Watson climbs to glory

Loughborough Students’ Cycling Club capped superb performances at the BUSA Hill-Climb championships with Bronze, Silver and Gold.

In appalling conditions, LSCC took on the 1,460 yard Curbar Cap climb.

Paul Watson last year’s runner up and seeded favourite demolished all challengers as he blitzed his way up the climb in 5:52. Paul last year’s bronze medallist was almost fifthteen seconds up on Oxford’s Kevin Backhouse. Watson also managed a top 10 performance in the National championships the following day, to bring to an end a successful season that included the TLI national title and many event records.

With last year’s winner Leslie Pattison unable to compete, attention was turned to Fresher Sarra Whelan riding her first event for the club. Whelan battled up the climb to finish 3rd behind a commendable first placed performance from Rachel Horn of Cambridge. Sarra is an excellent prospect of the club and is part of this year’s “Women’s Development Programme” in its first year since inception.

Jaime Mason and James Reeves who are also freshers, both put in excellent performances. With hill-climb specialist Keith Flory sidelined through illness, it was left to these two new riders to secure a team medal. Eventually after the times were tallied, LSCC had lost out to Cambridge by 2 seconds, the narrowest of margins over 20 minutes. With the new talent that has emerged this year and other riders returning to fitness the club should hopefully reclaim back the men’s title next year with the added prospect of further women’s individual and team titles as well.

The club’s focus is now drawn to the upcoming BUSA track championships in Manchester, which should see Great Britain rider Denise Hampson take all honours and a men’s pursuit team honed for victory!