Witmitz started off scratch in the Horsham Cycling Club Christmas Carnival’s marquee race.

He said Niblett had been a big part of his life. 

‘‘I was going to turn myself inside out to win the race,’’ he said.

Witmitz said there was a point in the 2000-metre race where he thought he had missed his chance.

‘‘There were a lot of guys who were off the middle marks who stuck together and stayed strong during the race,’’ he said.

‘‘I thought I had stuffed up on the final lap because I waited a bit too long to make my move. 

‘‘But I had a bit left in the tank and, when I got around the final corner, I knew I had it.’’

Witmitz said he was also determined to win the race because this year’s Christmas carnival might be the club’s last.

‘‘I was actually more nervous about this race than when I was racing in China,’’ he said.

‘‘In China, there were stages, so if you messed one up, you could make up for it the next day.

‘‘If the carnival doesn’t go ahead again next year, it would be great to have a Horsham rider on the honour list.’’

Witmitz also won the A Grade scratch and motorpace events and the men’s Victorian Elimination Championship.

Carnival co-ordinator and Sam’s father, Geoff Witmitz, said while the carnival went well, there were challenges ahead.

‘‘We need a lot of people to stand up and help organise the carnival for the next 12 months,’’ he said.

‘‘We were really thankful a lot of members stood up to help out this year, but we can’t be relying on last-minute help all the time.’’ 

Mr Witmitz said a number of cycling competitions across Australia were drawing cyclists and crowds away from Horsham. 

‘‘We have competition from the Tasmanian Christmas Carnival Series, which is a really well-funded event,’’ he said.

‘‘We used to have a lot of entries from Queensland, but they are also running their own carnival up there now too.

‘‘The Horsham carnival is just gradually dying.’’ 

SamWitmitz said it would be a shame if the carnival did not go ahead next year.

‘‘In the early 2000s, you couldn’t get a park at the side of the velodrome there were so many people there,’’ he said.

‘‘This year, crowd numbers and entry numbers were down because of the cycling competition in Tasmania.’’

Witmitz said while a number of older riders went to Tasmania and other events to test their luck, the Horsham carnival was well attended by junior cyclists. 

‘‘I was quite impressed by some of the racing in the junior grades and enjoyed watching it,’’ he said.

‘‘I think for the younger grades there is still prestige in being a state champion. The junior level races were of a really high standard.’'