TASMANIA’S standing in Australian cycling was endorsed by a glut of national awards last night.
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Amy Cure, Macey Stewart and Richie Porte all achieved major recognition at the Cycling Australia awards in Melbourne.
Twenty-one-year-old West Pine talent Cure capped a year which saw her claim a maiden senior world title plus two more world championship bronze medals and a silver and bronze at the Commonwealth Games by being named elite female track cyclist of the year.
Fellow North-West Coaster Macey Stewart achieved the unusual distinction of being named junior female cyclist of the year on both road and track.
The Devonport 18-year-old was a standout performer in both categories having won junior world titles in the omnium and team pursuit at the track championships in South Korea and then the road time trial in Spain.
On a memorable night for Tasmanian cycling, Porte was among the nine riders named for Australia’s Tour de France team of the century.
‘‘It’s an outstanding result,’’ said Tasmanian Institute of Sport head cycling coach Matt Gilmore.
‘‘Both girls had stellar years. For Macey to back up from two junior track world titles to be able to get another on the road just six weeks later was a highlight for the program and for Tasmania.
‘‘It was also pretty logical that Richie would be in the Tour team which again is a great thing for him and the state.’’
Porte, 29, of Launceston, was listed alongside former Sky teammate and fellow time trial specialist Michael Rogers as domestiques supporting general classification contenders Cadel Evans and Phil Anderson, sprinter Robbie McEwen, lead-out men Brad McGee and Mark Renshaw, all-rounder Simon Gerrans and captain Sir Hubert Opperman.
Gerrans also enjoyed a stellar night, the 34-year-old Victorian claiming his maiden ‘‘Oppy’’ Medal as Australian cyclist of the year as well as elite male road cyclist and the People’s Choice Award.
The only Australian cyclist to have worn the Tour de France yellow jersey and won a stage of each of the three Grand Tours, Gerrans won this year’s national road race and his third Tour Down Under title, became the first Australian to win the Liège-Bastogne-Liège classic and finished with a silver medal in the men’s road race at the UCI world championships.