Who’s your Rider of the Year?

Who’s your Rider of the Year? Is it the MTB racer turning heads on the trails this season, the multi-day gravel adventurer achieving great feats or your favourite YouTube star who makes you want to get out riding? Perhaps it’s one of the unsung heroes of the sport, or a community or club champion who puts in the work to make things better for everyone.

Whatever your answer, our colleagues on Mountain Biking UK and Cycling Plus are asking that very question and want to hear from you as they launch their new Rider of the Year awards for 2023, sponsored by Lezyne. 

To kick things off, we want your suggestions, in three categories:

• Rider of the Year
• Newcomer of the Year
• Lifetime Achievement Award

Then, a panel of expert judges from Cycling Plus and MBUK will draw up shortlists, before the first two categories are put to a public vote on 1 September, while the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award will be decided by our expert panel.

Winners will be revealed at an exclusive ceremony in November held at the Bristol head office of BikeRadar, Cycling Plus and MBUK, supported by Wiper and True brewery, and in the December issue of the magazines. 

MBUK Rider of the Year Award

A rider who’s had a significant impact or made a big difference to the mountain bike scene in 2023. 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.