The final peloton has rolled home, marking the official end of another thrilling professional cycling season. As riders enjoy a brief respite before 2026's training camps begin, it's time to reflect on the standout performances, surprises, and stories that defined the past year. From utter dominance to heartwarming breakthroughs, here are The Independent's completely objective end-of-season awards for 2025.
Riders of the Year: Unmatched Dominance
In the men's peloton, one name towers above all others: Tadej Pogacar. The Slovenian superstar delivered a season for the ages, making the choice for Rider of the Year both obvious and deserved. His staggering haul included a fourth Tour de France title, equalling Chris Froome's record, and a successful defence of his World Championship rainbow jersey. He also secured three more Monument classics, including a historic fifth consecutive victory at Il Lombardia, and added the European road race title for good measure. His only notable setback was a narrow miss at Milan-San Remo, where Mathieu van der Poel triumphed.
On the women's side, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot authored a fairytale season. Having returned to road racing with a three-year plan to win the Tour de France, she achieved it at her first attempt, becoming the first French rider to win the race in 40 years. She capped her remarkable year with a debut victory at the brutal Paris-Roubaix. Not far behind, Lorena Wiebes enjoyed near-total supremacy in the sprints, racking up 25 wins from 53 race days and claiming points jerseys at both the Tour and the Giro d'Italia.
Breakout Stars and Memorable Moments
The title of Breakout Star of the Year goes emphatically to Matthew Brennan. The 20-year-old Briton from Darlington announced himself with four consecutive wins to start the season, finishing with an impressive 14 victories, including the overall title at the Tour of Norway. His tactical intelligence marks him as a future great.
In women's cycling, Kim Le Court made history. The 29-year-old Mauritian, who fought tirelessly to reach the World Tour, became the first African woman to win a Tour de France stage and wear the yellow jersey. She crowned her dream year with an emotional Monument win at Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
The Giro d'Italia earns the Race of the Year accolade for its relentless drama. It featured a captivating leadership battle within UAE Team Emirates, a glorious comeback stage win for Wout van Aert in Siena, and a triumphant redemption for Simon Yates on the Colle delle Finestre, the very climb where he lost the race in 2018.
Surprises, Controversies, and Looking Ahead to 2026
The season was not short of shocks. Mattias Skjelmose beating Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel in a three-up sprint at the Amstel Gold Race was a major upset. The Moment of the Year belonged to Lotte Claes, who capitalised on peloton miscalculations to take a stunning solo win at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. Ben Healy's electrifying Tour de France, where he won a stage, wore yellow, and finished ninth overall, was a close second.
However, the year also had its low points. Safety concerns and poor race organisation, notably at the Vuelta a España where protestors caused chaos and stage cancellations, were a significant disappointment. The decision by ITV to end its free-to-air Tour de France coverage was labelled the Villain of the Year, depriving future fans of accessible viewing.
Looking forward, the Ones to Watch in 2026 are clear. Alongside Brennan and Healy, keep an eye on Oscar Onley (4th at the Tour), French talent Paul Seixas, and young British rider Cat Ferguson. Predictions for the new season include a first Classic win for Matthew Brennan, a new wave of British success, and a potentially more competitive challenge to Pogacar's supremacy from rivals like a resurgent Remco Evenepoel. One thing is certain: the road to 2026 promises more unmissable drama.
