Cycling: Sprinter given the slip
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.CHRIS LILLYWHITE gave his Commonwealth Games build-up a lift with a victory in the Northumberland Challenge pro-am race after being among the leaders for more than 100 miles, writes Robin Nicholl.
With only the final roundabout separating him from the finishing straight at Cramlington, the Surrey professional shook off his fellow Games competitors Simeon Hempsall, a professional who will represent England, and Andrew Roche, an amateur from the Isle of Man.
'He was just that bit stronger,' Hempsall said. Apart from coming second in the 113-mile race, he won the Castles Sprint title.
His finish was something to avoid, so Lillywhite made his move and was five seconds clear after a race which had opened at an average speed of more than 30 mph as a tail-wind pushed the riders along the coastal road.
It took 18 clear, and among them was a surprised Graeme Obree. 'I was at the back of the field, and I decided to go forward because I thought something was cooking,' he said. 'Suddenly I found myself in a breakaway that was to gain five minutes.'
NORTHUMBERLAND CHALLENGE PRO-AM RACE (113 miles): 1 C Lillywhite (Foremost-Karrimor) 4hr 16min 38sec; 2 S Hempsall (Choice Accountancy) +5sec; 3 A Roche (Isle of Man) same time; 4 T Hall (Raleigh) +13; 5 R Ellingworth (Delta- Dynatech) +19; 6 K Mailer (Scotland) +25. Castles Sprint King: Hempsall.
Simon Lillistone collected his sixth successive points race title during Saturday's final session of the National Track Championships at Leicester. The Commonwealth Games hope from Shrewsbury scored 50 points to the 28 of Tony Doyle, the former world pursuit champion.
Gary Hibbert, the runner-up to Stewart Brydon in the British National Sprint Championship, replaces Paul McHugh in England's Commonwealth Games team.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments