Ardfert-based road racer Stephen Walsh was named the ‘Most Improved Rider of the Year’ at Classic Bike Racing Ireland’s annual awards on Saturday.
ast season the Honda K4 rider contested the classic element of the full Irish Road Racing Championship for the first time. He finished fourth in the championship and that secured him the coveted trophy he received on Saturday at the CBRI’s 2022 prize giving ceremony at the Glenside Hotel in Drogheda.
“It was a big surprise,” Walsh said. “I went up for the craic and did not expect to hear my name called out.”
Walsh said his highlight of 2022 was the Mid Antrim 100 last September. He put in his best qualifying session ahead of the final road race meeting of the year.
“I out-qualified the Irish champion Andy Gildea on that occasion,” he said.
Walsh feels his end-of-season pace bodes well for the year ahead. He plans to return to the Irish Road Racing championship this season.
