Independent Liberal Member for Alfred Cove Dr Janet Woollard congratulated local women’s cyclist Fran Watson of Mount Pleasant on her outstanding achievements at the World Masters Track Cycling Championships held recently in Sydney in the female 60-64 years age group. “

Fran Watson has returned to Mount Pleasant with five Gold Medals and Five World Championship titles in the female 60-64 years age group,” said Dr Woollard.

“That is an outstanding record for any cyclist. Fran has shown the world that you are never too old to excel at your chosen sport. Her wins entitle her to wear the Olympic colour bands on all her cycling clothing to show that she is a recognised World Champion.”

Dr Woollard said the venue for the event was the Dunc Gray Velodrome in Sydney. The competition is for riders aged 30 years and over who compete in five year categories for men and women in time trials, sprints, pursuits, point’s races and scratch races.

“More than 400 riders competed in almost 90 World Championships that were staged over the six days of the competition,” said Dr Woollard.

“Competitors included 190 international riders from 25 countries.

Dr Woollard said Fran Watson’s cycling story was unique.

“Fran Watson only took up cycling 13 years ago when her doctor told her that exercise may help to control a debilitating muscle condition called Fibro Myalgia, which is similar to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome,” said Dr Woollard.

“Nowadays, she rides about 200kms on the road each week and races with male cyclists on Sundays, does two sessions at the Midvale velodrome and works out at a gym a couple of times a week as well.”

Dr Woollard said Fran Watson won her first Gold Medal at the Canberra Masters Games in 1997.

“Since then, she has competed at the Australian Masters and Veterans Cycling events in Melbourne, Sydney, Alice Springs, Newcastle and Launceston in South Australia. So far, she has won 66 Gold and 14 Bronze Medals, which is a remarkable achievement indeed,” said Dr Woollard.

“In 2002, she attended the World Masters Games in Melbourne and three years later, she went to Edmonton in Canada, where she won eight World Gold Medals and six World Silver Medals.”

Dr Woollard said Fran’s attitude has a lot to do with her success.

“Fran enjoys promoting women’s cycling and being recognised as a World cyclist. She plans to continue to defend her titles for as long as she can,” said Dr Woollard.

“She still enjoys her sport and her message to the women in our community is to take up cycling and racing because it’s such a wonderful way to stay fit, meet people and establish friendships across the country.”