Feature image: Chris Kendall | other photography as credited
The 2019 Mark Gunter Photographer of the Year Awards closed last week, and over its duration, we received hundreds of incredible submissions from around the world – truly some of the best cycling photography of 2019. The Awards are a showcase for the talented entrant photographers, but they have two other important purposes – raising money for cancer research for Tour de Cure, and by providing financial support through Young Cyclist Assistance.
Now that entries are closed, it’s over to our panel of judges – Simon Wilkinson, Chris Auld, and Pauline Ballet – to decide who’s going to be awarded the Mark Gunter Photographer of the Year Awards.
And this we’ve asked Graham Watson returns as our honorary judge – and that means being a part of the Awards but he’ll leave the judging of the images in each category up to the three up and coming photographers who are currently on the World Tour Circuit – Pauline Ballet, Simon Wilkinson, and Chris Auld.
Graham has selected his top 10 as ‘Graham’s Choice’ in the Enthusiast and Smartphone / Action Cam categories recognising such talent. His top 3 in both categories – will win a prize – and be announced with the final winners on January 13, 2020.
“In this, my fourth year of involvement in the Mark Gunter Awards, I’ve once again had the pleasure to view and enjoy so many hundreds of brilliant entries. Professionals, enthusiasts, and casual photographers armed merely with a smartphone – they’ve all raised the bar further in terms of ingenuity and flair.
Finding a top-10 from each category has been no easy thing, let alone refining that ten down to the top three entries in each category. Yet I think we have succeeded in selecting a fair and varied set of winners.
I know Mark Gunter would have enjoyed seeing the entries flooding in, and then watched with great amusement as the judges fought hard to get their preferred images chosen. The level of competition is at an all-time high, which makes this Awards in Mark’s memory all the more worthwhile.”
Graham has been with the Awards since it’s inaugural year in 2016. He is arguably the most well known cycling photographer and his iconic images captured many of cycling’s most moments over his 44 years of photography.
As one of the pioneers of the cycling media, Graham brings an immense volume of knowledge and expertise in cycling photography. He and Mark knew each other well and we are thrilled that Graham is yet again part of the Awards.
Celine Hoogenboom @bicycle.racing.pictures “Despite torrential rain and flooded roads (water seemed to come from ALL directions), competition was as fierce as can be. Photo taken at the CRCA Orchard Beach Criterium in the Bronx, New York City.”
Chris Kendall @chriskendallphotography: “Not for the first time, the ocean and the weather threatened to get in the way of the Tour de Yorkshire. But as an avid surfer, the opportunity to capture my two passions mixing – almost literally, as the ocean threatens to enter the road – was exciting to say the least.”
Anthony Leutenegger @anthonyleutenegger: “Hugh McCarthy on his way to victory on the final stage of the Tour de Suisse 2019. Jetting away off the gun, Hugh soloed all 3 giant mountain passes to win the Queen stage after a change in route course due to excessive snow. Here he is approaching one of the hairpins on the Nufenen Pass, the highest paved pass in Switzerland. Lots of snow in June!”
Wouter Hoogenboom @bicycle.racing.pictures: “After periods of rain, huge puddles of water accumulate at Floyd Bennett Field, a former airfield in Brooklyn that is occasionally used for bicycle racing. For the racers, the water may be nuisance, but for the photographer it is a gift.”
Steve Fleming @stevefleming1: “Sequence photo of rider on Hardknott Pass during the Fred Whitton Challenge sportive in the beautiful English Lake District. Hardknott pass comes after 90 miles of effort and features inclines of 33%.”
Jon Turner @jondturner: “Col du Petit Saint Bernard – May – Snow Patrol! We went in search of snow walls and it was an exceptional year. Shot from high above with a 300 mm lens in zero temperature. In order to capture these images I am also riding so carrying my camera gear and looking after it in bad weather is a challenge. I’ve stood on the same road at the same time in 2017 and it was 26 degrees! This year was incredible – and brutal all at once!”
