Welsh Cycling’s Olympic gold medallists Elinor Barker and Owain Doull have been recognised in the 2017 New Year’s Honours List alongside longstanding cycling volunteer Bill Owen.
Barker, who won her gold medal in the Team Pursuit in Rio, has received an MBE for services to cycling.
The Cardiff-born cyclist was a member Maindy Flyers Youth Cycling Club before her international success on the World, Commonwealth and Olympic stage.
Fellow Cardiff-born rider Doull has also been honoured with an MBE following his Olympic success.
Doull, a former member of Maindy Flyers, won gold in the Team Pursuit in Rio, and has seen success on both the road and track for Wales and Great Britain.
Abergavenny’s Owen has been honoured with an MBE, for his services to cycling particularly in Wales.
A former president and chairman of Welsh Cycling, he has dedicated more than fifty years of his life to our sport.
Owen was pleasantly surprised to receive the honour from Buckingham Palace: “It was a very pleasant and humbling surprise and a double celebration coming as it does on our Golden Wedding Anniversary.
“My whole life has been overcoming adversaries, none more so than in my sport of cycling. Nothing is more satisfying in life than to make things happen especially as cycling has not always been regarded as cool.
“Being part of British Cycling during its mammoth rise in popularity and its international sporting performance is something to look back with a sense of pride.”
Owen was instrumental in bringing the indoor velodrome to Newport in 2003, only the second of it is kind in the UK at the time.
As an event organiser, Owen has brought the British Cycling National Road Race Championships to Wales on a number of occasions, hosted the only UK round of the UCI Women’s World Cup in 2005 and is the man behind the Abergavenny Festival of Cycling.
Welsh Cycling Chair Nick Smith said: “Elinor and Owain are both outstanding athletes, representing the best of cycling in Wales and across Britain. They have both achieved at the highest level of our sport and truly deserve to be recognised in the New Year’s Honours List.
“Bill has dedicated his life to cycling in Wales. He has brought international racing and cycling stars to the streets of Wales, showcasing our sport to the wider public.
“Without volunteers like Bill, we would not have a sport that is continuing to thrive and motivate people.
“On behalf of Welsh Cycling and its members I would like to congratulate all of those recognised for their services to cycling in the New Year’s Honours list, and thank them for inspiring Wales to cycle.”