Dean Downing: A career in pictures

CW looks back at the career of the Yorkshireman ahead of his retirement after tomorrow's Sheffield GP.

Dean Downing

NFTO rider Dean Downing will retire from racing after tomorrow's Elite Circuit Series round in Sheffield.

Downing, who was born in nearby Rotherham, has been a mainstay of the British scene for a decade and has won the domestic calendar's biggest races in that period.

Here, Cycling Weekly looks back at the career of the charismatic 39-year-old.

Dean Downing Rapha Condor Recycling 2008

Downing pictured in Rapha Condor-recycling.co.uk colours in early 2007. He was well established on the scene by then, having won the British Circuit Race Championships in 2002, and events such as the Tour of the Reservoir and Newport Nocturne.

Dean Downing (Rapha Condor) wins

Dean Downing (Rapha Condor) wins

Downing outsprinted Gordon McCauley to win the Lincoln GP in 2007. Brother Russ finished third.

Dean Downing (Rapha Condor) wins

Tears after winning the Lincoln.

Dean Downing, overall winner

Posing after winning the overall of the Bikeline Two-Day in 2008.

Dean Downing

On the track at Manchester during a Revolution meeting in Manchester.

Dean Downing

Posing for the cameras at the 2008 Tour of Ireland.

Mark Cavendish and Dean Downing

Mark Cavendish and Dean Downing

Alongside Mark Cavendish at the same event. Cavendish took yellow after winning stage one in Waterford; Downing placed fifth in the sprint.

Dean Downing, winner

In the British Circuit Race Champion's jersey, Downing took individual glory in Exeter and Woking during the inaugural Tour Series in 2009. His celebration in Woking (above) was more traditional than the "nipple pinch" pose he opted for in Exeter (below).

Dean Downing wins Exeter Tour Series criterium

 

Dean Downing, Revolution 32, January 2011

Dean Downing, Revolution 32, January 2011
(Image credit: Andy Jones)

Ready to race, Revolution 32, January 2011

Tom Murray and Dean Downing finish, Clayton Velo Classic Handicap 2011

Downing and Tom Murray (Sigma Sport-Specialized) tied for victory in the Clayton Velo Handicap, 2011.

Zak Dempster and Dean Downing, Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic 2011

A perfect team display at the Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic in 2011 was rounded off when Australian Zak Dempster (pictured with Downing, right) took the victory.

Dean Downing in break, Tour Series 2011, round six, Oldham

Despite their strength, Rapha Condor-Sharp missed out on the overall Tour Series titles in both 2009 and 2010 by five points. However, Downing won in Colchester as John Herety's team dominated the 2011 season. Here he is riding aggresively in Oldham.

Dean and Russell Downing, Otley Crits and Circuit Race National Champs 2012

After Team Sky opted against re-signing Russ for 2012, the brothers were reunited in the British peloton. Here they are on the startline of the Otley GP.

Dean Downing, London 2012 Olympic men's road race

Downing pictured at London 2012, where he was a guest car driver for the men's and women's road races.

Dean Downing, Madison-Genesis training in Majorca, 2013

Dean Downing, Madison-Genesis training in Majorca, 2013

After five seasons in the black, white and pink of Rapha, Downing joined Roger Hammond's Madison-Genesis team for their inaugural 2013 season. He is pictured here during a coffee stop during their Majorcan training camp last February.

Dean Downing and Chris Opie, Grand Prix of Wales 2013

Taking on The Tumble during the GP of Wales Premier Calendar last summer.

Dean Downing wins, Sheffield Grand Prix 2013

Dean Downing wins, Sheffield Grand Prix 2013
(Image credit: Andy Jones)

Downing picked up his first win of 2013 at the Beaumont Trophy, and followed that up with victory in the Sheffield GP (above) just weeks later.

Dean Downing, Sheffield Grand Prix 2013

Dean Downing, Sheffield Grand Prix 2013

Taking in the applause at the Sheffield GP.

Dean Downing and Graham Briggs, Monsal Hill-Climb 2013

Talking to former team-mate Graham Briggs at the Monsal Hill-climb last year.

tour-series-14-aberystwyth-Dean-Downing-6

Another change of teams for 2014 saw Downing team up with his brother at the fledgling NFTO squad.

tour-series-14-aberystwyth-Dean-Downing-4

Cornering in the wet at this year's Tour Series round in Aberystwyth.

Mick Bennett and Dean Downing, Tour Series 2011, round 5, Stoke-on-Trent

Mick Bennett and Dean Downing, Tour Series 2011, round 5, Stoke-on-Trent

Tour Series director Mick Bennett with Downing in Stoke-on-Trent in 2011.

Dean Downing: key results

2013

Beaumont Trophy

Sheffield GP

2011

An Post Ras; stage one

Tour Series Colchester

2010

Tour of Taiwan, stage five

Dumfries Bikefest Grand Prix

Tour Series, Exeter and Peterborough

2009

Brighouse Circuit Race

Tour Series, Exeter and Woking

Tour of the North, two stages

Blackburn GP

2008

Sachsen Tour, stage

Bikeline Two Day, overall

National Circuit Race Championships

 2007

Bikeline, stage

Bikeline, stage

Girvan, stage

Darley Moor Criterium

Tour of Reservoir

Lincoln Grand Prix

Yorkshire Region Road Race Championships

2006

Aaslt st Truiden Interclub

2005

Bermuda Grand Prix, stage

Tour of Reservoir

Stoneleigh Criterium

Milton Keynes Criterium

Metaltek Grand Prix road race

2004

Tour of Munster International, stage

Metaltek Grand Prix

Bungay Criterium

Presten Arena Criterium

Mike Binks memorial

Seacroft Wheelers road race

York Cycle Works road race

Neil Gardner Memorial

2003

Schellebelle Criterium

Ronde van Zuid-Oost Vlaanderen

National Madison Championships

2002
National Circuit Race Championships

Dean Downing and Helen Wyman win Sheffield Grand Prix races

Sheffield Grand Prix 2013: George Atkins takes overall win in British Cycling Elite Circuit Race Series

Dean Downing wins Beaumont Trophy

Dean Downing takes bunch sprint win in Beaumont Trophy as Hannah Barnes continues winning run with Curlew Cup victory

Dean Downing: Rider Profile

Dean Downing - rider profile, biog, results, photos

Dean Downing wins Blackpool nocturne

Two man escape dominates the race as Rapha Condor Sharp take three of the top four places

Dean Downing wins in Taiwan

Rapha-Condor-Sharp rider wins fifth stage in Tour of Taiwan; David McCann leads overall

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