The breakfast awards recognise just a small fraction of those who have been a part of our club success over the past year. These people contribute to our successful and fun club culture.
Thank you to Simon Lai and Welshy for putting the great trophies together, some of which will become perpetual with a bike part of significance added by the trophy holder each year. Also thanks to our new prez, Dees, for running a great show and to the Little Pickle for hosting us.
Most Improved Riders
Riders who have trained hard all year, participated in club racing and training and reaped the rewards for their efforts by demonstrating great gains over the past 12 months.
Most Improved Male: Michael Rosser
Hard and consistent training all year has taken “Smacky Mike” from C grade also-ran to one of the club Hard Men. His season culminated with wins at the road champs and at Honeysuckle Hammer, then 7th on GC in tour of Bright C grade.
Most Improved Female: Caitlin Pearse
From wobbly and nervous novice on an ill-fitting bike to being the only female to brave the Nat Cap Tour support crit and only one of two elite aged women at the ACT ITT champs. Caits has become a club stalwart both on and off the road.
Hardnut Award
Gay Bourke
For the toughest rider of the year, and perhaps this year t
he craziest as well. This year’s award goes to Gay for her four successful “Everests” since October of Majura, Red Hill, Tawonga Gap and Wee Jasper Rd.
Novices of the year
For the novice program graduates from the last 12 months who have show great dedication and improvement.
Novice Female of the year: Alison Hale
She has jumped straight into the cycling life after doing the most recent novice program, riding nearly every criterium this season (and doing quite well), now proving an aptitude for the velodrome.
Novice Male of the year: Adam Lee
A graduate from last year who has shown a natural flair for cycling. He is a very strong rider on the flat lands and crits, and his cheeky avoidance of hills has made him somewhat of a Goulburn course specialist.
Bosworth Memorial Soft Tern Award
Andrew McCosker
This award goes to the rider who is never sees the wind until the final 20 metres of a bike race. Perhaps a bit lazy about doing a turn on the front – and when he does it’s always a soft one – but also a clever, sneaky rider who knows how to get a result. Rumour has it that Bosworth actually pulled a turn for him recently! This year that McCosker is also recognised for his contributions to the development of others and for putting his time and money into a team that provides opportunities for up and coming riders. An unprecedented second consecutive soft tern award.
Zapp Award for Best Wheel
Matt Larkin
Traditionally for the best wheel to follow in a race, this year it’s also for being an example to follow in general as he hasn’t been able to do a whole lot of riding. A bunch leader, criterium helper, reliable, passionate, involved and long term club member.
Meritorious Service Award
Rob Fisher
For an outgoing committee member who has shown dedication over a long period of time. Without Rob the club would not be in the position it is in. Most work has been behind the scenes: diplomacy, dealing, conflict resolution, representation. But also having a hand in every single committee activity from finances to race organisation and advertising. Presented the Oar of Oarsomeness for doing covering the jobs of many, Rob can consider his contributions to have been well and truly “noted” by the general members.
Club Man and Woman of the Year
For the greatest contributions to the club by general members over the past 12 months – volunteering, racing, training, contributing to club life.
Clubwoman of the year: Lee Sheather
Over many years Lee has volunteered to assist and mentor the novice program, and this year is no different. She gives time, money and energy to her club and the sport. She is passionate about the Vikings and cycling, and is a genuine and much loved character in our club. Lee is everyone’s favourite voice in the bunch.
Clubman of the year: Jim Veal
There was little debate to be had about this award this year. With retirement from work, Jim has put an incredible amount of energy into the club and into ACT cycling more broadly. Involved with the Narrabundah velodrome renovations (including as a human “levelling tool”), putting bikes together for juniors and new track riders, coaching up to three junior sessions a week as well as running open and masters track sessions, commissairing and mentoring, as well as his official Cycling ACT activities. Rumour has it Jim organised a storage container at the velodrome just so he would have somewhere to get some sleep between sessions.
