Pogacar headlines 2025 Vélo d’Or nominations as Kopecky misses out

The Slovenian is joined by Mathieu van der Poel, Remco Evenepoel, Tim Merlier, Isaac del Toro, João Almeida, Ben Healy, Mads Pedersen, Jonas Vingegaard, and Simon Yates. Pogačar claimed the Vélo d’Or in 2024 and is the overwhelming favourite to repeat, following a year that saw him dominate almost every race he entered.

The women’s Vélo d’Or features a more open field, though last year’s winner Lotte Kopecky is a notable omission despite her third consecutive victory in the Tour of Flanders, while reigning world champion Magdeleine Vallieres is also absent. The ten nominees include Mischa Bredewold, Puck Pieterse, Demi Vollering, Marianne Vos, Lorena Wiebes, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, Kim Le Court, Marlen Reusser, Katarzyna Niewiadoma, and Elisa Longo Borghini.

Vollering remains the only former winner on this year’s list, having taken the award in 2023.

Established in 1992 by L’Équipe, the Vélo d’Or has long been considered cycling’s most prestigious individual accolade, recognising the rider who best embodies excellence across the season. The women’s edition was introduced in 2022, with previous winners including Vollering, Annemiek van Vleuten, and Kopecky.

The winners will be announced on Friday, December 5, during a gala ceremony in Paris.