
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: How do you solve a problem like Pogacar?
By Philippa York published
Analysis With a depleted team, the high mountains could leave Tadej Pogacar vulnerable, but the GC contenders still face a tactical puzzle

Philippa York analysis: Combining the predictable and bizarre at the Giro d'Italia
By Philippa York last updated
Analysis Between favourites abandoning and corks taking out star sprinters, the Giro is showing its predictable pattern of racing

Philippa York analysis: Yates and Carapaz on top before Giro's first mountain test
By Philippa York published
Analysis The battle to take – or avoid – pink, and the question of who can beat Cavendish
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Two good, two bad, too late – Philippa York analyses the tactical miscalculations of the key stages of the 2025 Tour de France
From a masterclass on Ventoux to mismanagement on the queen stage, Philippa York takes a deep dive into the decisions that gifted Pogačar his vast margin. -
Tadej Pogačar dominates in the Pyrenees and again writes the race script - Philippa York Tour de France analysis
UAE have now won 65 times in 2025 and won five stages in this year's Tour de France, surely there are more to come before Paris -
Ten days of trauma in the battle against Pogačar - Philippa York Tour de France analysis
Pogačar may seem unstoppable, but down a key lieutenant and with Visma-Lease a Bike at full strength, we have an interesting race ahead
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It's Round Five in the epic Vingegaard-Pogačar duel - Philippa York analysis
Philippa York takes a close look at form, tactics and team strengths ahead of the major battle at the 2025 Tour de France -
On the road with Philippa York and David Walsh – 'The Escape: The Tour, the Cyclist and Me' book extract
York and Walsh discuss the Tour de France, gender in sport, doping, and much more in wide-ranging new book -
Day dreaming: how the 2025 Giro d'Italia was lost and won - Philippa York analysis
What were the keys to Simon Yates' dramatic last-minute turnaround of fortune in the Giro's GC battle?
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Welcome to climbing school at the Giro d'Italia - Philippa York analysis
Stage 16 framed the tactics and skills of Grand Tour racing perfectly. Philippa York analyses exactly how the climbers fared -
The snakes and ladders game of the 2025 Giro d'Italia GC challengers - Philippa York analysis
The ultramountainous third week of the Giro d'Italia is about to begin, but the race has already seen some major, unexpected developments -
Surrounded and outnumbered, Primož Roglič is in a Giro d'Italia conundrum - Philippa York analysis
Philippa York examines just what the options are to recapture lost minutes through the second week of racing in Italy