An island cycling coach has been shortlisted for the ’Local Hero’ award by the world’s leading cycling media brand.

Dot Tilbury is one of three people in the running for the accolade at the Cycling Weekly Awards 2019, which recognises heroes of road cycling from top professional athletes to local volunteers around the UK.

She was nominated by members of the public with a panel of judges - including Olympic and world champions Dani Rowe MBE and Colin Sturgess, ex-UCI and British Cycling president Brian Cookson - selecting her for the shortlist.

’I didn’t have a clue I’d been nominated so had to do a double take when I received the letter,’ she told the Manx Independent.

’The Cycling Weekly Awards are hugely prestigious so it was an exceptional honour.

The organiser of Team RL360 Isle of Man cycling league and British cycling coach was recognised for being ’instrumental’ in ’allowing Manx riders to follow their passion over the last two and a half decades’.

This was through ’organising hundreds of trips off the island to races and events, sacrificing thousands of hours of her own time to help cyclists such as Mark Cavendish, Pete Kennaugh and Mark Christian fulfill their potential and get to where they are today’, an awards spokesman said.

They added that she organises a weekly youth criterium for young riders, puts on a weekly turbo session in winter and marshals at local events.

Dot is also involved with fundraising for junior cycling, including an annual sketch show at Marown School.

She said it’s been ’amazing’ watching island cyclists progress.

’Manx cycling’s boys and girls are punching well above their weight on the world stage and the local Manx people are super proud of what the riders have achieved.

’For a population of 80,000 it’s incredible.

’It’s all down to their hard work and dedication. Not forgetting the volunteers, sponsors, parents and friends, Steam Packet... it’s a massive machine of support and we thank everyone for their generosity.’

The awards take place on November 28 in London.

Vote for Dot here: www.cyclingweekly.com/cw-awards/vote-now-2019-local-hero-397157