The VIS Award of Excellence is the highest individual honour presented by the Institute, recognising an athlete who has achieved outstanding sporting results while contributing to the promotion and development of their sport.
Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at 27, Emily has turned challenge into purpose to become one of Australia’s most decorated cyclists.
A dual Paralympic gold medallist and world record holder, Petricola has collected an extraordinary tally of ten track World Championship titles and two road World Championship titles at the time of nomination.
Since then, in recent weeks, she has added three more rainbow jerseys to her collection; claiming gold in the C3 Scratch Race, C3 1Kilometre Time Trial and the C3 Elimination at the 2025 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships.
Petricola won three more World Champion titles at the recent 2-25 Para-cycling Track World Championships.
Petricolas success is a testament to resilience, determination, and elite performance. She has emerged as a remarkable role model, consistently defending titles and remaining at the top of her game as a world leader.
She is also a finalist for the VIS Para Athlete Award, further highlighting the significance of her achievements on the bike this year.
Off the bike, Petricola has been appointed Para Unit Lead at the South Australian Institute of Sport, where she works to identify, develop, and inspire the next generation of Para-athletes.
Also a passionate mentor, educator and speaker, Petricola is an advocate for inclusivity, accessibility and opportunity in sport, using her experience in both sport and health to inspire others.
If named the winner, Petricola will become the sixth VIS cyclist in history to receive the honour, joining an elite group of Australian cycling legends: Katie Mactier, Cadel Evans AM, Leigh Howard, Carol Cooke AM, and last years winner, Grace Brown OAM.
The winner of the 2025 VIS Award of Excellence will be announced on 11 November.
Follow the celebrations and award announcements via VIS social media (@vicinstsport) throughout the evening.
