Feature image: Sean Hardy | other photography as credited
The 2021 Mark Gunter Photographer of the Year Awards have closed for another year.
We received hundreds of incredible submissions from around the world – truly some of the best cycling stories and images from 2021.
Now that entries are closed, it’s over to our panel of judges — Jojo Harper, James Startt, and Brazo de Hierro — to decide who’s going to be awarded the Mark Gunter Photographer of the Year Awards. Plus Graham Watson returns as our long standing contributor of the Awards, and he’ll select his top ten in the Amateur category.
Each of the judges have gone through the difficult task of shortlisting their top ten images from each of the categories. From these shortlists, the judges will deliberate on the top three of each category in the coming days – with final winners to be announced on January 12, 2022.
The Awards are a showcase for the talented entrant photographers, and they raise money for cancer research for Tour de Cure and the Young Cyclist Assistance grant for up to two young cyclists.
Enjoy Jojo’s top 10’s!
Cover image by Sean Hardy @hardyccphotos “This was taken at the wonderful Rocacorba Cycling. We were getting ready to shoot Ashleigh Moolman Pasio in her new Zwift E-Champ kit, then this gorgeous light hit.”
Jojo Harper joins the Awards as a Judge in 2021 — her work has featured in the Awards since 2018. Jojo is from the south of England and like many, she lives the cycling life in Girona.
Jojo started her cycling photography career by photographing her brother racing, then Rapha Condor JLT and then the world. And she “loves her photos to tell a story.”
“The photo was taken in the bath and it is meant to represent Lotta just keeping her head above water. I had heard about the mental health stories in her life and how coming back to the world of cycling was a big deal for her. It was taken at the Ceratizit training camp. I had heard Lotta @lottahenttala had joined the team and asked if we can capture some styled portraits.” Sean Hardy @hardyccphotos
“This was taken at the wonderful Rocacorba Cycling. We were getting ready to shoot Ashleigh Moolman Pasio in her new Zwift E-Champ kit, then this gorgeous light hit.”Sean Hardy @hardyccphotos
““A Shepherd and his flock” – taken during the 2021 Pan Celtic Race. Mike Sheldrake replenishes his energy with breakfast after what has been a tough few days on the bike. With a full stomach Mike begins to offer out the last remaining morsels to the local inhabitants before heading off on the rest of his journey.” Dan King @breakawaydigital
“Krystal Salvent, photographed at her local trailhead in Boulder, CO in August 2021. Krystal’s warmth and enthusiasm is palpable, even at seven in the morning, days after a big race, on a Monday no less. We wasted away perfect morning light because we were so caught up in discussion about the potential that gravel cycling has in being an accessible space for people to get into riding bikes. “We all start somewhere, you just have to give people the opportunity” she tells me.” Dominique Powers @dominiquepowers
“‘After the ‘Ronde van Vlaanderen’, the riders are singing as loud as they can, while ‘pater familias’ Patrick Lefevere is calmly enjoying his steak.” Wout Beel @woutbeel
“After 20 years I got to photograph a wet Paris Roubaix. Carrefour de l’Arbre was epic. How many other world class events allow fans get this close to their hero’s?” Gareth Quinn @mightyquinnphotos
“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
“Abu Sheik Sesay recovering in a barbershop after finishing second on the stage at the Tour de Lunsar. Escaping the crowds and the heat for a brief moment of respite. The Tour de Lunsar is Sierra Leone’s inaugural 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 are seen as local heroes.” Matt Grayson @mattgrayson_photo
“Abu Sheik Sesay is mobbed by fans after finishing second at the The Tour de Lunsar. It is Sierra Leone’s first multi-stage bike race. There is no blueprint for cycling in Sierra Leone @lunsarcycling. The race is creating a platform for young riders to showcase their talents and are seen as local heroes.” Matt Grayson @mattgrayson_photo
“Shortly after Tom Pidcock won the gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic XCO, he had a beautiful moment to celebrate his victory with his coach and trainer. This picture shows the amazing team that won.” Nobuhiko Tanabe @nobuhikotanabe
“The idea was to create the movement of a cyclist in studio for the campaign of Vallier kit. I have to say, it’s was one of my favorite project to develop. A lot of technics behind that. For the geeks, these blurry images were shot at a shutter speed of 1sec with 4 strobes. This is one shot with only colours and contrast editing. The blurry and the sharp face are from the same shot straight out of the cam.” Julien Payette-Tessier @payette
“This is a shot from inside the hut on the start/finish line at Hillingdon, West London. I wanted to highlight the role of the volunteers who work to keep grass roots cycling alive and see the riders from their perspective.” Ian Wrightson @ianwrightsonphotography
“A portrait of mud-covered Raylyn Nuss at the finish of the Fayetteville World Cup cyclocross.” Gavin Gould @gvngld
“October 2021, Superprestige Gieten, the opening race of the Superprestige Cyclocross season, and when you win, you don’t feel dirty, to feel victoriuos and you can smile, even with your eyes. World Champion Lucinda Brand, just after her victory of the opening race of the season. Glad to be back!” Marco Loman @lomanmarco
“The final night of Fifth Street Cross in Emmaus, PA had epic rain and 25* temp shift occurred during the race. The race is at night and I thought I could capture the riders as they pass by the scoring tent. I tried a shutter speed (1/160) that would enhance the raindrops but also capture the riders suffering in the moment.” Gabe Lloyd @thegabelloyd
“Weird to say, but this shot of Elisa Longo Borghini is far more powerful than the one I took of the winner Lizzie. Elisa is riding for the 3rd place of the very first Paris Roubaix Femmes ever. Look the way she smile, because she is 3rd, but mostly because Lizzie won the race the crazy way. Forgetting about the physical pain. Look the Trek’s staff being totally nuts about the situation. Still have goosebumps looking at this. This is crazy how cycling can bring the emotions at that level.” Bastien Gason @bastiengason
“This was a small adventure to the Jurassic coast, on the Chain link ferry from Bournemouth. It was bleak and windy, and we have the boat to ourself. I have a fascination with this ferry. I think it is beautiful and simple, and I love taking my bike on a boat.” Saskia Martin @saskiacmartin
Thank you Jojo Harper for your insightful choices.
To catchup on all the Showcases visit Mark Gunter Photography. and look out for James Startt’s shortlist and Brazo de Heirro’s shortlist— both coming soon.
For more information on the #markgunterphotoawards2021 check out CyclingTips.