Collie Cycle Club

He was acknowledged for his achievements at the presentation of the awards last Friday night.

The Shire of Collie acknowledged him for qualifying for the World Masters Games, being a finalist in every wheel race at the Tasmania Christmas Carnival, winning the points score race at Launceston, the Armadale Masters criterium, and the Albany Club handicap races.

Pearce could not attend the award because he was at a friend’s wedding in Tasmania.

He received a text at the wedding from his training partner, Mark Paget, telling him he had won. Pearce was “a bit blown away at first”. He had thought that Paget, who had been nominated, would win.

Pearce thanked his wife for “letting him train”, Stephen Italiano for helping him with motor pacing, and Collie Motorplex’s manager, Simon Sterner, for allowing him to train at the motorplex.

He also thanked the Collie community for being so welcoming when he first moved here in 2009. He had found that cyclists from across the country assumed he would be a formidable opponent when they realised he was from Collie.

“People say ‘oh Collie, you must be a strong rider!’ It’s got a reputation for being strong in cycling,” Pearce said