Cycling: Gold cyclists back Cyclone

Jun 12 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

SOME of the biggest names in British cycling descend on Newcastle tonight for the first of a three major road races in the city.

The Northern Rock Cyclone gets underway with the fast-paced Leazes Criterium tonight ahead of a mass participation race on Saturday and the gruelling Beaumont Trophy on Sunday.

The field includes Olympic gold medallists Ed Clancy and Bradley Wiggins – as well as Middlesbrough’s Beijing medallist Chris Newton. British road race champion Rob Hayles will also take part.

The event has grown in size and prestige to become one of the highlights of the British cycling calendar and with the nation’s cyclists enjoying their highest ever profile, a healthy turnout of spectators is expected.

Newton, who was born in Stockton , won the Leazes Criterium in 2007 and is hopeful of another strong showing as he looks forward to a return to home turf tonight.

“It’s great to be back in the North East – these races are great and incredibly competitive,” he said. “I’ve got a decent record in this meeting and I’m aiming to do well. The standard of competition is definitely up there because there is a lot of guys at national standard but my form isn’t bad, so I going into it with plenty of expectation.

“It’s a good place to race and I think the success in Beijing has definitely boosted public interest in cycling. I think it is just dawning on people that to be successful in the track you have to have a decent record on the road, so events like this are vital to keep us in good shape and competitive on a world stage.” While Newton will race in Friday’s fast-paced event and Sunday’s longer endurance race, multiple Olympic medallist Wiggins is in only the Beaumont Trophy.

Beijing gold medallist Ed Clancy will be up against Newton in both Friday and Sunday’s events. He said: “While it will be my first Northern Rock Cyclone experience, I know that the rest of the team are really pleased to be returning to the North East. I'm more than happy to show my support for anything which promotes cycling as a sport.”

The Cyclone starts at 6pm in Leazes Park. The evening's racing will incorporate a series of youth rides, both novices and senior races and then the brutal elite one-hour race.