Pogačar and Ferrand-Prévot Lead Vélo d’Or Finalist Lists
Table of Contents
- 1. Pogačar and Ferrand-Prévot Lead Vélo d’Or Finalist Lists
- 2. Men’s Competition: Pogačar the Clear Favorite
- 3. Women’s Competition: Ferrand-Prévot Emerges as Leading Contender
- 4. Eddy Merckx Trophy Finalists Announced
- 5. The growing Popularity of Cycling
- 6. Frequently Asked Questions about the Vélo d’Or
- 7. What factors contribute to Pauline Ferrand-Prévot being considered a strong contender for the 2025 Vélo d’Or award?
- 8. pauline Ferrand-Prévot and Tadej Pogačar Lead 2025 Vélo d’Or Award Shortlists
- 9. The Frontrunners for Cycling’s Most Prestigious Prize
- 10. Pauline Ferrand-Prévot: A Multi-Discipline Dominance
- 11. Tadej Pogačar: continuing His Reign
- 12. Other Notable Nominees
- 13. The Voting Process and Award Ceremony
- 14. Past Context: The Vélo d’Or Legacy
Paris, France – The French Vélo Magazine has unveiled the finalists contending for its annual Vélo d’Or award, a highly coveted honor in the world of professional cycling.ten elite male and female cyclists are in the running for the season-end prize, recognizing outstanding achievements throughout the 2025 cycling season.
Men’s Competition: Pogačar the Clear Favorite
Slovenian sensation Tadej Pogačar, riding for UAE Team Emirates-XRG, is widely tipped to secure his third Vélo d’Or trophy. The 27-year-old cyclist dominated the 2025 season, claiming an notable 20 victories.
His triumphs included winning the Tour de France, a feat he repeated after a stellar performance, as well as capturing the World and european Championships titles. Pogačar’s success extended to the Classics, with victories in the Tour of Flanders, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Strade Bianche, Il Lombardia, la Flèche Wallonne, and the Critérium du Dauphiné.
Challenging Pogačar for the top honor are Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep), who excelled in time trials, securing national, world, and European titles, and Mathieu van der Poel (alpecin-Deceuninck), victor in Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix. Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike), who achieved success in both the Tour and Vuelta a españa, is also a strong contender.
Women’s Competition: Ferrand-Prévot Emerges as Leading Contender
In the women’s field, Pauline ferrand-Prévot of Visma-Lease a Bike has emerged as the favorite to claim the Vélo d’Or. The French cyclist enjoyed a remarkable season,highlighted by her victory in Paris-Roubaix and her historic achievement of becoming the first Frenchwoman to win the modern Tour de France Femmes.
While Demi Vollering (FDJ-Suez), the 2023 winner, remains a formidable opponent, having secured the European road title, La Vuelta Feminine, the Volta a Catalunya, Strade Bianche, and Itzulia Women, Ferrand-Prévot’s recent form positions her strongly for the award.
Othre notable contenders include Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime), who amassed an impressive 25 wins throughout the season, including major races like Milan-san Remo and Gent-Wevelgem, and Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime), despite facing setbacks due to injury.
Eddy Merckx Trophy Finalists Announced
Alongside the Vélo d’Or nominations, the finalists for the Eddy Merckx Trophy, recognizing the best Classics rider of the year, have also been revealed. Pogačar and Van der Poel are expected to battle for the men’s title, while Wiebes and Ferrand-prévot are considered the frontrunners in the women’s category.
| Category | Key Contenders |
|---|---|
| Men’s Vélo d’Or | Tadej Pogačar, Remco Evenepoel, Mathieu van der Poel, Jonas Vingegaard |
| Women’s Vélo d’Or | Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, Demi Vollering, Lorena Wiebes |
| Men’s Eddy merckx Trophy | Tadej Pogačar, Mathieu van der Poel |
| Women’s Eddy Merckx Trophy | pauline Ferrand-Prévot, Lorena Wiebes |
Did You Know? The Vélo d’Or has been awarded annually since 1936, establishing itself as one of the most prestigious accolades in professional cycling.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Paris on December 5, marking the culmination of a thrilling season for both men’s and women’s cycling.
What does this dominance suggest about the future of cycling? And what impact will these victories have on the athletes’ future careers?
The growing Popularity of Cycling
Cycling has witnessed a surge in global popularity in recent years, with increased participation in recreational cycling and growing viewership of professional races. Statista reports a steady rise in cycling participation across numerous countries, driven by health benefits, environmental awareness, and accessibility. This global growth underscores the importance of competitions like the Vélo d’Or in inspiring both amateur and professional cyclists.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Vélo d’Or
- What is the Vélo d’Or? the Vélo d’Or is an annual award presented to the best male and female cyclists of the year, based on their performances in major races and competitions.
