2020 Mark Gunter Photographer of the Year Awards: Showcase 3
There’s just over 24 hours left to get in your entries for the 2020 Mark Gunter Photographer of the Year Awards
This year’s theme was hope – and the images of the 2020 edition of the Mark Gunter Photo Awards have not disappointed. Professional photographers, amateurs and avid cyclists from all over the world have shared their stories and their personal moments with us. It’s been a privilege to read them all.
2020 is behind us, and for many people around the world, lockdown is quickly becoming the norm again.
But unlike lockdown, time is short. Get your entry in and help make a difference — in more ways than one. Your entry fee (if you choose to pay), is raising money for cancer research. And your image and your story may just be the motivation that someone else needs today.
Thanks to Wahoo for generously providing some great prizes — check out the details here.
This week’s showcase is a representation of this years images — and we hope you’ll enjoy them. See images posted @cyclingtips and #markgunterphotoawards2020 and @markgunter.com.au
For all the details on the competition head here, and if you’d like to enter, do so here — just one day to go!
Today’s feature image comes from Eloise Mavian @eloisemavian in the pro category and prize winner in 2019: “As we all know this year has been quite difficult for everyone, luckily the Giro managed to arrive on its last stage in Milan. Here is Simon Guglielmi riding through the empty streets of the Italian city with two carabinieri wearing masks as only spectators.”
Professional category
Entry into the fiercely-contested Professional Cycling Photographer category is permitted to anyone who earns a living from their cycling photography.
“Like a mother’s hands. Marco safely supports Mattia’s head after a bad crash during the provincial Championship at the Maspes-Vigorelli Velodrome in Milan. Mattia was taken to hospital and he needed to be monitored for 24 hours for a suspected head injury, fortunately without serious consequences..” Emanuele Barbaro @emanuele__barbaro 
“Pre-covid media scrum around Wout Van Aert after the finish of the men elite race at the Cyclocross World Championships in Dübendorf.” Francesco Rachello @strict 
“Post race exhausted – Trek-Segafredo riders Emils Liepins and Quin Simmons. This photograph illustrates a summary of the year 2020… Hope for better times in 2021..” (Dwars door het Hageland’ BEL, August 2020) Rhode Van Elsen @rhode_photo 
“It was a cold snowy day in February; Back when the calendar was full of possibilities. I was in my favorite place in the world: Hood River-Mosier, Oregon. There was a light dusting of snow. I decided to head up to Rowena Crest. As luck would have it, three Eagles were circling that day and a lone cyclist pedaled up the icy climb. If “hope” is the theme, this is an image I think about often: in spite of the conditions – keep pedaling.“ Drew Coleman @dcmediahaus 
“2020 has been a tough year. There’s always time to reflect on things, especially when the sea is there to calm your mind.“ Merlijn Spenkelink @merlingraphy 
“Ceylin del Carmel Alvarado oversprints her team-mate Annemarie Worst in the last meters of the race and becomes the champion of the World at UCI Cyclocross World Championships in Dübendorf, Switzerland, 2020.” Michael Cerveny @michalcervenyphoto 
“More than a race win. Seconds after Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado won the Cyclo-cross World Championship, she sank down right in front of me, overwhelmed by her emotions. A truly historical achievement, as she has been the first colored cyclist to win this World title. Although she has been separated from the photographers by a fence, I could witness her joy and emotions in this very intimate moment. A moment that Celine and I will surely remember forever.“ Marcel Hilger @marcelhilger 
“This was taken during the Women’s Worlds RR in Imola this year and show the pain of Lizzie Deignan in a vain hope of chasing down the leading group in the final lap. Lizzie was in fantastic form this year but could do nothing to catch the group.” Gary Main @garymainphotographer 
“Ever since the Tour of Italy announced a stage start in the ancient city of Matera, I knew I had to be there. I had long heard about this city, one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. And the thought of a bike race rolling through this town was worth a trip in and off itself. Finding the proper vantage point was no easy feat, however, as it was difficult capture both the impressive cityscape and the power of the peloton together. But for me, this image does just that.” James Startt: VeloNews / Agence Zoom) @jstartt
Amateur category
For non-professional photographers using high-end cameras, and anyone with a smartphone or drone or action camera — we have the Amateur category. This year the Enthusiast category and the Smartphone / Action Cam category have been combined to make the Amateur category.
Entrants in this category are in the running for prizes from Wahoo:
First prize: Wahoo ROAM and a year’s subscription to the Sufferfest
Second prize: Wahoo RIVAL and a year’s subscription to the Sufferfest
Third prize: Wahoo TICKR and a year’s subscription to the Sufferfest
“The Col de la Croix de Coeur above Verbier, Switzerland. It is the last pass of the Tour des Stations ultrafondo, a grueling 230km sportive with more than 8’000 meters of climbing.” Alan Rumpf @aswisswithapulse 
“One month into the pandemic I needed to get out for a sanity ride. With so much uncertainty, one of the only things I could know for sure was the healing power of my bicycle. It’s a break from “reality” where I can feel the sting in my legs and listen to my breath and my heart beating in my ears. Grateful for each pedal stroke, I can also take time to think about others that don’t have the same luxury.” Galen Stilgebauer @galen1973 
“There is nothing like a new bike day! After months of deliberation, I finally made the decision to sell my road bike and buy a gravel bike. I have ridden almost every single road in my neighborhood over the past four years and I was craving a new adventure. This photograph features my first trip on my new gravel bike. What a ride!” Paul Smuts @paul.smuts 
“This day was definately a highlight of 2020 for me. I was lucky to be able to visit Switerland in June, despite many countries being on lock-down, Germany and Switzerland were allowing travel. The 2020 Road World Championships were supposed to have been held in Aigle, Switzerland, but were later moved to Italy due to Covid. The originally planed route started in Aigle went over the Col de la Forclaz and finished at the Emosson dam.” Tom Blackschleger @tomblackschleger 
“Endless green and gravel on the north side of Mt. Diablo, CA.” Eric Karver @Erickarver 
“In July I was hit from behind so never even saw it coming. Second best to the SUV that didn’t even slow down. I got away with this broken collarbone. Absolute strangers stopped and helped pick me and my bike up from the middle of the road in the midst of a pandemic without hesitation – called an ambulance, directed traffic around me, tied a sling out of an old blanket. Today, I cherish even more the value of my own mortality. I hug my wife tight and I know the world is full of good people.” Steve White @steve_whiite 
“National Champs at Shrewsbury. The community the colour and vibrancy that is cyclocross before it all changed. Waiting for Tom Pidcock to cross the line. This picture reminds me of good times.” Linda Cantelo 
“My friend and teammate died in a cycling accident right in front of myself and other teammates. After this I considered not riding / racing anymore but decided Kevin wouldn’t want that so I formed Project_411 so myself and his friends could honor him by wearing his colors. The 4-11 is the month and day he left us and the kit also has a logo for him over our hearts.” John Piper @johnpatrickpiper 
“Sometimes the environment makes for some amazing images. The light, rain, and racing combine to make spectacular images.” Dan Singer @dansingerphotography 
“Blue, red, black, yellow and green. Since 1927 these colors form appearance of the rainbow jersey, for many the most desired gem in the cycling sport. Only achieving the world title gives one the right to wear the jersey, that appeals to everyone’s imagination, for a year. The life of the top athlete will never be the same again. From the moment the winner crosses the line. Nobody will leave the champion alone.” Mats Palinckx @matspalinckx
