NEWTON THIRD IN LA WORLD CUP POINTS RACE

Chris Newton, riding for the Recycling.co.uk track team, took third place in the points race final on the opening day of the Los Angeles track world cup.

The Oldham-based rider finished behind Australia?s Cameron Meyer (Toshiba) who scored 23 points, and Rafal Ratajczyk of Poland who scored 20 points. Newton finished with a total of 15 points after scoring early and then winning the penultimate sprint. Her also finished fourth in the final sprint to hold a late challenge from New Zealand?s Greg Henderson.

Third place helped Newton score more vital points towards qualification for the Beijing Olympics.

The only other British riders taking part on the Los Angeles track are Rob Hayles and Peter Kennaugh.

They will ride for Great Britain in Sunday?s Madison as they desperately try to secure qualification for a British team in the Madison in Beijing. The loss of Ben Swift after a crash while riding between the track and his hotel means Britain?s chances of scoring points has been affected but Hayles and Kennaugh are both on form and are expected to get a result.

They will ride a qualification round on Sunday morning, with the Madison final on Sunday afternoon.

Results: Men's points race final

1 Cameron Meyer (Toshiba) 23 points

2 Rafal Ratajczyk (Poland) 20

3 Chris Newton (GBr) Recycling.co.uk 15

4 Greg Henderson (New Zealand) 13

5 Pim Lighthart (Netherlands) 13