Heworth rider Paul Watson (Velo Club York/Tony Boswell Cycles) is the latest York area cyclist to join the sub 21min 10-milers.Watson, the 20-year-old son of former British 50 mile and 12 hour record holder John Watson, only came into the sport at the age of 19, and has been tipped to reach the top in racing against the clock.

Although missing out on a top three placing in the Hull Thursday RC open event, he was delighted with his ride of 20min 42sec, a new personal best, and with the guidance his father, and his uncle Peter Watson, a former King of the Mountains in the old Milk Race, he should soon be in the top echelon of time trialing.

Just two days later, Watson rode the TLI (Yorkshire) 10-mile TT on the A64-based Tadcaster-Copmanthorpe course, producing another classy ride.

Off at number 15 in the 50-strong field, the Loughborough University student covered the distance in an excellent 21.11 on a night when conditions were difficult due to a stiff headwind on the longer six-mile return leg of the out-and-home course.

His time stood as fastest for most of the event, with several riders coming close, notably Strensall's Nigel Goscinski (Knaresborough RT/Cromwell Polythene) with 21.23 for eventual third place, followed by Cheshire visitor Paul Green (Westmead Team 88) on 21.24, and Leeds rider Dave Thomas (GS Orion) 21.25.

With one of the pre-race favourites Steve Brown (East Bradford CC) a non-starter, it was left to one of the other top seeds, Richard Berry (Royal Air Force CC), runner-up to York's Steve Gore-Browne in the first of this three-race series, to topple him.

The Leeming-based rider clocked 21.05 to push the York man back into second spot. Bishopthorpe's Graham Laycock (Knaresborough RT) took the fastest juvenile award with a 27.06 ride.

Knaresborough RT took the fastest team award via Goscinski, veteran Mike Shacklock (22.29) and Clifton rider Matthew Miller (23.33), the latter two taking eighth and ninth places overall.

The leading riders from all the armed services were due to converge on Claro Barracks, Ripon, yesterday for the Army Festival of Cycling being organised this year by Ripon-based 38 Engineer Regiment. The programme was kicking-off today with a hill climb up the tortuous ascent of White Horse Bank, near Thirsk, followed by a 10-mile TT on the A64 Tadcaster course. Several local civilian riders, including Nigel Goscinski (Strensall) have been given invites to fill several vacant slots in the various events, which include a 25-mile TT on Monday.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.