ABERGAVENNY cyclist Julian Winn is chasing a first this weekend - his first ever win in front of a home crowd.

The 31-year-old won the 2002 British Road Race Championship in Manchester last year just before his gold medal in the Commonwealth Games.

And this year he hopes to retain his title on home turf when the 2003 British Road Race Championship comes to Gwent.

The Argus-sponsored men's race begins at 11am on Sunday at the Celtic Manor, and runs along the A48 to Caerwent, then north almost to Usk, before returning south to finish with fast circuits around the Celtic Manor hotel.

Last year Newport hosted the UK Elite Professional Criterium race in the city centre, which attracted hundreds of riders from across the country and thousands of spectators from across Gwent.

And it is hoped even more will turn out this year to see a local rider win the last major British race before the Tour de France.

Julian joined Danish Team Fakta in November and has been riding on the Elite world circuit around Europe.

And last month he won a place on the Giro, the Tour of Italy, where after only hoping to finish he climbed the list at every stage of the race.

He said: "I'm never surprised by a victory as I know that whatever level or standing I'm racing at, I'm always confident of winning."

Members of the public can cycle the route Julian will follow on Sunday in a charity ride for the British Heart Foundation preceding the women's championship race.

The Celtic Manor Charity Cycling Chal-lenge is a sponsored ride for the British Heart Foundation which is supported by the Argus. Riders have the choice of a simple eight-mile circuit, a 24-mile circuit, or combining the two for a 32-mile ride.

And on Sunday the Celtic Manor will be opening their own off-road mountain bike trails, usually reserved for guests, for charity riders.