Mark Gunter presents his second series of 2012 Tour Down Under photos that document Simon Gerrans rise to victory, leading team GreenEdge to a successful start on the world circuit. For Robbie McEwen the race was of particular note as he confirmed during the team meeting before the final stage that it is his last big race he will compete in on this continent – McEwen will make the transition from rider to mentor in team GreenEDGE.

Will Clarke solos to a magnificent win into Sterling.

Oscar Freire outclassed a much younger field on stage 3.

The peleton string out as they head south.

The peleton near Victor Harbor under windy but blue skies.

Stuart O’Grady controls the speed as the sprinters teams prepare for the final sprint.

Cameron Meyer stayed close to team captain Gerrans on stage 4.

Mark Renshaw relaxes in the team car prior to stage 4.

Stuart O’Grady chats with legend Eddy Merckx before the decisive stage 5.

The break make their way along Aldinga Beach before the Old Willunga climb.

Alejandro Valverde just edges out Simon Gerrans in front of a packed finish crowd.

One stage to go. Simon Gerrans at the start of stage 6.

Mark Renshaw was keen for a win on the last day, and had his team mates out the front in the remaining laps.

Andre Greipel takes an easy win in the end. He was in his usual early good form once again.

Simon Gerrans has now won the Tour Down Under twice.

An extensive collection of photographs are also available here: www.markgunter.com.au

As the colourful peloton cuts through heat and wind in the 2012 Santos Tour Down Under in South Australia, Mark Gunter is on location to capture the essence of this race. An important first event for Team GreenEDGE, though against international pro teams, Team UniSA is once again showcasing it’s quality as Will Clark takes the second stage in the Tour Down Under.

In early good form Andre Greipel salutes after winning the Down Under Classic.

The great Eddy Merckx is in town this year.

Andre Greipel once again shows hi s strength by winning the downhill sprint into stage 1.

Stage was had temperatures over 40c!

Stage 1 also had a strong head wind making it a slow stage for the most.

The riders race through the Clare Valley on stage 2.

Martin Kohler on his way to enough time bonuses to be in the leaders jersey.

Will Clarke wins a courageous stage.

Martin Kohler is the new leader coming into stage 3.

Author Profile: Australian sports photographer Mark Gunter has won the Cycling Australia Photographer of the Year for four of the past eight years and his photos regularly appear throughout international press. Mark regularly posts photos from the major races he covers online: Mark Gunter Facebook page.

An extensive collection of photographs are also available here: www.markgunter.com.au

Team GreenEdge dominated on the tough 163km course in Ballarat where only 21 of the 140 riders finished the course. In a sprint finish, Simon Gerrans (GreenEdge) took line honors followed by Matt Lloyd (Lampre) and then Richie Porte (Sky) in third.

Matthew Lloyd chats with Michael Rogers on the start line.

Jack Bobridge leads the break on the first lap. The first lap was the fastest of the race.

Cameron Meyer leads an elite group up the top of the climb.

GreenEDGE were looking to control the race.

Matt Wilson leads up tht climb.

Mark Renshaw on the back of the break.

Cameron Meyer a long way in front but a long from home as well.

Heinrich Hausler working hard to bring back Meyer.

Simon Gerrans takes a memorable race.

Gerrans prepares for the podium.

Gerrans reflects.

Time to celebrate!

On Tuesday the 2012 Mars Cycling Australia Road National Championships concludes with the time trial events for the men and women, including the under 23 races.

An extensive collection of photographs are also available here: www.markgunter.com.au

There were plenty of teams looking for a win on stage 3.

The riders rode along the Great Ocean Road on a beautiful day.

Skil-Shimano looked most interested in getting a win.

Rhys Pollock concentrates in the bunch.

Marcel Kittel powers to a win on stage 3.

The peleton climb Arthurs Seat for the first of three times.

Drapac did there best to protect Pollock.

Cam Peterson made a brazen attack on climb number 2.

Cam Peterson giving his all.

Egor Silin attacks on the last climb.

Cameron Meyer leads teammate Jack Bobridge up the climb with Nathan Haas on third wheel.

Egor Silin takes his first ever professional win.

Nathan Haas celebrates riding into the yellow jersey with only one stage to go.

Haas celebrates on the podium.

Nathan Haas in yellow on Lygon Street.

The peleton stretch out on Lygon Street.

Nathan Haas is a ray of light on Australian cycling.

The sprint for the line.

Marcel Kittel was to strong on Lygon Street.

Haas holds aloft the Herald Sun Tour trophy

Mark Gunter presents photo highlights from Stage 1 and 2 of this years tour.

Jack Bobridge prior to the stage 1.

An early break was intitiated on stage 1.

