UNBEATABLE DOWNING SCORES ABERGAVENNY DOUBLE

• Sunday, 22 June 2008
• Snowdon Sports
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AFTER his victory in the Criterium on Friday evening, Pinarello RT’s Russell Downing made it two wins from two events as he took a convincing victory in the Abergavenny International Grand Prix in South Wales on Sunday.

Downing crossed the line 56 seconds ahead of his nearest rival - 100 Per Cent ME’s Peter Kennaugh - after attacking alone on the climb of Pen-y-Val on the finishing circuit.

“It was a really good race," said Downing afterwards. “It was really positive from start to finish, and the course was really tough. The climb on the finishing circuit was brutal.

“We had quite a good break going on, but when I heard that Peter Kennaugh was coming up the road I didn’t want to hang around, because we had Ben Swift in the break and those two could have worked together, so I decided to attack.”

An Italian rider had been clear as the race headed onto the finishing circuit, but after he was pulled back by the leading group, Downing attacked at the foot of the climb, and led by 28 seconds as he crested the top of Pen-y-Val.

He was chased hard by Kennaugh, Martin Ford (South Regional) and Matt Stephens (Sigma Sport RT), but despite their best efforts he could not be caught.

Kennaugh took second, 58 seconds behind Downing, while Ford was third, another ten seconds back, and inches ahead of Matt Stephens.

Abergavenny International Grand Prix.-
1 Russell Downing (Pinarello RT) 103 miles in 4-16-18
2 Peter Kennaugh (100 Per Cent ME) at 56sec
3 Martin Ford (South Regional) at 1-08
4 Matt Stephens (Sigma Sport RT) same time
5 Malcolm Elliott (Pinarello RT) at 2-32
6 Marcin Bialoblocki (Sports Beans-Wilier)
7 Evan Oliphant (Plowman Craven RT)
8 Robin Sharman (Sigma Sport RT)
9 Liam Holohan (Pearl Izumi)
10 Tom Southam (South Regional) all same time


Malcolm Elliott


Russell Downing wins


(l-r) Martin Ford (3rd), Russell Downing (winner), Peter Kennaugh (2nd). Photos by Andy Jones