2018 Mark Gunter Photographer of the Year Awards: the judges' shortlist

The 2018 Mark Gunter Photographer of the Year Awards closed last week, and over the past month, we’ve been privileged to see hundreds of incredible submissions – truly some of the best cycling photography of the year.

In addition to being a great showcase for the talented entrants, the Awards also have two important purposes – raising a significant amount of money for cancer research through Tour de Cure, and providing financial support through Young Cyclist Assistance.

Now that entries are closed, it’s over to our panel of judges – Graham Watson, Wouter Roosenboom, and Russ Ellis – to decide who’s going to be awarded the Mark Gunter Photographer of the Year Awards.

Each of the judges have gone through the difficult task of shortlisting their top ten images from each of the four 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 11, 2019.

Graham Watson

Graham Watson is arguably the most well known and experienced cycling photographer on the planet, and has judged each edition of the awards to date. His iconic images have captured some of cycling’s most significant moments and with 44 years of photography under his belt, he is one of the pioneers of sporting media. “I had the pleasure of working alongside Mark Gunter at numerous races, so being asked to judge the awards was a great privilege. As a photographer, images are my life and it was a pleasure looking through each and every one. As I flicked from one to the next I experienced a broad range of reactions from wincing at fresh gravel rash to almost laughing out loud at crazy cyclocross antics,” said Graham.

“This year’s judging of the Mark Gunter Awards carried with it the realisation that the level of quality in the entries has risen yet again, and in all categories too. As such, there was both a sense of satisfaction at seeing the competitiveness edge up yet further, but also increased pressure to make the right choices from such fine photography. Three years ago, Wouter Roosenboom’s winning shot stood out so far ahead of its rivals, it made the judge’s work easy. In the 2018 awards, any one of the top-ten images amongst the pros’ could have won. The same goes for the ‘enthusiast’ category – back in 2016, the gap between pro and enthusiast was enormous. This time around it was sometimes hard to see the difference between some of the pro and enthusiast entries, a fact that made judging far more difficult.

“The greatest progress, however, has been made amongst the ‘smartphone’ entries. It never fails to impress me what creativity can be achieved with such basic machinery – and even some mighty-fine race-action shots of the Tour de France have made it into the top-ten compilations. I’ve enjoyed most of all a virtual tour of the world’s finest landscapes. The mountains, valleys, oceans and forests alongside which cyclists often ride were a favourite part of my life when I was shooting the big races. So I suppose it’s only natural that my judgement of the many entries is influenced by what I once photographed, with the beauty of the sport at the summit of my reasoning. As I studied each and every photograph, I often felt it could have been me taking the image, perhaps that’s how far the quality of the entries has risen?

“I know Mark Gunter would have been impressed with this year’s entries. Mark and I shared a similar taste in cycling photography, both of us wanting to capture those luscious landscapes but also the element of drama and emotion that this sport possesses in huge amounts. Mark would be very touched to see how ‘his’ awards have encouraged and inspired so many photographers to capture the sport the way they have.”

He kicks off with his shortlist from the 2018 Mark Gunter Photographer of the Year Awards.

PROFESSIONAL:

: Dani @daniapphoto: “Last meters before Michael Woods emotional win in Monte Oiz stage during La Vuelta 18. Vasque crowd was amazing, cheering all riders.”

: Alex Whitehead @alex_swpix: “Alena Amialiusik, Alice Barnes, Hannah Barnes, Elena Cecchini, Lisa Klein and Trixi Worrack of Canyon-SRAM on their way to winning the Women’s Team Time Trial at the 2018 UCI Road Cycling World Championships in Innsbruck, Austria.”

: Kristof Ramon @kramon_velophoto: “Sjoerd van Ginneken (NED) smoked out on top of the infamous Kapelmuur/Muur van Geraardsbergen during the 2018 Ronde Van Vlaanderen.”

: Dario Belingheri @dariobelingheri: “Huge crowd in Catania, the “snake” running through the streets of the city invaded by the crowd, under the Volcano Etna, during the start of the 4th stage of the Giro d’Italia 2018.”

