Club president John Saunders had the pleasure of awarding club stalwart Alan Spokes with life membership following the four grades of racing.

“It’s long overdue and well deserved,”  Saunders said.

Earlier in the morning, Spokes had run second in the B Grade criterium, a 30 minutes plus two laps race where he and Brendan Hallford had broken away from their opposition about half way.

Hallford then pounced on Spokes to win in delighted fashion, with a loud cooee reverberating across the finish line.

It amused Spokes as well.

“Mate, he deserved it,”  Spokes said.

“The other day I was working on a house up at Terole Crescent cutting the hedges and he pulls up and says ‘do you want a hand’ – he spent all day helping me out.”

To be awarded a life membership was a special moment, Spokes said.

“I started racing when I was 10,” he said.

“I’ve been racing for 55 years and  won a heap of titles and awards but this means the most.

“To be recognised by the people in the club like this  is special. 

“We’re all here to have a good time. 

“And the more people we can get behind the club the better. 

“That’s what it’s all about.”

Spokes’s career has included racing overseas in Italy as well as coaching various young riders.

He has just started with another young rider, Quirindi’s Sophie Saunders.

“Her mother rang me up to see if I could help out,” Spokes said.

“She had her first ride here today (in D grade). 

“She’s a very good swimmer but needs to improve her riding. 

“She wants to race triathlons.”

 Yesterday’s A grade criterium was won by Sam Spokes, Alan’s son, from Mitch Carrington and Phil Kelleher while Josh Nash won the C grade crit from Douglas Pianta and Sarah Spokes.