Feature image: Bram Berkien | other photography as credited

The 2022 edition of the Mark Gunter Photo Awards are in full flight and the standard this year continues to impress.

This week we showcase images from our professional and amateur photographers in a mix of disciplines. Rouleur & I hope you’ll enjoy them.

Check out Showcase #1 here and keep an eye out for the next showcase, coming soon.

This years competition will be judged by an extended group of talented art professionals and cycling photographers – Antonio Colombo, Susanna Brown, Veronique Rolland, James Startt, and Sean Hardy – will deliberate on who’ll take out the honours and amazing prizes on offer. And of course, thanks again to Rouleur for promoting the Awards.

See images posted @rouleur and #markgunterphotoawards2022 and @markgunter.com.au

A emotive cover image by Bram Berkien @bramberkien in the Professional category: “Danish cyclist Jonas Vingegaard shares a quiet and intimate moment with his partner Trine Marie Hansen on the Champs Élisées in Paris just after the final stage of the 2022 Tour de France. After three weeks of racing, the Team Jumbo-Visma rider secured the overall victory of the most prestigious cycling race in the world. This photo was shot just before the podium ceremony, in a backstage area.”

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

“This was taken during the 2022 Tour of the Alps, a stage race that is always a Tornanti (switchbacks) feast. When I studied the course of that second stage I realised the climb to Passo Rolle offered some unique views that I could not miss. I managed to get to the right spot just in time for the peloton to pass on one of the most scenic switchbacks ever.” Francesco Rachello @strict

“This image was taken during the Giro Della Donna. A race through thundering eucalypts, with fog hugging their trunks and curling through the ancient ferns. The surrounding fog envelopes the background in its soft tendrils, removing unnecessary details and bringing the focus closer to the subject.
I think this image encapsulates the magic of gravel cycling, and invokes the grandiosity of being alone in the outdoors. It is just you and the bike, surrounded by nature, pedalling with no destination.” Piper Albrecht @piperalbrecht

“Andrea Buttine of ButcherBox Cycling on the attack in front of Leo Rucker’s Depot Street Renaissance Mural at the women’s pro criterium in downtown Winston-Salem, North Carolina – Sept 2022. Leo’s work depicts the buildings, businesses, gathering centers, and community leaders who shaped the historically black neighborhood on the outskirts of the old RJ Reynolds Tobacco Plant that the race encircles. It’s a tale of the streets’ foundation and soul, enshrined in an artful & encyclopedic manner.” Brian Case @rideaperture

“With enormous curiosity, this little boy was waiting for the riders. His heroes passed one by one during the neutralization of Paris-Roubaix..” Mats Palinckx @matspalinckx

“Mein and Mason fighting for position, it was a race that was absence of Pidcock so the field was perhaps a little more open, a tough course after a day of rain. A wanted to use the tight bend that cut through the crowd for a possible wide spread.” Allan Stone @stoneallanstone

“I was looking for a photo where the rider would interact with nature. I noticed a great tree growing above this particular corner. I went up and it even looked better from above. Although it was a staged photo, I still love the fact that cycling contributes to a cleaner environment and can connect people with nature.” Stan Koolen @stankoolen

“I’m not wrong when I say that basque fans would fill every single space on a road, if they could attend every race of the calendar.
You will always find an euskaldun with an orange cap and an Ikurrina following any cycling race, they are the most amazing fans I’ve ever seen, that’s what I call passion!.” Matteo Secci @mao.secci.photography

“My wife Marian, looking out towards Alpe d’Huez across the Romanche Valley. This route is the balcony road to Villard Notre Dame with its tunnels and overhanging rock formations. An amazing location with steep drop offs to the side of the road. September 2022.” Steve Fleming @stevefleming1

“Fabio Jakobsen finishes the stage with only 17 seconds left on the timer. Waited on and cheered by some of his teammates and staff he was able to finish the TDF. That day he was dead. That’s what determination and fighting spirit looks like!.” Wout Beel @woutbeel

“Everyone is watching Wout! World Cup Antwerp, Fans crowded in front of the big screen and got illuminated.” Fellusch Homann @fellusch

“Weight of expectation – coming into Paris Roubaix as a strong favourite post race MVDP is sat contemplating what could have been in the famous showers.” Chris Wallis @wallisphotos

““But first let me take a selfie!” An Ha @anquocha

“Latvian champion Anastasia Carbonari comforts her teammate after a grueling day on stage 3 of Tour of Scandinavia. Many of these hugs were happening, and I was running around at the finish line to capture some of the emotion, and almost stumbled over them while I clicked the shutter.” Jørgen Mo @moern

“The final in my shots from the commonwealth games. G in Cymru Kit, flying and trying to catch the break. In an unlikely alliance of teams trying to keep the race from falling to pieces. All I can think of when i look at this image is ‘Choo, Choo all aboard the G Train’” James O’Shea @nevermindthestreetpictures

“Vittoria Bussi, former world record holder in 1-h track cycling, trains indoor. She aims at reconquering the record in 2023 with her self-funded project Road2Record, with a new bike and a whole new team and sponsors.” Edoardo Frezet @cicloreporter_photos

“It seems to me that most ultra challenges have an anti climax finish line, the European Divide Trail is definitely high on the list. After setting a blistering fastest known time of 32 days to ride the 7200 km trail traverse of the continent, Angus Young’s first words were “I don’t really know what to do now.” A few minutes later he asked me for his victorious shot near statue of Sao Vicente where tourists were taking selfies. The irony of the situation commended the framing.” Ryan Le Garrec @ryan_le_garrec

For more information on the #markgunterphotoawards2022 check out Rouleur and Mark Gunter Photography.