: James Startt @jstartt: “Quite often the Paris-Nice race is decided on the final week-end, but this year my favorite shot came from one of the opening stages as the peloton rolled across the plains of northern France. As we came across this field of wind turbines, I stopped and waited for what seemed like hours. I expected to see the peloton strung out, racing by. Instead when the pack arrived, they were clearly in a down moment. But as the peloton inched towards the turbines they formed a perfect composition.”

: Matt Grayson @mattgrayson_photo: “Braving the elements on Mam Nick in the Peak District, UK.”

: Eloise Mavian @eloisemavian: “Christopher Froome climbing the Colle delle Finestre during his epic breakaway on stage 19 of the Giro d’Italia.”

: Paolo Martelli @paolopennimartelli: “Jacek Berruti, the son of the beloved Luciano, passed away last year, riding the white roads of Tuscany during L’Eroica 2018.”

: Roberto Bettini @sprintcycling: “The effort to perform an impressive deed.”

: Gary Main @garymainphotography: “”Oil” This was taken at Leicester Classic and I was not sure weather to put it in or not. Firstly no one had more that road rash and all the riders were okay. No one mined me using this. It was a sprint to the finish and a tangle of bikes caused a spectacular crash. I was the only photographer who got this shot. The other where by the bike pits so I moved back to get a long shot. As being a sprint you get a good celebration well past the line. This time was different.”

: Alex Whitehead @alex_swpix: “Oz Sanchez of the USA beats Alex Zanardi of Italy in the Team Relay event at the 2018 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships in Maniago, Italy.”

ENTHUSIAST:

: h.a.photo: “Gulnaz Badykova and Maria Novolodskaya of Team Russia are fighting in the women’s Madison race at Tissot UCI Track World Cup in Berlin 2018.”

: Craig Huffman @craigsclicks: “”Elfin Time Trial” – Speed, motion and helmet graphics helped create this fun image from the Red Kite Omnium #4 Tempus Fugit Individual Time Trial in Castro Valley, California, USA on Sunday, March 25, 2018.”

: Zac Williams @z_w_photography: “Sometimes just finishing is all that matters.”

: Will Davies @cyclingalps: “Spot the pink cyclists. Grosse Scheidegg, one of the most beautiful climbs in Switzerland.”

: Tyler Haab @carbonstattkondition “@Szymonbike on the Grosse-Scheidegg in the Swissalps (Canon)”

: Wilco Dragt @wilcodragtphotography: “Col de la Bonette #1. The Col de la Bonette is one of the iconic cols in the French Alps. The final loop brings you to the Cime de la Bonette, at an altitude of 2802 m.”

: Gert-jan Warrink @gwarrink: “Team Waow Deals during stage 3b (team time trial) of the 2018 Healthy Ageing Tour. In perfect harmony, in perfect sync, that’s what a team time trail is about.”

: Jordan Benjamin-Sutton @peloton_perspective: “The peloton passes the Colosseum on Stage 21 of this years Giro d’Italia.”

: Reid Neureiter @reidnewphoto: “The break has a half mile lead on the peloton. this image was taken in mid-summer during the practice races at the Colorado State Patrol training track on South Table Mesa in Golden, Colorado. The track is not entirely flat, allowing me to capture the three break-away riders in sharp focus the foreground, with the chasing bunch in the background.

: Anthony Leutenegger @anthonyleutenegger: “Wout van Aert, wearing the world championship jersey, powers through the muck and mud of of the Grand Prix Nommay on a cold day in France.”

SMARTPHONE/ACTION CAM:

: Mark Geary @ogaram: “I captured Catalina Soto at DISC in Melbourne, during one of her races. I used my GoPro. The lines show a lot of movement and give the impression of speed.”

: Martijn Zijerveld @imagehunters: “The forests are a place of light and trails showing us a different country and ride.”

: Graeme Langhorne @graemelanghorne: “”G riding into Yellow’ Time trialling up a mountain with a stage winner on your wheel. La Rosiere. 1330 Tour de France Week. July.”

