WOW
Stunning images.
For those who don't read the NYT
Re: For those who don't read the NYT
Marketing, innit.
If you are in the business of selling your photos (he does National Geographic too), you want to cover all the angles.
Even if he doesn't sell the photos to Rapha, it opens the possibility of the publication doing a little corner panel covering the gear and getting Rapha advertising income from it.
Average cycle touring well worn/scruffy/no longer available gear isn't going to gain any sales, and may lose some.