
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: 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

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
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Latest on Cyclingnews
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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 -
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?
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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?