: Emily Alexander @eealxndr: “Reflection”

: Wouter Hoogenboom @bicycle.racing.pictures: “Jumping over the barriers at Rainey Park Cyclocross, Astoria, New York.”

: David Fussell @d.fussell: “Sunrise above the clouds – Banks Peninsula, Christchurch, New Zealand.”

: Shaharin Wan @wshah: “Passo Vrsic, Slovenia. Vrši? Mountain Pass with its 1,611m is the highest road pass in the Eastern Julian Alps. The high-mountain road from Kranjska Gora through Vrši? to Log in Trenta has 50 serpentines, 24 on the side of Kranjska Gora and 26 on the Trenta side.”

: Pete Canny @ _elcamino: “Pinning on a number. It’s always to good to finish a race in wet conditions upright. Despite the rain stopping before this race around Latrobe Uni there were still wet roads, slippery painted lines and fire engines responding to a fire to contend with. All whilst trying to be first over the line.”

: David Willsher @thegoldcoastcyclist: ”Bike and beach.”

: Wouter Hoogenboom @bicycle.racing.pictures: “Painting with city lights. Bronx, New York.”

PROUD CYCLING MOMENT:

: Sergio Ros de Mora @rosdemora: “This picture may just seem a bunch of people cheering a woman up while cycling. But it’s not that simple, the cyclist is Olga and was detected a breast cancer back in 2015. Since she was under a genetic testing she was diagnosed at an early stage and overcame it. Nowadays she is capable of doing sports again and able to face a challenge such as a time trial. What’s more, the woman in black standing on the left is her current genetics oncologist and the reason she seems deeply moved and proud of.”

: George Turner @jorgeterner: “Leonard Turner racing in the U13 South Australian MTB championships.”

: Alexander Law @alex_law_photo: “In August 2012 my Dad was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and although it was discovered quickly, it had spread to 5 of his internal organs and required an intensive 12 hour operation to remove the disease.It has always been his dream to compete for his country so we persuaded him to compete in the UCI amateur Time Trial Championship, the winners of which would qualify for Team GB.I had the privilege of following my Dad’s journey and am very proud to say he is now a Team GB athlete.”

: Craig Simons @donwhippet: “I know kids sport shouldn’t really be about winning but to see my 4 year old daughter standing on the top step of the podium at FOJCX this year, looking so stoked with herself, a gold medal around her neck and hands raised to the crowd… So proud of her.”

: Katie Busick @katiebusickphotography: “”Biggest Fan’ Ellen Noble’s grandmother tries to go to as many of her races as possible. You can see her posting up on the sidelines as Ellen takes the win at the Exeter Classic.”

: Wouter Hoogenboom @bicycle.racing.pictures: “Once a cyclist, always a cyclist. This spectator came out with his cycling friends to proudly support and watch the races at a local criterium event in Harlem, New York City.”

: Lukáš Ronald Lukács @lucassaganronald: “I’m suffering the GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) for more than 2 years. I’m always so nervous and I’m losing energy so faster than before. Because of this, I had to stop studying and I’m at home now. But for some seconds I don’t feel this. When I got at the top of my dream mountain after more than hour and it took 2 times longer than before, I just lift my bicycle with the last remaining energy and I felt the freedom again. So this is my proud cycling moment, when I defetead myself.”

: Craig Huffman @craigsclicks: “I Never Gave Up…” – Just 166 days after a horrific cycling accident: 25 broken bones, serious internal injuries, 10 days in a Trauma Center and the long road of rehabilitation, an emotional Annette Williams (USA) embraces her husband Kenny following her Gold Medal performance during the UCI Masters Track Cycling World Championships, Women 55+ Scratch Race Final at the Velo Sports Center in Carson, California, USA on October 9, 2018.”

: Scott Thor @scottthor: “I had a really tough ride; hot, windy, hungry, mentally not in to it. That all melted away when I turned on to my street and my son was out riding his bike, waiting for me to come home.”

: Nicolas Abad @nicoabad: “September rainy morning didn’t stop beginners from competing.”

