MALE RIDER OF THE YEAR

When racing was allowed, GB’s men shone in every discipline in what has been a year of thrilling contests In association with Lezyne

5 JOHN ARCHIBALD

The Scot may only have ridden a handful of races this year, but he made them all count.

He began the season in January at the National Track Championships, plying the trade he is perhaps best known for. He won gold in the individual pursuit and in the team pursuit too, alongside his HUUBWattbike track team-mates.

After a six-month hiatus due to Covid-19, the 30-year-old pinned a number on again for some events against the clock. Again, top races including the National 25-mile Championship, the National Closed Circuit Championship at Thruxton, and the National Circuit Championship. He won them all. He also won the tough Velo Club Cumbria 50. In the only time trial he didn’t win he was beaten into a close second by Ribble-Weldtite team-mate Dan Bigham.

Archibald has made the most of a barren year for many domestic racing cyclists. With his girlfriend Emily Meakin also replete with time trial medals, between them they are probably going to need to find a bit more shelf space.

4 ADAM YATES

The UAE Tour in February was hit by the global spread of Covid-19. The last two stages were cancelled after two riders tested positive, while the rest were forced to self-isolate in their hotels, waiting to see if they were in the clear. It all rather overshadowed Adam Yates’s GC win – one of the biggest of his career. It included a solo stage win at Jebel Hafeet, where the runner up was a certain Tadej Pogacar.