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Cycle star takes title without finishing

10/ 1/2002

ABC Centreville rider Paul Whatmough is the new senior Northwest cyclo-cross champion.

Whatmough clinched the title, which he previously won seven years ago, at Macclesfield, despite being sidelined halfway through the race by mechanical problems.

His closest rival needed at least fifth place to stay in contention, but he finished well down the field, leaving Whatmough in gold medal position.

The race was a major event, with professional riders in the field of more than 100.

Whatmough quickly settled into the top 20, with his rival six or seven places behind.

Whatmough then had gear trouble which forced him to withdraw, but the lead positions didn't change significantly, and the title was his.

Whatmough has shown great consistency to win the title, and his tally over his 10 qualifying rides shows that a rider does not have to win every race to become champion.

The Centreville rider has won only one race this season, but his four seconds, three thirds, and two fourths, took him to a well-deserved title.