AFTER a disappointing World Track Championships in Majorca last week, Chris Newton (Recycling.co.uk) proved he is still a force to be reckoned with when he sprinted to victory in the opening round of the Girvan Three-Day in Scotland on Saturday.

Newton took the 62-mile stage in an 11-rider sprint for the line which included most of the pre-race favourites. But it was the man from Stockton on Tees who crossed the line first ahead of 2005 winner John Tanner (Sportscover-Planet X), while Ian Wilkinson (Science in Sport.com) was third.

The race action at the front of the race was matched at the other end, with a motorcycle marshal involved in a collision with Greg Roche (KFS Special Vehicles) and Kevin Barclay (Plowman Craven RT) shortly after the first hill prime.

After 28 miles Jason MacIntyre (Velo Ecosse) crashed heavily with Recycling.co.uk?s Ryan Bonser. A bloodied Bonser battled back to the bunch, but MacIntyre?s race was over after just 28 miles.

A leading group of seven formed after 47 miles, and after swelling to 11 they readied themselves for a group sprint. Robin Sharman (KFS Special Vehicles) tried a lone attack with three kilometres to go but was quickly reeled in, and in the ensuing sprint Newton edged ahead of Tanner.