Women’s Cycling Awards winners announced
The London Bike Show today announced the winners of the inaugural Women’s Cycling Awards.
The awards recognise some of the outstanding accomplishments in women’s cycling in the last 12 months.
Consisting of 12 award categories, 11 of which had shortlists selected by a judging panel of high profile women working in the cycling industry, the awards included a wide range of categories from Pro Rider of the Year to Volunteer of the Year and Unsung Cycling Heroine. The winners were then selected by public vote on the Cycling UK website where thousands of votes were cast.
An Outstanding Achievement Award winner was also selected from the other 11 award winners by the judging panel once the public vote had closed, based on who the panel deemed to have made the most outstanding contribution to women’s cycling within the last twelve months, considering the impact, the reach they have, how they have benefited women’s cycling and the ability of their achievement to inspire more women to cycle.
And the winners are…
Women’s Cycling Writer of the Year
Emily Chappell
“Congratulations Emily! Emily is one of the founders of the Adventure Syndicate group that encourages women to take on challenging rides. In 2019 she also launched her second book, Where There’s a Will, in which she unearths her ultra-distance skills in a journey that takes us beyond the scenery or practicalities of cycling across a continent, to the depths of human will, spirit and connection.
Women’s Cycling Event of the Year
The Women’s Tour
“A favourite amongst fan and riders, congratulations to The Women’s Tour on this award. It’s Britain’s most prestigious women’s cycling race, part of the elite women’s World Tour and attracts the top female professionals from around the World. Lizzie Deignan became the first rider to win two OVO Energy Women’s Tour titles as she sealed the crown at Pembrey Country Park, Carmarthenshire in 2019.”
Women’s Cycling Team of the Year
Canyon – SRAM
“With self-declared desire to advance women’s cycling, inspire to ride, and challenge convention Canyon have been notable in their efforts to promote women’s cycling Congratulations to everyone involved in the team but especially the fantastic riders”
Women’s Cycle Clothing Brand of the Year
Stolen Goat
“Stolen Goat have a wide range of female cycling, triathlon and casual wear clothing, coming highly recommended for the bright and unusual designs that stand out from numerous other brands. Congratulations!”
Women’s Bike Brand of the Year
Liv
“Liv bikes are renowned for their quality and widely available, as well as having a range that caters for entry level riders as well as higher specced models. Congratulations to all the team at Liv”
Volunteer of the Year
Sarah Javaid
“Sarah founded and runs Cycle Sisters in Waltham Forest, North London after realising there was a need for a culturally-appropriate cycling group aimed at Muslim women. Thank you Sarah, and all our nominees in this category for everything you have done and continue to do to support women’s cycling.”
Cycling Heroine
Fiona Kolbinger
“Congratulations on your award and epic achievement. A cancer researcher, Fiona became the first woman to win one of the world’s toughest cycling races in her first ultra-distance event. Aged 24 she won the Transcontinental which traverses 2,485 miles (4,000 km) from Burgas in Bulgaria to Brest in France. She took 10 days, two hours and 48 minutes.”
Influential Woman of the Year
Dame Sarah Storey
“Not only the most successful female British Paralympian of all time but now also championing cycling and walking as the Active Travel Commissioner for Sheffield City Region. This is in addition to training for the Toyko games and as a positive advocate for para-cycling. Congratulations and thank for all you do for women’s cycling”
Cycling Club of the Year
InternationElles
“We’re delighted to give the award to this incredible group of women who have done so much to highlight gender inequality in cycling. InternationElles is comprised of 10 riders and four crew from three continents, representing five countries. In 2019 they rode the Tour de France route, documenting their journey and raising awareness for gender equality in cycling.”
Rising Star
Eme Cosh
“Well done Eme! 14 year old Eme rides with several ladies MTB groups and is a member of the Swinley Forest Development Team. She is a regular competitor in enduro events across the south of England, winning some races and regularly making the podium, even when racing against girls up to four years older than her. But perhaps most importantly, Eme is also using her own Instagram account to show other potential young female mountain bikers that it can be done – and it’s fun!”
Pro-Rider of the Year
Annemiek van Vleuten
“Huge congratulations on the award and such an outstanding season!! Annemiek had a 2019 to remember. The World Champion winning performance in Yorkshire has been described as one of the greatest rides of all time with a dramatic 104km solo breakaway. In addition to becoming World Champion, she achieved 3rd in the World’s Time Trial, was the winner of the Giro-Rosa, Strada Bianche, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, not to mention adding the Dutch National time trial championship to her palmarès for the fourth time.
Outstanding Achievement
Annemiek van Vleuten
“A truely deserved award after her amazing 2019 season. Annemiek we can’t wait to see you back racing soon!”
Special thanks to our sponsor Primal, who will be providing all the winners with their custom made winner’s jerseys very soon. We may not have set out to present the awards online, but hope you have enjoyed joining us in celebrating the outstanding achievements of the women who do so much to make cycling great!