Competing in the Masters 2 Men’s category at Kinross State Forest, only national champion David Penhaligon bettered Watson in round one, while he backed that effort up with bronze on Sunday.

Given Watson is more at home riding for longer time periods than the 20 kilometre Olympic distance leg burners he faced on the weekend, his efforts were even more impressive.

“I trained for three months beforehand and sacrificed a lot of time, so to turn up and just put it together like I planned and trained for was the most important thing. I did that and I rode well,” Watson said.

“I really surprised myself. Saturday night my body was sore, just through the intensity that Olympic distance cross country, I haven't done that for 10 or 11 years, I've been doing the longer stuff.

“So I went up with no pressure and I really, really shocked myself that I rode well again on Sunday. I turned myself inside out, myself and second place just had a huge battle the whole race.

“It’s just really, really intense, from word go you are in the red. It’s basically just who can suffer the most riding in that red zone.”

Though Watson was one of just six riders in his category, the quality of those he rode against was top notch.

Queenslander Penhaligon won the gold both days, finishing as a comfortable victor. But on Saturday Watson (one hour, 14 minutes, 32.7 seconds) rode hard to claim silver ahead of Adam Cooper (1:14.54.7) before he overcame soreness on Sunday to earn bronze in 1:15.53.6 after a good battle with Peter Horwood (1:15.42.8).

“There wasn't huge numbers by any means in it, but the quality was still there. The guy that won both days is the Australian Masters champion, he was wearing the green and gold bands on his jersey,” Watson said.

“It was excellent. Saturday I was extremely nervous, probably the most nervous that I’ve ever been, but once the flag dropped and I got into it - I’ve raced plenty of years now and I know I’ve just got to put my head down and do it.

“To get silver on that first day - second behind him - was great. The third placed guy was breathing down my neck the whole race, the gap sometimes went down to 10 seconds, then blew out to 15 seconds. To measure myself again those guys, it was excellent.”

Watson was not the only Bathurst talent to finish the opening two rounds with a pair of podiums.

Laura Renshaw, who is based in Newcastle, claimed silver in her Masters 1 Women category in round one as she stopped clock after 1:11.20.6.

In round two she best dealt with the strains of back-to-back days of competition, picking up the gold with a time of 1:12.16.4.

“Laura went excellent, she got silver on the first day and then backed up and got gold on the Sunday, which is a brilliant effort,” Watson said.

“Everyone is tired on that second day, everyone is in the same boat, it’s just who can dig the deepest.

“She was over the moon with her results.”