
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

Which Pogačar was everyone expecting?
By Philippa York published
Analysis Cyclingnews columnist Philippa York looks at the options for Pogacar's GC rivals

Tadej Pogačar's Liège-Bastogne-Liège exhibition ran exactly to plan - Philippa York analysis
By Philippa York published
In-depth Slovenian in a race of his own and rarely, if ever, forced into the red zone

Itzulia crash changes everything for Vingegaard and Evenepoel - Philippa York analysis
By Philippa York published
In-depth 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
By Philippa York published
In-depth A breakdown of a tactical edition of the Race to the Sun

Evenepoel, Roglic and a rivalry renewed - Philippa York's Paris-Nice preview
By Philippa York published
Analysis First 'Big Four' encounter of the year draws the eye, but Race to the Sun can always spring a surprise

Philippa York analysis: Jumbo-Visma have to learn from Vuelta a España success
By Philippa York published
Analysis What will Sepp Kuss' future look like in the team?

Philippa York analysis: This is peak Jumbo, enjoy it while it lasts
By Philippa York published
Analysis Jumbo-Visma has planned the perfect season, and brewed a perfect storm
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Latest on Cyclingnews
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What next for the Vuelta a España podium finishers? – Philippa York analysis
Philippa York looks back on performances from Vingegaard, Almeida, and Pidcock, and looks ahead to what their next ambitions may be -
The Jonas Vingegaard vs João Almeida battle is fifty-fifty going into Vuelta a España final week – Philippa York analysis
Philippa York breaks down the last week of racing, and what it all means for the GC battle brewing in Spain -
Surrounded by challengers, but dynamic Jonas Vingegaard is on top of the Vuelta a España – Philippa York analysis
York breaks down the GC situation on the first rest day, what's going wrong at UAE, and who is in contention for the podium
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The fascination of the three amigos GC battle - Philippa York Vuelta a España analysis
Jonas Vingegaard is the overall favourite but can João Almeida and Juan Ayuso combine to beat him? -
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
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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 -
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