The high quality line-up of this year’s FBD Insurance RÁS has been further boosted by the news that two-time winner Chris Newton will lead the Stena Line recycling.co.uk pro team in this year’s race, which starts in Naas on Sunday week. Former World Champion Newton is returning to target stage wins for his young team-mates and a possible third victory for himself in the world-ranked event.
“While Chris is capable of recording his third victory” said manager John Herety, ”the team is going to have its work cut out with so many powerful teams in the race, and because we will have such a young squad. Tactics will be very important as a result. Perhaps we will be able to piggyback the efforts of other teams.” Herety also believes that 23 year olds Graham Briggs and Ryan Bonser are on the verge of a major breakthrough to big time international cycling.
Newton is in fine form this season, winning the British Premier Calendar Bikeline 2-day race in March and netting a stage win plus second overall in the Girvan three day. He is currently lying second overall in the Premier Calendar series.
The 33 year old’s FBD Insurance Rás record is arguably the best in recent memory. In 2002 he took second overall, three stage wins and the points jersey in the race. One year later he returned to win the overall title plus a stage, then repeated the feat in 2005 when he took the final yellow jersey and three stage wins. More>>>
