Lizzie Armitstead is worthy of this Award, having in 2015 achieved outstanding victories in National and International road racing, culminating in the World Championship.
A daughter of Otley, Lizzie’s earlier cycling achievements were recognised by the 2010 C A Rhodes Award. Since then her burning ambition and Yorkshire determination have seen her scale new heights and she now reigns supreme as world number one in her chosen sphere.
The year 2015 started well for Lizzie with stage wins and the overall in the Tour of Qatar. Other victories in major European and US events followed, as she regularly demonstrated her ability to snatch wins from small breakaway groups.
In June she came home and took an outstanding solo win in the National Road Race Championship, being unbeatable on the steep cobbled climb in Lincoln city centre. She then returned to international racing and with victory in the GP de Plouay in August she sealed victory in the season long World Cup Series.
September took Lizzie to the World Championships in Richmond, Virginia. Towards the end of a long and aggressive race with no remaining team support and a break up the road victory seemed impossible. However she displayed outstanding tactical ability to steal the lead in a final kilometre showdown, achieving a most deserved and popular win.
In the period since her previous C A Rhodes Award Lizzie’s road race wins include the National Championship in both 2011 and 2013, the 2013 Commonwealth Games and the 2014 World Cup Series. She also took the silver medal in the 2012 London Olympics road race.
By these achievements Lizzie has achieved the objectives of the Award, bringing exceptional honour to Yorkshire and raising the profile of women’s cycling.