YORK'S rising star Paul Watson reigned supreme in the hills around Sheriff Hutton putting on a classy display of speed and power in Clifton Cycling Club's first promotion of their Rudy Project Hilly Circuit Time Trial.

Watson, 23, riding in Loughborough Students team-colours, further underlined his potential when he beat Joel Wainman (Pete Read Racing).

Both looked impressive, but Watson's storming two ascents of Bulmer Bank and blistering speed over the rest of the course proved decisive to notch up a winning time of 1hr 06m 19secs for the tough 26 miles, with Wainman 33 seconds adrift at the end.

It was fitting that the prize presentations were carried out by Clifton's past-masters and former national champions Pete Smith and John Watson which meant that John presented a sizeable victory cheque to son Paul.

Watson's victory is perhaps a pointer to what could well turn out to be his best season to date.

David Thomas (GS Orion) took third spot 18 seconds further in arrears, with Chris Whitelam (Hessle RT) fourth in a time of 1-08-17.

York St John student Adam Hardy (Pete Read Racing), now York-based, was well up the field with a strong ride of 1-10-42.

A six-man VC York squad was led home by Chris Clarke with a fine 1-09-40, followed by Ian Holmes 1- 10-22, Paul Scott 1-12-08, Richard Welburn 1-12-56.

Jamie Sharpe suffered mechanical problems but still managed 1-15-31, and Paul Fairburn clocked 1-17-33 after returning from the four-day "Tour of the North" in Northern Ireland.

Paul Musgrave was the pick of the Clifton CC entry with a solid ride of 1-12-32, with Chris Carter clocking 1-23-32.

Claire Gilmartin was timed at 44min 55secs in the women's one-lap event that was won by Sarah Cramoyson in 40-36.

The senior team prize went to the Pete Read Racing trio of Wainman, Hardy and York's Mark Wolstenholme (1-12-19) with the combined team prize going to the promoting club trio of Musgrave, Cath Tatlock (44-11) and veteran George Young (39-12).

First place in the veterans one-lap event went to Len Grayson (Pete Read Racing) who clocked 37-18 for a "standard" plus of 1-44.

Clifton's Phil Duston was timed at 42-09, and VC York's Jonathan Grant clocked 39-24.

Updated: 11:25 Saturday, April 13, 2002