Chris shows his class
By Charlie Rhind

JUNIOR International, Chris Newton (Northern Velo), showed his superiority over his North East rivals when he finished 8mins 30secs clear of his nearest challenger in the Cleveland Wheelers Marske Road Race this weekend.

A field of over 60 riders departed from Saltburn Leisure Centre in cold, blustery conditions to start the first of five laps of the tough East Cleveland circuit. Yearby Bank and Skelton's Apple Orchard Bank would provide clear opportunties for any breakaway adventures.

Paul Keavney (Northern Velo) and Graeme Hatcher (Teesside Clarion) were early attackers with Keavney leading his companion over the climbs on the first circuit to establish himself in the King of the Mountains competition. The bunch followed the leaders by 50 secs.

The two were still clear on the climb at Yearby on the second lap where Hatcher took the prime, but Newton, clear of the bunch, was in hot pursuit.

By the time Apple Orchard summit was reached for the second time, the World Championship hopeful was forcing the pace with Hatcher just hanging on, Keavey detached at 15sec. and the first group of a disintegrating field of 50sec.

Newton showed no signs of weakness as he powered around the remaining three laps steadily building his lead over ten pursuers. The National Junior Squad member had been finished for eight and a half minutes before Paul lbague (Knaresborough C.C. - Dunlopillo) outsprinted Geoff Ranger (Scarborough Paragon) for second place.

Newton easily won the King of the Mountains prize while Keavney managed to stay with the leading group until the fiinal stages to claim second place in that competition.

All rides had benefitted from the first class organisation by the Cleveland Wheelers and excellent assistance from Cleveland police.

Chris is aiming for selection for this year's World Junior Road Race Championships to be held in the U.S.A. He has caught the selector's eye with several high placings, including a second, in the season long Reynolds 531 series for the country's top junior riders. At presented he holds fourth place in that competition.

1. Chris Newton (Northern Velo - SIB Stationers)
2. Paul Teague (Knareborough CC - Dunlopillo)
3. Geoff Ranger (Scarborough Paragon)
4. Paul Plunkett (Ridley CC)
5. Howard Botting (Northern Velo - SIB Stationers)
6. Glen Turnbull (G.S. Metro - Laverick cles).