Irene Balmanoukian

Irene Balmanoukian

Irene Balmanoukian is a Brazilian photographer and filmmaker with a degree in Economics (UFRJ) and film directing training (City College of San Francisco). Since 2004 she’s covered top European cycling races—Tour de France, Paris‑Roubaix, UCI Road Worlds and more—combining a cinematic eye with journalistic rigor to bring viewers into the heart of the competition.

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“I met Irene in 2019, at the World Cup in Harrogate. I was positively surprised to find a woman, Brazilian, photographing the best cyclists in the world.
And when I looked at her images, I could feel like I was there again, inside the competition. She always manages to portray all the emotion of the races, the expressions of the cyclists thrill us and we were able to be there, through her lens. Gratitude for having known her work, and even more for some records by her!”

Ana Polegatch

Brazilian National Champion

“Having met Irene for the first time in 2021’s Tour de France, I immediately loved one of her photos of my colleague on Mont Ventoux as the peloton ascended to the summit.
Her image really captured the energy of the moment but uniquely from the perspective of the photographer working on the mountain amongst the frenzied action and excitement.
She has an excellent eye that captures the emotions of the athletes on the road whilst providing an insight into the place and circumstance”

Pete Goding

GodingImages

“It is always a pleasure and a honor to have Irene work on cycling races. Her photographic eye and work showcase the sport and the champions on their bikes illustrating all the beauty of the sport.”

Fabrice Tiano

Tour de France - Head of Press, A.S.O

“She photographs a cyclist on a bike like they were a part of nature itself.”

Aparna Malladi

Film director

“Irene always manages to capture the most beautiful moments of our sport. The emotion, vibrancy and drama are perfectly captured.
A great insight into the world of professional cycling.”

Sandra Schmitz

Head Press, Deutschland Tour

“Cycling is a sport filled with emotion and passion and I truly feel that Irene is able to capture that in her photography and the perspective she provides in her work with some of the best athletes in the world.”

Tiffany Keep

South Africa National Champion

“There are photographs in cycling that show the glory, the loss… the protocol results, and there are photographic records, like Irene’s that capture everything that is not seem with naked eye: the soul of each cyclist.”

Bruno Saldanha

Jornalista Esportivo (Brasil)

“What makes Irene’s work really special is her focus on the athletes, the faces, the emotions. In a sport of beautiful landscapes and shiny bikes, she capture the essence of everything, the people”

Agua Marina Espínola

Campeã Nacional do Paraguai

“Irene’s work brings you right there. Her ability to embody the raw athleticism and determination of the cyclists while also capturing the experience of the spectator is automatically dynamic.”

Rosa Merced

Product Marketing Manager, Adobe Photoshop