Newton takes top spot in time trial

HE is an Olympic and World Championship medallist and already has a bulging trophy cabinet, but now Oldham racing cyclist Chris Newton can call himself the Manchester and District Time Trial Association 25-mile champion as well.

Newton, the 35-year-old leader of the Rapha Condor squad, clocked 52min 27sec over the course based near Chelford in Cheshire to win by around three and a half minutes from his nearest rival, Dave Crawley of the Fibrax-Wrexham Road Club.

A tailwind helped most riders reach impressive speeds on the leg out to Knutsford.

But the resulting head-wind on the return leg from Twemlow Lane and Jodrell Bank negated the advantage.

While the event may not be the most prestigious Newton has ever ridden, it proved to be a good warm-up for this weekend’s East Midlands International CiCLE Classic in Leicestershire.

The prestigious event has attracted the best field ever, and includes many top names from the international cycling scene.

Newton finished second in the 2006 race behind Robin Sharman, and will be part of a six-man Rapha Condor team.

Others in the race include former Paris-Roubaix winner Magnus Backstedt, as well as Slovakian Peter Sagan, who is widely acclaimed to be the most talented young rider from Eastern Europe.

Sunday’s Oldham and Tameside CTC club run is to Towneley Hall near Burnley. Meet on Union Street, Oldham, near Chaucer Street (grid ref SD 924 048) at 9.30am for a 9.45 start.

For details call Kathleen Collins on 01457 764021.