Pictures of the Year 2015: Andy Jones

Cycling Weekly photographer Andy Jones chooses his favourite images from the 2015 season

(Image credit: Andy Jones)

Llanberis Pass, Stage 1 of the Tour of Britain. I went straight to the Llanberis Pass early on the day to be able to get parked up and have chance to work out a good view point. I found a point where I could look down, over and up the pass as the riders came through. What a great backdrop and sense of scale here as you just make out the peleton and race convoy as the valley sides sweep down to the road.

Llanberis Pass, Stage 1 of the Tour of Britain.
(Image credit: Andy Jones 2014)

Tour of Britain, September. I found a high viewpoint on the Llanberis Pass where I could look both down onto and up the pass as the peloton came through. What a great back-drop and sense of scale you get from here, the peloton and race convoy dwarfed by the valley sides that sweep down to the road.

I had the chance of catching up with Ian Stannard on a training ride just after his Omloop Het Nieuwsbald win back in March. He used some roads I know well from cycling them myself, so I just like this picture because it's local to me up near Tideswell with Great Hucklow and the behind escarpement as a back drop. The weather was bright, the light was nice and it is just a nice picture of a top pro out enjoying riding the bike.

Ian Stannard
(Image credit: Andy Jones)

Peak District, March. I had the chance of catching up with Ian Stannard on a training ride just after his Omloop Het Nieuwsbald win. He used some roads I know well from cycling them myself. The weather was bright, the light was nice and it just makes for a nice picture of a top pro out enjoying the bike.

George Atkins warms up for the Tour Series event in Barrow. Just liked this 'graphic style' image with the One Pro Cycling branding giving the effect there is the deep shadow across the picture, which works with the rider position and the rich evening light.

George Atkins, Tour Series
(Image credit: Andy Jones)

Tour Series, May. George Atkins warms up for the round in Barrow. I like the ‘graphic style’ of this image. The One Pro Cycling vehicle branding gives the effect that there is a deep shadow across the picture that works nicely with the rider’s position and the rich evening light.

The second stage of the Tour of the Reservoir back in April was a bit of an epic. Sleety snow set the scene as the riders set out from Blanchland to join the shortened stage due to the conditions.

Tour of the Reservoir
(Image credit: Andy Jones 2014)

Tour of the Reservoir, April. The second stage of the Tour of the Reservoir was a bit of an epic. Sleety snow set the scene as the riders set out from Blanchland. The stage was shortened due to these conditions.

The Royal Crescent in Bath was the perfect backdrop to the finale to the Pearl Izumi Tour Series and Matrix Fitness Grand Prix Series. Here the women's race takes to the cobbles of the crescent in beautiful late afternoon light.

Pearl Izumi Tour Series and Matrix Fitness Grand Prix Series, Bath
(Image credit: Andy Jones 2014)

Matrix Fitness Grand Prix Series, June. The Royal Crescent in Bath was the perfect backdrop to the finale of the Pearl Izumi Tour Series and Matrix Fitness Grand Prix Series. Here the women’s race takes to the cobbles of the crescent in beautiful late afternoon light.

Lizzie Armistead attacks the cobbles of Lincoln on the way to a solo victory at the National Road Race Championships. After coming back from a finish line crash on stage 1 of the Women's Tour in Aldeburgh just 11 days previously, Armistead showed her Yorkshire grit to power to victory.

Lizzie Armitstead
(Image credit: Andy Jones 2014)

National Championships road race, June. Lizzie Armitstead attacks the cobbles of Lincoln on the way to a solo victory. After coming back from a finish line crash on stage one of the Women’s Tour in Aldeburgh just 11 days previously, Armitstead showed true Yorkshire grit to take the win.

Chris Myhill at the National Hill Climb Championships, Jackson Bridge. I'd wandered the whole length of the hill getting pcitures on the day but settled at this point as I realised the crowd interaction could make for a nice image. Myhill gets the full treament as he powers up the climb.

National Hill Climb Championships
(Image credit: Andy Jones 2014)

Hill-Climb National Championships, October. I’d wandered the whole length of the hill at Jackson Bridge, but settled at this point as I realised the crowd interaction could make for a nice image. Here Chris Myhill gets the full treatment.

A rare outing on British roads to see Sir Bradley WIggins in the TT World Champion's rainbow skin suit on an afternoon club 10 TT near Hull. The V718 as it is known in the handbook is a fast course and Wiggins was after the 10 record. Unfortunately the conditions were not favourable dispite the crowds cheering him on from ever vantage point they could find along the A63 carriageway. I grabbed this final shot after a dash to the last lay-by on the course.

Sir Bradley Wiggins
(Image credit: Andy Jones 2014)

City RC 10, May. Sir Bradley Wiggins making an appearance in his world champion’s skinsuit at a Saturday afternoon time trial near Hull was an unusual sight. He didn’t get the 10-mile record he was after, but crowds cheered him on from every vantage point along the A63. I grabbed this final shot after a dash to the last lay-by before the finish.

Piers Mortimer of Velocake gets some air time on the descent off Pen-Y-Ghent. I'd taken a few head on shots with the 300mm lens of the lead riders and caught the ocassional rider getting air but decided to get the 14-24mm out of the bag later and get a different view point with Pen-Y-Ghent's summit as a backdrop.

Three Peaks

Three Peaks cyclo-cross, September. Piers Mortimer of Velocake flies high on the descent off Pen-y-ghent. I’d taken a few head-on shots of the leading riders get air with the 300mm lens but later decided to get the 14-24mm out of the bag and alter the angle to get in the peak’s summit as a backdrop.

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