If you've watched a triathlon, marathon, or cycling race on TV in the last decade, you've probably seen them: a motorcycle near the race leader, a camera operator riding behind the pilot, and a red windscreen catching the light.
Here's the paradox: the best work in this job is the work nobody notices. MediaMotos pilots want you focused on the athletes, not on the motorcycles filming them.
MediaMotos provides motorcycle-mounted camera coverage for endurance events around the world. Slowtwitch writer and photographer Kevin Mackinnon recently profiled the company. His feature offers a closer look at how MediaMotos grew its global business, why its pilots follow a three-part philosophy, and what separates a motorcycle rider from a broadcast camera pilot.
If you race, it's also a chance to learn about the people sharing the course with you on race day.
Two Continents, One Business
MediaMotos supplies motorcycle pilots for many major triathlon, cycling, and marathon events. The company began as a weekend hobby.
Jason Jenkins founded it in the UK in 2009. After years in banking and car manufacturing, he decided to take his weekend work marshalling races and carrying photographers more seriously. He wanted to change what clients were hiring.
"It's no longer Jason Jenkins as a motorbike pilot."
Scott Schaffrick came from the other side of the Atlantic. He worked as a professional photographer on the US pro cycling circuit, as a law enforcement officer, and as a motorcycle instructor. TV crews he traveled with asked whether he'd like to pilot a moto. His first event, in the early 2000s, was a long-distance triathlon at Lake Placid.
The two met at the Tour of California and hit it off. In the US, most moto pilots were freelancers, while Jenkins had been building a more organized operation in the UK. Schaffrick explained how the partnership took shape:
"One thing led to another, and we were like, why don't we launch MediaMotos in the US and try to professionalize what is happening here?"
They launched in 2015.
From Freelancers to a Brand
The big shift was changing what clients hired.
"When people were hiring a motorbike pilot, they weren't hiring Jason or Scott, they were hiring a MediaMotos pilot and MediaMotos motorcycle."
Soon, clients were asking for "three of your MediaMotos pilots" rather than three specific individuals. Branding helped turn a service into a company, and the business grew:
"One bike turned to two bikes, two bikes turned to four bikes, and in the blink of an eye we have, I don't even know – 58 or so."
The fleet is now purchased in groups of 10. It also includes pickups, Land Rovers, quad bikes, and trailers.
The Three S's: Safety, Sport, Show
MediaMotos' philosophy fits on three fingers: safety, sport, show. Schaffrick recites it before every event, much to his pilots' frustration. Both founders believe this simple framework is a big reason clients keep hiring them.
The order matters. These aren't items on a checklist; they're priorities, ranked from most important to least.
| Priority | What it means | What it looks like on the road |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Safety | Everyone gets home at the end of the day | No risks, ever |
| 2. Sport | Protect the integrity of the race | Stay clear of the pack and move out of the way when it's safe |
| 3. Show | Get the shot the director wants | Help capture the action, but only after the first two priorities |
Safety First
Jenkins puts it plainly: "Safety is in capital letters across the board. We take no risks. We want everybody to go home at the end of the day."
The founders say they were "thrown into the deep end" early on, without much structure or a playbook. Those experiences shaped how they train new people. As Schaffrick explained: "We made the mistakes on the job, and we don't want anybody to make the same mistakes that we made."
Sport: Respecting the Race
In triathlon, drafting makes a motorcycle's position especially important. Drafting means riding in another athlete's slipstream, and it's illegal in most triathlon racing. A moto near a pack can affect the race, so pilots have to pay close attention to where they ride.
"We don't want to be there any more than an athlete wants us to be there. As soon as we get the opportunity, and the key to that is 'when it is safe,' you get out of the way."
The men's race at the 70.3 World Championship in Nice this year shows how the team puts that principle into action. With much of the field leaving the water together, the team placed a motorcycle well ahead on the course. The pilots let the pack spread out, then moved in to film the opening section from behind. They plan around factors such as wind direction and the large groups that can form out of T1, the swim-to-bike transition.
