CYCLING: Warwick cyclist John Eder has been nominated for the Queensland Masters Cyclist of the Year award.

The award nomination follows his gold medal win in the 750m time trial at the world championships in Manchester in the 45-49 years age group.

He qualified first in the 200m sprint in a time of 10.837 seconds (average 66.4kmh) but missed finals qualification. His time was an Australian record for his age and the fastest in the world at sea level. The time has only been bettered at altitude.

Early in the year, Eder won gold in the 750m time trial and silver in the sprint at the nationals in Melbourne after winning gold in 666m time trial and the sprint in record times at the state championships at Chandler.

The award for top masters cyclist will be presented at a gala ceremony at the new Anna Meares Velodrome at the Sleeman Sports Complex at Chandler on Saturday.

Eder said it was humbling and a big honour to be nominated for the award.

Reflecting on the best year of his cycling career to date, Eder said the biggest influence was his Warwick-based coach Tony Simonelli.

"Tony has a great knowledge of the sport both tactically and technically. He taught me a lot about setting up my bike to go as fast as I can,” he said.

"One of the great things about Tony as a coach is his patience with me when things aren't going as well as I hoped. There are times when you are not going as fast as you want to in training and times when it takes a lot of dedication to train through winter when they are no major competitions.

"A special thanks to my family, friends and my 'secret weapon' who helps me out,” he said.

Eder is part of the Ipswich Cycling Club and has been selected as a finalist in the City of Ipswich Sport Awards/Masters Sportsperson category.

He was nominated for the award by the management committee of his club in Ipswich and will be supported by club representatives at the awards dinner on Friday week at the North Ipswich Reserve Corporate Centre. Retired Test cricketer Michael Slater will be the guest speaker at the dinner.

Making it to gold at the world championships was the culmination of 11 years of hard work for Eder.

He is an IT technician at Warwick State High School and the hours sit well with a training regime which includes a hard training session most afternoons.

He is now determined to defend his world championship in Los Angeles next year so only had three weeks off after his victory this year in Manchester before returning to the road, track and gym.

"The aim next year is to set some new state records for my age on the new Anna Meares Velodrome at Chandler and also set some records at the nationals,” he said.

"I turned 45 this year so will be in the same age group at next year's world championships in Los Angeles when I am aiming to improve my best times and set world records.”

Eder has ridden a lot down the years with the many keen cyclists in the Warwick area but at present is predominantly doing road and track work on his own to follow specific programs set by Simonelli.

"Tony motor paces me by riding a motorbike at the velodrome before I head to major championships to boost my top speed.”

As for diet, it is lots of vegies, protein, water and a healthy lifestyle.