NEWTON SHOWS YORKSHIRE GRIT

Click here to see our gallery of photos from the Ryedale Grand Prix.

Notching up his second win in the series, Chris Newton (pictured) strengthened his position at the head of the 2007 Premier Calendar when he took victory in the Ryedale Grand Prix in North Yorkshire on Sunday.

Recycling.co.uk team leader Newton took the win by 13 seconds from Russell Downing, the winner of the last two rounds, after missing the initial break but being helped to the front by his youthful but hard working team-mates.

A group of 12 escaped in the first 10 miles and were opening up a good lead on the bunch when a 10-strong group - including Newton and Downing - broke away and eventually joined them with 40 miles left.

Third-placed Matt Stephens (Sigma Sport RT) tried to attack with four miles to go, but his move was swiftly countered by Newton and Downing, with the Recycling man edging ahead over the closing couple of miles to win by 13 seconds.

Previously second in the overall standings, Dean Downing (Rapha Condor RT) crashing out and suffered an elbow injury, leaving Newton to lead by 88 points from Robin Sharman (KFS Special Vehicles, fifth on the day), while Dean Downing drops to third.

Chris Newton descends

Ryedale Grand Prix (Premier Calendar Rd 9).-

1 Chris Newton (Recycling.co.uk) 185km in 4-35-10

2 Russell Downing (Health Net-Maxxis) at 13sec

3 Matt Stephens (Sigma Sport RT) at 1-00

4 Rob Partridge (Recycling.co.uk) at 3-38

5 Robin Sharman (KFS Special Vehicles) same time

6 Neil Swithenbank (ABC Centreville) at 3-51

Premier Calendar overall (provisional).-

1 Chris Newton 630

2 Robin Sharman 542

3 Dean Downing 521

4 Gordon McCauley (Plowman Craven RT) 515

5 Ian Wilkinson (Science in Sport) 478

6 Malcolm Elliott (Pinarello RT) 465

Click here to see our gallery of photos from the Ryedale Grand Prix.