Show: The Director's Priority
Show comes third. Jenkins makes that clear to directors and producers before the event:
"We know how important your show is. But it comes after these other two things, which are ultimately more important."
Sometimes that means pulling out of a shot while a director is asking for it. Jenkins says pilots stay calm and explain why: "You know the reason we're backing out? Because of the safety."
The Other Side of the Balance
That doesn't mean MediaMotos pilots are reluctant to get the shot. They want the camera operators to capture the action whenever it's safe.
Mackinnon saw their judgment firsthand in Nice. His driver, Haydn Pryor, pulled over after they rounded a corner and spotted a bike against the railing.
"Get off, get off, get off," Pryor yelled.
As Mackinnon scrambled off to find the rider, Pryor moved the motorcycle to a safe spot and helped alert approaching athletes to the accident ahead. Marcel Bolbat was OK after the crash. It's a powerful example of how the safety rule can become an instinct, rather than something pilots have to stop and debate.
Mackinnon described a similar experience with Bradley Bailey at the 70.3 in Marbella in 2025. Bailey put him in excellent positions to film while keeping them both safe and clear of the race.
The Skill Behind the Invisibility
It's easy to picture this job as speeding down the road in pursuit of athletes. In reality, it takes careful planning, constant awareness, and strong race-reading skills.
Mirrors, Mirrors, Mirrors
Jenkins trains his pilots using an 80/20 rule. Eighty percent of the work happens out of sight: preparation, training, and maintenance. On the motorcycle, the split is different from what you might expect:
"80% of the time you're looking in your mirrors. Mirrors, mirrors, mirrors – you're only looking ahead 20% of the time."
Pilots are tracking several things at once:
- Athletes passing by
- Other motorcycles
- Any sign of drafting
- How wind conditions may affect athletes' positioning
Rider vs. Camera Pilot
Schaffrick sees a clear difference between the two roles:
"There's a distinct difference between a motorcycle rider and a television camera pilot. It is the same as the difference between driving a car and driving NASCAR."
The Career Ladder
New pilots work their way through a progression of event coverage:
- Running: regional events → marathons → triathlon → photo moto → digital content → broadcast
- Cycling: Pro Tour → Continental → WorldTour, where "the speeds just increase"
Broadcast is considered the top tier in running and triathlon because of the weight on the motorcycle, close proximity to athletes, and slower speeds. Good bike handling matters, but it isn't enough. Pilots also need to anticipate passes, "read the race like a chess game," and recognize when an athlete is struggling.
The Red Screen Effect
The red windscreens began as a way to build brand recognition. Now athletes recognize them, too. Jenkins says:
"We've heard from athletes around the world that they'll hear a motorcycle, look over their shoulder, and see that red screen and know it's us. They say it's odd, but it's a calming effect."
The team's discipline shows up in other details. Wherever MediaMotos motorcycles are parked, they're lined up neatly. "Scott makes sure they all park the same, I make sure they're all dressed the same," Jenkins joked. That consistency gives the crew a professional look. Athletes know the team means business when it arrives.
Culture Over Competition
In the founders' freelance days, individual camera operators hired individual riders. Race day could become a contest to capture the best and most exclusive shots. That culture has changed.
"They're not competing with each other," Schaffrick said. "We're a big family."
The riders stay connected through WhatsApp groups: one for each event, one for an annual fitness contest, and one that works as a shared photo page.
Built for the Long Run
MediaMotos has grown well beyond motorcycles.
Equipment: The company now supplies camera operators and much of their equipment. For a time, it was one of the world's largest suppliers of stabilized lenses, which it purchased because clients needed them. This year, it added eight Sony PMW-500 shoulder-mounted broadcast cameras for the same reason.
Maintenance: The safety philosophy applies to equipment, too. The tire policy is simple: replace tires when they're 50% worn. Schaffrick explains: "I can't be having a tire that's 40% and expect our guys to give me 100%."
Work mix: Sport accounts for only about 40% of the company's work. The rest includes TV commercials, documentaries, and parades, including Super Bowl and World Series celebrations.
