Andy Jones: A year in pictures 2010

From Peterborough to Pruszkow, Cycling Weekly photographer Andy Jones was there to capture some of the 2010 season's defining moments. Here are a selection of his pics.

I have to say I have experienced more than the usual amounts of rain and low temperatures while on the road following the 2010 season.

There were a number of races affected by adverse weather both here and in Europe. But it all adds to the spectacle that is cycle sport and to the challenge of capturing images.

I hope you enjoy a few of the images here from along the way.

Best wishes for 2011.

Andy

Russell Downing - Lincoln Grand Prix

South Yorkshire's Russell Downing signed with Team Sky for 2010 on the back of a fantastic 2009 season with CandiTV-Marshalls Pasta. Downing's 2010 continental season saw him take stage two of the Critérium International and the overall at the Tour de Wallonie. He's seen here on a rare appearance back on British soil as defending champion at the Lincoln GP.

The Tour of Britain: stage five

From Tavistock to Glastonbury, the stage passed through Dartmoor National Park. The weather just held out for the sun to showcase the rugged Devon landscape with two of the equine residents coming up to watch the race.

Tour de France

Garmin's Canadian star Ryder Hesjedal heads yellow jersey wearer Andy Schleck as they power through the final hairpin on the Port de Balès climb before the descent to stage 15's finish in Luchon. Schleck had slipped his chain just below my photo position and was frantically trying to catch up the lost ground to Alberto Contador, who had attacked. Contador would be in yellow by the end of the day.

Tour of Britain: stage three

Newtown to Swansea was a defining stage, which climaxed with the steep cobbled ascent of Constitution Hill within its final 2km. The weather added to the drama as HTC-Columbia's Michael Albasini took the stage and the overall race lead. But it was Ian Bibby of the Motorpoint-Marshalls Pasta team that did the ride of the day, going with the break and clawing back places over the Welsh one-in-three cobbles to finish second on the stage. (He's seen here with Cameron Meyer on Constitution Hill.)

European Track Championships, Poland

I went to Poland in November for the European Track Championships at the Pruszkow track in Warsaw, the venue for the 2009 Worlds. It's a really nice track to photograph with a perfect photo point to capture the action coming into the home bend. Here, the women's keirin second-round heat is headed by French star Clara Sanchez, with Ukrainian Lyubov Shulika on her wheel being encouraged by her animated coach.

Cadel Evans - world champion

Cadel Evans did the rainbow jersey proud throughout 2010, with some dogged performances that saw him win Flèche Wallonne and stage seven of the Giro d'Italia. But the Tour de France proved difficult with a broken elbow sustained on stage eight. Evans battled on and is seen here on the final mist-shrouded hairpin to stage 17's Tourmalet summit finish.

Tour of Britain: stage one

Rochdale to Blackpool. Hardy fans lined the route of this year's race, come rain or shine. There seemed to be more rain than shine at times but it didn't dampen their spirits. Here, some spectators shelter under umbrellas as they await the race on the climb out of Rochdale. I particularly like this picture because even the dogs are all looking at the camera.

Sir Chris Hoy

Looking thoughtful before the competition gets under way at the European Track Championships in Poland.

Rob Partridge wins Ryedale Grand Prix

Endura's Rob Partridge takes his first Premier Calendar win

at the Ryedale Grand Prix back in June. It was a very wet race and I just love the water spray coming from Partridge's clenched fist as he punches the air in celebration.

Pooley takes the national road race title

Emma Pooley heads the break from Nicole Cooke at the National Road Race Championships in June. An emotional Pooley crossed the line alone to take her first national road race title. The result was one of many notable wins throughout the season including Flèche Wallonne, Tour de l'Aude, Giro del Trentino, National TT Championships and finally the World TT Championship in Melbourne, Australia.

Evan Oliphant on a training ride break

Evan Oliphant peers out of a cafe window in Grasse near Nice while taking a coffee break on a damp training ride with the rest of the Endura Team. The team were down in the South of France for February's chilly Tour of the Mediterranean and Tour du Haut Var races.

Haut Var: stage one

La Croix Valmer to Grimaud. The sun was shining but it was far from warm on the first stage of this southern France two-stage early season race. Gnarled vines set the

scene as the race meanders towards Grimaud.

National Time Trial Championships

Michael Hutchinson grabs a rare handful of brake as he copes with damp conditions at the National TT Champs in September. Hutchinson has had a fabulous season once again, taking the national 10, 25, 50 and 100 titles. He also broke Bradley Wiggins's 10-mile record with a time of 17-57.

Three Peaks Cyclo Cross: Pen-y-ghent

A rider descends Pen-y-ghent at the Three Peaks Cyclo-Cross. The picture, I feel, captures some of the race atmosphere with the Pen-y-ghent summit visible in the background, spectators sitting on the walls as riders clatter past at speed on the descent towards the finish in Helwith Bridge.

Tour de France: Cav's fourth stage win

Mark Cavendish has time to look back at his rivals as he takes the stage win into Bordeaux at this year's Tour. The stage was his fourth win of the race, which would see him make it five with the final stage win into Paris.

Three Peaks Cyclo-Cross: Ingleborough

Rob Jebb shoulders his bike as he tackles the incredibly steep Simon Fell section on the ascent to Ingleborough, the first peak of the Three Peak Cyclo-Cross race that then takes in Whernside and Pen-y-ghent. Jebb took a record eighth win in the event this year.

Related links

See more of Andy Jones's photos in Cycling Weekly's gallery section