BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — Veteran cycling journalist John Wilcockson, the editor at large of Peloton Magazine, was recently recognized by the International Association of Cycling Journalists with the Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Cycling Journalism Award.
Wilcockson was one of the first English-language journalists to cover the European peloton and has covered more than 40 editions of the Tour de France.
"With his crisp writing style, excellent reporting skills, and eye for detail, John introduced the thrilling world of European road racing to generations of English-speaking readers who were hungry to know more about the sport. Before the internet, smartphones and GPS, John was often sought out to provide historical details, statistics and information, or simply how to find the fastest way to the start of a race," the AIJC said.
Wilcockson is the former editor of Winning and VeloNews and has contributed to many other leading English-language publications. He is the author of 12 books, including 23 Days in July, one of ESPN's Top 10 Sports Books of the Year.
The AIJC also has voted to give its annual award for the most media-friendly rider in professional cycling to Colombia's Esteban Chaves of the Orica-Bike Exchange team. The AIJC created the award in 2015 to "recognize those in the sport that make a special effort to work with and respect their independent role in professional cycling."
Chaves finished second at the 2016 Giro d'Italia, third at the Vuelta a España and won the end-of-season Il Lombardia race.
"It is good that a talented Grand Tour rider like Esteban Chaves understands the importance of a having good relation with the media. This prize is also for his Orica-BikeExchange team who helped develop an excellent working relationship with the media throughout the 2016 season," said AIJC's president, Raymond Kerckhoffs.
The AIJC was created in 1976 to unite journalists from different media and different nations covering professional cycling. The organization's mission is to work with the UCI, race organizers, teams and riders to develop and sustain a professional working relationship and the correct reporting of the sport on a worldwide basis.
