Third category rider Bertie Newey wins Eddie Soens road race

Catford-Banks rider Bertie Newey secures victory at Aintree in the 2016 Eddie Soens Memorial Road Race

Third cat rider Bertie Newey of Catford CC defies the odds against Pedal-Heaven riders to win the sprint from ahead of Ian Wilkinson at the 2016 Eddie Soens Memorial Road Race
(Image credit: Andy Jones)

Bertie Newey (Catford-Banks) became the first third-category rider to win the Eddie Soens Memorial Road Race on Saturday.

Twenty-one-year-old Newey from Staffordshire out-sprinted the massed ranks of Pedal Heaven RT riders to claim the historic win at Aintree, Merseyside, in the annual early-season event.

Ian Wilkinson (Pedal Heaven) placed second, with team-mate and former hill climb national champion Jack Pullar in third.

Pedal Heaven riders Jacob Tipper and David McGowan completed the top five - making Newey's victory all the more remarkable against such a combined team effort.

Over 130 riders were on the start sheet.

Result

Eddie Soens Memorial Road Race 2016
1. Bertie Newey (Catford-Banks)

2. Ian Wilkinson (Pedal Heaven RT)

3. Jack Pullar (Pedal Heaven RT)

4. Jacob Tipper (Pedal Heaven RT)

5. David McGowan (Pedal Heaven RT)

6. Matthew Nowell (Wheelbase Altura)

7. Simon Wilson (The Nab Racing)

8. Ben Joughin (Pro Vision)

9. Fraser Rounds (BC PM)

10. Benjamin Manfield-Yorke (The Nab Racing) all same time

Eddie Soens Memorial road race 2016

Eddie Soens Memorial road race 2016
(Image credit: Andy Jones)

Harry Tanfield goes solo, Eddie Soens Memorial road race 2016

Harry Tanfield goes solo
(Image credit: Andy Jones)

Eddie Soens Memorial road race 2016

Eddie Soens Memorial road race 2016
(Image credit: Andy Jones)

Break

Break
(Image credit: Andy Jones)

Bertie Newey on the front

Bertie Newey on the front
(Image credit: Andy Jones)

Third category group

Third category group
(Image credit: Andy Jones)

Bertie Newey celebrates winning the Eddie Soens Memorial road race 2016

Bertie Newey celebrates winning the Eddie Soens Memorial road race 2016
(Image credit: Andy Jones)

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Nigel Wynn
Former Associate Editor

Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.