Newton recovers in style

BACK home early from the Settimana Bergamasca stage race in Italy, last year's Premier Calendar winner, Chris Newton (Linda McCartney RT), returned to his roots to win the Bell's Stores Four Dales road race promoted by Teesside Clarion over a course based on Guisborough, North Yorkshire, on Sunday.

Newton had won the race - over one big loop of the North York Moors - on three previous occasions but did not compete last year. The McCartney team rider rode Sunday's event to test his fitness after pulling out of the Italian event on the first day, complaining of feeling unwell.

A leading group of 20 riders had formed at the head of the field when Newton made his winning move on the climb of Blakey Ridge, and from there he soloed his way home to cross the line at Birk Brow 1-30 clear of a nine-strong chasing group.

Mike Moss (Cottingham Coureurs) took a sprint for second place from Ian Hellawell (Middridge CRT) and Neil Wallbank (Best-Specialized) as overall Easter Tour of the Border winner Jonathan Muir (York Cycleworks) was pushed back to fifth place. By the finish, the next group on the road was a further two minutes down.

1. Chris Newton (Linda McCartney RT) 55m in 2-18-00
2. M. Moss (Cottingham Coureurs) at 1-30
3. I. Hellawell (Middridge CRT)
4. N. Wallbank (Best Specialized)
5. J. Muir (Cycleworks)
6. N. Chesters (Cottingham Coureurs)
7. S. Smith (White Rose)
8. M. Andrew (Anderson Racing)
9. R. King (VC 167)
10. J. Wright (Team Travelwise) all st.