Bill Watkins returns to racing and wins the National Championship!

A long time ago…..way back in the 1970’s our friend and very first dealer- Walter Grotz, Cyclesport, NJ, called to order a frame for a West Point cadet named Bill Watkins. Grotz, and accomplished cyclist in his own right and one of the most genuine and generous people you’d ever meet was helping out the US Military Academy’s racing team. Nobody in cycling had ever heard of Bill. But within a year of taking up the sport, that would all change.

A fierce competitor with the cocky confidence of an established elite athlete, Watkins soon made himself noticed, making the US national and world teams in the time it takes most cyclists to learn how to follow a wheel. (Maybe that was it…maybe he figured you were always supposed to be at the front, following meant you weren’t winning.) In fact the first time a Serotta was on a magazine cover was in the early days of Velonews…there he was, massive, overpowering sprint and capturing the lime light.

Working his way to the top of the sport, Bill and Serotta became great friends and conspired over a decade of cycling. Then in the ‘80’s Bill left cycling behind (he really did….he just didn’t ride) for a successful business career and as is often the case, we just didn’t communicate that much without the ‘need’ to….. Until two years ago. “Ben, I’m going to race again and I am going to win nationals in two years.” “Uh, OK Bill….and you said the last time you rode or trained regularly was when?!”

There’s a lot more to the story of course…if you could use some inspiration…check out Bill’s Blog The Rusty Lion….

Awesome job Bill….Awesome!