Welcome to Escape Collective. Please select your language.
Please note that this is an automated translation and it will not be perfect. All articles have been written in English and if anything appears to not make sense, please double check in English.
You want to see some award-winning photographs? You've come to the right place!
If you've been keeping an eye on the website you'll have seen a bunch of weekly highlight posts over the past month, and the judges' shortlists on the weekend – and now we have the pleasure of announcing the winners of the 2026 Mark Gunter Photographer of the Year Awards.
In their tenth running this year, the Mark Gunter Photo Awards are an annual event held in memory of Mark Gunter – a much-loved Australian cycling photographer, who died tragically early of oesophageal cancer (June 10, 1974 – November 29, 2015). His name lives on in this competition, with his wife – Leeanne Gatien – as the driving force behind the awards. Every year we say this, and every year we mean it with our whole hearts – thank you, Leeanne, for all your efforts. We appreciate you.
Mark at the 2011 Tour de France.
As always, this year's awards were hotly contested, with hundreds of entrants in across the Professional, Amateur and (returning this year) Smartphone categories. For the second year running, a Fan's Favourite category is also in the mix, allowing readers to vote for the picture they most admired (note: this will be announced imminently), and three randomly-selected Escape Collective member entrants also pick up a prize.
The important duty of choosing the winners of each category was up to our panel of judges, all of whom are esteemed photographers in their own right (both in cycling and beyond). Léon van Bon(last year's Pro category winner), Michael Blann, Twila Federica, and Chris Burkard got together with Leeanne on a judging call, debated the merits of each shortlisted photo, and after much careful consideration, arrived at a consensus. This was no easy task, so to each of the judges – thank you for your time and care!
Our thanks also to all photographers who put themselves forward this year – there were some truly stunning photos across the board. Of course, the awards are not just about the recognition and prizes on offer: funds raised from entry fees – AU$10, or roughly US$6.50 / €6 / £5 per photo – will be donated to cancer research through Australian charity Tour de Cure (you can also donate directly to the cause, if you prefer).
And now: on to the photos!
Professional category
Tenth: Nils Laengner. Caption: "At this point, the Hellenic Mountain race is completely open and the level of competition is exceptionally high. Alex reaches the checkpoint as well prepared as ever, even though the first signs of fatigue are already visible. Everything that needs to be stowed away finds its place including Alex himself. A generous portion of pasta serves as a quick energy boost, eaten somewhere between wakefulness and nodding off. Alex is one of the most impressive athletes on the ultra scene: outstandingly athletic, exciting to watch, and always respectful to everyone involved. Before setting off again, he thanks the volunteers, says a quiet goodbye, and laces up his shoes. While other riders are already asleep, I wait outside to capture his departure. When I open the door, I almost stumble over a friendly creature bear or dog? This is how I happen to witness Alex's first involuntary “hike-a-dog” moment."Ninth: Pauline Ballet. Caption: "This photograph was taken during the Tour de France Femmes, a race that brings elite cycling into the heart of towns and villages. It captures the energy of the peloton and the closeness between riders and spectators. Sports photography often requires commitment and risk, placing the photographer as close as possible to the action. Sometimes, a small element of chance completes the image: here, the wind briefly lifted a flag into the frame, echoing the movement of the peloton and adding a natural sense of flow."Eighth: Joris Knapen. Caption: "A spectaculair day of cycling in the Giro on the iconic al colle Delle Finestre."Seventh: Joris Knapen. Caption: "Sonic photo taken out of a home during Stage 4 of the Tour de France Femmes."Sixth: Jasper Jacobs. Caption: "I didn't take this picture by chance for a second. Lay awake. Left early. Rang the doorbells of strangers. Waited six hours. Held it for a fraction of a second. Rue Lepic became Rue Épic."Fifth: Bram Berkien. Caption: "Team Visma-Lease a Bike during a TTT training, with an oldtimer car crossing in front"Fourth: Alex Whitehead. Caption: "Lorena Wiebes and Lisa van Belle of the Netherlands crash during a handsling changeover in the Women’s Madison race at the UCI Track World Championships in Santiago, Chile."
