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
![GRAND COLOMBIER FRANCE AUGUST 09 Christopher Froome of The United Kingdom and Team INEOS during the 32nd Tour de LAin 2020 Stage 3 a 145km stage from Saint Vulbas to Grand Colombier 1501m tourdelain TOURDELAIN TDA on August 09 2020 in Grand Colombier France Photo by Justin SetterfieldGetty Images](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NwL95pTZVh84SV6zZv2Ygh-320-80.jpg)
Men down: Philippa York on Team Ineos' Tour de France selection
By Philippa York published
Analysis Froome and Thomas non-selection comes as 'a logical surprise'
![null](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sYiiEjuRgSxhvxv6KetdLk-320-80.jpg)
Philippa York: Three leaders in a Grand Tour is a nightmare waiting to happen
By Philippa York published
Analysis Analysis of the risks Team Ineos and Jumbo-Visma face at the Tour de France
![Doltcini-Van Eyck Sport women's team](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/aooBHkFEJGkXs4Tt8orJ4o-320-80.jpg)
Philippa York: Bikinigate and the worrying attitudes toward female riders
By Philippa York last updated
Opinion 'The circumstances of what happened in Sicot's and Virenque's cases are complex and very different'
![Bahrain-Merida’s Vincenzo Nibali offers Tour de France winner Egan Bernal (Team Ineos) some advice during the 2019 Il Lombardia](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hu4pMCwBhmRNtDz4PzMFTM-320-80.jpg)
Philippa York: For Grand Tour contenders, nothing matters (yet)
By Philippa York published
Analysis 'Drawing conclusions in January and February is a risky business'
![Dimension Data's Mark Cavendish pushes hard on stage 4 of the 2019 Tour of Britain](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Rouc4RkqnuzJBUpgrzCxcR-320-80.jpg)
Philippa York analysis: Mark Cavendish still has a lot to offer
By Philippa York published
Feature 'You get hard times, but I still love it' says former world champion
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Latest on Cyclingnews
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Vuelta a España humble pie - Ben O'Connor makes his rivals and critics eat a slice of humility before week three showdown
Philippa York analyses the tactical battle as Roglič, Mas and Landa try but fail to crack the Australian -
Under Pressure - Roglič's gamble and the unpredictable battle ahead at the Vuelta a España
Philippa York analyses the tactical misfire which has Roglič chasing O'Connor while fending off other GC contenders -
Primož Roglič leaves Vuelta a España rivals with no illusions about the size of their task – Philippa York Analysis
Slovenian lays down early marker at Pico Villuercas while João Almeida looks increasingly like UAE’s leader
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High and Mighty: Pogačar vs Vingegaard is far from over – Philippa York analysis
With the Alps still to come this week, the battle for yellow is not done and dusted -
It’s game on at the Tour de France after Pogačar and Vingegaard clash in Le Lioran - Philippa York Analysis
Our expert and former Tour stage winner on the significance of the mano-a-mano battle in the Massif Central -
Jonas Vingegaard isn't going to race his Tour de France until terrain suits him – Philippa York Analysis
Our expert pundit looks back at the opening week and examines the state of play among the 'big four' GC favourites
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Galibier outlined the current hierarchy at the Tour de France - Philippa York analysis
Vingegaard's recovery a revelation but Pogačar is as good as he was on the Giro -
'Mark Cavendish is by far Britain’s greatest bike rider' - Philippa York on the Manxman's final Tour de France
It's not (only) about the record, it's about a fitting farewell -
UAE Team Emirates' stunning show at the Tour de Suisse sets the stage for a dominant Tour de France from Tadej Pogačar
Philippa York on how Adam Yates and João Almeida's dominance highlights strength of Slovenian's supporting cast