The peleton strung out in the Victorian country side.

The break during a descent.

The break was looking good half way through.

Jack Bobridge on one of his many attacks.

The rest of the break chasing down Bobridge.

Rhys Pollock was to strong in the end taking out stage 1.

Stage 2 started at Sovereign Hill in Ballarat.

The peleton on the picturesque roads towards Geelong.

Nice weather greeted the riders during stage 2.

Matthew Lloyd on the second KOM of the day.

The course was undulating on stage 2.

Drapac took to the front to chase down the break.

South African Janse Van Rensburg takes out stage 2 ahead of Baden Cooke and Steele Von Hoff.

Janse Van Rensburg was all smiles after his greates win to date.

Rhys Pollock retained the leaders jersey after stage 2.

In the final Tour de France set we follow the General Classification contenders Alberto Contador (Saxobank), Andy and Fank Schleck (Leopard), Ivan Basso (Liquigas), Cadel Evans (Team BMC) and surprise challenger Thomas Voeckler (Team Europcar) compete through the mountains and final stages.

Even in the final stages, no clear winner could be pinpointed, would Voeckler maintain his uncanny strength? Would last years winner Alberto Contador use his mountain skills and surprise attack to steal back time? Would the Schleck brothers play their game of attacks to frustrate the favorites? Would another GC contender sneak in from behind? Or would Cadel’s continued ‘follow the leader’ approach pay off?

Even with the excitement of first ever Australian winner of the Tour de France, this years race will also be remembered as one of the most exciting editions in years in which so many talented riders stood out and the value of team effort was so easy to recognise.

Plateau de Beille in all its glory.

Ivan Basso put in a big attack up Plateau de Beille.

Thomas Voeckler climing hard to retain the yellow yersey.

Thor Hushovd on the outskirts of Gap.

Heading towards Gap the main contenders were all together.

The peleton head up Sestrieres.

The race heads into Italy.

Andy Schleck on his big attack up the Galibier.

Cadel, Voeckler and Frank Schleck climb the Galibier.

The crowd cheer on the riders during stage 18.

The Galibier dwarfs the peleton.

Alberto Contador one last effort to vie for the yellow jersey up Alp-d’Huez.

Thomas Voeckler won the hearts of cyclings fans.

The start tent for the TT.

Fabian Cancellara on the start line.

Cadel Evans looked calm before his TT.

Powering into the yellow jersey.

Evans takes the yellow jersey at just the right time.

Evans rides in Paris wearing the leaders jersey.

The Arc de Triomphe watching over the Tour de France.

The weather was fine for the final stage.

The peleton start to wind things up for the final sprint.

Cavendish was the obviouse choice to take the win in Paris.

Cadel Evans celebrates over the line with his team mates.

The jersey winners from this years tour.

Purchasing: If you would like to purchase any of these photos or a complete set, please email Mark Gunter and include the photo number: mark@markgunter.com.au. The format and details will be confirmed after the 2011 Tour de France. PLUS a poster will also be published after the race: Email now to reserve your copy.

In this set are the highlights from stages 9 – 13 where the peloton continued from Issoire and travelled 208km to Saint-Flour followed by the 158 km stage 10 from Aurillac to Carmaux, the stage 11 167km stage led the riders from Blaye-les-Mines to Lavaur, the 211km stage 12 from Cugnaux to Luz-Ardiden and then 152km from Pau to Lourdes.

The General Classification riders seem to be waiting in the rungs as they tackle the spectacular mountain stages in which Thomas Voeckler still keeps a hold of yellow. The reining UCI road race world champion Thor Hushovd took a fantastic stage win into Lourdes, Mark Cavendish keeps his green jersey points lead and Aussie favorite Cadel Evans maintains a consistent and strong profile as he sits in third between the Schleck brothers.

Cadel Evans is looking focused and relaxed this year

Contador makes his way to the sign on prior to stage 9

The sunflowers were out on display despite the rain

Thomas Voeckler on his way to the yellow jersey

The BMC bus during the transfer on stage 10

Andre Greipel takes out stage 10 ahead of Cavendish

Mark Cavendish took out his third win on stage 11

Samuel Sanchez makes his way through the thousands of fans to win on Luz -Ardiden

Cadel Evans keeps pace during stage 12

The main group ride together near the top of Luz-Ardiden

Thor Hushovd climbing his way during stage 13 to hold on for a great win

Thomas Voeckler remains in the yellow jersey, but for how long

Purchasing: If you would like to purchase any of these photos or a complete set, please email Mark Gunter and include the photo number: mark@markgunter.com.au. The format and details will be confirmed after the 2011 Tour de France. PLUS a poster will also be published after the race: Email now to reserve your copy.
 
