The VeloVeritas Awards for 2021

Yes, we know, it’s been done to death but it is the Festive Season so it’s time for this kind of thing, the ‘VeloVeritas 2021 Awards.’ 

Lassies first…

* * *

Young Scottish rider of the year

Anna Shackley. A contract with SD Worx, Olympic selection, the British u23 Individual Time Trial Champion and fifth in the British Road Race Championships.

Not a bad old year for the 20 year-old. 

* * *

Scottish cyclist of the year

Katie Archibald. No explanations required for that one, save:

• 2^nd in Olympic Games, Team Pursuit.
• 1^st in Olympic Games, Madison. 
• 1^st in European Championship, Omnium.
• 1^st in European Championship, Madison.
• 1^st in European Championship, Scratch. 
• 3^st in World Championship, Team Pursuit. 
• 1^st in World Championship, Omnium. 
• 3^rd in World Championship, Madison. 
• 2^nd in World Championship, Points race.

* * *

International track cyclists of the year

The endurance crown has to go to aforementioned Ms. Archibald.

As far as sprinters go, we think that Germany’s Ms. Lea Sophie Friedrich is a safe bet for that one with:

• 2^nd in Olympic Games, Team Sprint.
• 1^st in European Championship, Keirin. 
• 2^nd in European Championship, Team Sprint. 
• 2^nd in European Championship, Individual Sprint. 
• 1^st in World Championship, Team Sprint.
• 2^nd in World Championship, Individual Sprint. 
• 1^st in World Championship, 500 m TT 
• 1^st in World Championship, Keirin.

… and she’s 21 years-old.

* * *

International road cyclist of the year

Annemiek Van Vleuten [Movistar & The Netherlands] world ranked number one with 13 wins including Flanders, Donostia and the Tour of Norway.

Honourable mention to World Ladies Hour Record Holder, Jos Lowden.

Moving on to the Laddies:

* * *

Young Scottish riders of the year

It had to be a joint award with Calum Johnston grabbing himself an elusive ProTeam contract with ‘cult’ Spanish team Caja Rural and Cameron Mason taking a UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup victory.

Great to see young Scots, ‘just doing it!’ 

* * *

Scottish rider of the year

Jack Carlin. There was a time when a British Olympic cycling medal of any colour was big news.

But since Beijing 2008 we’ve become so used to British track cycling medals that unless they’re gold, well…

This gentleman came home from Tokyo with a team sprint silver and individual sprint bronze to little fanfare.

CHAPEAU! we say.  

We move on to the international stage now…

* * *

Domestique of the year

Tim Declerq [Deceuninck QuickStep & Belgium]. Not for nothing is he known as, Tim The Tractor – ploughing away at the head of affairs for hour after hour. A remarkable big man.

* * *

Manager of the year

Patrick Lefevere. I’m reminded of the nervous young journalist who asked Jerry Lee Lewis if it was OK to mention the rock & roller’s brushes with the law; ‘say what you want son but just don’t spell my name wrong!’

The Belgian is intelligent and shrewd with much of what he says simply designed to stir up controversy and keep his and his team’s name in the media spotlight.

Answers on a post card please to these questions: ‘if he’s such a horrible man how come he inspires such loyalty and has riders clamouring to join/re-join his team? – and name me one rider who has done better since leaving his organisation?