Newton claims London top spot

OLYMPIC and World Championship bronze medallist Chris Newton, the Rapha Condor rider from Oldham, proved once again he is the man to beat in points racing when he tasted victory at the prestigious Good Friday Track Meeting at the Herne Hill track in London.

He won with ease despite facing a quality field which included Great Britain aces Ed Clancy and Andy Tennant, who were riding in Halfords Bikehut colours on the day.

Newton took victory after being a key player in a break mid-way through the race which included Clancy and Tennant, as well as Slovakia’s Josef Zabka and Spain’s Tonu Tewler.

The break stayed clear, although stopped short of lapping the field in order to bag more points, and in the final sprint for the line Newton won in style with a maximum haul.

Straight after the London event, Newton travelled to Scotland to compete in the prestigious Girvan Three-Day cycle race, which was the third round of the Premier Calendar National Series.

Despite his hectic recent schedule, a series of good performances helped Newton finish 25th in the gruelling race from more than 100 top class riders from across the country.

Newton finished 13th in the opening 62-mile stage, having helped get team-mate Simon Richardson into the leading break where he finished fourth.

That evening Newton was again in the thick of the action, crossing the line 16th in the town centre 16.5-mile criterium around the streets of Girvan, while team-mate Kristian House was third in a sprint finish.

Stage three on Sunday saw Newton 35th which dropped him down to 15th overall.

But Rapha Condor’s consistent rides saw them top the overall team classification.

And in the final stage on Easter Monday Newton helped House to another third place.