Philippa York

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

NYBORG DENMARK JULY 02 A general view of the Peloton passing through the Gran Belt Bridge during the 109th Tour de France 2022 Stage 2 a 2022km stage from Roskilde to Nyborg TDF2022 WorldTour on July 02 2022 in Nyborg Denmark Photo by Tim de WaeleGetty Images

Northern Exposure: Philippa York on a slow-burning start to the 2022 Tour de France

By Philippa York last updated

More tension than drama in Denmark, though home fans bring wall of noise

Primoz Roglic and Jonas Vingegaard celebrate winning the Criterium du Dauphine

Philippa York: Jumbo's Tour de France leadership share can quickly become political

By Philippa York last updated

Our expert pundit on Pogacar's talent, Jumbo's headache, and the forgotten names

UNSPECIFIED, ITALY - MAY 28: <<enter caption here>> during the 105th Giro d'Italia 2022, Stage X a X km stage from X to X / #Giro / #WorldTour / on May 28, 2022 in UNSPECIFIED, Italy. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

Philippa York analysis: Did Carapaz fail to seize his chance?

By Philippa York published

Our expert analyst wonders whether Carapaz could have done more when on top in the early climbing stages

TOPSHOT Team Wantys Eritrean rider Biniam Girmay Hailu celebrates on the podium after winning the 10th stage of the Giro dItalia 2022 cycling race 196 kilometers between Pescara and Jesi central Italy on May 17 2022 Photo by Luca Bettini AFP Photo by LUCA BETTINIAFP via Getty Images

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

Analysis
Giro d'Italia 2022 stage 9 Blockhaus finish Carapaz Bardet Hindley

Philippa York analysis: The Giro has been fascinating so far and can only get better

By Philippa York published

The 1987 mountains jersey winner on Ineos Grenadiers, Yates, Dumoulin, Nibali and Cavendish

Giro d'Italia 2022 Philippa York analysis first rest day, Carapaz and Yates GC battle

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

Analysis
Simon Yates (Team BikeExchange-Jayco) and Richard Carapaz (Ineos Grenadiers) at the Giro d'Italia 2022 team presentation

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

Analysis
LIEGE BELGIUM APRIL 24 Remco Evenepoel of Belgium and Team QuickStep Alpha Vinyl celebrates at finish line as race winner during the 108th Liege Bastogne Liege 2022 Mens Elite a 2572km one day race from Lige to Lige LBL WorldTour on April 24 2022 in Liege Belgium Photo by Luc ClaessenGetty Images

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

Analysis
Italian Marta Cavalli of FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine Futuroscope and Dutch Annemiek van Vleuten of Movistar Team sprints to the finish of the 25th edition of the women's race 'La Fleche Wallonne', a one day cycling race (Waalse Pijl - Walloon Arrow), 133,4 km from Huy to Huy, Wednesday 20 April 2022. BELGA PHOTO BENOIT DOPPAGNE (Photo by BENOIT DOPPAGNE / BELGA MAG / Belga via AFP) (Photo by BENOIT DOPPAGNE/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)

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

Analysis
Ian Boswell (Team Sky) on his way to third place during stage 11 of the 2015 Vuelta a Espana.

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

Q&A
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Archives

Latest on Cyclingnews