The OCA is pleased to announce our 2004 Award Winners. All winners (with the exception of Multi Laser) received their awards at our Cycling Celebration on Saturday night.  Congratulations to all award winners.

Road Female Athlete of the Year - Merrill Collins
This is given to the female member who had the best all round year in Ontario Road races in 2004 .  

Merrill, of Team La Bicicletta - J Lindeberg, definitely had  an incredible year. She was able to capture the Sr. Women's title and also won the Provincial Criterium and Provincial Time Trial. She had a strong 3rd place finish in the Individual Time Trial and the National Championships. 

Road Male Athlete of the Year - Darko Ficko
This is given to the male member who had the best all round year in Ontario Road races in 2004.
 
Complimenting his numerous O-Cup race wins, Darko (of Team LaBicicletta - J Lindeberg) was also able to secure a 3rd place finish in the Individual Time Trials at Road Nationals, a 2nd place showing in the Provincial Road Race and a 1st place finish in the Provincial Individual Time Trial. Racing for many, many years, he is always a threat and this season proved no different. 

Road Organizer of the Year - Multi-Laser Solutions
This is given to the organizer who exhibited the best overall coordination in Road racing, resulting in a great event(s).
 
Five years of mastery.  What more can be said?  The 5th Annual Multi-Laser Grand Prix in Gananoque was (as always) , an exceptional event.  With its four stages in just two days, Multi-Laser once again demonstrated its organizational excellence.  They do all things well.  They distribute event posters, bilingual flyers, offering generous prize money all while supporting the Kingston Regional Cancer Centre.  OCA Road Organizer of Year is a good start towards validating the general cycling community's opinion that the Multi-Laser Grand Prix is one of the ten best road events on the continent please welcome Multi Laser Inc. 2004 Road Organizer of the Year.

Road Contributor of the Year - St. Catharines Cycling Club
This is given to the member(s) who exemplifies dedication and commitment to the Road cycling community.
 
The St. Catharines Cycling Club is beginning to corner the market on OCA awards.  Last year's Road Organizer of the Year was at it again, organizing two major road events as well as provided organization guidance to the Nordev Group in Elliot Lake.  Besides the logistics of organizing, the St. Catharines Cycling Club used an OCA regional grant to introduce MTB racing to the Niagara Region youth scene, resulting with many kids making their racing debut's this year.  Also, the club ran a cyclo-cross clinic for its membership which contributed to the cyclo-cross boom in the province.  Be it MTB, road, cyclo-cross, organizing or providing guidance to new organizers, the St. Catharines Cycling Club is always there for the cycling community. The 2004 Road Contributor of the Year the St. Catharines Cycling Club.

MTB Female Athlete of the Year - Sue Trimble
This is given to the female member who had the best all round year in Ontario MTB races in 2004.
 
Sue, racing for GearsRacing.com, won 4 of 6 O-Cup races including the Provincials, which helped her win the O-Cup Series. Along with these accomplishments she finished a very strong 3rd in the Canada Cup Series. Add this to her 2001 MTB gold Medal at the Canada Games and her racing career definitely looks like a successful one with many years to come. 

MTB Male Athlete of the Year - Martin Lazarski
This is given to the male member who had the best all round year in Ontario MTB races for 2004. 
 
Martin's year can definitely be classified as a breakthrough year. Along with finishing 5th at the Nationals, the GearsRacing.com rider was the Espoir Provincial Champion, Espoir National Champion and won the Worlds Team as an Espoir.  On top of all of his accomplishments, Marty biked in from Hamilton to receive his award.

MTB Organizer of the Year - Chico Racing
This is given to the organizer who exhibited the best overall coordination in MTB racing, resulting in a great event(s).
 
Chico Racing has been a staple of  the OCA excellence for many years.  Besides organizing the Bonham & Co. Ontario Cup MTB Series, Chico Racing organized six other events including the Fall Epic 8 Hour - a charity ride for a friend  that raises thousands of dollars each year .  Adam and Sean Ruppel of Chico Racing organize the 24 hours of Summer Solstice which is the largest 24 hour MTB event in North America. Chico Racing has become one of the premier organizers in Canada. 

MTB Contributor of the Year - Richard Fletcher
This award is given to the member who exemplifies dedication and commitment to the MTB racing community.

Richard has been involved with JAW Racing since its affiliation/inception (as Jolley's Alternative Wheels) three years ago.  An avid Master Expert rider, he is also a commissaire, organizer, manager and coach.  Along with JAW Racing he has continuously supported countless OCA events, including the 2nd annual JAW School MTB Series bringing many new youngsters into the sport.  

BMX Female Athlete of the Year - Lee Ryckman
This is given to the female member who had the best all round year in Ontario BMX races in 2004.
 
Lee has been on the BMX race scene for over 12 years now and has held almost every National and Provincial Title out there.  Her dedication to the sport is second to none and her ability to adapt to situations is exemplary.  After facing a health setback in 2002, she rebounded with her typical enthusiasm and dedication to the sport of BMX racing and is once again chasing the National Title in Elite Women.
Not only is she a racer, she is a mentor for the younger racers; an ambassador for the sport; and an asset to the sport of BMX Racing.

BMX Male Athlete of the Year - Bob Rowley
This is given to the male member who had the best all round year in Ontario BMX races in 2004.

Bob has been racing BMX in Canada, US and the World since the age of 14. He has represented Canada at The World Championships on 4 occasions.  As an Elite athlete who is dedicated to his sport, he will work a 40 hour week, jump into a car and drive 18 hours to a National race; have no support crew; pay his own way; raise his children and manage to win National Titles; big races in the USA; while maintaining a BMX track and helping train younger racers.

BMX Contributor of the Year - Martin Sharpe
This is given to the member who exemplifies dedication and commitment to the BMX racing community.

Martin took on the unenviable role of Chief Commissaire and Race Director for Eastern Canada and Ontario in 2004.  As we all know, these positions do not gain you popularity votes and you are often in the line of fire.  But he demonstrated extreme knowledge of the rules and structure; dedication to his craft and has built strong working relationships with the Quebec and Ontario groups.  His expertise is such that he is requested to officiate at the Quebec Nationals - his fairness, his adherence to the rules and his communication skills have provided us with a National Commissaire and Race Director that we can be proud of.