Tom Pidcock and Zoe Bäckstedt win Cycling Weekly rider of the year awards
The British duo are among the winners of nine different awards
Tom Pidcock and Zoe Bäckstedt have been crowned Cycling Weekly's male and female riders of the year, an award given to the season's best British talents.
Having both won rainbow jerseys at the cyclo-cross World Championships in January, the duo went on to enjoy success on the road, with Pidcock shining on his Tour de France debut, and Bäckstedt completing the junior double at the Road World Championships.
Below is a list of the winners celebrated in Cycling Weekly's 2022 awards. For more information, including exclusive interviews with both Pidcock and Bäckstedt, pick up a print copy of the magazine today.
You can also subscribe onlineand get the magazine delivered direct to your door every week.
Male rider of the year - Tom Pidcock
This season, the 23-year-old grappled with the Classics, won the queen stage at the Tour de France and took home the rainbow jersey at the cyclo-cross World Championships.
His personal highlight this season was his awe-inspiring Alpine coup in July, when he attacked on the descent of the Galibier and powered solo through Alpe d’Huez’s mythic hairpins. “Nobody was expecting that in the Tour, were they?” Pidcock told Cycling Weekly with a grin in the interview.
Female rider of the year - Zoe Bäckstedt
Zoe Bäckstedt is a once in a generation talent. At just 18 years old, she currently holds four junior world titles across four disciplines: Madison, cyclo-cross, road, and time trial.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Her crowning achievement this season came in September, when she did the double at the Road World Championships in Wollongong, Australia, taking the junior road and time trial titles in spectacular fashion. In fact, Bäckstedt’s winning margins in both events were the highest ever recorded in the junior ranks at the championships.
International rider of the year - Annemiek van Vleuten
No other rider has been as dominant as Annemiek van Vleuten in 2022. The Dutchwoman’s season has been one of staggering consistency, and has seen her win a Monument, four stage races and a rainbow jersey.
in July, at the age of 39, Van Vleuten blew away the competition at the inaugural Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, finishing 3-48 ahead of second-placed Demi Vollering. “It’s not normal what she did,” the SD Worx rider said of her compatriot after the race.
Rising star - Leo Hayter
2022 proved a breakthrough year for 21-year-old Leo Hayter. The Brit won the seven-day Baby Giro, claiming two stage wins in the process, and earned himself a bronze medal in the under-23 time trial at the World Championships.
Next year, Hayter will ride alongside his brother, Ethan, on the WorldTour for Ineos Grenadiers. In an interview published in today’s Cycling Weekly magazine, the South Londoner said he believes he can be “on top level” against the world’s best.
Outstanding achievement - Dan Bigham
When Ineos Grenadiers brought in Dan Bigham as an aerodynamicist, his duty was clear: knock the Hour Record into oblivion. In August, the 31-year-old completed the feat himself, before turning his attention to help team-mate Filippo Ganna further his own benchmark.
The Italian ended up shelving the record at 56.792km, leaving Bigham to celebrate with a "dream" victory in the team pursuit at the Track World Championships.
Domestic rider of the year - Jacob Scott
The WiV-Sungod rider is currently the number one ranked domestic male rider in the UK, having taken five victories and the National Criterium Series title. He also narrowly missed out on the top spot of the National Road Series, finishing second to his namesake and team-mate Robert Scott.
Club of the year - Halesowen CC
Founded in 1939, the West Midlands-based cycling club perfectly combines racing with community spirit. Halesowen CC have become known for their kaleidoscopic Mapei kits and outstanding academy, coached by volunteers at the club’s outdoor velodrome.
Local heroes - Bridget and Ian Boon
Bridget and Ian Boon’s first date was a 200km ride on a tandem. Over the past four years, they’ve become legendary timekeepers, officiating 15 Road Records Association events, including Michael Broadwith’s successful Land’s End to John O’Groats attempt.
Lifetime achievement - Sean Yates
In 2012, former Team Sky DS Sean Yates helped Bradley Wiggins to the first ever British Tour de France win. The Brit's other successes include stage wins at the Tour and Vuelta, a national road championships and launching his own coaching company, Sean Yates coaching.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.
-
Forget distance covered, these are the key stats to note in your Strava Year in Sport
We asked a coach how to best analyse our end of year Strava data
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'She should show a bit more respect' - Lotte Kopecky responds to Demi Vollering comments
The pair seemingly had one last fractious year together at SD Worx-Protime in 2024
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tom Pidcock to remain 'part of the Pinarello family' after joining Q36.5 Pro Cycling
British star will continue to ride Pinarello bikes after leaving Ineos Grenadiers
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tweets of the week: Tadej Pogačar's Spotify Wrapped, Tom Pidcock gets lit, and Lidl-Trek pose in a supermarket
Here's your social media round-up, including the world champion's top-five artists
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tweets of the week: Tom Pidcock as a cake, Mark Cavendish speaks Gen Z, and stiletto cycling shoes
There's a likeness beneath the icing
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Paris 2024 Olympics mountain biking: Everything you need to know about the off-road events
Tom Pidcock, and Evie Richards amongst those fighting for medals
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tweets of the week: Pogačar can be beaten, Pidcock meets the royals, and Remco's an Arsenal fan
Sadly for Tadej Pogačar, serial winning doesn't seem to apply to go karting
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tweets of the week: Wout van Aert gets on his dancing shoes and Tom Pidcock gets a new puppy
Bringing you your regular cycling social media roundup
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock to race against America's best at Bentonville's Little Sugar MTB
Mountain bike world champion Tom Pidcock will square off against USA's Keegan Swenson in Bentonville, Arkansas on October 15.
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Tom Pidcock: Tour of Britain route 'not really ideal for me'
Brit says he wants to win home stage race, even if the course plays in Wout van Aert's favour
By Tom Davidson Published