The 2023 edition of the Mark Gunter Photo Awards opened just ten days ago. There has been a flurry of incredible images come in during the bonus entry image week.
It’s seems cliche to say this but each year the awards go on, the standard of images reaches new heights. It’s always a pleasure to look through every single image. And for Lucas too.
We’ll be showcasing images each week in galleries. The showcase is a representation of this years images – we hope you’ll enjoy them.
Every single 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 for up to two young cyclists.
This years competition will be judged by an extended group of talented art professionals and cycling photographers – Russ Ellis, Alex Broadway, Bram Berkien, Gem Atkinson, Jeff Curtes, and Rupert Hartley – you can read more about the judges here. Our largest judging panel ever will deliberate on who’ll take out the honours and amazing prizes on offer.
And of course, thanks to Escape Collective for promoting the Awards, where we’re returning to our Australian roots.
See images posted @escapecollective and #markgunterphotoawards and @markgunter.com.au
Feature image: Klaus Hestkjaer | other photography as credited
Entry into the fiercely-contested Professional Cycling Photographer category is permitted to anyone who earns a living from their cycling photography.
“I’ve been following women’s cycling for 8 years now and for me this picture shows just how far the sport has come compared to what I’ve experienced. For me, this photo of Demi Vollering, who has just won her 1st Tour de France, surrounded by photographers/media, shows the scale of this event and the extent to which women’s sport has grown.” Thomas Maheux @thomas_maheux
“Primoz Roglic makes an exhibition before his audience in Monte Lussari, winning the time trial and finally being the winner of the Giro d’Italia, taking the victory from G Thomas.” Iraia Calvo @iraiacalvophoto
“As part of my job as a photographer, exploring is one of the main reasons for a early wake up every morning. To explore not only means to travel to new places, but also to try to see places from other points of view. In this case we were crossing (and exploring) our own country (Italy), Puglia, the heel of it. As soon as I saw this salt pans, I imagined cyclists crossing the thin border, reflecting on colors.” Paolo Penni Martelli @paolopennimartelli
“Cycling in Belgium that’s folklore.Fairground and cycling are inextricably linked in this regard. A mixture of many scents andcolors.While the riders (Marianne Vos in the case pictured) give their best, the carnival rides continue to be in full swing.Also resulting in a mix of audiences. Enthusiastic supporters, young fans, as well as those interested only in the carnival rides.” Stijn Bastens @stijn_bastens
“Geraint Thomas, who had already lost the race on the final time trial stage, helped his former teammate and friend Mark Cavendish to win the final stage of the 2023 Giro d’Italia by giving him a lead out. After the stage, Mark approached Geraint during an interview and embraced him as a gesture of gratitude for his support. Geraint later tweeted, “Well, if I couldn’t win, I thought I might as well try and help an old mate out.”” Alex Duffill @alexduffill
“Carston Oliver and Eric Porter ripping through a spooky first just outside of Park City, UT” Brice Shirbach @bricycles
“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.” Harry Talbot @visualsofharry
“The emotions of Jessica Allen of Team Jayco Alula after finishing Paris-Roubaix Femmes Avec Zwift.” Dave Dodge @pelotonpix
“Colombian cycling scene. After a sweltering hot stage, a rider rests amidst fruit, sweets, snacks and some tokens of love all around him.” Cristian Pérez @inkdustrial
“As a Basque and a cycling photographer, Le Tour starting in Bilbao was the most anticipated moment of the year. Living it from the inside was a blast for me. This photo was taken from a nursing home in Bilbao for which I had to ask permission the day before to the nuns running it.” Naike Ereñozaga Orue @naikefotosport
For non-professional photographers using high-end cameras, and anyone with a smartphone or drone or action camera — we have the Amateur category.
“As Mads explained: For him to go the presentation from the teambus took 40 minutes, the rest of the team only 5 minutes. Postnord Danmark rundt (Tour of Denmark)” Klaus Hestkjaer @hestkjaer
“Mont Jovet, in the high-altitude gravel playground that is the Tarentaise valley. The views never disappoint.” Graeme Langhorne @graemelanghorne
“Viewfinders — One of the things I noticed while attending Superworlds was just how many people – like myself – were carrying around cameras. Big, small, digital, film. It was a great uniting moment. Even with not speaking the same language – a questioning look, a quick point, and you’d see folks sharing what they were using, trading suggestions of good vantage points. Always supportive, always excited. I enjoy sharing what and how I see events, and I love to see them from others’ perspective.” Emily Alexander @eealxndr
“Entering the Anna Meares Velodrome (Brisbane, Australia) for a big night of Track Racing.” Mat Gilfedder @matgilfedder
“Morning Catch. There is nothing quite like seeing the locals living there everyday life. Surrounded by riders telling tales. The Fisherman of Thessalonki ride bikes too and tell a different tale.” Saskia Martin @saskiacmartin
“Urban winter bike commute at it’s best. White, cold, quiet, empty streets. silent urban flow. cemetery Ohlsdorf, Hamburg. ” Gert Kaessens @jestergeefloydkay
“This photo is hard to swallow. National TT Championship, Sofia castillo from Liro Cycling team swings by at full gas, Im composing the shot to have the mural art behind being the protagonist. The graffiti is honoring Lucas Villa, a leader from the student movement that was vile executed allegedly by Colombian state forces. His family is still being threatened. And it summarizes Colombia’s national strike. The photo was taken in Bucaramanga.” Mateo Rueda @mateorueda
“Derek Gee, who would finish second in no less than four stages in this year’s Giro d’Italia, leads the breakaway through the Porta San Lorenzo with four kilometers to go in stage 15. The day’s winner, Brandon McNulty, lies patiently in wait in third wheel.” Alex Graves @alexwgraves
“Despite the earthquake we decided to maintain Morocco as our bikepacking destination, and the infinite shades of the red soil welcomed us in the very first days in the Atlas. We would go on to discover an astonishing land as well as a heartening & resilient culture. We have been joking that the red colour of the flag might as well represent this very special red dirt and the green, the bushes growing on the mountainsides. Spectacular.” Victor Jovet @triple.buse
For more information on the #markgunterphotoawards check out Escape Collective and Mark Gunter Photography.