- Who selects the Vélo d’or winners? The winners are chosen by a jury consisting of journalists from leading cycling publications.
- What criteria are used to evaluate the cyclists? The jury considers a range of factors, including race victories, consistency, and the prestige of the events won.
- What is the significance of the eddy Merckx Trophy? The Eddy Merckx Trophy recognizes the best Classics rider of the season, focusing on performances in one-day races.
- Where will the Vélo d’Or ceremony take place? The ceremony will be held in Paris, France, on December 5.
Share your thoughts on the finalists in the comments below! Which cyclist do you predict will take home the Vélo d’or?
What factors contribute to Pauline Ferrand-Prévot being considered a strong contender for the 2025 Vélo d’Or award?
pauline Ferrand-Prévot and Tadej Pogačar Lead 2025 Vélo d’Or Award Shortlists
The Frontrunners for Cycling’s Most Prestigious Prize
The nominations are in,and the 2025 Vélo d’Or award is shaping up to be a thrilling contest. This year, French cycling superstar Pauline Ferrand-Prévot and Slovenian sensation Tadej Pogačar are widely considered the frontrunners, dominating the shortlists announced earlier today. The Vélo d’Or, often dubbed the “Golden Bike,” recognizes the best cyclist of the year across all disciplines – road, track, mountain bike, and cyclocross.
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot: A Multi-Discipline Dominance
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot’s inclusion on the shortlist isn’t a surprise. Her 2025 season has been nothing short of spectacular, showcasing her amazing versatility.
* World Championship Success: Ferrand-Prévot secured a decisive victory at the 2025 UCI Mountain Bike World championships in Vallnord, Andorra, cementing her status as a leading mountain biker.
* Road Racing Prowess: She also demonstrated strong performances in several key road races,including a top-10 finish at the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift,highlighting her all-around cycling ability.
* Cyclocross Credentials: A consistent threat in the cyclocross scene,Ferrand-Prévot’s early-season results suggest she’s a contender for major wins in the upcoming cyclocross campaign.
* Previous Vélo d’Or Wins: Ferrand-Prévot is no stranger to the award, having previously won in 2015 and 2018, making her a strong candidate to add a third Vélo d’Or to her impressive collection.
This consistent performance across multiple disciplines is a key factor in her strong position. fans and analysts alike are discussing her potential to become the most decorated female cyclist in history. The mountain biking world is particularly excited about her continued success.
Tadej Pogačar: continuing His Reign
Tadej Pogačar’s name is synonymous with cycling excellence. The 2025 season has further solidified his position as one of the sport’s biggest stars.
* Tour de France Triumph: Pogačar secured his third Tour de France victory in a dominant display of cycling prowess, leaving his rivals trailing. His tactical brilliance and climbing ability were on full display.
* Liège-Bastogne-Liège Victory: Adding to his impressive palmarès, Pogačar also claimed victory at the prestigious Liège-Bastogne-Liège, showcasing his strength in the Classics.
* time Trial Excellence: Consistent strong performances in individual time trials throughout the season demonstrate his well-rounded skillset.
* Previous Vélo d’Or Recognition: Pogačar won the Vélo d’Or in both 2020 and 2021, and is a clear favorite to reclaim the title.
Pogačar’s ability to consistently perform at the highest level, across different types of races, makes him a formidable competitor. His aggressive racing style and captivating personality have also contributed to his widespread popularity. Road cycling fans are eagerly anticipating the award ceremony.
Other Notable Nominees
While ferrand-Prévot and Pogačar are the clear favorites, several other cyclists deserve recognition for their outstanding achievements in 2025:
- Remco Evenepoel: The Belgian prodigy delivered strong performances in the time trial and stage races.
- Jonas Vingegaard: Despite a challenging season, Vingegaard remained a consistent threat in grand tours.
- Katarzyna Niewiadoma: A consistent performer in women’s road racing, Niewiadoma secured several podium finishes.
- Mathieu van der Poel: Dominating the cyclocross scene and showing strength on the road, van der Poel is a versatile contender.
The Voting Process and Award Ceremony
The Vélo d’Or is decided by a jury comprised of journalists from leading cycling publications across Europe. Each juror ranks their top five cyclists, and points are awarded based on their ranking. The cyclist with the most points wins the coveted Golden Bike.
The award ceremony is scheduled for [Date to be confirmed – typically October/November] in Paris, France. The event is a highlight of the cycling calendar, bringing together the sport’s biggest names and celebrating the achievements of the past year. Cycling news outlets will provide live coverage of the event.
Past Context: The Vélo d’Or Legacy
Established in 1936, the Vélo d’Or has a rich history of recognizing cycling’s greatest talents.Legendary cyclists such as Fausto Coppi, Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, and Miguel Indurain have all been honored with the award. In recent years, the award has become increasingly inclusive
