Unwell Wood waits on contract call

Illness ruined Harrison Wood’s hopes of ending the cycling season on a high in the prestigious Japan Cup one-day classic.

Wood (Team Cofidis) had gone into last weekend’s event in good form after a series of strong performances in major races in Italy, but he was struck down by a stomach bug, along with several rivals, and was forced to retire.

The 24-year-old Mid-Devon CC rider from Torquay is on his way back home at the end of his third season at WorldTour level.

Wood is still waiting to hear the outcome of talks over a possible new contract between Cofidis’ officials and his agent.

Meanwhile, MDCC teenager George Watch set his third Junior course record of the Hill Climb season when he finished third, behind reigning UK champion Andrew Feather, in the Sid Valley CC’s Peak Hill test at Sidmouth.

Watch was third overall, covering the 1.7K ascent (ave 9%) in 5mins 39secs, only 44 seconds slower than Feather.

And he followed up with another third place finish (1st Junior) in the Bristol South CC’s HC on Burrington Coombe, near Axbridge, on Sunday.

Watch covered the 3.2K ascent (ave 6%) in 7mins 47secs, 25secs down on Senior winner Gabe Dellar (Stolen Goat RT).