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It’s clear that the best athletes fully dedicate themselves to their sport. That dedication is on full display at events like Unbound Gravel, the world’s premier gravel cycling race. What may be less obvious is the army of people who dedicate their lives to supporting those athletes, the event itself, and the community at large.
Unsung, a new short film from Shimano, follows three of these remarkable people, including photographer Linda Guerrette, mechanic Wayne Smith, and Life Time’s senior marketing Michelle Duffy, in the lead up to the event and during race day.
Linda Guerrette didn’t exactly grow up in the social media age, but her childhood was filled with her mother’s home movies and family photographs, which eventually inspired a later career in photography. Paired with an insatiable passion for adventure, Linda brings a desire to connect into her photography, which inherently reflects back into her images of athletes.
“Sorry Shimano, whenever I get a new piece of equipment, the first thing I do is take it apart.”
Wayne Smith wants to know how things work, so that when he needs to, he can fix them. With relentless attention to detail and a commitment to preparation, Wayne is a great partner for privateer gravel pro Peter Stetina.
Although Michelle Duffy is a seasoned marketer, her biggest passion is events and the communities that they build. Michelle’s role for Unbound’s event organizer, Life Time, is part marketing director, part general manager, and full-time biggest fan of the event. She is consummately positive, and brings that energy to every person involved in the event, from the staff to the volunteers, media, athletes and fans alike.
Just like the athletes who take part, these supporting characters dedicate themselves to the sport with passion and hard work. Without them and the host of volunteers, support staff, and creators who show up year in and year out, these transformative events wouldn’t exist in the first place, be nearly as fun, or be documented with such flair.
