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January 13, 2021Blog

The Mark Gunter Photographer of the Year Awards have once again delivered some amazing photos! We’ve received images from all over the world, from passionate enthusiasts and pro photographers.

2020 — what a year it’s been — unusual times, isolation, long lonely rides, and in many cases more family time. Our new normal — has created some new perspectives and some meaningful moments captured in photos and told through stories.

We are proud to showcase the winners here, their images, and the story behind their image — and everyone who made the top 10 in both categories.

It’s not always easy to be thankful in times like these, but I am.  I want to thank everyone who was part of this years awards — either as a photographer, or as an avid viewer of the work of colleagues in the cycling community—, everyone who spread the word, and to Wahoo Fitness for the prizes in the Amateur category.

A huge thank you to judges Kristof Ramon, Tim Bardsley-Smith and Jered & Ashley Gruber, and Graham Watson. Even the pros found it difficult to choose just the top 10 in each category — but they finally did after four hours. Your expertise and your time — it’s been a pleasure — thank you.

Thanks to Punchbuggy for doing work behind the scenes to keep these awards going.

Thanks to Cyclingtips for making the 2020 Mark Gunter Photographer of the Year Awards happen again, it’s very special for me to able to keep Mark’s legacy alive for our son Lucas, who’s now 6 years old, who for the second year running chose his own favourite photos in Lucas’s List.

The wait is over…. here are the winners and your top ten in each category! Congratulations to you all.

PROFESSIONAL CATEGORY

1st Prize Professional category: Chris Auld (United Kingdom)

2. CA 58

“Italian cycling fans are some of the most passionate, an image that would make any Tifosis heart swell with pride, seeing World ITT Champion, Filippo Ganna riding past a giant Tricolori flag in the Giro d’Italia.” Chris Auld @cauldphoto

 

The Judges said;

“I just love that flag. This is pretty much the preeminent example of a flag shot. I remember seeing it the first time. I was like…. oh, boy — I like that one.”

“The shot in front of the giant Italian flag in some weird way — I felt like it conveyed hope.”

2nd Prize Professional category: Albert Gallego (Spain)

1. AG 27

‘LOCKDOWN. That moment of 2020 when everyone had to stop. With this photo, I’m sure many cyclists will be reflected by their days of being confined at home and where they spent hours and hours on their trainers. I portrait some cyclists, without moving from home, via video call, to tell them how to configure their cameras, to take the picture that I had in mind. All the photos had a common thread between them by the light that came from their screens and that illuminated their “pain cave”.’ Albert Gallego @brazodehierro

 

The Judges said:

“To have such consistency in lighting, such consistency of framing, and with the photographer not actually being on site…. Something I couldn’t even imagine myself.”

3rd Prize Professional category: Luis Alcantarilla (United Kingdom)

8. LA 82

“All weathers. Wales’ answer to Sa Calobra. A closed road and only one way up, it’s a short but brutal climb, featuring some of the few Switchbacks available in Britain and halting when you reach the Dam at the top. Shooting for Ribble Cycles, we were met with sun, hail, snow, wind, rain and finally an immensely atmospheric and chilly descent.” Luis Alcantarilla @eltoromediadotcom

 

The Judges said;

“This is one hundred percent the kind of picture that I dream of taking — the kind of picture I dream of being in.”

4th Place Professional category

9. FR 101

“Pre-covid media scrum around Wout Van Aert after the finish of the men elite race at the Cyclocross World Championships in Dübendorf.” Francesco Rachello @strict

5th Place Professional category

8. EM 103

“As we all know this year has been quite difficult for everyone, luckily the Giro managed to arrive on its last stage in Milan. Here is Simon Guglielmi riding through the empty streets of the Italian city with two carabinieri wearing masks as only spectators.” Eloise Mavian @eloisemavian

6th Place Professional category

9. MG 114

“The perfect line. Mathieu van der Poel is truly an exceptional rider with outstanding bike skills. To see him finding the perfect line is an impressive show. At the World Championship 2020 in Duebendorf (Switzerland) i aimed for this minimalistic shot from a bridge, reduced on Mathieu van der Poel and these lines in the mud. For me this image represents the beauty and demands of this sport, combined with maybe the best rider in the world.” Marcel Hilger @marcelhilger

7th Place Professional category

4. RE 106

“As the theme for the awards this year is defined by ‘hope’,  I chose this photo of Stig Broeckx during a rehabilitation training at Igo4fit with trainers Paul Van Den Bosch en Wouter Moors. In the field of psychology ‘hope’ can be linked to the existence of a goal. Combined with a determined plan for reaching that, ‘hope’ should be viewed as a cognitive skill that demonstrates an individual’s ability to maintain drive in pursuit of a this goal. Well, Stig Broeckx has this skill.” Rhode Van Elsen @rhode_photo

