The Bendigo Mountain Bike Club has named the recipient of a prestigious annual award.
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The 2020 Jason Lowndes Junior Development Award was given to 16-year-old Isaac Fletcher.
Fletcher demonstrated dedication and commitment to the club as a supportive member, in addition to strong performances at both state and national levels.
"I was really honoured when I found out I had received the award," Fletcher said.
The award is the brainchild of the Nankervis brothers, Tasman and Russell and the Lowndes family and was created to highlight the importance of junior rider development.
"Isaac has been progressing as a rider quite naturally in recent years," Tasman Nankervis said.
"His persistence, natural growth and development were attributes we wanted to highlight and share."
Russell Nankervis said Isaac also went above and beyond to help other BMBC members.
"Isaac always helps out at club working bees and assists the younger riders," he said.
"He shows a great welcoming attitude towards helping bring up the other junior riders."
The award is named in memory of BMBC member and professional cyclist Jason Lowndes, who was tragically killed in a 2017 road collision while riding.
"Jason was such a loving good friend of the club and a real joker. But also someone who took his cycling very seriously," Tasman said.
The Lowndes name will now proudly live on with the club's annual award.
"Each year the award gives the younger riders something to aspire towards," Tasman said.
Jason's father Graeme said it was an honour for his son's name to live on at the club.
"It's a great honour to have the award given out to members for their hardwork and effort," Graeme said.
"The club rewards young riders that are coming through the ranks and so far the future looks exciting."
Jason's mother Trudie said the club was committed to supporting junior rider development.
"Without the support of the BMBC, especially for country kids, it would be quite hard to advance through the ranks," Trudie said.
"The club gives young kids the chance to be in a safe environment where they are able to learn with plenty of support."
Fletcher now plans to put the award to good use by continuing his work helping develop the skills of junior members, in addition to showing what he has learnt by achieving top performance at future competitions.
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