Coventry’s only Elite Cycle Race Team , were in cracking form this week winning races, both a home and abroad.

Jack Watson already a Multi National Champion, won the 75+ World Masters Road Race Championships over a very tough course at St Johan , in Austria—his first World Championship.

The week earlier Jack finished 2nd in the week long Hartberg Stage Race, leading until the final stage, a Time Trial where he finished in 3rd place and lost the overall race to a rider from Norway.  He now looks certain to win the Formies Trophy for the best British Veteran Rider performance in International Events.

This is the 3rd World Championship the Team has won this season.

Back at home Team M.I.Racing organised the British Veterans Circuit National Championships at the Curborough Race Circuit Nr Lichfield, Staffordshire, unable to find a suitable venue in the Coventry area.

Former Professional  and Ex World Masters Track Champion Derrick Woodings won the Championship for his age group breaking clear of the main field, which included Ex Professionals and Internationals and a certain World Champion Jack Watson.  With 20 laps to go Woodings rode clear and lapped the entire field, to bring the Teams total of British Cycling Championship this season to 15.  On this occasion Watson finished in 3rd place.

In the Championship for riders 50 and over –Race Organiser Mike Twelves, who had been setting the event up as early as 6-00am in the morning, and still managed to compete, be it a little weary, finished in 4th place.  The Event was sponsored by Jewson, and organised by Twelves and the M.I,.Race Team.

Victory for Coventry’s Peter Busby in the 50+ race, in Round 1 of the Midland Cyclo Cross season –the event at Pitcher Oaks Wood, Worcestershire was a very technical circuit, which suited Busby.  Coming off the recent Moutain Bike season, Busby led from the start, and ran out a clear winner. Team Mates Kirby Bennett from Hinckley finished in 3rd place and Tim Stowe from Wellesbourne finished 5th.

Success didn’t end there for the Coventry Team.

In the Ladies Veteran race Stephanie Peters finished 5th—and in the Senior race New Signing Peter Banham, a former Midland series Champion, led for most of the event but dropped back in the closing stages to finish 4th – his first race of the season .

The Teams young Time Trial star Jonathan Wears teamed up with his training partner John Surtees, to win the Leamington C and A.C. Open 10 mile 2 up Event on the A 45.  Their winning time was 20mins 23 secs—despite problems ,just before the start when Surtees rear tyre blew.  Fortunately they were able to borrow a rear wheel from another competitor, and despite the gearing not working correctly still managed to win.

Bad news for 2 of the Teams top riders: Mick Allan who crashed recently in a Road Race, will be out of action for the rest of the season with a broken shoulder, and will have to miss the forthcoming UCI World Masters Track Championships in Manchester.  And Warwick’s leading Road Race rider Jon Stevenson is also out for the rest of the season having crashed on a training ride abroad and torn ligaments in his leg.

The Teams tally of Major Championship Victory’s this season reads:

* World Masters Championships –3

* European Championships – 1

* British Cycling Championships –15

Possibly the best record of any team in the U.K.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *