C. A. RHODES MEMORIAL AWARD
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and Sheffrec Cycling Club
RECIPIENTS OF THE AWARD - 2000 TO 2009
Our Olympians (all members of the World Class Performance Programme) brought supreme honour to Yorkshire by winning medals at the Olympic Games in Sydney in September 2000 followed by further medals at the World Championships in Manchester.
Jon Clay (SLBM) and Christopher Newton (Middridge CRT/Middridge Engineering/Paul Donoghue Cycles) were members of the successful Track Team Pursuit team, winning Olympic bronze medals by beating France in the ride-off race and achieving a national record of 4-01.979 at the same time.
They went on to win silver medals in the same event in the World Championships, losing to the Olympic and World Champions Germany in the final.
Yvonne McGregor (Team Alsager) won an Olympic bronze medal in the Track Ladies Individual Pursuit event, beating her New Zealand opponent only in the last 100 metres by 0.08 seconds with a time of 3-38.850 after qualifying with 3-35.492.
2000 - The Yorkshire Olympians - Yvonne McGregor, Jonathan Clay & Chris Newton
Born in 1928 in Huddersfield, Brian commenced cycling in 1945 with Holme Valley Wheelers – winning the club 25 and 50 miles time trial championships in 1947. During his National Service he joined the Buckshee Wheelers, winning events in Egypt, and in 1951 he joined the Huddersfield Road Club and won the Galway to Dublin Road Race.
During the 1950s he rode the classic Warsaw-Berlin-Prague race on four occasions winning the King of the Mountains in 1959, a feat repeated in the Tour of Britain. He also won the Tour of Ireland twice, the BLRC Hill Climb Championship four times, the Manchester Wheelers 12 hour in 1953 with 258 miles, and ion 1954 the Manx Mountain Time Trial and the Yorkshire BAR.
He turned professional in 1957 and competed in the World Road Race Championship the same year. He rode as an international for ten years up to 1961. On ceasing his professional career Brian had to wait until 1969 to be reinstated as an amateur but soon returned to winning ways. Brian was also a member of the BCF Racing Committee for approximately ten years until 1975.
Brian’s principal successes as a veteran have occurred in recent years, winning the Yorkshire VTTA BAR ten years in succession from 1991 to 2000, during which period he also won seven National Championships and became the National VTTA 3 Distance Champion in 1997 and the VTTA BAR champion in 1999.
Brian has won 46 medals in NCU, BLRC, RTTC and VTTA National Championships and set 36 VTTA age records, including 100 miles in 4.3.58 at age 68 and 50 miles in 1.51.28 at age 70. Brian’s achievements during his racing career have been truly magnificent and brought honour to his home county and fully entitled him to this award.
Chris Newton began his racing career in 1988 as a juvenile with Teesside Clarion where he won the Divisional Track League Championship.
From then on his career went from strength to strength with various clubs including Middridge C.R.T., when over the years he produced outstanding form – gaining many wins and top placings in prestigious races at home and overseas including nine National Championships, the Manx International Time trial (twice), a silver medal in the Team Pursuit at the Commonwealth games in 1994, first overall in the Circuit des Mines in France, the BCF National Criterium Championship and (in 2000) a bronze medal in the Olympic Games Team Pursuit and a silver medal in the World Championship Team Pursuit.
However Chris’s greatest success was in 2002 with Pinarello R.T. winning a silver medal in the Team Pursuit and a bronze medal in the Points Race, both in the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, the B.C.F. National Points Championship, a bronze medal in the World Championship Team Pursuit and the ultimate goal of a gold medal in the World Championship Points Race on the track at Copenhagen.
Chris’s many achievements culminating in a World Championship have brought great honour to Yorkshire and makes him very well worthy of this Award.
2002 - Chris Newton
Following the tragic death of David Rayner in 1994 Dudley Hayton and Colin Wilcock contacted other friends, resulting in the founding of the Dave Rayner Fund on the 12th January 1995 with the main object of raising money to enable promising young racing cyclists to spend time abroad to develop their talents in a true cycling environment. Also a memorial stone was unveiled at the cyclist’s mecca of Gargrave on the 9th July 1995.
The Fund organises sponsored rides and other fund raising efforts. The principal event is the annual dinner with celebrities such as Tour de France star Miguel Indurain raising approximately £30,000 in 2003.
In total 104 riders have been helped since 1995 including Charly Wegelius, Jamie Burrow, Russell Downing, Yanto Barker and particularly David Miller (Cofidis) who became World Time Trial Campion in Canada in 2003.
The hard working committee members of the fund are Dudley Hayton (Chairman), Colin Wilcock, Billy Holmes, Keith Lambert, Jonny Clay, Derek Smith, Sid Barras, Graham Baxter, Bernard Burns and Chris Walker.
