Philippa York
Philippa York is a long-standing Cyclingnews contributor, providing expert racing analysis. As one of the early British racers to take the plunge and relocate to France with the famed ACBB club in the 1980's, she was the inspiration for a generation of racing cyclists – and cycling fans – from the UK.
The Glaswegian gained a contract with Peugeot in 1980, making her Tour de France debut in 1983 and taking a solo win in Bagnères-de-Luchon in the Pyrenees, the mountain range which would prove a happy hunting ground throughout her Tour career.
The following year's race would prove to be one of her finest seasons, becoming the first rider from the UK to win the polka dot jersey at the Tour, whilst also becoming Britain's highest-ever placed GC finisher with 4th spot.
She finished runner-up at the Vuelta a España in 1985 and 1986, to Pedro Delgado and Álvaro Pino respectively, and at the Giro d'Italia in 1987. Stage race victories include the Volta a Catalunya (1985), Tour of Britain (1989) and Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré (1990). York retired from professional cycling as reigning British champion following the collapse of Le Groupement in 1995.
Latest articles by
Philippa York analysis: Not much to separate Carapaz and Yates at Giro d'Italia
By Philippa York last updated
Analysis Analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the big names in the battle for this year's maglia rosa
Philippa York: Frustration lifts at spring saving Liège-Bastogne-Liège
By Philippa York published
Analysis All in for Van Vleuten as she bludgeons way to victory and a breathtaking attack from Evenepoel to save QuickStep's spring
Philippa York: La Flèche Wallonne - Oh so near, oh so far
By Philippa York published
Analysis Annemiek van Vleuten has had a season of heartbreak, while their Classics performances must have Quickstep panicking
Retirement Chronicles: When Philippa York met Ian Boswell
By Philippa York published
Q&A The 30-year-old stepped away from the WorldTour in 2019 but is now a different rider and a different person
Retirement Chronicles: When Philippa York met Matt Stephens
By Philippa York published
Interview British rider on dealing with the sudden end of the Linda McCartney team
Retirement chronicles: When Philippa York met Nicolas Roche
By Philippa York published
Q&A 'If everyone is telling me I’m too old, then maybe I should realise the sport is changing and I should look at other things' say Irishman
Peter Kennaugh: The human cost of performance and finding closure
By Philippa York published
Feature Philippa York on the importance of mental health and the fact that riders are not robots
Philippa York: Where now for Ineos Grenadiers after bruising Tour de France?
By Philippa York published
Analysis Pidcock is rising but Pogačar's brilliance will require a re-think
Latest on Cyclingnews
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Itzulia crash changes everything for Vingegaard and Evenepoel - Philippa York analysis
Road to the Tour de France looks very different after the dust settle in Basque Country -
How Evenepoel and Roglic let Paris-Nice slip away from them - Philippa York analysis
A breakdown of a tactical edition of the Race to the Sun -
Evenepoel, Roglic and a rivalry renewed - Philippa York's Paris-Nice preview
First 'Big Four' encounter of the year draws the eye, but Race to the Sun can always spring a surprise
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Philippa York analysis: Jumbo-Visma have to learn from Vuelta a España success
What will Sepp Kuss' future look like in the team? -
Philippa York analysis: This is peak Jumbo, enjoy it while it lasts
Jumbo-Visma has planned the perfect season, and brewed a perfect storm -
Philippa York analysis: Winning Together at Jumbo-Visma? Maybe, maybe not
Who will win the Vuelta a Espana at Jumbo-Visma? What’s next on the Remco Show?
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Philippa York analysis: The anarchy of the GC competition in the Vuelta a España
With multiple players, team politics and transfer dynamics at play, the red jersey is within grasp of many riders, but with no clear hierarchy -
Philippa York analysis: Vuelta momentum shifts from Evenepoel to Jumbo-Visma
Six days in, the race starts making sense - but nothing is settled yet -
Philippa York analysis: Vingegaard, Pogacar and the Tour de France duel with no room for error
A second week of seconds and a third week with everything to play for