Mountain biking magazine, Mountain Biking UK, and road cycling magazine, Cycling Plus, have announced the launch of their new awards, Rider of the Year, sponsored by bicycle accessories brand Lezyne.
Our Media says this autumn, Cycling Plus and MBUK will each name their overall Rider of the Year, Newcomer of the Year and a Lifetime Achievement award.
Our Media says readers are being asked to submit online their suggestions for who’d they like to see shortlisted in each category. A panel of expert judges will then draw up shortlists to be put to the public vote in September, while recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award will be decided by the expert panel. Winners will be revealed at an exclusive ceremony in November held at the Bristol head office of Cycling Plus and MBUK, supported by Wiper and True brewery, and in the December issue of the magazines and on the BikeRadar podcast.
James Costley White, MBUK editor, says: “Rider of the Year is a great addition to our editorial calendar where we’ll be looking to celebrate those riders who have made a significant contribution to the mountain biking scene this year, whether they’ve been reaching the top of the podium, doing remarkable work in their community to get riders into MTB or have broken through in a spectacular way!”
Matt Baird, Cycling Plus editor, says: “There’s lots of great work going on across the country and while it’s often WorldTour pros that get all the accolades, we’ll be looking to celebrate as broad a peloton of cyclists as possible in our three Rider of the Year award categories. So, if you know someone who’s made a significant impact in the world of road or gravel cycling by engaging with their cycling communities to make great things happen, racing to the top of their game, taking part in an event or adventure that’s tested their abilities, or any other noteworthy contribution, be sure to let us know!”
Mark Noble, head of marketing Upgrade Bikes / Lezyne, says: “Rider of The Year is great news for us as an industry, for Lezyne, and for cycling community in general. I’m proud that we’re able to help bring this to life, to create a vital new event on the calendar which will be a proper celebration of the characters and riders that are making a difference to cycling. This needed to happen, collaborating Lezyne on this made total sense, and the people who’ll be awarded RoTY will be truly deserving these accolades. I can’t wait!”
Our Media says the criteria is as follows:
MBUK Rider of the Year Award
A rider who’s had a significant impact or made a big difference in 2023 to the mountain bike scene. This could be through competing (amateur or professional), taking part in an event or adventure, leading a group or community, or any other contribution to the sport.
MBUK Newcomer of the Year Award
A rider who’s burst onto the mountain bike scene in the past year and had a significant impact or made a big difference. Nominees can be any age and don’t have to be new to the sport, but most MBUK readers should have been unfamiliar with them prior to 2023, and they must have made a significant achievement or breakthrough this year that deserves recognition.
MBUK Lifetime Achievement Award
A veteran of the sport and someone who’s regarded as an absolute legend, either by mountain bikers as a whole, the mountain biking industry or their riding community.
Cycling Plus Rider of the Year Award
We’re looking for the cyclist who has made a significant impact in 2023, whether through competing at an amateur level, taking part in an event or adventure, leading a group or community, or any other contribution to the sport of cycling.
Cycling Plus Newcomer of the Year Award
The same criteria apply, but we’re after someone who wasn’t a big name in 2022, and maybe still isn’t. They don’t necessarily have to be young or new to the sport, but they will have done something special in 2023 that deserves recognition.
Cycling Plus Lifetime Achievement Award
The winner will be a veteran of the sport and someone who’s known as legendary for their club contributions, epic cycling efforts or work in the cycling community.
The publisher says readers can submit their suggestions via the following links:
Voting will open on 1 September, and details on how and where to vote will be available online and in magazine nearer the time.
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