La Fuga and Sigma Sport invite you to join Graham Watson at the launch of “The Best of Graham Watson” exhibition on Thursday 17th November 2011 at 6pm.

On Thursday 17th November “The Best of Graham Watson” exhibition will be opened at the Sigma Sport store in Hampton Wick by the man himself, Graham Watson, the worlds leading cycling photographer. In celebration of the 1 year anniversary of the opening of the new store, Sigma Sport is honored to have key pieces from Grahams collection on display from 17th November to 5th December. The launch of the show will give the cycling community an opportunity to view a range of Graham’s work from the past 20 years with a chance to meet the world famous photographer. The exhibition will be truly unique with Graham’s work displayed in the modern setting of the UK’s largest Road Cycling and Triathlon store for the first time.

Born in London, 1956. Graham studied at Stanley Technical High School until age 16, after which Graham joined society photographer, Lenare, for a period between 1972-1977. It was here that Graham learned the basics of photography before becoming involved in cycling whilst riding 20-kilometres into London and back each day. Following a weekend trip to the 1977 Tour de France in Paris, Graham won a small photographer’s competition organized by the British ‘Cycling Weekly’ magazine and his career as a cycling photographer was launched. During a year or so photographing British-based races, Graham still traveled to Europe to photograph the Tour de France, but also Classics like the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix – which he first saw after cycling to and from the channel port of Calais in 1980, a day’s mileage of over 200-kilometres.

Over the years Graham’s name has become synonymous with cycling photography, achieving recognition around the world. Graham’s ability to capture the emotion and feeling of competitive cycling communicatin this to the viewer through a single moment has earned him the reputation as one of the world best sport photographers. The drama of competition is clearly on display in this exclusive “Best Of” exhibition and the pieces take you on a journey of the key events in cycling over the past 20 years. The new Sigma Sport store provides an impressive and unique backdrop to these fantastic images.

The exhibition will include images from all the Grand Tours, Paris-Roubaix and many more of cycling’s key events. Running from 17th November to 5th December the show will be open to members of the public during normal Sigma Sport store hours, so if you can’t make a trip down to the store this Thursday there is plenty of time to come along and enjoy Grahams work. Not only will you be able to view this wonderful photography, there will also be the opportunity to purchase the pieces on display. And if you’re inspired by Graham’s images to explore some of these iconic places, we’ll be around all evening to help you plan travel to these wonderful places.

Sigma Sport will also be selling Graham’s highly sort after 2012 calendar and posters, there will also be copies of Graham’s new book authored with Cadel Evans that will be availble for purchase, signed by Graham. So why not join us on Thursday 17th November at 6:00pm for a great evening of fantastic photography, great bikes and some refreshments.