Wouter Roosenboom

Wouter Roosenboom is a Dutch cycling and sports photographer that has captured the world’s highest profile cycling races, and is the author of the artbook SCHERP. He was the winner of the inaugural Mark Gunter Photographer of the Year Award, and is honoured to be invited to return as a judge for 2018.

“I met Mark in 2012 at the Road World Championchips in Valkenburg,” Wouter explains. “Waiting for the peloton in the field we had a really nice chat about our passion, and we kept in touch by social media. The news about his death came as a shock, but this contest keeps the memories about Mark alive and helps raising money to help cure cancer!

“Winning the 2016 Mark Gunter Photographer of the Year Awards is still such a great experience in my photography career so it feels like a great privilege to judge this third edition,” Wouter said. “Not an easy job, because you are judging your colleagues work, but it helped a lot that no names were mentioned when I selected the photos.

“Judging photos is always a matter of taste but sorting through the submissions I tried to find pictures which had something extra. A photo which really got my attention and I would like to have on my wall or a photo which surprised me, because the photographer did something different or captured something special. I have tried to imagine how the photographer challenged himself to get the shot.

“It was a great pleasure to watch all these amazing cycling photos from all over the world. Once I applied my criteria I was able to make my shortlist.”

Here’s Wouter’s shortlist from the 2018 Mark Gunter Photographer of the Year Awards.

PROFESSIONAL:

: Dario Belingheri @dariobelingheri: “Huge crowd in Catania, the “snake” running through the streets of the city invaded by the crowd, under the Volcano Etna, during the start of the 4th stage of the Giro d’Italia 2018.”

: Adrian Marshall @adrian_capstone: “A local Canberra (Australia) Criterium race with kangaroo. Racing in Canberra summer evenings (as the sun sets) often involves kangaroos, and this guy is well bunkered in.”

: Kristof Ramon @kramon_velophoto: “Sjoerd van Ginneken (NED) smoked out on top of the infamous Kapelmuur/Muur van Geraardsbergen during the 2018 Ronde Van Vlaanderen.”

: Natalie Starr @natalierstarr: “My good friend builds his own bikes. Him and his friends take them anywhere, there is no limits. They ride these “gravel” bikes like mountain bikes and it’s amazing to see what they clear on them.”

: Pauline Ballet @paulineballet: “Under the rainbow. Arctic Race of Norway 2018, stage 3. This picture can be summarize in the first sentence I pronouced after taking off my motobike helmet at the end of the stage : « Well, it will take me some time to recover from this stage ».”

: Dan Monaghan @cadence_images: “3 Peaks Cyclocross, UK – This has to be one of the toughest CX races going. The landscape and terrain make for some outstanding views and the parcours makes for an unbelievable race.

: Daniela Tommasi @@daniela_tommasi_photography: “Winding roads on 2018 Tour of Margaret River. Stage 1 Team Time Trial takes riders through amazing scenery on the road between Balingup and Nannup, in Western Australia.”

: Daniela Tommasi @daniela_tommasi_photography: “Tour of Margaret River riders on Team Time Trial stage between Balingup and Nannup, Western Australia.”

: Kristof Ramon @kramon_velophoto: “As a former race winner, John Degenkolb finds his personal cube in the famous showers and allows for the race (effort/emotions) to sink in after finishing (Paris-Roubaix 2018).”

: Daniel Ferreira @dnl25: “Speed”

ENTHUSIAST:

: Wilco Dragt @wilcodragtphotography: “Team LottoNl-Jumbo chasing a leader group in the Dutch semi-classic Veenendaal-Veenendaal 2018. They succeeded in bringing their world-class sprinter Dylan Groenewegen to the front, who rewarded them with winning the race.

: Jordan Benjamin-Sutton @peloton_perspective: “Wout Van Aert collapses after crossing the finish line at this years Strade Bianche.”

: Reid Neureiter @reidnewphoto: “Early morning group ride on the Colorado plains east of Denver. Many people (not from Colorado) think of Denver as being in the mountains. But Denver actually sits on the Great Plains, about 15 miles east of the Rocky Mountain foothills. So an early morning group ride that goes east from Denver will spend time in the farmland and rolling landscape of the great America plains. This was such a ride this past summer.”

