Newton bridges gap
By Graham Richards

CHRIS NEWTON was a surprise winner of the 20km scratch race in the BCF national track championships at Leicester last night as defending champion Anthony Stirrat was pushed back into fourth place.

The 19-year-old Middridge CRT rider from Middlesbrough did well to recover after Adrian Allen, of Team Haverhill, and Rod Ellingworth, of Delta RT, had escaped from the field, opening up an 80-metre lead. Newton chased and bridged the gap with four laps to go.

1. C Newton (Middridge CRT) 24min 36.25sec
2. A Allen (Team Haverhill)
3. R Ellingworth (Delta RT)