These superb achievements have brought worldwide recognition, bringing much honour for Yorkshire.
2003 - Dave Rayner Fund
The Court of Trustees has adjudged Michael Anthony Smith worthy of special recognition for his efforts in the administration and the publicising of the sport of cycling for over 40 years.
Michael (Mike) Smith commenced cycling in 1956, joined the Saxon R.C. and soon held several offices in the Manchester District. He moved to Yorkshire in 1975, joining the East Bradford C.C., becoming secretary in 1985, achieving life membership in 1999 and being elected President the same year – an office he still holds.
Mike has served on the R.T.T.C. (C.T.T.) Yorkshire District Committee since 1985, the Y.C.F. Committee for 20 years co-ordinating the points series and has been Chairman of the V.T.T.A. Yorkshire Group since 1984. He was R.T.T.C. Yorkshire District Chairman for 3 years, is an official course measurer and has received the R.T.T.C. Certificate of Honour.
His forte has been with the media. He has reported in Cycling Weekly since 1965 and worked with B.B.C. Manchester, Pennine Radio, Radio Leeds and Radio Aire. In television commencing with B.B.C. and I.T.V. he joined Eurosport in 1991 covering the Olympics and for the last 7 years the Tour de France, being on the race itself in 2004.
Mike has commentated on cycling events for almost 40 years, including Fallowfield Track, the Isle of Man International Cycling Week and most major events in Yorkshire and nationally.
Mike’s efforts in ensuring public awareness of cycling and his administrative expertise have given honour to Yorkshire and made him most entitled to this award.
The Court of Trustees has adjudged Brian Robinson worthy of special recognition as the first Briton to win a stage and complete the Tour de France and as an ambassador for cycling.
Commencing cycling at the age of 14 in 1944, Brian Robinson followed his father and brother by joining Huddersfield R.C. In 1952 he finished eighth in the Helsinki Olympic Games Road Race, became National Hill Climb Champion and won the Esholt Grand Prix.
In 1953 as a professional for Ellis Briggs Cycles be finished second in the Tour of Britain, holding the yellow jersey for some days and in 1954 he won the G.P. Tour of the Pennines.
In 1955 riding with Hercules in Europe, Brian became the first Briton to complete the Tour de France, finishing in 29th place. He gained a stage win in the Tour of Europe and held the yellow jersey in the Sud-Est stage race.
As a member of the international team in 1956 he achieved eighth place in both the Vuelta and the Tour of Switzerland. Joining the St. Raphael team in 1957 Brian won a stage in the Paris-Nice, third place in Milan-San Remo, fourth place in the Fleche Wallone and became the first Briton to win a stage in the Tour de France, being successful at Brest. He won a further stage in 1959 at Chalon-sur-Saone. Brian’s finest victory was in 1961 when he won a stage and finished first overall in the Dauphine Libere.
Since retiring Brian has been a superb ambassador for cycling. These exploits over 50 years ago have brought great honour to Yorkshire and fully entitled Brian to this award.
The Court of Trustees has adjudged Kevin Dawson worthy of the award as a special recognition for winning the Men’s R.T.T.C.-C.T.T. British Best All Rounder for a record tenth time.
Kevin Dawson (Agisko-Dart R.T.) commenced racing in 1988 when 18 years old. He first won the B.B.A.R. in 1992 and in 2006 he became the B.B.A.R. for a record breaking tenth time. He is the only Yorkshire man to have the B.B.A.R. since 1970 and also achieved the record speed of 28.260 mph in 2003. He holds completion records at 50 miles (1.37.21), 100 miles (3.22.45) and is part of the 50 mile, 100 mile and 12 hour team record holder.
Kevin has also been very successful in road racing, his principal victories being five times Division Road Race Champion, first in the Lincoln Grand Prix and second in the National Road Race Championship.
For the above unprecedented and probably not to be repeated achievements Kevin’s brilliant efforts have brought honour to Yorkshire and made him well qualified to take this award.
The Court of Trustees has adjudged David Stone MBE and Edward (Ed) Clancy MBE as being worthy of the Award, having brought exceptional honour to the county by winning gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
Now living in Yorkshire, David Stone MBE started cycling aged 7, commenced racing at 16 and competed in the Sydney Paralympics in 2000. David is a member of the Yorkshire Road Club and also rides for Dave Mellor Cycles. After winning no fewer than 5 gold and 2 bronze medals in the World Disability Championships in 2005, 2006 and 2007, David reached new heights at the Beijing Paralympics by winning two gold medals on a tricycle, one in the Road Time Trial and the other in the Road Race.
