- Dec 31, 2024
- 3 min read
British Cycling has rounded off a momentous year with four Olympic and six Paralympic gold medalists honoured in the 2025 New Year Honours list, alongside two exceptional community cycling champions, for their services to cycling.
After winning a sensational, second back-to-back Olympic gold medal in the MTB after an intense showdown with home-nation rider Victor Koretzky, Tom Pidcock has been awarded an OBE for services to cycling.
Also being recognised with an OBE for services to cycling is four-time Paralympic gold medalist Jaco van Gass, who brought home two golds from Paris in the C1-5 mixed team sprint and C3 individual pursuit.
Having made history at this summer’s Paris 2024 Olympic Games becoming the first ever British women’s team sprint squad to win Olympic gold, Sophie Capewell, Emma Finucane and Katy Marchant have each been awarded an MBE.
Also recognised with an MBE for services to cycling were tandem riders Sophie Unwin and Jenny Holl who won an incredible two gold, one silver and one bronze medal across the road and track, as well as fellow tandem riders Lizzi Jordan and Danni Khan who took home a gold medal in their first Paralympic Games.
Having added a silver medal to his Paralympic medal collection in the men’s C3 individual pursuit, before winning the men’s C1-3 road race in sensational style against a duo of Frech riders, Fin Graham was also awarded an MBE.
Inspirational Yorkshire cycling volunteer Val French (67) was awarded a BEM for her services to cycling after this year becoming the first British Cycling Breeze Champion to lead 1,000 women-only bike rides. Breeze is British Cycling’s groundbreaking programme to get more women riding bikes for fun and since 2011 Val has helped more than 5,000 women on to bikes and played a huge role in narrowing the gender gap in participation in the sport.
73-year-old Christopher Sprules was also awarded a BEM for his services to cycling, having helped to grow cycling group Sustrans in Sussex, as well as working on projects to encourage people to walk or cycle.
CEO for British Cycling, Jon Dutton OBE said: “On behalf of everyone at British Cycling, I’d like to congratulate all of those recognised for their services to cycling in the New Year Honours list and thank them for their contribution to our great sport."
“It’s fantastic to see our Olympic and Paralympic heroes recognised for their extraordinary achievements which brought joy to so many over the summer Games.”
“I’m especially pleased to see Val recognised for her exceptional efforts in supporting women to get out on their bikes and experience the joy of cycling for themselves. Volunteers like Val are the absolute backbone of our sport and her passion and dedication is helping to change thousands of people's lives for the better.”
Performance Director for the Great Britain Cycling Team, Stephen Park CBE said: “In what has been such a fantastic year for elite sport in Great Britain, to see so many Olympic and Paralympic cyclists recognised in the New Year Honours list is a real testament to the talent we have in this country.”
"All of the Olympians and Paralympians recognised this year have spent their careers working hard to get to the biggest sporting stage in the world, where they delivered skilful and electrifying performances that bring unity and pride to all those watching back home, and help inspire the nation.”
Photo credit: SWPix
