Who Will Win the Vélo d’Or 2021?

By Monica Buck

Twelve riders have been nominated for the prestigious award by the Vélo Magazine. So, who has performed the best over the year?

The nominees include Primož Roglič, Julian Alaphilippe, Tadej Pogačar, Wout van Aert, Mathieu van der Poel, Kasper Asgreen, Egan Bernal, Richard Carapaz, Mark Cavendish, Sonny Colbrelli, Harrie Lavreysen, and Annemiek van Vleuten.

Annemiek van Vleuten
Annemiek van Vleuten is the only woman on the list. © Profimedia

The Vélo d’Or was created in 1992 and is arguably the most prestigious award of the year. It is voted for by a number of European cycling journalists from a range of countries and publications. The full results will be announced in December. The winner is then traditionally photographed for the cover of the magazine. Vélo Magazine is associated with the Tour de France organisation and the sports newspaper L’Equipe.

Primož Roglič won in 2020. Tadej Pogačar was second and Wout van Aert finished third. Julian Alaphilippe won it in 2019.

Roglič became the Olympic time trial champ and won the La Vuelta. However, Pogačar is the Tour de France winner. And we shouldn’t omit Julian Alaphilippe – the world champ for the second time in a row. Annemiek van Vleuten is the only woman featured on the list. She won the Olympic time trial and came first in the UCI Women’s WorldTour. Harrie Lavreysen is the only track cyclist to make the list. He won six gold medals throughout the year.

So, who is it going to be? Our money is on Roglič. And we cannot wait till he faces Pogačar and Bernal in full strength on the start of the 2022 Tour de France. Who do you think will win it?