Newton targets title victory

IN-FORM Oldham racing cyclist Chris Newton is targeting a victory in this Sunday’s National Road Race Championship to give his season a further boost.

Newton, the 35-year-old leader of the Rapha Condor team, is one of ten Rapha riders who are travelling to Wales for this weekend’s events, but they face stiff competition from all corners with Continental professionals Mark Cavendish, Bradley Wiggins and David Millar returning home to bid for the title.

As well as the international stars, Newton faces competition from reigning champion Rob Hayles and his colleagues on the Halfords Bikehut team, as well as from Candi TV-Marshalls Pasta who include Premier Calendar Series leader Russell Downing in their team.

Newton, who took silver in the National 25-Mile Time Trial Championships a couple of weeks ago, heads into Sunday’s event in good form.

Last Saturday he broke the course record in the Hartlepool CC 10-mile time trial, clocking an impressive 19min 13sec for the course, beating his nearest rival by more than a minute and a half.

Then he travelled to Chester on Tuesday evening for the penultimate round of the Tour Series criterium competition, where Rapha Condor were second on the night.

While team-mate Darren Lapthorne was first over the line, Newton was fifth and team-mate Kristian House completed their best three riders and ensured that there is everything still to play for tonight when the series finishes with the final round at Southend.