8th Place Professional category

6. AW 39

“Daniel Felipe Martinez of EF Pro Cycling in action during the time trial from Lure to La Planche des Belles Filles on stage 20 of the Tour de France.” Alex Whitehead @alex_swpix

9th Place Professional category

4. MC 116

“Denmark’s men’s team pursuiters shattering the world record at UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Berlin, Germany, 2020. The new Worlds best time on 4km track is 3:44.672 min.” Michal Cerveny @michalcervenyphoto

10th Place Professional category

1. DC 55

“It was a cold snowy day in February; Back when the calendar was full of possibilities. I was in my favourite place in the world: Hood River-Mosier, Oregon. There was a light dusting of snow. I decided to head up to Rowena Crest. As luck would have it, three Eagles were circling that day and a lone cyclist pedalled up the icy climb. If “hope” is the theme, this is an image I think about often: in spite of the conditions — keep pedalling.” Drew Coleman @dcmediahaus

AMATEUR CATEGORY

1st Prize Amateur category: Anthony Leutenegger (Switzerland)

5. AL 206

“Everyone loves a happy ending, especially during these difficult times. My submission last year was of Marion Norbert-Riberolle in tears at the finish line of the Cyclocross World Championships as she had an untimely mechanical and lost in the final lap. In 2020 she stormed away to victory to win the U23 World Championships by a mile. Embracing her family, draped in a French flag, it was a moment of true happiness, one of hope, and this year without despair.” Anthony Leutenegger @anthonyleutenegger

 

The Judges said;

“It’s just perfect. You can feel how much they love each other — her hand is so relaxed, and the shoulder goes into her face because he’s just hugging her that much!”

“The eyes say everything and with the colours and the hug — it’s really powerful.”

2nd Prize Amateur category: Julien Payette-Tessier (Canada)

1. JP 276

‘This is an iconic spot in Montreal city. It’s our biggest hill called Camilien Houde. I ride their almost 2 times a week on my bike with friends. I had a tone of pictures of it but during this morning ride everything was align for me. The sun, the position of my friends on their bikes etc. Important note on this one: I was climbing a 10% hill on my bike holding my Canon 5D IV and a 24-70 lens. That was a heavy setup.’ Julien Payette-Tessier @payette

 

The Judges said;

“I really like it — it was super casual, and it has a good feeling about it. It was the perfect light. And it’s a hard shot to replicate.”

3rd Prize Amateur category: Rasmus Pellizotti (Denmark)

3. RP 417

“Social distance in the forest.” Rasmus Pellizotti @traedekongen

 

The Judges said;

“What I like is the atmosphere and the mist. I like it, I love it, wow!”

“I mean this is a movie poster! It’s so dramatic.”

4th Place Amateur category

3. MP 422

“No roaring engines that day at the circuit of Zolder. Only human power during the cyclocross race on the former Formula One track. Taking a step back made it possible to get the motorsport atmosphere, when Mathieu van der Poel passes by.” Mats Palinckx @matspalinckx

5th Place Amateur category 

4. GB 141

“During lock down the local bunches ceased, and there was plenty of solo rides and riders. As things settled, racing started again. This image is taken on a hot Sunday morning at the local, purpose built crit track in Noosa. It is a break gone early, emerging from the dark bridge & tunnel and into the light, solo, with the pack chasing. It’s lonely out there, as it has been in in periods of 2020. The bunch ultimately caught up and a pack formed, together again, as we hope for in 2021.” Glen Bucklar @gbvisi0n

6th Place Amateur category

5. FH 488

“My most intense moment at a Cross Race so far. @JoshuaDubau (FRA) fell off the Bike and was not able to continue the Race, due the Conditions in Dendermonde.” Felix Homann @fellusch

7th Place Amateur category

9. AR 321

“Gravel riding in the Tarentaise (France). The region is mostly known for the ski resorts and regular Tour de France stage finishes of Val Thorens, Meribel and Courchevel (in the background). But it offers way more to the discerning cyclists, like this great loop to the Refuge du Mont Jovet.” Alain Rumpf @aswisswithapulse

