Newton out to make amends

OLDHAM cycling ace Chris Newton’s entry into the World Track Championships in Poland next week was confirmed this week as British Cycling announced the team to travel for the prestigious event.

The Beijing Olympic bronze medallist and the World Cup Series winner in the points race, Newton is one of 11 men and eight women who will travel to Pruszkow for the event from March 25-29.

Newton missed out on last year’s World Championships because of injury, and with his form at the moment he will be keen to make amends and take the win.

Depending on selections at the event, he may also ride the four-man Team Pursuit.

Meanwhile, stars of the future from our region will be travelling to Southport this Saturday when the Southport Cycling Club stage the first round of their Dolan School Persons Three-Week Series at Victoria Park.

With event for ages from under-8 to under-16, the racing begins at 9.30am and continues throughout the day.

Many riders from our region and across the country were left without a race last weekend after the opening round of the Premier Calendar Series, the Bikeline Two-Day in North Wales, was abandoned after police withdrew their permission for the event to go ahead.

Police blamed riders crossing on to the wrong side of the road and endangering other road users for their decision to revoke the event licence, and regardless of the rights and wrongs it left many riders, teams and sponsors out of pocket and disappointed.

Many opted to ride the Maxgear North West League event at Saighton instead, and it was Chris Newton’s team-mate at Rapha Condor, Aussie Darren Lapthorne, who took victory, leading in team-mate Matt Cronshaw as they secured a one-two.