Newton in Aspirants triumph
By GRAHAM SNOWDON

CHRIS Newton, the Middridge CRT rider from Middlesbrough, underlined his form with a convincing win in the second round of the British Cycling Federation's Aspirants Trophy series.

The second leg of the national competition for first and second year senior riders was staged over a punishing 77mile course in the Peak District, and Newton coasted to victory by three-and-a-half minutes after escaping from the leading group with 15 miles remaining.

The race started with the gruelling one-in-four climb of Winnats Pass, which saw eight riders lose contact inside the first mile.

Newton joined an 11-strong leading group just after half-distance and was quick to respond when Liverpool's Matthew Middleton attacked.

Chris Sanders, the former national junior time trial champion, also bridged the gap, and Newton then jumped clear of the other two before unlucky Middleton crashed on a greasy lefthander.

Middleton and Sanders were absorbed by five chasers.

Barnsley's Scott Bennett, winner of the opening round in Hampshire a week earlier, finished in sixth place to retain his early lead in the Aspirants series ahead of Newton.