Crystal Bicycle Explained

The "Dutch; Flemish: '''Kristallen Fiets'''" (Dutch for "Crystal Bicycle") is a cycle racing award, created in 1992 by the Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws. The award is given annually to the Belgian rider considered to have performed the best over the year.

As of 2013, Johan Museeuw holds the record, winning the award five times. Only two cyclo-cross riders have won the award, Paul Herygers and Sven Nys, although Wout van Aert also won the trophy twice after already having shifted focus to road racing.

Other categories have been introduced at later stages, including the Best Young Rider award in 1994, the Best Cycling Manager award in 2000, the best domestique award in 2005 (commonly referred to as the Crystal Drop of Sweat), the Best Female Rider in 2016, and finally the Best Young Female Rider in 2023.

Recipients

Year Crystal Bicycle
(men)
Best Young Rider
(men)
Best Manager Crystal Drop of Sweat
(Best Helper)
Crystal Bicycle
(women)
Best Young Rider
(women)
1992 Not Awarded Not Awarded Not Awarded Not Awarded Not Awarded
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000 Patrick Lefevere & Johan Bruyneel
2001 Jef Braeckevelt
2002 Johan Bruyneel
2003 Johan Bruyneel
2004 Patrick Lefevere
2005 Kevin Hulsmans
2006 Gert Steegmans
2007 Johan Vansummeren
2008 Mario Aerts
2009 Stijn Vandenbergh
2010 Mario Aerts
2011 Jelle Vanendert
2012 Kevin De Weert
2013 Stijn Vandenbergh
2014 Iljo Keisse
2015 Iljo Keisse
2016 Jolien D'Hoore
2017 Jolien D'Hoore
2018 Nicky Degrendele
2019 Sanne Cant
2020
2021
2022
2023 Julie De Wilde

External links