It was a
star studded line up in the Crown Plaza Belfast last night for the prestigious
Cornmarket Irish Motorcyclist of the Year awards.
It was no
surprise that the winner was to be 4 times World Superbike Champion Jonathan
Rea and sweet irony that it was also his 4th time collecting the
trophy beating Joey Dunlop’s record of 3 Cornmarket awards.
It was
fitting that 2nd place didn’t go to one individual given the
performance so, with the same points, BSB Superstock 1000 winner Keith Farmer
and BSB Supersport champion Jack Kennedy both collected the accolade. Keith Farmer
will compete in the Bennett’s British Superbike Championship this year for Tyco
BMW while Jack Kennedy will be defending his title on the Team Appleyard Macadam Yamaha R6.
The Belfast Telegraph Irish Road
Racer of the year went to back to back triple championship winner Derek McGee.
As well was taking a 2nd place in the 2018 Lightweight Isle of Man
TT, McGee retained his Superbike, Supersport and Supertwin titles from 2017.
After an exemplary first season in
British Junior Supersport, Eunan McGlinchey secured the inaugural championship and
that earned him the Kawasaki Young Rider of the Year trophy. Despite strong
competition all season, the Team 109 riders’ composure, skill and determination
shone through. Eunan ups the ante in 2019 and will compete in the Pirelli
National Superstock 600cc championship under the well established Team 109
banner along with full backing of Kawasaki UK. One to watch for the future.
If Eunans’
success was worth an award then, it had to be complimented by recognition of
Team 109 who deservedly collected the JWA Team of the Year award. Since its
inception the teams’ managers Paul Tobin and David Hurley worked tirelessly to find
talented Irish riders and have them mentored by already established riders,
like Team 109 ambassador Glenn Irwin, in their pursuit of titles. Examples of
such success are Eunan, Scott Swann (British Talent Cup) and Kevin Keyes (Pirelli National Superstock).
Sadly a
posthumous award was made to the family of William Dunlop who was inducted to
the RPS Group Hall of Fame. William’s partner, Janine, and mother, Louise
received the award on the night.
x
Words Andy Quinn
Images courtesy of James McCann, Tom
O’Hanlon and Andy Quinn
Full award results below
Cornmarket
Irish Motorcyclist of the Year: Jonathan Rea
IFS
International Road Racer of the Year: Peter Hickman
Belfast
Telegraph National Road Racer of the Year: Derek McGee
Kawasaki
Young Rider of the Year: Eunan McGlinchey
JWA Team of
the Year: Team 109 Kawasaki
Cornmarket
Outstanding Achievement Award: Keith Farmer
Phillip
McCallen Motorcycles Short Circuit Rider of the Year (Irish Circuits): Gerard
Kinghan
RPS Group
Hall of Fame: William Dunlop
Greenlight
Television Special Recognition Award: McAdoo Racing
Black Horse
Short Circuit Rider of the Year (GB Circuits): Jack Kennedy
A. McLean
Bookmakers Race of the Year: North West 200, Supertwins Race 2
Belleek
Off-Road Rider of the Year: Martin Barr
NI Air
Ambulance Services to Motorcycling: Valerie Crichton
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