Miguel Ena @enasanjuan “Alaphilippe arrived in the Pyrenees with the intention of defending the yellow with teeth and nails, but nothing further from reality, with the French fans crowded in the roadside, he set the best time of the day. A serious candidate for the GC?”
Chris Kendall @chriskendallphotography: “Yorkshire loves cycling. All riders at all events in Yorkshire get a super warm welcome (even when the weather isn’t contributing to the warmth) but Yorkshire folk are notoriously proud of their patch of land – or ‘Gods own country’ as they might call it – so it’s no surprise that their rapturous applause steps up a notch when a hometown hero passes by. One of many enthusiastic fans cheers Lizzie Deignan on at the Worlds.”
Steve Fleming @stevefleming1: “The dramatic landscape of the Lofoten Islands on the road to Nusfjord. Taken from the crest of a hill as my wife Marian makes her way through the pass.”
Rupert Hartley @ruperthartleyphoto: “Toni Calderon rides through the Dark Hedges in Northern Ireland during the Pan Celtic Race. This photo was the middle of the afternoon in July, but a huge thunder storm had rolled in to send the tourist crowds running for cover, and set the dark scene for Toni to ride through shortly afterwards. I don’t think he appreciated it much though, given the days of constant rain they had endured.”
David Willsher @thegoldcoastcyclist: “This was taken on rout to our local fast ride. I pass this spot often and it seems to be conducive to a good sunrise photo. I’d had taken enough of the “bike against a wall photos” and was just trying some different angles.”
David Mai @sailinbum: “One of the most iconic stretches of road in California. Ridgecrest never disappoints.”
Gareth Mills @accidentalcyclistuk: “A mates holiday (we all ride for Brixworth Velo cycling club) away to the french alps to take in some of the iconic TDF climbs and to watch the TDF itself. This picture was taken at the top of Col Du Galibier where we stood for 5 hours is the scorching heat to watch these warriors do battle. The bloke cheering on G is my mate Glaze. Capturing that perfect moment of the pain on G’s face and the sheer enthusiasm on Glaze’s……. What a day. What a stage. What a holiday.”
Mark Geary @ogaram: “Zachary Marshall and Daniel Gandy do a sling at the recent Australian Madison Champs. My GoPro was on the bike of Jensen Plowright at the Australian Madison Champs. This race is like no other – riders take turns to race and sling the new rider into race pace.”
Chow Ho LEE @chowholee: “When art imitates life. To me, this bike is as much a work of art as the beautiful lady depicted in the street art at a local train station. It’s part of everyday life yet it stands out in the crowd.”
Galen Stilgebauer @lightersideimages: “S is for Super FUN! Colorado cyclocross State Championships, Elite men. What a race!”
Jon Turner @jondturner: “Riding through the stunning landscape for Northumberland and the Scottish Boarders during the 200 mile Chase the Sun North ride in June. The go pro is great when you want to travel light and get some crazy angles from the bike.”
Michael Monaghan @michaeljmon: “This was taken at Shannons Flat on a ride with some mates from Canberra to Melbourne. Amazingly we managed to dodge the storm but at the time it felt like we were riding into the apocalypse!”
Matthew Eastwood @pedalmatt :”Thanks to a friend I got a great seat in a bar to watch the Worlds Elite RR, with a big screen behind me I saw all the racing and got the atmosphere whilst staying dry and drinking beer. It was a good day.”
Galen Stilgebauer @lightersideimages: “I had the chance to live in northern Italy for a year from June 2018 to June 2019. This little suspension bridge was always a catalyst to great bike rides. The Brenta River and the surrounding landscape will always hold a special place in my heart.”
Thank you Graham Watson for your insightful choices and for being part of the Awards for a fourth year.
To catchup on all the Showcases visit Mark Gunter Photography. and here to see Chris Auld’s shortlist, Pauline Ballet’s shortlist and Simon Wilkinson’s shortlist.
For more information on the #markgunterphotoawards2019 check out CyclingTips.