Russell Downing: Rider Profile

Wednesday, 22 December 2010
Cycling Weekly
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Russell Downing wins Tour de Wallonie 2010

RUSSELL DOWNING
Date of birth: 23/08/78
From: Rotherham
Team: Endura Racing
Previous teams: Sky (2010-11); CandiTV-Pinarello (2008-2009); Team Healthnet (2007); Team DFL Cylingnews-Litespeed (2006); Recycling.co.uk (2004-2005); Time Life Repair (2003); IteamNova.com (2002); Linda McCartney (1999-2001)
Website: www.russelldowning.com

Russell Downing career profile
Russell Downing is one of Britain's most successful ever domestic-based road professionals. Downing first shot to prominence in 1999, taking the national team pursuit title as well as the Havant Grand Prix on the road. Further spoils came in 2000 at the GP Essex, although it was not until 2002 that Downing really established himself in professional cycling.

Downing took the national scratch race championship, as well as several significant successes on the continent. Downing's early career was characterised with successes on the boards, with Downing taking countless wins both at a British level as well as at a World Cup level. 2005 was perhaps one of Downing's finest seasons, when riding for the Recycling squad, he took the National Road Race as well as two Premier Calendar races and several races abroad.

Despite taking many major victories, Downing was unfortunate in not being offered a major contract abroad; attention came in 2007 with an opportunity with the Health Net team in America. However, Visa issues prohibited Downing from realising his true potential abroad and he returned to the UK for the 2008 season.

Downing looked unstoppable throughout 2008, winning seven of the Premier Calendar events as well as the overall crown. The Yorkshire-man demonstrated his potential to hold his own against some of the word's finest riders, leading the Tour of Ireland until the final day where the yellow jersey was only wrestled off his shoulders by the combined efforts of the whole Columbia team.

Downing was unstoppable in 2009, dominating the domestic calendar and returning to Ireland to re-take the crown that he so richly deserved. After years dogged with bad luck and crumbling teams, Downing was awarded for all his efforts with a move to Team Sky.

After two years at the British-based WorldTour outfit, Downing switched back to a domestic team for the 2012 season, signing for Endura Racing.

Russell Downing results
2010
Criterium International; stage two
Tour de Wallonie; stage five
Tour de Wallonie; overall

2009
National Circuit Race Championships
Cinturon Ciclista a Mallorca; stage three
Girvan 3-day; stage three
Girvan 3-day; stage four
Lincoln Grand Prix
Chas Messenger Ryedale Grand Prix
Tour of Pendle
Tour Series, Round Six, Stoke-on-Trent
Smithfield Nocturne
Colne GP
Tour of Pendle
Tour of Ireland, stage one
Tour of Ireland, overall
Tour of Ireland; points classification
Premier Calendar; overall

2008
Premier Calendar; overall
Tour of Ireland; stage four
Tour of Ireland; points jersey
Cinturon Ciclista a Mallorca; stage two
Cinturon Ciclista a Mallorca; stage three
Girvan 3-day; overall
Girvan 3-day; stage one
Girvan 3-day; stage two
Chas Messenger; overall
Tour of the Reservoir
Abergavenny Criterium
International GP of Wales
East Yorkshire Classic
Richmond Grand Prix

2007
Richmond Grand Prix

2006
Tour of Britain; best British rider
Triptyque Ardennais

2005
British national road race champion
Havant International
Lincoln GP
Giro del Capo; stage
Ruban Granitier Breton; stage
Ruban Granitier Breton; stage
Ruban Granitier Breton; stage
Circuit des plages Vendeenees; stage

2004
Credit Union Ras Mumhan; overall
Credit Union Ras Mumhan; stage two
Credit Union Ras Mumhan; stage four
Credit Union Ras Mumhan; stage five
Circuit de Mines; stage four
Circuit des plages Vendeenees
Havant International
World Cup overall, team pursuit

2003
British points race champion
British Madison champion

2002
Tour de Brandenburge; stage
Tour de Brandenburge; points jersey
British scratch race champion

2000
GP Essex

1999
Havant Grand Prix
British team pursuit champion