Newton gears up to join Rás legends with glorious treble

CHRIS NEWTON, who won the overall title in 2003 and 2005, is favourite to claim a third victory in the FBD Insurance Rás which starts in Naas tomorrow morning.

Only two other riders have achieved that distinction — the legendary Sé O’Hanlon who won it for the first time in 1962 and then won three titles in a row from 1965-7 and the late Paddy Flanagan who won in 1960, 1964 and 1975.

Newton’s past wins were fashioned around experienced Great Britain teams, while this year he leads a relatively young Stena Line team.