Ron Kitching Classic
9-Oct-1999
| A Ripon good ride Chris Newton wrapped up a long season with a lap record and a decisive victory in Sunday's Ron Kitching Classic in North Yorkshire WORLD Championship form still in his legs, Chris Newton (Linda McCartney RT) dominated the Ron Kitching Classic invitation TT on Sunday when he handed out a 1-30 beating to Michael Hutchinson (Bio RT) over a 25.5-mile course in Ripon, North Yorkshire. The BCF time trial champion and RTTC '25' title holder lived up to expectations. Newton led from start to finish, putting in a first-lap record of 25-15 to collect the Peter Longbottom Memorial Award on his way to a 51-47 finishing time. Hutchinson happily settled for second place with his 53-17, and 48 seconds clear of third-placed Wayne Randle (Pro Vision-Planet X). On a bright day, but with a headwind making a hard 4.5-mile opening leg towards Boroughbridge, riders needed intense effort with little chance to ride themselves in. With lap times opposite Ripon racecourse being announced by race speaker Mike Smith, spectators could keep a check on the riders' progress. Randle set the standard with a 26-37 opening leg. Veteran Peter Smith (Border City Wheelers) bettered that by just two seconds, and a few minutes later, Julian Ramsbottom (Scunthorpe Polytechnic) failed by a similar margin to match Randle. Rob Townsend (Halifax RC) was up there in 26-47, but he dropped a place as Mark Lovatt (Pro Vision) matched Smith's 26-35. Off number 40, Michael Hutchinson took the lead on 26-02, but Newton powered past, after putting 47 seconds into Hutchinson and snipping two seconds off Stuart Dangerfield's lap record. By now the early starters were finishing, and local veteran Mike Shacklock (Otley CC) was first home, his 58-56 a 1-11 improvement on his 1998 performance. Frances Newstead (AC Slumberland), the only woman, collected £40 after she finishing in 1-01-40, for a fourminute beating of her time last year. Randle, who had finished just as Newton was getting the first lap under his belt, chalked up 54-05 as Smith faded over the second lap to run out with 54-41. Ramsbottom also finished strongly, taking 23 seconds out of Smith to slot in behind Randle as Lovatt came in with 54-23 after leading Ramsbottom by four seconds at half distance. It was all down to Hutchinson and Newton. The former Cambridge University rider faced the final few hundred yards into the wind, and it was the day's first 53-minute ride, as he came in at 53-17. Newton had started three minutes behind Hutchinson, but there was only 1-30 to wait as Newton came in a clear winner. Newton, who had first ridden the event back in 1991 when he won the junior award, collected £200 this time thanks to generous sponsorship from Ron Kitching, who presented the prizes on Sunday. Future plans "It's always nice to end the season with a win, and that's what I wanted today," said Chris Newton. "I suppose having to get fit for the World's time trial helped me today. My form has carried over since the other week in Italy." And what of next season? open to offers," he confirmed. "But I don't know that is going to happen. "The Linda McCartney team changes next year, with the move to a different line-up for the Continent. I know Keith [Lambert] will be running a development squad, but I don't see myself being part of it. "The BCF isn't interested in the over-23s, so there's little chance of getting selected by them. I don't know what I'll be doing – perhaps I'll have to get a proper job!" Michael Hutchinson, RTTC time trial series winner who was riding the Knaresborough RT promotion for the first time, enjoyed the course. "It's the kind that would fit into the RTTC series," he said. "I like circuit events, but like most time triallists I like to ride as fast as possible and get the times, and that means riding on dragstrips. Somehow, a happy medium has to be found. And I'm pleased to have finished second to Chris - that is what I expected." With university work finished, Hutchinson hopes this second attempt will earn him his degree and then he, too, will be looking for a job. But he still has one target for the season. "I want to have a crack at the RRA 25-mile record before the month is out," he said. "I just need the wind in the right direction. Richard Branson is making another balloon record attempt, and he says the wind is going to be right. That's the date I'll go for the '25'. If it's good enough for Branson, it's good enough for me!" Chris Newton (Linda McCartney RT).......................... 51
47 Women.- Frances Newstead (AC Slumberland) 1-01-40. |