Sgt Lee Watson (REME) successfully defended his title from 2024 and was a dominant presence in six of the competition’s seven rounds, cementing his position at the head of the field with victory in the final leg at Colchester.
“I was buzzing to take the win,” he told SoldierSport. “After being in the breakaway with three Infantry army road team riders I couldn’t quite believe it, to be honest.
“I expected them to attack me one after the other and in that company I would be happy with any step on the podium.
“After being on the front for the final lap I hit the last corner first and opened up my sprint expecting them to come round. I kept the power on all the way to the line and held them off.”
Watson’s first foray into cycling came in a John O’Groats to Land’s End challenge with his unit. He then got the bug and progressed to the army time trial team in 2018/19 before a two-year posting to Cyprus gave him the opportunity to hone his craft.
“It was two years of consistent riding and base training,” he explained. “That set me up to come back and get into it again.
“Having won last season, I was a marked man this year. I’ve had to ride differently and be more tactical, making moves at varying times.
“This is a really good series, with different levels depending on your experience.
“Some guys come in with the long-term goal of moving up from category C to B and then A and there are those who cross over from other sports to try something new.
“It has been a fantastic year. We’ve been to some old places and new and it is great for all cyclists – no matter the ability. It’s also in work time, so what’s not to like.”
The series win continued a triumphant year for the soldier, who also reigned supreme at the REME Road Race Championships and was a double champion in the Army Cycling Time Trial Series.
He will progress to the masters ranks next season and is hoping to retain his place in the army time trial squad, while continuing to promote the sport within his corps.
“Time trial will be the priority,” Watson continued. “For me, road racing is more about the team. Yes, I’ve come away with two wins, but it has never been about individual accolades.
“I love getting together with the REME riders. I have taken over as team captain and we are trying to push cycling and offer support where we can, as it can be hard to get into.”
Elsewhere in Colchester, there were wins for Sgt Thomas Dobson (RE) and Capt Louis Muston (RA) in the men’s category B and C races respectively, while LCpl Caitlin Beddoe (AGC (SPS)) claimed the women’s honours.
The event marked the end of a year of progress for the series, with numbers across all rounds significantly higher compared to last season.
“Participation is up in all categories and age groups,” OiC SSgt Will Blunt (REME), who also finished second to Watson in the men’s standings, said.
“People are getting the time off work to come away and compete. We’ve had buy in from the chain of command and the Army Cycling Union has done a brilliant job in getting information about this out there on social media.
“There has also been a push at corps level to get soldiers to events and race.
“We’ve had between 70 and 80 at each round, whereas last year we were happy to see 50.
“The main aim of this is to get people racing and for novices there is the chance to go through and force their way on to corps and army teams.
“There are riders who have come through this series and are now on the army’s talented athlete scholarship scheme – so the pathway is there.
“We’ve had a few army team riders involved this year and that gives people an idea of the level – it adds to the competition.
“Over the past couple of years, we have proven that the concept works. We’ll now go away and make a few small tweaks, and it will be back next season.”
Details for the 2026 series will be published on social media in the new year.
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