BARBARA Castle Way on a May Day bank holiday may not instantly put you in mind of the Champs Elysees on a balmy June afternoon.

But for a few hours yesterday, as the Thwaites Grand Prix reached a stirring climax in the centre of Blackburn, comparisons with the final stage of the Tour de France did not seem too outrageous.

Warm sunshine, enthralled spectators, TV camera crews and a thrilling finish in which the top three riders were separated by a mere five seconds after seven stages and about 345 miles.

All that was missing was a few accordionists, a whiff of garlic and the sight of a gendarme diverting traffic down a cobbled side street.

Instead we were graced by Mike Smith, a veteran and rather extrovert cycling commentator who, when it comes to hyping an event, is only matched by the late P.T. Barnum.

"A fascinating situation developing here."

"The whole outcome may be decided by a sprint bonus on the finishing line."

"Amazing how these riders keep coming back for the punishment."

"The calculations are becoming so complicated that you've got to have a mobile computer in your brain just to keep track of things."

A mobile computer in your brain might have come in handy just to put you on the same wavelength as good old Mike.

All of these utterances came before the "leading protagonists" (Mike's words again) had arrived back in Blackburn.

When they did, his voice hit a pitch that threatened to shatter the beautiful crystal vase, placed on the platform beside him, that would shortly be presented to the winner. He was Chris Newton, a 22-year-old from Middlesbrough, who recently was placed second in the Tour of Malaysia and has aspirations of joining Chris Boardman as a professional cyclist.

"I just feel elated," said Newton, whose father and mother, Malcolm and Pam, were there to share in his greatest triumph to date.

"I raced well all week and everything went well which increased my confidence.

"It's the biggest win of my career so far."

It is a career that has already included a silver medal in the 1994 Commonwealth Games over 4,000m, a distance he hopes to compete in at the Atlanta Olympics.

"That's a distinct possibility now," he confirmed.

"My selection hasn't been officially rubber-stamped yet.

"But, after winning here, my chances now are reasonably good.

"Ultimately, I would like to sign a pro contract on the Continent - I want to start making some money!"

Money has never been the incentive for Joe Bayfield who pushed Newton all the way and, for all of the final 12 circuits around Blackburn, was menacingly poised on the leader's shoulder.

"I pushed him the whole way but he's a superb rider," said a generous Bayfield.

"He's had a lot of seconds in stage racing and it's about time he won.

"There was nothing I could have done.

"With two laps to go I was in the right place to get some bonus points on the sprint finish.

"But a load of riders came around me and my chance was gone."

Some saw their hopes dashed before reaching Blackburn at all.

A pile-up on the A59, involving about 20 riders, accounted for the Dutchman Perry Bothos and Brian Fleming from PCA Composite.

But throughout the five days of the race, not a single rider was seriously injured, a credit to the race organisers.

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