The podium
We celebrate the work of the top three pro photographers with the Mark Gunter Photographer of the Year Awards trophy and medallions.
Third place
Winner of the bronze medallion in the 2025 Mark Gunter Photo Awards is this shot by Eloise Stefania Mavian. Congratulations, Eloise!
Third: Eloise Stefania Mavian. Caption: "Against a stunning Kigali backdrop, Isaac del Toro climbs the spectacular Mur de Kigali with Tadej Pogacar on his wheel. The energy and the roar of the crowd are something unforgettable."
Second Place
Our silver medallist of the 2025 Mark Gunter Photo Awards is Dan Monaghan, with this evocative photo from the 3 Peaks race.
Second: Dan Monaghan. Caption: "I've covered the 3 peaks cx many times, but never managed to get this high up on the first fell. I wanted to be in amongst the chaos of riders. It's really hard to show just how steep this section is. Riders pull themselves up the side of the fell. The cloud also rolled in this year to add more intrigue."
First place
Last but not least is the professional category winner of the 2025 Mark Gunter Photographer of the Year Award – Charlotte Lindet. A deserving winner. Congratulations, Charlotte!
Winner: Charlotte Lindet. Caption: "Paris Roubaix 2025, Mathias Vaček crosses the line marked by blood and exhaustion. His eyes tell the story of a race that leaves no one unchanged."
Amateur category
And now we move on to the Amateur category, which is often the most hotly-contested in the competition.
Tenth: Hunter Blair. Caption: "The featured person in this photograph had just crashed out of an amateur crit race. He was being attended to in the back of an ambulance and consoled by his partner."Ninth: Alan Danby. Caption: "Whilst touring through New Zealand, we came across this delightful spot for a rest. The tranquility and quiet moment allowed us some time to rest and recuperate ready to keep pedalling."Eighth: Hunter Blair. Caption: "These two parents are waiting for their daughter to finish talking with the race director at her local crit race. They wait patiently in the back of their family car, along with her road bike sitting in the backseat."Seventh: Luke Bradley. Caption: "We were touring through Morocco's Atlas mountains and were staggered by how brutal some of the terrain was. 50km could take 10 hours and sometimes we'd have our bikes on our backs for 3 of those. Mercifully, the Muleteers of Imlil were available to help on one day and Assadoun the mule took our bikes and backpacks up a few thousand metres to save our broken bodies in exchange for a fee and some bakshish."Sixth: Mat Gilfedder. Caption: "Riders at the regular Saturday morning club criterium racing at the recently renovated Brisbane International Cycle Park (Australia)"Fifth: Galen Stilgebauer. Caption: "My buddy and I were on a ten day roadtrip with bikes. We did a gravel event in California and after it was done, we headed to the ocean. We discovered this amazing network of trails and roads. The light and the atmosphere were off the charts."Fourth: Joe Wakefield. Caption: "Shot on the north Shore rainforest above Vancouver, Canada. This image showcases a freeride Mountain Biker Patrik Chomist stylishly jumping among the huge tall forest on a foggy day. A large burnt old growth stump is illuminated from inside with a remote flash and the rider is lit up with another creating an otherworldly feel."
Third: Nicolas Sanson. Caption: "This photo was taken during the U19 race of the Koksjide Cyclo-cross World Cup. Soren Bruyère Joumard (right) is fighting against Kai van Hoof (left). When I arrived, the first thing I saw was this backlight that turns the cyclists into silhouettes."
Second place
Winning a £500 Albion voucher (US$665) is this amazing shot from Blake Dahlin. Nice one, Blake!
Second: Blake Dahlin. Caption: "In 2025, stage three of the Redlands Bicycle Classic featured a hilly circuit with a short gravel sector in the dusty foothills of Southern California"
First place
The winner of the amateur category in the 2025 Mark Gunter Photo Awards is this absolute banger from Joe Wakefield. Congratulations, Joe – you've won a Ritchey WCS Zeta GX tubeless-ready gravel wheelset (US$675)!
