John Watson

John Watson’s début season as a senior rider was as a 19-year-old in 1966. He started the season a novice and ended it as the second fastest 50-miler in Britain. Watson, like other future 1968 Olympians Roy Cromack and Pete Smith, was a member of York’s Clifton Cycling Club. Watson’s younger brother Peter was also a member. Watson, Cromack, Smith, and Johnny Bettinson made up the Great Britain quartet in the 100 km team time trial at the 1968 Mexico Olympics. They finished 11th out of 30. Watson also competed in the 1969 World Road Race Championships

Watson won three national time trial titles. He won the 100-miles title in 1967 and captured the 12-hour title in both 1969 and 1970, setting a national record 282 miles (454 km) in the first of those years. Also in 1970, Watson finished second to Alan Creaser in the national 100-mile race and finished fourth in the 52 km Grand Prix de France Time Trial at Nantes. Watson won the Best British All-Rounder Award in 1970.