Who are the top riders of 2016? It’s not just as simple as looking at the wins total. There are different ways to make a mark. In an entirely subjective, totally personal assessment, here are the first five women to make the cut.
Evelyn Stevens – recently retired, at the top of her game. Stevens proved that so much is possible. You can have a life and career before you race. You can still get to the top of a hard, hard sport, using raw talent and fearsome determination.
In her farewell year, she kept her foot to the floor winning three stages of the Giro Rosa, second at Flèche Wallone, third in California … and smashed the World Hour Record.
Popular, dedicated, successful – it’s hard to be all three at the same time let alone for a sustained period. Stevens managed it for years, and will be a huge miss to the peloton.
Elisa Longo Borghini – hard to believe she only won one race this year, her national ITT championship, as ELB seemed to be in at the death of every significant race. 3rd in the Rio road race, 5th in the Olympic ITT, 5th in Flanders, 3rd in the Europeans. It was a stunningly consistent year. Elisa turns 25 in the winter, and should be heading for her finest years. With Emma Johansson looking to step away from her racing career, more leadership opportunities should open up for the affable Italian racer.
Katarzyna Niewadoma – Giro del Trentino winner, Elsy Jacobs winner, and two stages and the overall at the Boels Rental Ladies Tour. Nine wins in total, including the ITT/RR double in her national championships and the Ronde van Gelderland, suggesting phenomenal adaptability. Having only just turned 22, the next year will be fascinating, seeing her with a chance to step up to greater responsibility … but on the same team as a rejuvenated Marianne Vos.
Lotta Lepisto – another rider to take big steps forward, the Finnish sprinter allied growing strength to consistency and confidence. Wins from sprints in the World Tour, from breakaways and in time trials, Lepisto offers Cervelo-Bigla major options for 2017.
Chloe Hosking – six wins, and all in top-notch races: La Course by Le Tour de France, Tour of Chongming Island, Giro d’Italia Feminnile stage. Hosking is one of the savviest riders on the bike, and off the bike. She combines a new phase of her life with her career in 2017 – a law degree for her post-race life, and a move to Ale Cipollini.