The Trustees annual meeting took place on 6th November and it was unanimously agreed that the Award for 2016 be made to Yorkshire’s two Rio de Janeiro Paralympics multi-medal winning heroes, Steve Bate and Adam Duggleby.
Riding in the B/VI tandem racing category they brought exceptional honour to Yorkshire cycling, winning two gold and one bronze medal. In their preparation they also broke men’s tandem competition records at both 10 and 25 miles.
Originally from New Zealand Steve Bate (39) was living in north east Scotland when talent spotted for the BC squad. He now resides in Hebden Bridge, where he relocated specifically to pursue his Rio Paralympics tandem cycling ambitions. Prior to taking up cycle racing he was a climber of note and with only 10% vision in 2013 he became the first visually impaired solo climber to conquer the 3000ft sheer rock face of El Capitan in Yosemite, California.
Adam Duggleby (32) is originally from Gilberdyke, East Yorkshire, but now lives in Leeds. He has been a racing cyclist since the age of 13, winning numerous local and national awards, with a break whilst he went to university where he successfully graduated in mathematics and accounting.
The C.A.Rhodes Award will be presented at the Yorkshire Cycling Federation annual luncheon, to be held on 26th February 2017.