Newton enjoys golden return to Beijing

OLYMPIC bronze medallist Chris Newton has claimed World Cup gold on his return to the Laoshan Velodrome in Beijing.

_{GOLDEN RETURN: Chris Newton grabs gold in Laoshan Velodrome, five months after Olympic bronze (Getty Images)}

Newton, 35, was victorious in the points race, winning six of the 16 sprints, chalking up 35 points - 15 more than Canadian Zachary Bell who was second.

The Stockton-on-Tees rider will now prepare for the scratch race while Rob Hayles and Peter Kennaugh compete in the Madison. 

Newton is the only Great Britain medallist returning to China for this event, the fourth of five in the World Cup series.

The rest of the British Cycling squad that claimed 14 medals iast summer is expected back in action for the final World Cup event of the season in Copenhagen in February.

The cycling calendar then moves on to the World Championships in Poland in March.