For the fourth year in a row, we’ve been been thrilled and moved by the entries in the Mark Gunter Photographer of the Year Awards. Today, we’re excited to bring you the 2019 winners, whittled down from over 1,200 images shot by photographers in 36 countries.

The Awards are an annual highlight for us at CyclingTips, allowing us to shine a light on the best of road cycling photography while also playing a part in raising funds for worthy causes including cancer research.

The competition was established to celebrate the life and work of Mark Gunter, a much loved and deeply missed Australian cycling photographer who tragically lost his battle to oesaphageal cancer in late 2015, leaving behind a young family. The bulk of the work behind the scenes on the competition is done by Leeanne Gatien, Mark’s wife, who works tirelessly on this competition every year to ensure Mark’s legacy lives on. We can’t thank you enough, Leeanne.

This year, our judging panel consisted of three active professional cycling photographers – Chris Auld, Pauline Ballet and Simon Wilkinson – all of whom are widely acclaimed, as well as being past entrants in the competition. Overseeing the judging process was our honorary judge, cycling photography legend Graham Watson, who offered his experience and guidance for the fourth consecutive year, and provided his selections for the new ‘Graham’s Choice’ category.

The judging process required the three judges to assess the merits of each of the hundreds of images, select a personal shortlist of ten – without knowing who the photographer was to ensure there was no bias – before a lengthy conference call across three timezones where the judges went in to bat for their favourites. The final standings you see here are without exception the result of significant reflection and deliberation.

This year, we’re showcasing the Top 10 in each category. We hope you enjoy this showcase of the winners and runners-up, their images, and the story behind their image.

Our sincere thanks to our sponsors, for the incredible prizes on offer this year:

And finally, a massive thank you to all entrants and donors – you’ve helped raise thousands of dollars for some very worthy causes. If you have enjoyed the photos and would like to donate to raise funds for cancer research, you can do so here.

Professional

The Professional category was hotly contested this year, with photographers around the world jostling for the honour of being named the Mark Gunter Photographer of the Year, along with cash prizes for the top three.

10th place:

9th place:

8th place:

7th place:

6th place:

5th place:

4th place:

3rd place:

Daghan Perker (United States) takes out third place with this emotional capture from the Trek CX Cup. Congrats Daghan, you’ve picked up a Cash Prize of AUD $250 plus a Mark Gunter Photographer of the Year medallion.

2nd place:

The top two places were extremely close, and subject to extensive discussion by the judges. In the end, second place went to Eloise Mavian (Italy), for this joyful capture of Annemiek van Vleuten’s Giro Rosa podium celebration. Comments from our judges included Chris’ assessment that “it’s got the emotion… it’s got the lot. It’s a situation that doesn’t normally warrant good photos but it’s a banger!”, with Pauline agreeing, saying simply “I wish that I’d taken it.”

Congratulations, Eloise – you’ve won a Cash Prize of AUD $750 plus Mark Gunter Photographer of the Year medallion.

1st place:

The winning photograph in this year’s Mark Gunter Photographer of the Year Awards is this dramatic image of Nicholas Dlamini leading the peloton through horrendous conditions at the Tour de Yorkshire, shot by Alex Broadway (United Kingdom). Our judges commented on the topical nature of the image, along with the image quality and content, with Pauline remarking that in her opinion there is “no discussion” that this is the best shot of the category. Interestingly, this image also won at the Guardian’s Best Pictures of 2019.

Congratulations, Alex: you’ve picked up a Cash Prize of AUD$2,500 plus the coveted Mark Gunter Photographer of the Year Award trophy and medallion.

Enthusiast

The Enthusiast category traditionally receives the greatest number of entries, and this year was no exception. This category encourages semi-professionals and enthusiasts alike to submit their best work of the year, catering for equipment including Interchangeable Lens Cameras (ILC), mirrorless, film, compact, DSLR and other high end cameras.

10th place:

9th place:

8th place:

7th place:

6th place:

5th place:

4th place:

3rd place:

h.a.velopix (Germany) takes out 3rd place with this shot, scoring a Bontrager Specter WaveCel Helmet and pair of XXX Road Shoes. Well done!

2nd place:

In second place, our judges placed Luis Alcantarilla (United Kingdom), for this elegantly composed time trial shot. Luis has won a Wahoo KICKR CORE and CLIMB Smart Trainer System, along with a 12 month Sufferfest Training Program subscription. Congratulations!

1st place:

Miguel Ena (Spain) wins this fiercely fought category with this dramatic, in-the-thick-of-it shot of Julian Alaphilippe’s time trial at the 2019 Tour de France. Congrats, Miguel – you’ve won a FELT VR Advanced road bike equipped with Shimano Ultegra Di2.

Smartphone/action cam

Some of the best photos in the world are now taken on mobile phone cameras and action sports cams. This category encourages participants with a great eye or who have simply gotten lucky with an outstanding photo to throw their hat in the ring – this year, there were some real stunners.

10th place:

9th place:

8th place:

7th place:

6th place:

5th place:

4th place:

3rd place:

Galen Stilgebauer (United States) comes in third place this year, with this beautifully composed drone shot. Nice one, Galen – you’ve scored a USD$500 Castelli Gift Certificate.

2nd place:

Second place goes to this stunner from David Mai (United States), who wins a comprehensive Park Tool Kit. Congrats, David!

1st place:

John Braynard (based in Austria) has been a regular entrant in the awards, taking third place in this category last year. This year, he takes home first place, along with a set of Mavic Allroad Pro Carbon SL Wheels. Congratulations, John!

Graham’s Choice

Graham Watson needs no introduction. With a career spanning 40 years, he’s been behind the lens of some of the most iconic images in cycling history. Since the first edition of the Mark Gunter Photographer of the Year Awards, Graham has been one of the judges. This year, whilst he didn’t play a role in the selection of the top 10 for each of the categories, he generously offered to come back and sit in on the judging process, as well as providing a shortlist of his own. Everyone selected as ‘Graham’s Choice’ in the Enthusiast and Smartphone/Action Cam categories will be recognised, and the top three choices will receive a Graham Watson poster signed by Graham.

Enthusiast:

Smartphone/action cam:

Lucas’ List

When Mark Gunter passed away at the age of just 41 years old, he left behind a young family, including a 15 month old son, Lucas. When Mark’s wife Leeanne first teamed up with us to run the Awards, one of her hopes was that the awards would become something that would show Lucas (now five) just how much his father was loved and respected in the cycling community.

Leeanne writes: “I’d been trying to get Lucas excited about the awards since its inception but it wasn’t that interesting – until now!

This year Lucas wanted to be involved – and I was thrilled! He loved looking through the photos each week, and when I said I was putting together the Judges Shortlists he suggested that he could provide his List. So here it is – Lucas’s List. It’s a selection that grabbed his attention.

Lucas also wanted to meet the Judges – and while on the video call he did. And he showed them his List. I’m a very proud Mum, and just so happy that Lucas is part of what is his Dad’s legacy.”

Professional:

Enthusiast:

Smartphone/action cam:

Thank you

Again, a massive thank you to all entrants, donors and sponsors of the competition, and Leeanne Gatien for her tireless work in the awards’ administration.

It’s been fantastic to again be able to help raise funds for cancer research. If you’d like to donate, please feel free to do so here.

We’re sure you’ll agree that it’s a fitting showcase of a stunning year in cycling photography, and we’re proud to have been able to bring the awards to you again this year.