National 10, 25 and 50-mile time trial champion Matt Bottrill has been awarded the Bidlake Prize for 2014.
The award, which has been received by the likes of Sir Bradley Wiggins, Chris Boardman and Tom Simpson, was established in 1934 in memory of FT Bidlake. It is awarded for outstanding achievements in cycling; last year’s winner was the Isle of Man’s longstanding youth cycling volunteer Dot Tilbury.
“It’s unbelievable. To get nominated and win just caps off an amazing year, I’m over the moon about it,” Bottrill, 37, told Cycling Weekly.
Bidlake Memorial Trust Chairman Andy Cook said: “Matt epitomises the true spirit of the very particular branch of UK time trialling. This is richly deserved for a true all rounder who displays many of the values adopted by FT Bidlake and maintains the strong traditions of domestic time-trialling."
Bottrill, who rides for drag2zero.co.uk and combines training around his day job as a postman, also won the national circuit championships and set a competition record for 25 miles at the Port Talbot Wheelers event in September, clocking 45-43.
He also set a new competition record for 50 miles (1-34-43) and his 10 mile time of 17-40 was the second fastest in history behind Alex Dowsett’s 17-20 from earlier in the year.
Bottrill’s award reads: “Awarded to Matthew Bottrill who won the Men's National Championships at 10, 25 and 50 miles, the RTTC Circuit Championship, breaking three championship records and being crowned Champion of Champions."
For more from Bottrill on his remarkable year, pick up Cycling Weekly’s bumper Christmas issue, featuring the 2014 Review of the Year, Riders of the Year and much more. Out today (December 18).
