Feature image: Craig Huffman | other photography as credited

The 2021 edition of the Mark Gunter Photo Awards opened just eight days ago. And the images have been incredible. Every single year the images get better & better, and 2021 has amped it up a notch.

We’ll be showcasing images each week in galleries. The showcase is a representation of this years images – we hope you’ll enjoy them.

2021 has been a ride for so many reasons — and whilst a photo tells a thousand words itself, the story behind the image as written by the photographer is part of what makes these awards so special.

Every entry is making a difference….. in more ways than one…. Your images are undoubtedly bringing light and joy and inspiration, and of course your entry fees go towards our two causes — cancer research with Tour de Cure and Young Cyclist Assistance.

The competition closes on January 5th, 2022, at which point our judges – Jojo Harper, James Startt, and Brazo de Hierro – will deliberate on who’ll take out the honours and amazing prizes on offer. And of course, thanks to CyclingTips for promoting the Awards again.

See images posted @cyclingtips and #markgunterphotoawards2021 and @markgunter.com.au

A emotive cover image by Craig Huffman @craigsclicks category: “Relief — a hot and exhausted Crystal Anthony, riding for LIV Racing, gets sprayed down following her 4th place SBT GRVL — 144 mile Black Course finish in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.”

Entry into the fiercely-contested Professional Cycling Photographer category is permitted to anyone who earns a living from their cycling photography.

“Taken near the end of the North Coast 500, Lawrence & Ollie cross the Kylesku bridge after a morning of rain, hail and headwinds.” Alex Duffill @alexduffill

“Shot recently for Rouleur Magazine. Anna had recently retired from racing so we wanted to portray her as a woman moving into her new life after cycling. It was important to make an image that felt classical and showed a sense of movement.” Michael Blann @michaelblann

“Alex Dowsett emailed me asking if I could work on some content for his up-and-coming Hour Record attempt. We both have sevre Haemophilia A, so working together on such a huge event was really special. He trained all day in the tunnel and then the wonderful Juliette showed her Dad how it is done.” Sean Hardy @hardyccphotos

“Red Rock is the best on those cold, storm-filled days when no one else will dare to come out.” Natalie Starr @natalierstarr

“Reflecting & Moving On. A great shot from this year of a local rider giving it his all under a railway bridge. Passing by a puddle this captured his reflection perfectly and the direction of travel, both summed up in the caption for this shot. It has been a tough year; reflect on what has happened & move on positively.” James Clarke @justjamesmedia

“It’s the last cycling event I shot for this year. It was raining for several days but luckily on this day we’re blessed with sun, creating a magical atmosphere out in the woods.” Michiel Maas @maas.rides

“What’s better than riding? Riding on the beach! And to make it even more exciting go out in the dark with some strong headlights! As part of an influencer ride from Bicycling Magazine (NL), we rode on the beach and had some fun getting our feet wet. Fun fact: in the Netherlands, we have beach races, actual racing on the beach on mountain bikes with big slick tires. Maybe one of the toughest cycling disciplines out there! Shot for Bicycling NL.” Merlijn Spenkelink @merlingraphy

“I was waiting around for the start of the TTT stage of the Tour of Britain and the teams were practicing their start from the main ramp. Movistar and Quickstep were on the ramp. everything was low-key and I saw Mark Cavendish give the Movistar rider a helping hand. I am not sure how many times an ex-world road race champion had done this but I was there to capture it.” Gary Main @garymainphotographer

“Abu Sheik Sesay is mobbed by fans after finishing second at the Tour de Lunsar. It is Sierra Leone’s first multi-stage bike race. There is no blueprint for cycling in Sierra Leone. The race is creating a platform for young riders to showcase their talents and be seen as local heroes. Matt Grayson @mattgrayson_photo @mattgrayson_photo

“The easy thing is to raise your arms at the finish line. Cycling is suffering and struggle. Elorrio cyclocross 2021.” Oscar Blanco Gutiérrez @oblanco78

“November 2021, the European Cyclocross Championships at the Col du Vam, with absence of Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert and Tom Piddock, but with an in form Eli Yserberth and Tom Aerts, the Belgians thought they would win the European title, but they didn’t count on a very good Lars van der Haar. Here the Belgians are in full swing up the hill under the lead of Quentin Hermans.” Marco Loman @lomanmarco

“Magic forest Gravel routes are sometimes unpredictable and unique. This day in April we rode through a beautiful segment of a small forest very close to the sea. Budziak, the southern part of Ukraine.” Iurii Makalis @makalisiurii

“Cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic, Denver Colorado’s Mike Nields Memorial Bannock Street Criterium returned to downtown Denver on July 17, 2021, with the series of amateur races moving into the shadow of the titanium-clad Hamilton wing of the Denver Art Museum, designed by architect Daniel Libeskind. It was Libeskind’s first completed building in the United States, and provided a dramatic backdrop for speeding cyclists.” Reid Neureiter @reidnewphoto

“The Dirty Reiver. Gravel Ride England/Scotland border. September 2021. About 2.5 hrs after the fast group sped through, even a 1000 rider event is a lonely place in England’s largest man-made forest.” Stephen Smith @steph3nsmith

“The past two years haven’t been the easiest. A quiet ride through empty vines was enhanced by what appeared to be a hopeful view through the door of what’s next. Things are looking up. We’ll get there.” Owen Lewis @oblewis

For more information on the #markgunterphotoawards2021 check out CyclingTips and Mark Gunter Photography.