TWO men were presented with a collage of action pictures of a cycling race by the former event organiser, Gerard McCarten. 

Chris Agnew of Ainfield Cycles and Robbie Glaister, the first local rider to win the Cleator Moor Road Cycle Race event were given the pictures as a 'debt of gratitude' by Gerard. 

Bill and Betty Agnew were the founders of Ainfield Cycles at Cleator Moor and began sponsoring the special lap sprints for the race in 1970. 

The inaugural race was staged to coincide with the 25th anniversary of Cleator Moor Sports and was a firm favourite amongst the sporting folk of the town until 2000. 

Whitehaven News: Chris Agnew and Gerard McCarten Chris Agnew and Gerard McCarten (Image: Supplied)

Mr McCarten said: "When Bill and Betty retired, Chris and his brother Raymond took over the reins and continued the tradition of sponsoring the annual event which always attracted a large crowd. 

"The spectators were assured of continuous action due to the unique format of handicapping the riders into four groups. 

"Each group was separated by a short time gap, the scratch group having to make up a six-minute handicap before the completion of twelve laps of Jacktrees Road, Trumpet Terrace, and the Ennerdale Road circuit. 

Whitehaven News: Action shots from the race Action shots from the race (Image: Supplied)

"As each group raced on Cleator Moor Square they competed for an end-of-lap prize, sponsored by Ainfield Cycles and which were supplemented by donations from spectators. 

"All the drama throughout the race was described by the race commentator who encouraged the local tradespeople to also become involved with donated gifts. 

"As the race progressed so did the size of the racing peloton until the most invariable conclusion of a massed sprint for the line to bring the race to a dramatic end. 

Whitehaven News: Tommy Docherty being interviewed as the race is in full swing Tommy Docherty being interviewed as the race is in full swing (Image: Supplied)

"Not until the mid-1990s did a Cleator Moor rider, Robbie Glaister, achieve what had become to be seen as mission impossible. 

"But, on that special evening, Robbie made it a reality when he crossed the line alone, after twelve grueling laps, to claim the Thomas Bradley Memorial Trophy and Dentside Wheelers Trophy for the best under 18 rider."

Whitehaven News: Robert Glaister with Gerard McCarten Robert Glaister with Gerard McCarten (Image: Supplied)

Riders from across Britain and also America and New Zealand came to take part in the race.