Isle of Man TT winner Ryan Farquhar has picked up three prestigious awards at the Adelaide Motorcycle Awards.
The three-times TT winner, who announced is retirement in August last year, was handed the top prize, Irish Motorcyclist of the Year, after beating competition from six strong rivals in a public vote.
Farquhar also collected the Geoff Duke Trophy for winning the 2012 Duke Road Race Rankings series – the seventh time has won the title, and the fifth time in a row.
There was another honour for the Dungannon rider when Kawasaki handed him a special award for his long years of loyalty to the manufacturer.
Farquhar was one of seven riders selected by the public to battle it out for the Joey Dunlop Trophy, handed out annually to the best Irish racer.
At Friday’s star-studded black tie awards dinner, Farquhar was told he had beaten World Superbike stars Eugene Laverty and Jonathan Rea, leading motocross competitor Graeme Irwin, short circuit racers Keith Farmer and Jack Kennedy as well as fellow road racer Michael Dunlop.
Farquhar said:
“To actually win it, it's one of the biggest shocks I've ever had.
“It’s the last award that I'm ever going to win, as a rider and what a way to go out. It’s the biggest award any Irish rider can win and it's a perfect way to end my career.”
During his last year at the TT, Farquhar picked up his third triumph, winning the inaugural SuperTwin race on his KMR Kawasaki.
He was also delighted to be handed the Geoff Duke Trophy again, after dominating the Duke Road Racing Rankings throughout 2012.
Farquhar, who was allowed to keep the original trophy in 2011 after recording his third win in a row, told Duke Managing Director Peter Duke, who made the presentation, the series has always been important to him, and winning in his final year was an honour.
The evening started with an honour for Farquhar when Kawasaki presented him with a special award for his loyalty to the brand.