Vélo d'Or: 12 riders nominated - who will win the 2021 award?

Cycling: The Vélo d'Or is awarded to the best rider of the season every year. Who will snatch the title this year? In the person of Annemiek van Vleuten, a woman could receive the award for the first time. A track cycling pro has also been nominated. However, favorites are others.

Vélo d'Or 2021: There is no clear favourite

Last year got first time Primois Roglic presented with the coveted Vélo d'Or. The Slovenian won the award ahead of his fellow countryman Tadej pogacar and the Belgian Wout van Aert. These three professionals have been nominated again this year, but they have to deal with numerous well-known competitors. Roglic won the Vuelta a Espana and the time trial at the Olympics. Pogacar triumphed again in a commanding manner in the Tour de France, but also won Liège - Bastogne - Liège, the Tour of Lombardy, Tirreno - Adriatico and the UAE Tour. So he should start the race as a slight favourite. Wout van Aert impressed above all with his flexibility. The Belgian won three stages on different terrains in the Tour de France and also came out on top in the Amstel Gold Race. The Italian could surprise at the Vélo d'Or 2021 Sonny Colbrelli. He surprisingly won the European Road Race Championships and then Paris – Roubaix.

A woman and a track cyclist are nominated

In addition to the 10 pros from the men's peloton on the road, a woman and a track pro were also nominated. Annemiek van Vleuten could become the first woman to receive the Vélo d'Or. The Dutchwoman has been successful for many years and won the Tour of Flanders, among other things, this season. However, since she had even better results in previous years, it is not to be expected that she will be able to win the title this time. The same applies to track cyclists Harry Lavreysen. The Dutchman won a whopping seven gold medals this year, spread over the Olympics, the World Championships and the European Championships. So he definitely deserved the award, but the road bike pros still get preferential treatment. European cycling journalists from various countries will decide on the new title holder.