: John Braynard @jbraynard: “Some friends came to visit town and the weather was poor until the final few hours they were in town. The sunsets in Salzburg Austria can be stunning sometimes.”

: Randall Fransen @fransencomesalive: “A little bit of Hi-Viz in an emerald sea. Crossing the Necarney Creek Bridge on Highway 101, north of Manzanita. The bridge was built in 1937.”

: Matt Lazzarotto @mlazzphoto: “Hey man nice shot. Awesome Grand Prix – 2018 BC Provincial Criterium Championship, elite men.”

: David Gillam @djgillam: “Admission is free and the views are primo at the Gastown Grand Prix in Vancouver BC.”

: Jordan Benjamin-Sutton @peloton_perspective: “The peloton passes the Colosseum on Stage 21 of this years Giro d’Italia.”

: Jenna Leigh @jenna7788: “In praise of morning rides // Every so often, on your favorite local loop, the light is just right. (Toronto, Canada)”

: Emanuele Barbaro @emanuele__barbaro “4- Three different lines captured from the window during the Last laps of the Red Hook Criterium. Milano, final stage, 06/10/2018.”

SMARTPHONE/ACTION CAM:

: Matt Fee @mattfee: “Sunrise miles in The Netherlands.”

: Jason Janetzky @allez_allez_allez: “It’s hard to not sing a version of ‘under the sea’ while cycling through this aquatic tunnel. Perth, Western Australia.”

: David Fussell @d.fussell: “Sunrise above the clouds – Banks Peninsula, Christchurch, New Zealand.”

: Pete Canny @ _elcamino: “Pinning on a number. It’s always to good to finish a race in wet conditions upright. Despite the rain stopping before this race around Latrobe Uni there were still wet roads, slippery painted lines and fire engines responding to a fire to contend with. All whilst trying to be first over the line.”

: Kathryn Wieczorek: “Sella Ronda bike day.”

: John Braynard @jbraynard: “In Norway there are small old roads that pass the outside of where modern tunnels now take traffic speeding through. This is one.”

: Wouter Hoogenboom @bicycle.racing.pictures: “Jumping over the barriers at Rainey Park Cyclocross, Astoria, New York.”

: Kasper Voogt @kaspervoogt: “The reward. Norwegian style.”

: Daniel Mai @sailinbum: “Easy does it.”

: Mark @markuzii: “Heading back to Adelaide after the Willunga stage in this year’s TDU, it was pretty much tunnel vision.”

PROUD CYCLING MOMENT:

: Nicolas Abad @nicoabad: “September rainy morning didn’t stop beginners from competing.”

: Wouter Hoogenboom @bicycle.racing.pictures: “Once a cyclist, always a cyclist. This spectator came out with his cycling friends to proudly support and watch the races at a local criterium event in Harlem, New York City.”

: Katie Busick @katiebusickphotography: “”Biggest Fan’ Ellen Noble’s grandmother tries to go to as many of her races as possible. You can see her posting up on the sidelines as Ellen takes the win at the Exeter Classic.”

: Craig Simons @donwhippet: “How good is Cyclocross .. Hanging out with mates, watching the racing and eating hot frites with mayo. I’ve been so proud of my daughter this year, she loves racing her bike and now she’s the one who always wants to go for a ride to the park so she can go fast down the hill, squealing with delight.”

: Craig Huffman @craigsclicks: “I Never Gave Up…” – Just 166 days after a horrific cycling accident: 25 broken bones, serious internal injuries, 10 days in a Trauma Center and the long road of rehabilitation, an emotional Annette Williams (USA) embraces her husband Kenny following her Gold Medal performance during the UCI Masters Track Cycling World Championships, Women 55+ Scratch Race Final at the Velo Sports Center in Carson, California, USA on October 9, 2018.”

