Feature image: Joris Knapen | other photography as credited

It’s hard to believe that another year — our eigth year — of the Mark Gunter Photo Awards are coming to the end. Before we get there though — the exciting part is upon us.

This year, we have our largest judging panel ever, with six experts who are right now perusing the professional and amateur galleries, to form their long lists and ultimately their top 10’s in both categories. They’ll come together to make the ultimate decision — to award the Mark Gunter Photo of the Year 2023 in both categories.

Our first shortlist is ready — from Russ Ellis. Look out for the other judges shortlists coming soon.

Final winners to be announced on 26th January, 2024.

Enjoy Russ’s top 10s!

Cover image by Joris Knappen “Stage 019 TDF. It was a long, long day in the car with my co-workers/collegues, as they were complaining all the time. At the very last moment we where able to find a little pittoresk village. In this village there was the most weird cafe/workplace. Where men where walking is skirts and have wigs and strange heads. I walked in and asked if I could take a picture….. from this moment on a little fairytale begun. I have taken hundreds of pictures all good an special, this is my favorite.” @jozza_cyclingpics

Russ is among the top World Tour cycling photographers, and his images are on the cutting edge of cycling photography. He is well known by cyclists, and fans alike. Russ two hobbies are cycling and photography, so combining them are a dream come true for Russ. He’s from the UK but during the racing season he packs up and goes where the races go.

The lone rider. Taken at the World Championships Glasgow this year.
Photo by Sean Hardy @hardyccphotos

Tom Pidcock entering Siena solo to win Strade Bianche. I could talk for hours about the beauty of Siena and the way the evening light falls into the streets with an orange hue and long shadows. I knew I wanted a dramatic shot of my favourite race, showing the light, the fans, the winner in all its glory.
Photo by Harry Talbot @visualsofharry

This was taken at the Tour de France Femmes, Lizzie Deignan first time since having kids. This was taken about 2km from the finish, where fans gathered to cheer everyone. The atmosphere was just so special.
Photo by Sean Hardy @hardyccphotos

Stage 016, Giro. As we took a good look at the last Km’s of stage 16, we decided that the last Km’s would be the most photogenic of the day. to bad millions of white campers thought the same. We had to park the car 2Km after the finish, I walked almost 4Km down and then luckely I could find a spot of 35mtrs, where the campers could not park because of a little swamp. And was able to take this picture.
Photo by Joris Knapen @jozza_cyclingpics

Saudi Tour. The coolest event I have ever shot related to cycling. Nice mountains and landscapes like this one surrounding the peloton during 5 stages. What else can we ask for?
Photo by Charly Lopez @charlylopezph

Stage 016, Giro. As we took a good look at the last Km’s of stage 16, we decided that the last Km’s would be the most photogenic of the day. to bad millions of white campers thought the same. We had to park the car 2Km after the finish, I walked almost 4Km down and then luckely I could find a spot of 35mtrs, where the campers could not park because of a little swamp. And was able to take this picture.
Photo by Joris Knapen @jozza_cyclingpics

TDF Stage 015. For several years I have seen this cable-car graveyard, and always wanted to make a picture there. Now the moment was there, It was a long neutral at the start of stage 015 of the TDF. All the stars lined up, so I could make this once in a lifetime shot.
Photo by Joris Knapen  @jozza_Cyclingpics

Team Jumbo-Visma with the yellow jersey Jonas Vingegaard through an old Citroën window on Stage 21 of the Tour de France 2023 from Moirans-en-Montagne to Poligny.
Photo by @anoukflesch

UCI CX world cup 4th round in Troyes.
Photo by Gaëtan Flamme @sportpic_agency

Seeing Rainbows Pauline Ferrand-Prevot being cheered on by two young fans while dominantly riding away for her third straight XC Mountain Bike World Championship.
Photo by Emily Alexander @eealxndr

Esta foto fue tomada en una carrera local de la población de Oñati en Guipúzcoa en la categoría sub23 El corredor de la imagen es de Oñati y ademas se despedia ee la competicion en esa carrera y seve la emocion que tiene y como lo celebra junto a sus amigos.
This photo is taken on a local road Oñati, Gipuzkoa in the Under 23’s. It shows the the competition on the road and shows he emotion that you hold @unaaiii_5 and how famous you are with us friends.” [Translated submission caption]
Photo by Aritz Arambarri Goenaga @ziklix_photo

Flying high — Martin Vidaurre during MTB World Cup in Leogang Austria (Short track)
Photo by @smietana_tomasz_photo

View from inside Redcar’s RNLI Station during the Men’s Circuit Race as part of The British National Road Championships.
Photo by Emma Wilcock @emmawilcock23

Astana rider – Gianmarco Garofoli – passing Pinot Virage during Il Lombardia 2023. Cycling with the support of Pinot’s fans was truly emotional!
Photo by Agata Gulbierz @agagulbierz

Taken at the track cycling championships. The spot lights highlighted a small number of spectators, creating a nice link and engagement with the rider.
Photo by @awrk201

Pingeon Hunt. It was nightht and a guy with an old classic Contini was trying to play and catch Pingeons close to the Sant Antoni Market at Barcelona. In this case I tried a panning photo to show the movement and dynamism of the situation.
Photo by Xavi Calvo Sánchez @calvox

Tour Down Under Men’s Time Trial Stage – a rider (Michael Schar) checking the departure times at the station to make sure he is on the starting platform at the right time.
Photo by Tim Parker @timmmiiip

If a face could tell a tale of 4000km. Christian bellowing in the dead of night, after waiting for friends that didn’t exists and being chased by wild dogs.
Photo by Saskia Martin @saskiacmartin

Anna Meares Velodrome in Brisbane is a great-looking venue. Alessia heads for start line in the Elite Women Team Sprint at the Australian National Track Championships.
Photo by Mat Gilfedder @matgilfedder

Thank you Russ Ellis for your insightful choices.

To catchup on all the Showcases visit Mark Gunter Photography. Check out other Shortlists.

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