Thomas is honoured on Welsh cycling’s big night
TOUR de France champion Geraint Thomas was honoured with an Outstanding Achievement Award at the 2018 Litelok Welsh Cycling Awards where Wales’ cycling community celebrated their success over the last 12 months.
Thomas, who was unable to attend the event, accepted the award in a pre recorded link and said, “It’s a massive honour to be presented with the Litelok Outstanding Achievement Award, just want to say a quick congratulations to everyone else who has won an award and been nominated tonight”.
Elinor Barker went head to head with talented riders Jon Mould and Stevie Williams to win the Elite Performer of the Year Award for her consistent high performance and gold medal win at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
She is currently preparing for Tissot UCI Track World Cup Series at the end of the month and was unable to attend the event, but dad Graham collected the award on her behalf.
The Lifetime Contribution to Cycling in Wales Award at the event at the Mercure Hotel in Cardiff, was awarded to John Richards of Blaenau Gwent CC.
Richards is the visionary for the Junior Tour of Wales, a Welsh event that has seen many riders go on to the professional arena.
Award Winners Sweetspot Volunteer of the Year 2018: Runners-up:
Jo Phillips, Maindy Flyers Ian Fennel, Welsh Cycling Downhill Commissaire; Steve Gabriel, Cardiff Social Cycling.
Frog Bikes Coach of the Year 2018:
Michael Tarling, West Wales Cycle Racing Team
Runners-up:
Zoe Briffett, Whitchurch Cycling Club; Hayden Jones, Wrexham Road Club.
Capitol Skoda Newport Club Cyclist of the Year 2018:
Action Bikes.
Runners-up:
Kristian Bond, Ystwyth Cycling Club; Sacha Baber, Bike Doctor.
HSBC Go Ride Club of the Year 2018: Runners-up:
Whitchurch Cycling Club. Gower Riders; Hafren Cycling Club; West Wales Cycle Racing Team.
Primal Club of the Year 2018:
Doctor.
Runners-up:
Whitchurch Cycling Club; Caerphilly Cycling Club; Ystwyth Cycling Club.
Colin Thornton Memorial Junior Performance of the Year 2018:
Joe Beckingsale, Abergavenny Road Club. Imogen Morris, Gower Riders; Zoe Backstedt, Maindy Flyers.
Runners-up: SD Sealants Elite Performance of the Year 2018:
High 5.
Runners-up:
Stevie Williams, SEG Racing, Jon Mould, JLT Condor.
Kilsby Williams Lifetime Contribution to Cycling in Wales Award 2018:
John Richards, CC Blaenau Gwent.
Jason Carpenter, Ramp World; Andrew Barnwell, Clwb Beicio Mynydd Dyffryn Conwy.
Runners-up: Litelok Outstanding Achievement Awards 2018:
Sky Richard Smith, Bike
Elinor Barker, Wiggle
Geraint Thomas,Team
■ As well as the presentation to outstanding winners on the night, Welsh Cycling held an auction to celebrate one of the finest winning moments from a Welsh cyclist at the Tour de France. A Geraint Thomas signed and framed yellow jersey was auctioned with a certificate of authentication along with a Litelok and a Frog Bike signed by him.
Just under £3000 was raised for a new Welsh Cycling Trust that is being developed to support riders who may be restricted due to financial or social circumstances.