 
Author Profile: Australian sports photographer Mark Gunter has won the Cycling Australia Photographer of the Year for four of the past eight years and his photos regularly appear throughout international press. Mark is one of the 240 accredited photographers following the 2011 Tour de France and presenting the highlights of this years race on Bicycles Network Australia and daily updates on the Mark Gunter Tour de France Facebook page.
 
An extensive collection of photographs are available online: www.markgunter.com.au

In this set are the highlights from stages 4 – 8 where the peloton first tackled the continued from Lorient and travelled 172km to M?r-de-Bretagne followed by the 164 km stage from Carhaix to Cap Fr?hel,
226 km stage from Dinan to Lisieux, 218 km stage from Le Mans to Ch?teauroux and the 189km stage from Aigurande to Super-Besse Sancy. Thor Hushovd keeps his 1 second lead on Cadel Evans though is due to give it up while Cadel Evans is being closely followed by the Schleck brothers and Alberto Contador.

Mark Cavendish is looking focused during this years tour

Contador thought he had the win during stage 4, but Cadel Evans just held on for the win.

Cadel Evans is looking the form this year. Fingers crossed.

Mark Cavendish gets his win duirng stage 5.

Thor Hushovd holding onto the yellow jersey after stage 5.

Edvald Boasson Hagen takes out stage 6 in front of Goss and Hushovd.

How long can Hushovd hold onto the leaders jersey?

Stage 7 saw the riders taking it very easy on the long flat stage.

Cavendish makes it two wins!

Maybe Hushovd has seen the light as he remains the tours leader after stage 7.

Rui Costa was in the break all day, and held the field off to take out stage 8.

Alexandre Vinokourov  puts in a big solo attack with 25km to go, but he couldnt catch the leaders.

Not so fast uphill. Cavendish and Greipel make there way up the main climb of the day.

Children watch the closing stages of stage 8 on a caravans tv set.

Purchasing: If you would like to purchase any of these photos or a complete set, please email Mark Gunter and include the photo number: mark@markgunter.com.au. The format and details will be confirmed after the 2011 Tour de France. PLUS a poster will also be published after the race: Email now to reserve your copy.
 
 
Author Profile: Australian sports photographer Mark Gunter has won the Cycling Australia Photographer of the Year for four of the past eight years and his photos regularly appear throughout international press. Mark is one of the 240 accredited photographers following the 2011 Tour de France and presenting the highlights of this years race on Bicycles Network Australia and daily updates on the Mark Gunter Tour de France Facebook page.
 
An extensive collection of photographs are available online: www.markgunter.com.au

In this set are the highlights from the presentation and Stages 1, 2 and 3 where the peloton first tackled the 191km route from Passage du Gois La Barre-de-Monts to Mont des Alouettes Les Herbiers followed by the 23 km Team Time Trial and then the 198km journey from Olonne-sur-Mer to Redon.

Alberto Contador leaves his pre race pres conference, after several tough questions were given to him.

 
The opening ceremony was held in a collosium at a theme park.
 

Cadel Evans was in good spirits at the opening ceremony and was welcomed by the mainly French people in the audience.
 

The Tour caravan, which includes several bizarre and oversized advertising vehicles makes its way through a small town during stage one.
 

Phillipe Gilbert tok out the thrilling finale to stage one. Cadel Evans took second with Thor Hushovd taking third place.
 

Phillipe Gilbert dons the leaders jersey.

With a great show of strength and team work Garmin-Cervelo won the team time trial over Cadel Evans BMC team by four seconds.
 

Cadel Evans leads BMC during the team time trial.
 

There was plenty going on in the start area before stage 3.
 

Stage 3 finished in the city of Redon and the riders put on great show for the thousands who came out to see the race.
 

Tyler Farrar kept up Garmin-Cervelo’s great early form in this years tour.

Tyler Farrar meets his team mates after his first Tour de France win.
 

Thor Hushovd remain the races leader after stage 3.

Purchasing: If you would like to purchase any of these photos or a complete set, please email Mark Gunter and include the photo number: mark@markgunter.com.au. The format and details will be confirmed after the 2011 Tour de France. PLUS a poster will also be published after the race: Email now to reserve your copy.
 
 
Author Profile: Australian sports photographer Mark Gunter has won the Cycling Australia Photographer of the Year for four of the past eight years and his photos regularly appear throughout international press. Mark is one of the 240 accredited photographers following the 2011 Tour de France and presenting the highlights of this years race on Bicycles Network Australia and daily updates on the Mark Gunter Tour de France Facebook page.
 
An extensive collection of photographs are available online: www.markgunter.com.au