He may work up to 50 hours a week in Scotland - commuting from his home in Ireland - but that isn't stopping David Watson putting it up to the best domestic amateurs on a weekly basis, and beating them (Photo: David McVeigh - The Belgian Project)
Almost three months into the new season and David Watson has already had a year he won’t forget in a hurry.
The North Down CC man won the Tour of the North over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, when he took the final stage with the leader’s jersey on his back.
He has also taken victory on the Phoenix GP and Coombes-Connor Memorial as well as a string of other podium placings and top 10s.
He currently occupies fourth spot in Cycling Ireland’s A1 rider rankings behind Sean McKenna (Aquablue), Páidí O’Brien (Osbourne Meats-McCarthy Cycles) and Eoin Morton (UCD CC).
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“It’s been good, I can’t really complain,” he says modestly of the campaign to date.
“I’ve had a decent winter and everything is sort of going to plan, for the time being anyway.
“I certainly wouldn’t have the same amount of time as some of the other boys but I’m happy.”
Wrapping up overall victory in the Tour of the North by winning the final stage last month (Photo courtesy Tour of the North)
That last point is putting it mildly as Watson’s day job is in construction in Edinburgh, where he spends between three and four days a week.
“I’m away Tuesday to Thursday every week, sometimes four days a week,” he explains.
“I work from 7am until 6.30pm and then jump on the turbo for an hour when I get back.
“I live with two other cyclists and we take turns with dinner and things like that; we’ve three turbo trainers in the kitchen so as you can imagine it’s an interesting set-up.
“At the moment I’ve a decent work-life balance. My girlfriend might disagree though,” he laughed.
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“I come home on a Thursday night, say hello to her, get changed and go out training with the boys.
“It’s been like that for the last two or three years and she’s very good because it’s difficult.
“I could be working a 45-50 hour week, trying to squeeze in 12 hours on the bike so I just need to be smart with my training.”
Watson said the Tour of the North was “special” to win and it’s given him the confidence to target a county rider prize at the An Post Rás.
Taking a solo victory in the main event at the Phoenix GP back in Februaru (Photo with thanks to Marian Lamb – Cycling Ulster)
“The Tour of the North was pretty amazing, very special,” he recalls.
“We’re from a big club and we got good support from them, family and friends and work as well. It was definitely a standout moment in my career.
“I knew I had a bit of form but I didn’t think I’d come away with the win. It was a real team effort to win it.
“Since then we’ve managed to pull a team together for the Rás; North Down sponsored by Graham Construction and Powerhouse Sport, so that’s exciting.
“I think every county man dreams of going to the Rás and pulling on that county rider jersey.
“And if there was a day that suited me I’d love to get it but there’s just so many competitive guys.
“Plus you’ve guys coming back from Belgium riding on county teams and racing full-time. So someone like me; to pull it on is highly unlikely but it would be nice.”
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