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Video Interview: Chris Newton, Mark Christian, Erick Rowsell

Story posted February 1 | by Larry Hickmott

The third round of the UCI Track Cycling World Cup in Beijing saw a young men's endurance Olympic Academy team go faster than any other British academy team on their way to a Bronze medal in the Team Pursuit. Their time (4.05.010) may have been even faster had it not been for a messy 'catch' at the end but for Chris Newton, it was a triumphant beginning to his career as a coach.

Last year on the road in Britain, Chris Newton was in top form, perhaps the best form he's seen for a long time, if ever, but instead of chasing the dream to compete in the London Olympics, the rider who has won multiple Olympic and World championship medals took up a job with the GB Cycling Team as an Academy coach.

With the road season done and dusted and victory in the Premier Calendar series to his name for 2010, Newton took charge of the 2010/11 intake of riders for the Men’s Endurance Olympic Academy and set to work. The team’s first performance goal was the UCI Track Cycling World Cup in Beijing. There, the British riders won a Gold (Sam Harrison) and Bronze medal (Team Pursuit, Mark Christian, Andy Fenn, Simon Yates & Erick Rowsell) marking a great start to Newton’s career as coach.

The winter track season is now over for most of his riders and the Academy’s sights are on the next block in their programme, the road and then, the European Track and Road Championships. British Cycling caught up with Chris at the track in Manchester and spoke to him and two of his riders about the Beijing World Cup.

Related Links: Video Interview Sam Harrison | Beijing World Cup Reports |