Awards Winners
Honoured
Cycling
Australia's Cyclists of the Year
Presented in Sydney Friday
25th November
Cycling
Australia website
The gala
night of celebration at Sydney's Rydges Jamison Hotel was attended by a host
of Australia's cycling stars. The ceremonies recognised the outstanding
achievements and performances by Australian cyclists. In 2005 Australia
topped the medal table at the Road World Championships in Madrid, a feat
inconceivable ten years ago. Australia won more medals than any other nation
at the Elite Track World Championships in Los Angeles while the Junior track
team bagged seven medals at their World Championships in Vienna.
Australia's MTB riders collected five World Championship medals in Livigno
and another nine World Championship medals came back to Australia from the
BMX World Titles in France. Australia's Disability Cyclists collected 16
medals at the IPC European Championships and our pro road riders, both men
and women, scored a host of victories in races during the season.
One of the most emotional announcements was the naming of Australian Women's
Coach, Warren McDonald as the SBS Television Coach of the Year. McDonald
stepped to the microphone and said 'triumph and tragedy' putting into words
the feelings of everyone in the room.
"This goes to the family of cycling," said McDonald as tears
filled his eyes at the memory of the terrible day in July this year when his
six woman team was run down by an out of control car. Champion cyclist and
Olympic rower Amy Gillett died in the accident and her five team mates were
seriously injured. "But to not recognise (and support) Amy and the
Foundation in her name would be an even greater tragedy."
"Cyclists who don the green and gold of the 'Cyclones' have the talent
and character to inspire and no one did that better than Amy Gillett,"
said Cycling Australia President, Mike Victor in his welcoming message.
"The courage and spirit of her team mates and Warren (McDonald) has
been remarkable as has the way in which the entire cycling family came
together in the wake of the tragedy."
Professional cyclist Olivia Gollan paid tribute to Amy's zest for life and
laughter and praised the courage of Alexis Rhodes, Lorian Graham, Kate
Nichols, Katie Brown and Louise Yaxley who reunited last night for the first
time since leaving the Jena University Hospital in Germany.
"From this tragedy we have rallied in the true Australian spirit,"
said Gollan before proposing a toast. "To absent friends."
In the other awards presented Melbourne's Katie Mactier, who claimed the
gold medal and rainbow jersey in the Individual Pursuit at the World
Championships, was named Female Track Cyclist of the Year and Wollongong's
Ben Kersten, the World Cup Series Champion for the kilometre time trial, won
the male award.
cyclingnews.com Female Road Cyclist of the Year was awarded to world ranked
number one and two time World Cup Series Champion, Oenone Wood. Katrina
Miller claimed the women's mountain bike award after a year that saw her
take out the NORBA 4X Series crown and claim silver at the World Titles.
West Australian Jane Armstrong scored the Female Disability Cyclist honour
based on her two golds and one silver medal and a world record ride at the
European Championships.
The GT BMX Cyclist of the Year award went to Renee Junga. The Cycling
Australia Event Merit Award was presented to the Melbourne to Warnambool
Classic which has been running since 1895.
Awards were also presented in junior,
masters and media categories.
2005 Australian Cyclist of the Year Award Winners