8th Place Amateur category

1. TG 359

“This pic was taken when me and two friends rode the South Downs Way, a 100 mile off-road route from Winchester to Eastbourne. I took my beloved Yashica T3…I stored the camera in the top tube bag along with a half eaten protein bar. After some pretty rocky, bone shaking descents I pulled the camera out to take this snap only to find that the bar had disintegrated and had filled every part of the camera…..this was its last frame …ever. Quite a cool ending to a cameras life.” Tom Glendining @tom_glendining

9th Place Amateur category

4. SB 587

“After we abandoned our Project Pedal Further venture early 2020 due to the pandemic, I was discouraged. The past 7 months had been full of adventures and now we were stuck in Switzerland, which sometimes seemed too familiar and therefore not too worth discovering. How wrong I was: When we went on a bikepacking trip in mid-November, I found my adventurous spirit again and drew hope: Not only that I live in a beautiful country, but also that somewhere – whether near or far – surprises await me.” Sara Bukies @projectpedalfurther

10th Place Amateur category

7. RS 375

“I often pass geese on the road. One day I decided to take a photo of myself with the geese. I set my camera on a timer and as I passed they got a little to close. Fortunately everyone was ok, and I got an interesting photo.” Ron Short @shortcycles

GRAHAM WATSON'S CHOICE - AMATEUR

1st Prize Graham’s Choice Amateur Category: Remi McManus (USA )

1. Amateur Remi McManus 631

“A smoky night in the Idaho Mountains.” Remi McManus @r_adventurist

2nd Prize Graham’s Choice Amateur Category: Andres Felipe Cano G (Columbia)

2. Amateur Andres Felipe Cano G 310

“In february the Bora team arrived to my Hometown Medellín and i join them a couple of days in bike and taking pictures, in this one i say to Peter to do an sprint in the back of the motorcycle, my cousin Lucho put the pace on the motorbike and i lean a little bit to take it with a good angle.” Andres Felipe Cano G @pipecano_photo

3rd Prize Graham’s Choice Amateur Category: Christopher Dacey (USA)

3. Amateur Christopher Dacey 104

“A favourite local gravel segment north of Boulder that I love for rare traffic and wonderful sun setting light.” Christopher Dacey

LUCAS'S LIST - HIS FAVOURITE PHOTO!

Lucas Gunter, Mark’s son (6 years old, Australia)

Amateur Marc O'Leary

“The contrast in this picture really stood out to me with the vibrant sunrise popping out from the ominous clouds and the fresh centerline paint drawing your eye past the dark silhouette of a rider in an all black kit.” Marc O’Leary @olearymarc40

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MARK GUNTER PHOTOGRAPHY
Mark Gunter was a well known sports photographer specialising in cycling, here in Australia & around the globe. Mark's images are available for personal and commercial purchase.
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2020 MARK GUNTER PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR AWARDS

