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
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
Philippa York: Where now for Ineos Grenadiers after bruising Tour de France?
By Philippa York published
Analysis Pidcock is rising but Pogačar's brilliance will require a re-think
Philippa York: Carapaz bluff was an epic fail
By Philippa York published
Analysis 'Scandalous tactic shows the desperation at Ineos and won't go unnoticed'
Philippa York: Ineos head for Tour de France disaster but Cavendish has his sparkle back
By Philippa York published
Analysis
Philippa York: After Ventoux Ineos need to change their Tour de France strategy
By Philippa York published
Analysis 'With Pogacar's stumble at the top of Mont Ventoux, the race has suddenly perked up'
Philippa York: Analysing the state of play on the Tour de France's first rest day
By Philippa York published
Feature Contemplating Ineos Grenadiers and Jumbo-Visma’s failure to live up to expectations and the cause of all those crashes
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Latest on Cyclingnews
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Primož Roglič's Vuelta a España victory was inevitable - Philippa York's analysis
Ben O'Connor was courageous and defiant but the Slovenian was always going to win his fourth Vuelta -
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
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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 -
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
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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 -
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