Once again I was honoured to be part of Rouleur Classic - dubbed the finest cycling exhibition in the world - as we presented the Voxwomen Sharon Laws Road Rider of the Year award. This is not just a chance to celebrate and reflect on a superb season of women’s cycling, but also to remember Sharon Laws, a great British rider, friend and colleague who passed away in December 2017 after a 14 month battle with cancer.

This year, there was one clear choice - Annemiek van Vleuten was crowned the winner, as by a public vote. The Dutch megastar continues to amaze the cycling world. Her first win came at the very start of the Women’s World Tour, Strade Bianche, and her next win at the end of the Spring campaign - Liege Bastogne Liege. A simply mind-blowing performance saw her take three minutes out of then-world champion Anna van der Breggen in the time trial at the Giro Rosa, before going on to win overall. And then - THAT attack at the World Championships. After a below -par time trial, in which she could “only” secure the bronze medal, Van Vleuten attacked in the road race with 106km to go, on the infamous Lofthouse climb. And she never looked back.

Over 100km solo, and despite a number of attacks to try to bring her back, from the likes of home favourite Lizzie Deignan and newly-crowned time trial world champion Chloe Dygert-Owen, Van Vleuten’s victory was ultimately never in doubt.

After victories in Gent-Wevelgem and Driedsaage de Panne, Kirsten Wild was voted second for the award, with super domestique Christine Majerus claiming third after her best season to date. Christine was in London, and alongside Hannah Walker of Voxwomen, Rouleur editor Andy McGrath and Eurosport’s Orla Chennaoui, we had a spirited debate about women’s cycling - the progress made, the hopes for the future, and the challenges faced.

A huge thank you to all the fans who engaged and voted in the Spring, Summer and final round of voting and to those who listened so intently to the awards and the discussion on stage.

An honour as ever to present the award, and to continue to keep Sharon’s name alive. Thank you to Rouleur for giving us the platform to do so!

Remembering Sharon Laws at the Rouleur Classic 2019

Laura Winter