Four-time winner Russell Downing headlines strong Lincoln GP startlist

Russell Downing will have his work cut out to claim a fifth Lincoln GP title, with strong competition set to line up on May 15

Russell Downing at the Tour de Yorkshire (Andy Jones)

(Image credit: Andy Jones 2014)

Russell Downing (JLT Condor) will attempt to win his fifth Lincoln GP on May 15 as he lines up in a strong peloton for the 61st edition of the race.

The 37-year-old last won the race, which covers 13 laps of a 13km circuit, in 2012, with earlier wins coming in 2005, 2008 and 2009.

Downing will go into the race in good form, having finished ninth in a very competitive field on stage two of the Tour de Yorkshire. He also won a stage of the Tour du Loir et Cher in April, finishing third in the overall classification.

He will be joined by seven JLT Condor teammates, including Graham Briggs, Steve Lampier and Tom Moses.

Steve Lampier shows us his scars

Several other of Britain's UCI Continental teams will also be present, with Ian Bibby (NFTO) looking to build on his impressive win at the Manx International GP. Track cycling scratch race world champion Sebastián Mora will start for Raleigh GAC and 2015 Tour of the Reservoir winner Erick Rowsell will represent Madison Genesis.

The women's race also boasts an impressive lineup, with Great Britain track stars Danni Khan and Emily Nelson among the riders for Team Breeze, with 2015 Tour series round winner Charline Joiner and British circuit race champion Nicola Juniper riding for Team Ford Ecoboost.

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Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.