Panache 2025

Honour Reigns Supreme

The Yorkshire Three Peaks is a fitting stage for the likes of Lachlan Morton. A race that puts the grass in grass roots. Six years on from his first entry, he returned to the brutal cyclocross/hike-a-bike in a heartfelt commitment that embodied the very soul of adventure cycling. Fittingly, Lachie finished second behind Jenson Young, a Yorkshire rider, proving that in some races there’s no substitute for local nous. 

Dolomite Drama

Simon Yates and the Colle delle Finestre had history. His stint in the Maglia Rosa ended on its slopes in 2018 as Chris Froome set off on one of the most audacious breaks in Giro history. When the Finestre reappeared in the Garibaldi for 2025, it felt like unfinished business for the man from Bury. A gutsy ride aided by the selflessness of Wout van Aert sealed not just third on the day, or another Grand Tour for the palmarès, but complete redemption.

Image Credit: Harry Talbot

Maude-ville, Colorado

In an incredible feat of sheer will and endurance, Maude Farrell defied expectations by completing all five demanding MTB and trail running events in the Leadville series becoming the overall series champion. That’s 455km of off-road competition on two wheels and two feet, with thousands of meters of high-altitude elevation gain. Her lowest position was third, putting in consistent podium performances in some of the hardest ultra-endurance races in the world.

Image Credit: Matt Shapiro

Pioneer Spirit

A true trailblazer in the off-road world, Kate Courtney stepped comfortably into the brutal world of high-altitude ultra-endurance. Kate’s dominance at the Leadville 100 demonstrated the power and mental resilience required to conquer the American West's toughest course in record time. This fortitude also gained her the rainbow bands at the UCI Mountain Bike Marathon World Championship in Verbier, overcoming a flat tyre en route to victory.

It's Maggie’s World(s)

Another breakthrough performance that shocked the cycling establishment. Magdeleine Vallieres Mill’s victory in the road World Championships demonstrated the power of self-belief and desire, igniting excitement for the next generation and proving that there are no gifts in cycling.

Image Credit: Zac Williams

Take Me Home

The UCI Road World Championships were held on African soil for the first time in September, in Kigali, Rwanda. The crowds were exceptional and the racing as fierce as ever, but the moment when Team Amani’s ​​Xaverine Nirere rolled off the ramp for the Elite Women’s Time Trial will live long in the memory. The noise in the arena was matched on the roads as she proudly flew around the course. It was yet another landmark moment for Xaverine and Team Amani as they work toward their dream of being the first African team to compete at the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift by 2028.

Image Credit: Finley Newmark

Tick Tock

The clock couldn’t have moved slower as we all waited with bated breath on the Puy de Sancy. Ben Healy, of EF Education-EasyPost, became the first Irishman since Stephen Roche in 1987 to wear the Maillot Jaune. A courageous, battling third was enough to seal it, a couple of days on from taking his first stage win at La Grande Boucle. A standout moment in our final season with the team.

Image Credit: Gruber Images

Seventh Time’s a Charm

Just when his competitors thought they saw an opportunity for victory, the Cyclocross maestro Mathieu van der Poel remained unflappable. After navigating a flat tyre, he preserved his lead through instinct and composure, before powering on to a record-equalling seventh world title. To keep coming back year after year, across several disciplines, and continue to dominate shows an infectious commitment to riding wherever, and whatever you can.

Image Credit: Joris Knapen

Pauline the Queen

Some were sceptical at Pauline Ferrand-Prévot’s return to the road after dominating the XC World Series for several years. But she put any doubt over her place on the Mount Rushmore of women’s cycling firmly to bed in 2025. A dominant year on home soil, in front of an adoring French crowd. Not only in her victory at Paris-Roubaix, but her emotional Tour de France Femmes Avec Zwift overall victory. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as she crossed the line in Châtel. Her season was a spectacular display of commitment and versatility.

Image Credit: Anouk Flesch

Danish Delight

It wasn’t just Mattias Skjelmose who was in disbelief at the finish line of Amstel Gold. You’d have found it hard to find many people backing him against his breakaway companions. His improbable victory by the barest of margins, where he out-sprinted Pogačar and Evenepoel and then proclaimed, “I think I won!”, captured the genuine, unedited euphoria and surprise of a massive breakthrough victory.

Image Credit: Harry Talbot