First: Joe Wakefield. Caption: "A freeride Mountain biker Patrik Chomist descends through a giant root ball of a fallen giant tree on the north Shore Vancouver, Canada. Shot with off camera flash during the winter on a rainy day, the image showcases the speed and style of the rider weaving through a small gap on a unique feature."
Smartphone category
As phone cameras get better, the distance between this category and the Amateurs becomes less substantial, as these ten excellent shots show.
Tenth: Graeme Langhorne. Caption: "Descending the Col du Galibier. A monumental landscape. July 22nd."Ninth: Joakim Faiss. Caption: "My son Isak between Switzerland and Spain during the summer of 2025. This stretch between the canal, sea and ponds near Gruissan reminds me of Arcade Fire's song ‘No Cars’."Eighth: Guy Stuart. Caption: "This winter fatbike camping location is less than 10 kilometres from the start of the Tour Divide route. With higher snow packs and related "Considerable" (or higher) avalanche risks this site made a reliable overnighter location. All the best to Escape Collective riders in 2026! [more details about this route and the bike can found in a Bikepackers Foundry blog post.]"Seventh: Patrick Dorré. Caption: "This was my last ride of the year. A cold day with the light shining just perfect trough the trees. Took out my phone and shot this one."Sixth: Angelo Giangregorio. Caption: "7:30 in the morning. This is my friend Guido riding along the rice fields in the outskirts of Milano. It’s the start of the Autumn in October and the fog is quite thick."Fifth: Jude Bytheway. Caption: "The Only Way Is Up Cyclocross in Irvine, Scotland, the slog up the hill has two walking and one still standing."Fourth: Jeff Dieffenbach. Caption: "My first attempt at The Rift. Spectacular, varied landscape. 10/10 would do again."
The podium
Third place
In third place, and winner of a pair of POC Ultra Snack Bags (US$136) is Hannon Ayer.
Third: Hannon Ayer. Caption: "A friend was moving out of town and organized a last ride on a classic loop in Marin County. The ride started deep in the fog and cold, putting a damper on spirits. As we climbed from Alpine Dam up BoFax road there started to be signs of light. At the top of the climb, in a stand of redwood that offers good photos in most weather, we got the extra special treat of the perfect combo of fog and sun to get the light streaming through the trees. 100 meters down the road from this spot, we burst out into the sun, above the fog and had an incredible rest of the ride."
Second place
In second place is Escape Collective member Christian Boodram, whose shot also featured in this lovely story. Congrats, Christian! You've won a pair of POC Elicit Toric Sunglasses (US$320).
Second: Christian Boodram. Caption: "While munching and sipping away in a corner I contemplated the situation I’d stumbled into. Right there in front of me were these genuine stars of the sport: Wout van Aert, Tiesj Benoot, Steven Kruijswijk, and Christophe Laporte, sat around an unassuming civilian trying to enjoy his morning coffee and newspaper who had inadvertently himself become the center of an impromptu team meeting." - an excerpt from "A Canadian Affair, Tales from La Belle Province""
First place
Taking out the smartphone category this year is Alec Suriyuth, who wins a POC Cytal Helmet and a pair of Elicit Toric Sunglasses (total value US$690). Stunning shot, Alec!
Winner: Alec Suriyuth. Caption: "Lord of the Squirrels (LOTS) is a iconic backcountry route near Whistler (British Columbia, Canada). Captured in late September, we set out for the full day adventure in damp, cold conditions but were rewarded by the beautiful alpine scenery."
EC Member winners
We also had a randomly-selected prize draw for three Escape Collective members who entered the competition this year, each of whom win a prize from POC. Christian Bedsvaag, Igor Essling, and Rohan Essex: it's your lucky day!
Thanks!
Thanks for following the competition this year – it's truly one of the highlights of our year, and we're looking forward to the 2026 edition already. Let us know your thoughts on the winning photos in the comments below!