Lean staffing: Jenkins and Schaffrick are the company's two full-time employees. Even so, on one day this year, MediaMotos had 36 people working across five events.
Staying power: Other companies have tried to enter the industry, but most disappear after a year or two. MediaMotos isn't cheap, but clients value what it brings. "It's not just the service," Jenkins said. "It's the assets we bring to the party."
What's next: MediaMotos plans to expand into the Middle East once conditions there settle down. It's also ready to grow in Australia and Asia-Pacific. Jenkins is modest about the company's strategy: "I'd love to say there's some kind of really clever, high-level strategy working here. There really isn't." Schaffrick's rule is simpler: "The answer is always yes – what's the question?"
Quick Answers to Common Questions
- How do motorcycle pilots avoid affecting the race?
- They position motorcycles away from the pack, wait for athletes to spread out, and move out of the way as soon as it's safe. They also check their mirrors constantly to monitor drafting.
- Why does safety take priority over the shot?
- The founders learned through experience, without a playbook to guide them. They've built the company around helping their team avoid repeating those early mistakes.
- Why are the windscreens red, and do athletes notice?
- The red windscreens began as branding. Athletes around the world have told the founders that seeing the red screen feels oddly calming.
- How can two full-time employees cover so many events?
- The company uses a consistent approach and shared culture, then scales up its crew when needed. On one day this year, 36 people worked across five events.
- What does it take to become a broadcast pilot?
- It takes time working up the event ladder, along with the ability to read a race. The article doesn't describe a formal training or certification program.
What This Means for Athletes (and the Rest of Us)
If you're new to the sport, this is a useful reminder that people are working to protect the integrity of your race. Moto crews don't want to get in your way, and they're trained to stay clear of the draft zone. Before your first event, read your athlete guide for the rules on motorcycle positioning and draft zones. Our first triathlon kit can help you prepare your gear, and our race season essentials cover other race-day needs.
If you're traveling to a major event, from Mexico and across Latin America to Europe, pack smart with our race day travel gear.
What is MediaMotos?
MediaMotos is a company that provides motorcycle pilots, camera operators, and equipment for coverage of endurance sports and other live events. Its motorcycles are used at major triathlon, cycling, and running races around the world.
Who founded MediaMotos, and when did it launch?
Jason Jenkins started MediaMotos in the UK in 2009. After meeting US motorcycle pilot Scott Schaffrick, they launched the company’s US operation in 2015.
What are MediaMotos’ “three S’s”?
The three S’s are safety, sport, and show. MediaMotos prioritizes the safety of everyone on the course and the integrity of competition before getting a shot for a broadcast or production.
How do MediaMotos pilots avoid affecting the race?
Pilots consider factors such as wind, rider positioning, course conditions, and drafting. They move out of athletes’ way when it is safe and may withdraw from a shot if staying in position could compromise safety or the fairness of the race.
Why do MediaMotos pilots spend so much time looking in their mirrors?
Jenkins’s 80/20 approach emphasizes that most of the work is preparation and awareness. On the motorcycle, pilots spend about 80 percent of their time checking mirrors to monitor athletes, other motorcycles, and the race situation around them.
How does someone become a MediaMotos broadcast pilot?
Pilots progress through increasingly demanding assignments. The pathway described in the article starts with regional running events, then marathons and triathlons, before moving into photo, digital, and broadcast coverage. Cycling pilots similarly gain experience at lower levels before working at faster, top-tier races.
Why are MediaMotos motorcycles known for their red windscreens?
The red windscreens began as a branding choice. Athletes have said that recognizing the red screen behind them can be reassuring because they know the motorcycle is part of the MediaMotos crew.
What equipment and services does MediaMotos provide?
In addition to motorcycle pilots, MediaMotos supplies camera operators and production equipment, including stabilized lenses and broadcast cameras. The company also provides vehicles such as pickup trucks, Land Rovers, and quad bikes for event operations.
Does MediaMotos work only at sports events?
No. The article says sport accounts for about 40 percent of the company’s work. MediaMotos also supports television commercials, documentaries, and parades, including major celebration events.
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