Newton is dominant in the cold
By GRAHAM SNOWDON and GARY SHERRARD

CHRIS NEWTON, Middlesbrough's Commonwealth Games silver medallist, maintained his good start to the season when he split the field apart in the North East Water Tour of the Reservoir road race at Edmundbyers on Sunday.

Newton, riding for the North Wirral Velo team, finished more than eight minutes clear of his nearest rival at the end of a 100km course.

The 16 finishers were spread over more than a quarter of an hour as cold, blustery conditions and a punishing course took their toll.

Newton had broken clear of the field with David Buchan (GS Metro) on the first of five laps.

They stayed together until Newton dropped Buchan on the - climb of Carterway Heads on lap four, the Teessider maintaining his 100 per cent record in the King of the Mountains competition.

As Buchan -was caught by a chasing group, national hill climb champion Jeff Wright (North East RT) came home alone to take second place, with` Richard Moore taking a sprint for third, a further 39 seconds down, from fellow Yorkshireman Darren Bendelow and Ashington's Billy Mitchinson.

Buchan salvaged sixth place, just over nine minutes down on winner Newton.

1. Chris Newton (North Wirral Velo) 100km
2. Jeff Wright (North East RT) at 8mins
3. Richard Moore at 8-39
4. Darren Bendelow
5. Billy Mitchinson