernagel - early in the successful defence of her world title Ann Grande - running up the obstacle climb GP Costa degli Etruschi Several photos of the opening race of the Italian season, courtesy of Roberto Bettini and Fotoreporter Sirotti. Fabio Sacchi (Saeco) - Wins it from Gabriele Balducci The peloton - roll along the countryside The final break - Sacchi leads Gabriele Balducci (Tacconi Sport) Fabio Sacchi - concentrates in the break Mirko Celestino (Saeco) - leads teammate Fabio Sacchi The finish in Donoratico - Fabio Sacchi edges out Gabriele Balducci Fabio Sacchi - raises his arms on the podium The podium - Gabriele Balducci, Fabio Sacchi and Wladimir Douma Margaret Hemsley and Greg Boorer's wedding Just married - Margaret Hemsley and Greg Boorer outside the church The newlyweds - at the reception Various members of the cycling community - on hand to see the happy couple Rabobank team presentation Bert Geerts was in Utrecht on January 30 for the Rabobank team presentation. A total of 57 cyclists from the three teams (Profressional, Amateur and Junior) were there. Beat Zberg Michael Boogerd Michael Boogerd - and Erik Dekker Mark Wauters Matthé Pronk Richard Groenendaal Sven Nijs Team director - Jan Raas The entire professional squad - on stage The amateur Rabobank squad - on stage New Rabobank team wagons Rabobank - main offices in Utrecht Liquigas team presentation The following pics of the balloon inspired Liquigas team presentation were taken by Italian Fororeporter Sirotti. Davide Rebellin, Fabio Bordonali, Sergei Gonchar - and a team bike Sergei Gonchar, Davide Rebellin and Gianni Faresin - pose as the Montgolfier brothers Davide Rebellin, Marco Zanotti and Sergei Gonchar - go up in hot air U.S. Postal team presentation Lance Armstrong and Roberto Heras - pose during the team presentation Lance Armstrong - answers questions with Johan Bruyneel and Roberto Heras Lance Armstrong - answers questions Fakta team presentation Sabine Sunderland sent some photos of the Fakta team presentation in Denmark, on January 30. The new 12 rider Fakta team - is presented in Denmark The classic team shot Scott Sunderland - interviewed during the presentation. Scott Sunderland - points to the Tour of Denmark (Post Danmark Rundt) Scott Sunderland - models the new team jersey with Morten Sonne Want some more? For more cycling photography, please consult our monthly archives