ALFIE Moses ended the winter cyclo-cross season by picking up an award.
The 17-year-old from Keighley, who won the National Trophy Series and was third in the National Championships, was named the Yorkshire Cyclo-Cross Association's outstanding young rider of the year.
However, the Paul Milnes Cycles-Bradford Olympic Road Club member had to share the award with 15-year-old clubmate Sophie Thackray, from Eldwick, who won the under-16 girls' national title and the Yorkshire Points Series and was third in the National Trophy Series.
Meanwhile, another Paul Milnes rider, Holmfirth 17-year-old Amira Mellor, won the outstanding rider of the year after winning the National Trophy Series for women and the national title.
The awards were a surprise and were presented at the Emporio Italia Restaurant in Skipton in a ceremony that was attended by about 40, including club members, their families and club sponsors, following an unscheduled 'cafe stop' by team managers Rob Thackray and Seth Smith.
Meanwhile, the five-rider Paul Milnes development squad for 2015-16 has been announced – Amira Mellor, Alfie Moses, Sophie Thackray, Ben Turner, 15, and Bradford's former national youth champion Billy Harding, 18.
The team will be managed jointly by Seth Smith and Rob Thackray.
Smith said “This is something I have dreamt about for a couple of years now, and last season we tested the water, providing additional support and coaching to a number of club riders.
"The results have been fantastic, producing two national champions, two riders selected for the World Championships, two National Series champions and all four riders ending the season ranked in the top three nationally in their category. "My sole aim from this venture is to put a little back into the sport I love, and help young Yorkshire talent maximise their potential, and follow in the footsteps of many riders from this area.”
Oliver Milnes said: “The shop has supported local riders for the past three decades, with riders such as Yvonne MacGregor MBE, Dave Mann, Mick Hammond, the Thackrays, the Moseses, Robert Watson and Billy Harding to name but a few.
"Cycling in the UK is booming and we are really excited get the opportunity to support both a club, and an elite team. This is a big investment for us, but at the same time, it feels great to be supporting our local riders.”
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