Newton continues Olympic build-up

OLDHAM racing cyclist Chris Newton steps up his preparations for the Beijing Olympics this week when he rides the prestigious five-day Sachsen Tour in Germany.

Newton, who will ride the Points Race on the track in Beijing, is part of a seven-man Great Britain team who are set to take part in the 800-kilometre event around the eastern German city of Dresden.

The GB team is made up of GB Academy riders as well as Rapha Condor-Recycling team professional riders, with the link between the two groups being the presence of John Herety as team manager for both.

The event begins tomorrow with a 188-kilometre stage from Dresden to Niesky, and then continues on Thursday with the longest stage of the event, a 242k trek from Gorlitz to Frohburg which includes four tough second-category climbs.

Friday sees a 188k stage from Eilenburg to Ziel Freital, and after Saturday’s shorter 36k route from Grossenhain to Wende Radeburg and back, they tackle a 146k stage from Dresden south towards the hills around Zinnwald which features a first-category climb, as well as one shortly after at Bobbbahn.

The event is a UCI-ranked event on a par with the Tour of Britain, and has attracted some of the best teams and riders from around the world.