Bicycle Association honoured their riders and administrators on Saturday at the annual awards presentation at the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club.

Hubbard, who recently became the first Bermudian to sign a professional contract, with top European team AKI-Gipiemme, accepted his award from guest speaker for the evening Anthony Roberts, Director of Youth Development, Sport and Recreation.

A packed room of members and sponsors gave the young Bermudian a long standing ovation, not only for winning the award but also for his long list of achievements which were outlined by Master of Ceremonies, Greg Hopkins.

Sixteen-year-old Kris Hedges was named Junior Rider of the Year after an impressive season in which he took all the time trial and road race titles open to him. According to Hopkins, there are a lot of similarities between Hedges and Hubbard when the latter was at the same age.

The Most Improved Rider of the Year award went to veteran Mel Bennett who, despite competing in only his second full season, took honours in the time trial national championships, time trial series and finished in a tie for second in the road race points series.

Outgoing president Jeff Payne was named club person of the year and an unofficial presentation was made to long-standing BBA secretary, Linda Dillon, who was totally shocked when the association, in conjunction with Winners Edge Bike Shop, presented her with a new time trial bike for her contributions to the sport.

Other awards made during the evening were to Allison Petty as the first junior female in the National Time Trial Championships, time trial series and road race points series, as was her brother, Adam, in Junior Three.

In the female division, Melanie Claude won the national time trial championships, Dillon was the time trial series winner and Kim Mason the road race points series winner.

Among the veterans, Martin Bolton won the road race points series while Duncan Simons did likewise in category three. Mike Lee was the category two champion in the series.

Hopkins noted the last year had been arguably the most successful in the history of local cycling with three riders -- Hubbard, Dana Henry and McInnis Looby -- all riding overseas. Looby won a bronze medal at the Mini Nations World Championships in Cuba in June.

He added the most positive aspect was the tremendous growth of the junior section.