LATEST ON INSTAGRAM #MARKGUNTERPHOTOAWARDS2020
  • 49 minutes to enter….A sprint to the finish… "The Belgian Champion @lottekopecky skilfully riding the gutter during the Brabantse Pilj in Belgium. In 2020 there has often been a fine line between good and bad times, but hopefully 2021 should be smoother (unlike the cobbles)." : This image by Neil Causley @neilcausey_cc in the Amateur category from Belgium. : "When there are not many opportunities to race, every contest counts. It was inspiring to see how these young talents kept up the motivation this year, still trained hard and payed attention to every little detail.” (@Marten_Schomburg, U23 National Time Trial
  • "It was one of those rare, crisp, winter days in pre-covid New York where I caught this rider pulling a wheelie crossing 7th avenue. Who would have thought we would miss the traffic in Times Square? : Entries are closed…. Thank YOU to all our photographers who shared your stories — through your images and your words. : This image by Dagahn Perker @dperker in the Professional category from USA. : Our judges @kramon_velophoto @tbsphotography @jeredgruber & @ashleygruber and Graham Watson are busy scouring through all the images creating their shortlists. : Shortlists coming soon…. : #markgunterphotoawards2020 : @cyclingtips
  • "The world goes on. During; la flèche wallone, the local shops are open, as nothing happend, butt the public is not allowed to the races. It was a strange sight, no public, open shops and a bike race." : An interesting perspective from this strange year of racing…. Look through the windows to see the race. : Entries are closed…. Thank YOU to all our photographers who shared your stories — through your images and your words. : This image by Joris Knappen @jorisknapen_studioknapen in the Professional category from The Netherlands. : Our judges @kramon_velophoto @tbsphotography @jeredgruber & @ashleygruber and
  • "LOCKDOWN. That moment of 2020 when everyone had to stop. With this photo, I’m sure many cyclists will be reflected by their days of being confined at home and where they spent hours and hours on their trainers. I portrait some cyclists, without moving from home, via video call, to tell them how to configure their cameras, to take the picture that I had in mind. All the photos had a common thread between them by the light that came from their screens and that illuminated their “pain cave”.” Albert Gallego @brazodehierro : Thank YOU to all our photographers who
  • “A smoky night in the Idaho Mountains” Remi McManus @r_adventurist : 5 years ago at @tourdownunder I spoke to Graham Watson about doing something to recognise @markggunter. 5 years later…. Graham is still part of the Awards. We’re so lucky to have him on the team :) : Here’s the photographers selected in Graham’s Choice — in the Amateur category… : @r_adventurist @pipecano_photo Christopher Dacey @h.a.velopix @caseycesari @markel.bazan @ruby_roubaix @focal_77 @twotyredtours @projectpedalfurther : Check out the shortlist in the bio. : Thank YOU to all our photographers who shared your stories — through your images and your words. It truely
  • "It was a cold snowy day in February; Back when the calendar was full of possibilities. I was in my favorite place in the world: Hood River-Mosier, Oregon. There was a light dusting of snow. I decided to head up to Rowena Crest. As luck would have it, three Eagles were circling that day and a lone cyclist pedaled up the icy climb. If "hope" is the theme, this is an image I think about often: in spite of the conditions - keep pedaling.” Drew Coleman @dcmediahaus : Thank YOU to all our photographers who shared your stories — through
  • “Italian cycling fans are some of the most passionate, an image that would make any Tifosis heart swell with pride, seeing World ITT Champion, Filippo Ganna riding past a giant Tricolori flag in the Giro d’Italia.” Chris Auld @cauldphoto : Thank YOU to all our photographers who shared your stories — through your images and your words. It truely has been amazing for me to experience what your 2020 was like. : @jeredgruber & @ashleygruber have chosen their top 10 in Pro & Amateur — the Gruber
  • Winners UPDATE — announcement of the winners has been extended till 13th Jan 2021, Sydney time. : Apologies — life in lockdown, a full time job starting a company, and being a full time parent have amounted to more than even I could manage so far…. so we’ll be announcing the winners a couple of days late. : “The photo was taken in the TDF2020 and shows the difficulties of the year — the mask represents the pandemic and the slogan represents the racial issues of 2020. The fact that the biggest race event could take place gave every athlete
  • The wait is ALMOST OVER….. winners will be announced in the next hour or so! : As the sun sets here in Sydney, this image reminds me of now. Live in the moment, love the ones close to you, and continue to share joy through your images. : "Beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Country under lockdown, with restricted exercise hours, hoping for some light at the end of a ‘dark tunnel’.” : We’ll announce very soon. Not long to go. : This image by Robin Moore @Pedal_journal in the Amateur category. : #markgunterphotoawards2020 : @cyclingtips
  • And the wait is over…. We have our winners….. : Congratulations to Chris Auld (UK) @cauldphoto for winning the 2020 Mark Gunter Photographer of the Year Award! : His image of “Italian cycling fans are some of the most passionate, an image that would make any Tifosis heart swell with pride, seeing World ITT Champion, Filippo Ganna riding past a giant Tricolori flag in the Giro d’Italia.” won the hearts and minds of the judges @kramon_velophoto @tbsphotography @jeredgruber & @ashleygruber. : 2nd Prize awarded to Albert Gallego (Spain) @brazodehierro for his “Lockdown” image. 3rd Prize awarded to Luis Alcantarilla (UK)
  • And the winner in the Amateur category is….. : Anthony Leutenegger (Switzerland) @anthonyleutenegger for winning the for winning the 2020 Mark Gunter Photographer of the Year Award - Amateur category! Congratulations! : “Everyone loves a happy ending, especially during these difficult times. My submission last year was of Marion Norbert-Riberolle in tears at the finish line of the Cyclocross World Championships as she had an untimely mechanical and lost in the final lap. In 2020 she stormed away to victory to win the U23 World Championships by a mile. Embracing her family, draped in a French flag, it was a
  • And the last list is here - Lucas’s List.... : Many of you know Lucas lost his Dad @markggunter to a very aggressive cancer back in Nov 2015. He was 15 months old. Today he is 6 years old and is a big part of these awards. : Last year he saw me posting the Judges Shortlists and wanted to make his list too. And that was the beginning of Lucas being involved. In 2020, he selected his list again — by himself without any influencing by me (as hard as that was!!!) : His list doesn’t have any bearing
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