Pogakar became the best male rider of the year, Kopecky became the winner in the women’s category.

Paris, 7 December (HIST). Cycling superstar Tadej Pogacar was awarded the Velo d’Or on Friday as male rider of the year. This award was given to him for victories in the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France and World Championships.

World champion Lotte Kopecky of Belgium won the women’s Velo d’Or award, voted for by a jury of 40 journalists.

Slovenian Team UAE rider Pogacar got the better of his rivals in 2024, reclaiming the Tour de France for his third win in the race, and taking his first world title at Switzerland’s Giro d’Italia after skipping the Olympic Games Won. Ireland’s Stephen Roche was the last rider to win the Triple Crown in 1987.

Overall, Pogačar took 25 victories, including Liège–Bastogne and the Tour of Lombardy.

Receiving his second Valo d’Or after 2021, 26-year-old Pogačar said, “I am still young, as the years go by, we realize the importance of things. I am proud that all my work has been recognized.”

“It will be almost impossible to have another year like this, but I will do my best,” said Pogacar, who has six individual stage wins in both the Tour de France and the Giro.

Pogacar has scored 88 wins since joining the UAE in 2019 and has a blockbuster contract with the Gulf-backed outfit that runs until 2030.

Meanwhile, 29-year-old Kopecky won 16 races and successfully retained the world title. “I really wanted to add this to my list of honors,” she said.