Our Chris has the Riviera touched!

A tiny village in Italy cheered on Oldham cyclist Chris Newton as he pedalled to a bronze medal in the Beijing Olympics.

For a few hours, the hill village of Molini di Triora above the Italian Riviera became an outpost of pride in Team GB’s cycling success, thanks to ex-pats Mark and Julie Newman from Oldham.

The couple run walking holidays after leaving Springhead three years ago, and Mark also helps another ex-pat who runs cycling holidays.

And Mark (47), who used to cycle with Oldham Century and Torelli cycling clubs, also remembers Sunday morning rides with Chris Newton and another local veteran champion, Phil Rose.

Speaking to the Chronicle from his Italian home, Mark said: “It was fantastic to watch local cyclists like Chris Newton and Paul Manning, plus all the other cyclists based down at Manchester Velodrome, delivering a superb haul of medals.

“We watched most of the action in our local cafe, where even the local Italians roared on our cyclists to victory.

“It was a great feeling as the locals thought we didn’t have any cycling champions.

“It certainly was a very proud moment.

“Only about 400 people live in the village and we know practically everybody.

“My memory of Chris Newton is when I was out training with him and another ex-national champion Phil Rose also from Oldham.

“The two of us were gasping for air as we rode up a tiny back road called Throstle’s Nest from Marsden back to Saddleworth, while Chris was sat up on his bike sending a text, looking like he was sat in an armchair!”

Mark, a former accounts clerk with a Manchester stockbroker, and Julie (46), a baker and confectioner, have had a holiday home in the village for eight years, and decided to move there three years ago,

Mark added: “Life is completely different to Britain, and we don’t know what we will be doing from one day to the next.

“We are 20 kilometres up a valley from the coast, so the area doesn’t get many tourists, and people who come here really want to get away from it all.

“Julie used to be in Oldham Ramblers and she organises the walks, and I run the business and help a friend who does mountain bike holidays.

“We cater for all tastes, we can head down towards the coast where the hills are gentler, or go to the high mountains at 2,000 to 3,000 metres.”

Their company’s website is www.rivieratrek.co.uk and the cycling holidays are on www.rivierabike.co.uk