Williams World's Experience

 

Welshman Andrew Williams delighted British fans with his performance at the World Cyclo Cross Championships at the weekend the young rider's first appearance in Great Britain colours.

 

Williams surprise selection arose after his extraordinary performance at the National Cyclo Cross Championships, pushing winner Alex Paton to the line in a race that displayed his phenomenal strength on the flat and fast circuit. Thus the Cwmcarn rider's selection was secured, given the World Championships 'parcours' followed a similar setup, with a hard packed circuit flowing around fast corners and few off the bike sections.

 

Williams took to the line in the Championships opening event on Saturday morning, with Andrew being gridded on row three behind the British Champion Paton. Fellow home riders Seb Batchelor and Hamish Creber lined up behind amongst the seventy five starters representing sixteen countries.

The Welshman had been forewarned of the frantic and ruthless starts at this level of racing, advice that proved well founded when a crash occurred directly in front of Williams at the first bend, causing an unceremonious trip over the handlebars as the rest of the field accelerated away.

 

However, left third from last 'the Android' did not resign himself to the position, frantically chasing over the first two laps to make rapid ground, sprinting past competitors on the straights and unafraid to lock elbows and hold his ground over more experienced competitors around the fast bends. Thus by lap three, the Welshman had moved into position as top GB rider after Paton has sadly fallen and lost a potential top ten finish.

 

By the last lap Andrew yo-yoed with fellow Brit Batchelor, and completed the event to the crowds applause in 38^th position, just behind his compatriot. Andrew delighted the team coaches and support staff with the performance, given his priority as a Road and Track rider and the fact he has only contested six 'Cross events this season!

 

After the event, Williams reflected that without the starting mishap he could have been pushing for a top twenty sport, given the early lap times performed to regain position. The young rider expressed his delight at being part of the event which saw thousands of avid supporters line the circuit to enthusiastically encourage the competitors, and expressed his interest in contesting the event again, should he find the need for some extra winter 'training'!

 

Williams had time in his hectic training schedule to write Welsh Cycling the following diary.