As it turns out, Bolton need not have worried.

Not only did he bounce back to form, but he produced a season which saw him recently named the Cycling New South Wales Under 23s rider of the year for 2020.

He was presented with his award recently at Sydney's Dunc Gray Velodrome, Bolton saying it was a good surprise.

"I think it is nice recognition to get after a season I've been pretty happy with. It doesn't feel the same as a race win, not that instant gratification, but it's nice to have," he said.

"They told me about a week out to turn up because there was an awards thing on, but I didn't know what it was and I was surprised to get that email."

Since moving to Bathurst Bolton has ridden his way to a swag of club victories, while he's also impressed at the elite level for the Oliver's Real Food Racing Team.

He began 2020 in good touch as he won the sprinter's jersey in the under 23s road race at the Cycling Australia Road National Championships.

But when firstly the COVID-19 pandemic halted racing last year then Bolton contracted glandular fever, it forced him off his bike.

He was unsure what his return to racing, when it finally came, would bring.

What unfolded was victory in the under 23 men's NSW Criterium Championships in October.

That was followed by silver in the under 23s NSW Road Race at Gunning, but the criterium gold was Bolton's clear highlight.

"It definitely was, that was my first big race back after nothing for six months or so. I'd had glandular fever over lockdown as well and I wasn't able to train much, I was just resting up," he said.

"I'd had four months where I couldn't really ride more than an hour a day and then slowly started to feel better after that.

"So to come out in my first race back and get the win meant a fair bit because I'd spent a while questioning everything.

"I definitely knew I wanted to get back, but it was just a long road back after a couple of months of not doing much. I guess after spending a long time if I was going to get back to the level I was at before, how long it was going to take, winning that was when I realised I'd got back to that level.

"It came as a bit of a surprise. It often happens like that when you have a few setbacks and wonder how things are going to go, but you have a refresh and come back a bit stronger."

READ MORE: Bolton and Hodges equal Richie Porte's stage one time at Santos Festival of Cycling

READ MORE: Bolton backs up Cycling NSW Under 23s Criterium title with more sprinting success

READ MORE: Bolton claims classic spoils in men's division one criterium

The criterium win was Bolton's first individual state championships gold medal and it acted as a huge motivator.

Not only did it help him to win the Cycling NSW award, but he "just kept the momentum going."

He's looking to carry that form into the May 1 Melbourne to Warrnambool Cycling Classic then the May 8 Grafton to Inverell.

"I've actually never gone there with the form I've wanted to have, so far it seems to be going well with my build up so I'm pretty excited," Bolton said.

"It will be interesting, but I'm really looking forward to it."

While Bolton's home club is still listed as Dulwich Hill he said it now "definitely feels like I am a Bathurstian".

"I've stayed with the club because it's what got me into the sport and I wouldn't be a cyclist without Dulwich Hill, but I call Bathurst home," he said.

READ MORE: Rosemary Hastings named NSW cyclist of the year in age category

Bolton was not the only Bathurst rider to pick up one of Cycling NSW's top gongs, with Rosemary Hastings named the women's masters 9 rider of the year.

Hastings, who was a national Cyclist of the Year Awards finalist in 2019, also had a huge season on the bike which included winning the state time trial and criterium championships and being named the overall road champion for her category.

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