Born in Barnsley in 1985, Edward (Ed) Clancy MBE started cycling aged 14, riding club time trials as a member of Holme Valley Wheelers. In 2007 Ed turned professional for Landbouwkrediet-Colnago, mainly competing in Belgium. A specialist in the track pursuit Ed won team pursuit gold medals in the World Track Championships in 2005, 2007 and 2008. His greatest achievement was in the Olympic Games in Beijing as a member of the Track Pursuit Team, breaking the world record in the heats with 3m 55.202s and again in the final when winning the gold medal, beating Denmark in 3m 53.314s.
Both riders have attained magnificent achievements, making all of Yorkshire and indeed Great Britain justly proud of their success.
The Court of Trustees have adjudged that Steve Peat be granted the Award in recognition of his achievements in Downhill Mountain Biking - in particular becoming World Champion in 2009.
Steve Peat was born in Sheffield in 1974. He was interested in BMX cycling from an early age and progressed to mountain bike racing when 19 years old, racing with BATS mountain bike club and Langsett Cycles, Steve turned professional in 1995 and presently races for Santa Cruz Syndicate. His superb achievements include eight times Lisbon Downtown Champion, seventeen World Cup wins (with a total of fifty podium places), twice European Champion, eight times British Champion, and three times World Cup Champion.
After gaining the silver medal on four occasions Steve achieved his ultimate ambition in 2009 by becoming UCI Downhill World Champion in Canberra, Australia.
Steve has proved to be a great ambassador for Yorkshire cycling and is justly worthy of the Award.
Yvonne later won the supreme accolade of a rainbow jersey by taking the gold medal for the same discipline in the World Championships with a time of 3-35.274.
All three thus reached the pinnacles of their illustrious cycling careers and make all Yorkshire people, whether cyclists or not, immensely proud of their achievements.
2001 - Brian Haskell
2004 - Michael Antony Smith
2005 - Brian Robinson
2006 - Kevin Dawson
2007 - George Lee Barker
George’s main contribution has been his association with the Y.C.F. Apart from running the Federation’s 25 mile time trial event for 36 years he was a key member of the committee ensuring the Y.C.F.’s survival in the 1960’s and has been President since 1983.
George has given exceptional service to Yorkshire cycling over many years and is justly entitled to this award.
The Court of Trustees has adjudged George Lee Barker worthy of special recognition for his contribution to cycling in Yorkshire and in particular the Yorkshire Cycling Federation for over 50 years.
A born and bred Yorkshireman was given his first cycle at the age of 7 yrs. George Barker, Pennine C.C., commenced youth hostelling as a teenager and started racing after joining the R.A.F, being a member of the winning R.A.F. St. Athan team in the R.A.F. mass start championship in 1951 and also riding time trials and N.C.U. events.
However George’s greatest achievements have been as an administrator. Joining Pennine C.C. in 1952, he became treasurer in 1961 and President in 1999, a position he still holds. He has been a prolific time-keeper since the 1960’s, including officiating in 25, 50, 100 and 12 hour R.T.T.C./C.T.T. National Championships. George has organised and marshalled many time trials, including events run by Pennine C.C., Y.C.F. and Harrogate Festival. He is on the C.T.T. District Committee, having previously acted as auditor, and has been a member of the V.T.T.A. for over 30 years.
2008 - David Stone & Ed Clancy
2008 - Peter Smith (Posthumous Award)
However it is for his work over the last ten years, as an administrator, that we should thank him. As a member of the CTT National Committee, Peter has visited as many National events as possible and was a well respected member.
In 2005 he became Yorkshire District Secretary, spending hours as a course measurer, not just in Yorkshire but in many districts requiring help.
The Yorkshire Cycling Federation benefited from his work as the organiser of the YCF Luncheon and Prize Presentation, also the 15 mile time trial.
Peter will be greatly missed for his excellent work for Club, Federation, District and National organisations.
The Court of trustees has adjudged Peter Smith worthy of special recognition following his death, on account of his outstanding achievements and dedication to the administration of matters cycling, particularly in the Yorkshire area but also at national levels.
Peter was brought up at Carlecotes at the edge of the Holme Valley and was rightfully proud of his roots. He attended Penistone Grammar School and in his early teens became a member of Holme Valley Wheelers. His early working life in electronics and his outside activity of cycling were placed on hold when the desire to travel beckoned.
On returning to England he trained as a mathematics teacher, but then after qualifying suffered a serious illness. His return to cycling came after his recovery. Knowing that the illness would prevent him from ever becoming a world beater, but remembering where his home was, he rejoined the Holme Valley Wheelers. In the last twenty years he has regularly been placed in the National BAR and regularly won his club BAR. He is the holder of a Ron Kitching Medal for achieving over 2000 miles in consecutive years competing in the Elmet CC 12. Peter travelled the length and breadth of the country to compete in time trials, often on the more sporting and less popular courses.
2009 - Steve Peat