: Alexander Law @alex_law_photo: “In August 2012 my Dad was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and although it was discovered quickly, it had spread to 5 of his internal organs and required an intensive 12 hour operation to remove the disease.It has always been his dream to compete for his country so we persuaded him to compete in the UCI amateur Time Trial Championship, the winners of which would qualify for Team GB.I had the privilege of following my Dad’s journey and am very proud to say he is now a Team GB athlete.”

: Lukáš Ronald Lukács @lucassaganronald: “I’m suffering the GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) for more than 2 years. I’m always so nervous and I’m losing energy so faster than before. Because of this, I had to stop studying and I’m at home now. But for some seconds I don’t feel this. When I got at the top of my dream mountain after more than hour and it took 2 times longer than before, I just lift my bicycle with the last remaining energy and I felt the freedom again. So this is my proud cycling moment, when I defetead myself.”

: Wouter Hoogenboom @bicycle.racing.pictures: “Balancing cycling with a busy family life is a challenge that many people can relate to. After Luiz’ daughter Mia was born, it wasn’t easy for him to stick to a structured training program. But that was exactly what he did and not without success: He went on to win the New York State Criterium Championship! However, the best part of this story is that Luiz got to celebrate this highlight with his daughter – a dream come true!”

: Wouter Hoogenboom @bicycle.racing.pictures: “Peter is a USA Cycling Coach, Co-executive Director of the Star Track Youth Program, and proud cycling dad of Billy, an aspiring junior racer. You will find Peter roadside and trackside at races all over the country and abroad supporting riders in whatever weather Mother Nature brings. This photo – taken in subzero temperatures moments before the start of a local New York City Crit – perfectly illustrates this.”

: Sergio Ros de Mora @rosdemora: “This picture may just seem a bunch of people cheering a woman up while cycling. But it’s not that simple, the cyclist is Olga and was detected a breast cancer back in 2015. Since she was under a genetic testing she was diagnosed at an early stage and overcame it. Nowadays she is capable of doing sports again and able to face a challenge such as a time trial. What’s more, the woman in black standing on the left is her current genetics oncologist and the reason she seems deeply moved and proud of.”

Russ Ellis

Russ Ellis is a passionate sports photographer from the UK, who has been working full-time in the field since late 2015 covering events including Paris-Roubaix and the Tour de France. With a distinctive style that captures the emotion and intimacy of the sport, Ellis has quickly made a mark in the industry.

“Sadly, I never got to meet Mark, but thanks to this amazing competition that has been created in his memory I was able to find out about Mark’s work and his love for cycling photography,” Ellis said. “It really is an honor to be a judge on this competition and I have loved looking through all the wonderful images that have been submitted from fellow pros, part time photographers and amateurs alike. There are images from literally all over the world which is amazing to see!

“Regardless of the category my process for making my selections remained the same; I was looking for images that just made me pause on them as I was scrolling through, something about the image needed to grab me and make me want to look deeper at it. It could have been the movement in the image, the light, the emotion a story or just that it made me smile.

“I hope you all like my choices. Well done everyone.”

Here’s Russ’s shortlist from the 2018 Mark Gunter Photographer of the Year Awards:

PROFESSIONAL:

: Kristof Ramon @kramon_velophoto: “Sjoerd van Ginneken (NED) smoked out on top of the infamous Kapelmuur/Muur van Geraardsbergen during the 2018 Ronde Van Vlaanderen.”

: Kristof Ramon @kramon_velophoto: “An exhausted Wout Van Aert crashes to the ground after racing incredibly strong (finishing 3rd) in his very first Strade Bianche. This feat propelled the CX World Champion into WordTour ‘hot prospect’.”

: Kristof Ramon @kramon_velophoto: “As a former race winner, John Degenkolb finds his personal cube in the famous showers and allows for the race (effort/emotions) to sink in after finishing (Paris-Roubaix 2018).”

: Simon Wilkinson @swpix_cycling: “Alena Amialiusik, Alice Barnes, Hannah Barnes, Elena Cecchini, Lisa Klein and Trixi Worrack celebrate winning the Women’s Team Time Trial at the 2018 UCI Road World Championships in Innsbruck, Austria.”

