INSPIRING STUFF

By Martin Ayres for Snowdon Sports Editorial.

CLASS told as Chris Newton (Corima RT) added the Eddie Soens Memorial race to the list of major events he has won at home and abroad over the past decade.

World points champion Newton wiped out a 3-15 handicap to score his first win in the Kirkby CC promotion. The handicap formula usually produces a sprint finish, but Newton rode away from the opposition to score a rare solo success.

Newton, the first reigning world champion to ride the long established race, dictated tactics throughout. He dropped breakaway partner Ian Wilkinson (Science in Sport.com) with four miles to go and won by 19 seconds. Former winner Matt Bottrill (Race Scene CC) broke clear of a strong chasing group to claim third spot, at 41 seconds.

On a typical chilly but dry Aintree morning, 121 riders lined up for the 42nd running of the event, sponsored for the seventh year by Silverbeck Rymer solicitors.

The field was split into four handicap groups, with the limit group, comprising fourth-category seniors, juniors and women, first away. Last to get the start flag were 30 elite and first-category riders, who conceded 3-15 to group one. Junior Matt Brammeier (Life Repair CRT) impressed with a lone attack that carried him into a 21-second lead. No one was brave enough, or fit enough, to join him; Brammeier stuck to his guns and increased his advantage to 40 seconds. Meanwhile, the scratch group, spearheaded by Newton and Gary Adamson (Ridley Racing-FSA), was slicing through the field. With 10 laps - one third of the race distance - covered, Newton and Adamson caught Brammeier. The junior latched on to the two elites, and the trio stayed out front for a further 10 laps until they were caught by chasers Wilkinson, Bottrill, Dave Micklethwaite (Sowerby Bros CRT), Phil Smith (unattached), Daniel Fox (Fox's Cycles RT) and junior Ryan Bonsor (GS Surosa).

Newton took a breather and then attacked, spending two and half laps out front before waiting for the rest of the break.

A chasing group, containing past winner Julian Ramsbottom, Paul Manning (VC St Raphael) and Greg Sandy (Team Endurasport) was closing on the nine leaders. Sensing the danger, Newton, Wilkinson, Bottrill and Adamson raced clear of the lead group.

Sprinter Adamson was always a threat but failed to match an attack by Newton and Wilkinson with four laps to go. Two laps later Newton attacked for the final time. "He [Wilkinson] did a turn into a headwind and I left him there just a little bit longer than usual and then jumped," Newton explained.

Wilkinson couldn't respond but was never in danger of losing second spot. "He's definitely got some power under the bonnet, that lad," said Wilkinson, who plans a full domestic road scene after racing in France last year.

Third-placed Bottrill said: "It's good to be back on the podium here after five years. I want to race more on the road this season and prove I can still do it."

Chris Newton (Corima RT) 49.2m in 1-46-58;
2, I. Wilkinson (Science in Sport.com) at 19sec
3, M. Bottrill (Race Scene CC) at 41sec,
4, D. Fox (Fox's Cycles RT) at 49sec,
5, G. Sandy (Team Endurasport) at 51sec,
6, P. Manning (VC St Raphael),
7, J. Ramsbottom (Race Scene CC) both st,
8, G. Adamson (Ridley RacingFSA) at 59sec,
9, N. Smith (Cottingham Coureurs) at 1-13,
10, D. Hitchen (New Brighton CC) st,
11, W. Nickson (Bill Nickson-Pinarello) at 1-30,
12, M. Moss (Cottingham Coureurs) at 1-34,
13, P. Smith (unatt) at 1-39,
14, S. Ward (Team Mirage),
15, D. Micklethwaite (Sowerby Bros CRT),
16, C. Belsham (York Cycleworks);
17, S. Owens (South Yorkshire Police RT) all st,
18, R. Bonsor (GS Surosa) at 2-04,
19, B. Pugh (Liverpool Mercury) at 2-21;
20, M. Brammeier (Life Repair RT) at 2-32.

Points.- Chris Newton.

Sefton Sprint- Chris Newton. Best Merseyside rider.- Gary Adamson.