A POWICK cyclist has scaled the top step of the podium with success at the National Cyclocross Championships – almost four decades after his first triumph.
After 18 months of hard training and competing, Chris Wreghitt saved his best performance to win the National Cyclocross Championships over-60s title last weekend, 37 years after his first national crown.
Wreghitt crossed the finish line at the Cyclo Park at Gravesend 25 seconds clear of the rest of the field after a tough race.
In the lead after two laps, Wreghitt was brought down by a lapped rider with just one lap to go. Determination and sheer grit took over to ensure Wreghitt regained his momentum and kept that all important first place.
Wreghitt has had his fair share of the unpredictable thrills and spills in the last 18 months. In November, at the World Championship in Mol in Belgium, Wreghitt was lying second with just a lap to go, when mechanical trouble with both bikes saw him slip to fifth.
He did not even get to start at the European Masters Cyclocross Championship earlier that month, when his mentor and old friend, Mick Shakespeare, who had accompanied him to Holland for the race, fell down the stairs and ended up in intensive care, with a serious head injury. Fortunately, Shakespeare is now recovering slowly.
Wreghitt had been inspired into making a comeback into cyclocross after an absence of 34 years, by the sudden death of Charlie Craig, a junior cyclocross champion, who sadly died in his sleep in January 2017.
To raise funds for the not-for-profit company set up in Charlie’s name, Wreghitt decided to return to the sport he had loved in his youth and to reach the top again in his age category.
His goal was to win the World or National Cyclocross Championships within 18 months.
Regular training sessions with Malvern’s Liam Killeen, a former Commonwealth and British champion at cyclocross and mountain bike cross country, has been critical in helping him fulfil his ambition.
“My win is dedicated to the memory of Charlie and to my mentor Mick, who was still not well enough after the accident to watch the race,” said Wreghitt.
“The past 18 months has been an incredible journey. Sixty really is the new 40 and continuing to challenge yourself, in whatever way you choose, is I feel one of the secrets to a long, healthy and happy life.
“I do, however, have a very tolerant family. A three-week ‘holiday’ in New Zealand to reunite the family over Christmas was badly timed for the National Championships. But excess luggage is a great thing!
“My bike made the 11,500 miles trip with us and I just kept training. So special thanks to my children and especially my wife, Wendy, for their support.
“Without it, this journey would not have been possible.”