: ames Startt @jstartt: “Quite often the Paris-Nice race is decided on the final week-end, but this year my favorite shot came from one of the opening stages as the peloton rolled across the plains of northern France. As we came across this field of wind turbines, I stopped and waited for what seemed like hours. I expected to see the peloton strung out, racing by. Instead when the pack arrived, they were clearly in a down moment. But as the peloton inched towards the turbines they formed a perfect composition.”

: Chris Auld @cauldphoto: “The calm before the storm, Didi takes a few moments to gather his thoughts, before UCI Elite Womens Road Race, Innsbruck Austria.”

: Chris Auld @cauldphoto: “Going Deep, Wout Van Aert giving everything at this years Strade Bianche, collapsing at the top of the final climb into Siena.”

: Jean-Pierre Ronco @imagewriterphotography: “The last climb of the Tour de France 2018, in the pyrenees, for Chris Froome after a tour like no other for him.”

: Pauline Ballet @paulineballet: “Under the rainbow. Arctic Race of Norway 2018, Stage 3. This picture can be summarize in the first sentence I pronounced after taking off my motorbike helmet at the end of the stage: ‘Well, it will take me some time to recover from this stage’.”

: Egoitz Bengoetxea Iguaran @otxabi: “More than a century of frustrated painters trying to imitate photographies to meet an insane guy trying to imitate paintings with his modern camera…”

ENTHUSIAST:

: Zac Williams @z_w_photography: “Sometimes just finishing is all that matters.”

: Wilco Dragt @wilcodragtphotography: “Team LottoNl-Jumbo chasing a leader group in the Dutch semi-classic Veenendaal-Veenendaal 2018. They succeeded in bringing their world-class sprinter Dylan Groenewegen to the front, who rewarded them with winning the race”

: Tyler Haab @carbonstattkondition: “@Szymonbike on the Grosse-Scheidegg in the Swissalps (Canon)”

: Mats Palinckx @matspalinckx “During the six days of Ghent the changing is key at the 500m sprint. The speed is high, so it’s very difficult to get it right. With a slow shutter speed I tried to capture the speed and the difficulty.”

: Jordan Benjamin-Sutton @peloton_perspective: “Wout Van Aert collapses after crossing the finish line at this years Strade Bianche.”

: Chris Wallis @wallisphotos: “Snapping the Snappers – everyone’s part of the crowd. As the Tour de France peloton winds its way through the french country side some times it only the photographers watching.”

: Celine Hoogenboom @bicycle.racing.pictures: “Reflection of intense ‘cat and mouse’ during the UCI sprint tournament at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center in Breinigsville, Pennsylvania.”

: Anthony Leutenegger @anthonyleutenegger: “A young girl watches the female racers go by at the UCI World Championship Road Race 2018 in Innsbruck, Austria. Her family booked this airbnb a year in advance to get the best view of the race. One generation inspiring another.”

: David Gillam @djgillam: “Admission is free and the views are primo at the Gastown Grand Prix in Vancouver BC.”

: Alistair Merrifield @alistairkiwi: “The industrial backdrop to the Newcastle cyclocross race held as part of the NSW CX series.”

SMARTPHONE/ACTION CAM:

: Wouter Hoogenboom @bicycle.racing.pictures: “Painting with city lights. Bronx, New York.”

: Pete Canny @_elcamino: “Pinning on a number. It’s always to good to finish a race in wet conditions upright. Despite the rain stopping before this race around Latrobe Uni there were still wet roads, slippery painted lines and fire engines responding to a fire to contend with. All whilst trying to be first over the line.”

: Tim Clairs @tclairs: “My favourite switchback, any time of the year, col de la Faucille, France.”

: Oleg Kostine @legotoaster: “Tunnel Vision. Cycling through a tunnel built by Brunel in a hidden Cotswold valley feels like a portal into another dimension.”

: John Braynard @jbraynard: ”That time of year where the clouds hang in the valley all morning. It’s great to get above it and think about all the people having cloudy miserable days down below while you soak up the rays :).”

: Daniel Mai @sailinbum: “Easy does it.”

