Isle of Man TT winner Ryan Farquhar celebrated his incredible 2009 season with a haul of awards at a star-studded ceremony in Belfast on Friday.
It was a staggering year on the roads for the Dungannon man, in which he took 61 race victories, secured six National Championships and broke Joey Dunlop’s longstanding record of 119 National race wins.
At the Adelaide Irish Racer Awards ceremony on Friday, the 33-year-old was presented with the National Road Racer of the Year and Team of the Year awards, as well as receiving the prestigious Geoff Duke Trophy for winning the Duke Road Race Rankings again.
Farquhar beat competition from Keith Amor, John Burrows, Michael Pearson, Michael and William Dunlop to take the National title, while his KMR Kawasaki team was selected ahead of CD Racing, Relentless Suzuki, Street Sweep Racing, McAdoo and Wilson Craig Racing.
The black tie awards ceremony was attended by more than 500 people, including many past and present greats from the world of motorcycle racing such as Grand Prix legend Loris Capirossi, 15-times TT winner John McGuinness, World Supersport Champion Cal Crutchlow and runner-up Eugene Laverty, British Supersport Champion and 2009 Senior TT winner Steve Plater, World Superbike race winner Jonathan Rea and many more.
Farquhar was beaten to the Irish Motorcyclist of the Year title by Laverty and Rea, who finished first and second respectively.
He said:
“2009 really was a fantastic year for me and to have my achievements recognised in front of so many people is a real honour.”
“I'm particularly proud to have picked up the Team of the Year trophy as we were really up against it all year long, but we proved what can be achieved with commitment and dedication.”
“Last year was a complete team effort for the entire season and whilst I was the rider out there on the bike, it was only made possible by my loyal sponsors supporting me all the way and by the hard work of all the team members.”
“The three trophies I've won tonight are as much for them as they are for me and we're all really looking forward to 2010 where we hope to do even better!”