Date of birth: 23/08/78

From: Rotherham

Team: Cult Energy Pro Cycling

Previous teams: NTFO Pro Cycling (2014), NetApp-Endura (2012-13), 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)

Twitter: @RussDowning

Website: www.russdowning.co.uk

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. It was to prove a successful move indeed though, as Downing enjoyed one of his best ever seasons topping no less than eight UCI podiums.

It was enough to gain the opportunity to follow Endura in their merge with German pro-conti team NetApp, but after a troublesome year Downing wasn't quite able to live up to his own expectations. 2014 saw him return to the UK and join his brother Dean at NFTO Procycling, before signing to Cult Energy Pro Cycling for 2015.

Russell Downing results
2014
Stockton Grand Prix

2013
British circuit race champion

2012
Eddie Soens Memorial RR

GP Lillers

Circuit des Ardennes; stage one

Glava Tour of Norway; stage five

Beaumont Trophy

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

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