: Andy Bokanev @bokanev: “Late May in the Cascades.”

: Marek Litinsky @bike.or.donut.there.is.no.try: “Foggy cruise in the woods.”

: Graeme Langhorne @graemelanghorne: “”Solo sunrise spin through the morning mist.’ Richmond Park #SigmaCommute. November.”

: Matthew Stevenson @mattwstevenson: “This day involved suffering. The passo Mortirolo followed by the Gavia which trying to outrun the ever encroaching thunderstorms made for some dramatic riding and soul searching efforts.”

PROUD CYCLING MOMENT:

: Wouter Hoogenboom @bicycle.racing.pictures: “Balancing cycling with a busy family life is a challenge that many people can relate to. After Luiz’ daughter Mia was born, it wasn’t easy for him to stick to a structured training program. But that was exactly what he did and not without success: He went on to win the New York State Criterium Championship! However, the best part of this story is that Luiz got to celebrate this highlight with his daughter – a dream come true!”

: George Turner @jorgeterner: “Leonard Turner racing in the U13 South Australian MTB championships.”

: Alexander Law @alex_law_photo: Part one; “In August 2012 my Dad was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and although it was discovered quickly, it had spread to 5 of his internal organs and required an intensive 12 hour operation to remove the disease.It has always been his dream to compete for his country so we persuaded him to compete in the UCI amateur Time Trial Championship, the winners of which would qualify for Team GB.I had the privilege of following my Dad’s journey and am very proud to say he is now a Team GB athlete.”

: Lukáš Ronald Lukács @lucassaganronald: “I’m suffering the GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) for more than 2 years. I’m always so nervous and I’m losing energy so faster than before. Because of this, I had to stop studying and I’m at home now. But for some seconds I don’t feel this. When I got at the top of my dream mountain after more than hour and it took 2 times longer than before, I just lift my bicycle with the last remaining energy and I felt the freedom again. So this is my proud cycling moment, when I defetead myself.”

: Sergio Ros de Mora @rosdemora: “This picture may just seem a bunch of people cheering a woman up while cycling. But it’s not that simple, the cyclist is Olga and was detected a breast cancer back in 2015. Since she was under a genetic testing she was diagnosed at an early stage and overcame it. Nowadays she is capable of doing sports again and able to face a challenge such as a time trial. What’s more, the woman in black standing on the left is her current genetics oncologist and the reason she seems deeply moved and proud of.”

: Katie Busick @katiebusickphotography: “”Biggest Fan’ Ellen Noble’s grandmother tries to go to as many of her races as possible. You can see her posting up on the sidelines as Ellen takes the win at the Exeter Classic.”

: Wouter Hoogenboom @bicycle.racing.pictures: “Once a cyclist, always a cyclist. This spectator came out with his cycling friends to proudly support and watch the races at a local criterium event in Harlem, New York City.”

: Alexander Law @alex_law_photo: Part two; “In August 2012 my Dad was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and although it was discovered quickly, it had spread to 5 of his internal organs and required an intensive 12 hour operation to remove the disease.It has always been his dream to compete for his country so we persuaded him to compete in the UCI amateur Time Trial Championship, the winners of which would qualify for Team GB.I had the privilege of following my Dad’s journey and am very proud to say he is now a Team GB athlete.”

: Nicolas Abad @nicoabad: “September rainy morning didn’t stop beginners from competing.”

: Craig Huffman @craigsclicks: “I Never Gave Up…” – Just 166 days after a horrific cycling accident: 25 broken bones, serious internal injuries, 10 days in a Trauma Center and the long road of rehabilitation, an emotional Annette Williams (USA) embraces her husband Kenny following her Gold Medal performance during the UCI Masters Track Cycling World Championships, Women 55+ Scratch Race Final at the Velo Sports Center in Carson, California, USA on October 9, 2018.”

What are your favourites of this year’s competition? Let us know in the comments what images struck a chord for you.

Become a member!

2018 Mark Gunter Photographer of the Year Awards: the judges’ shortlist

Graham Watson

Wouter Roosenboom

Russ Ellis