Russell Downing out to defend British circuit race title

By Chris Marshall-Bell

Russell Downing is to defend his National Circuit Championship title on Wednesday (July 9) – but there will be a new women’s winner.

Downing won last year’s race in York, claiming the coveted red, white and blue jersey. Likely challengers to the NFTO rider will be Madison Genesis’s Ian Bibby, Tom Stewart and Jon Mould, Rapha Condor trio Graham Briggs, Ed Clancy and Kristian House, as well as Yanto Barker (Team Raleigh).

Hannah Barnes, the women’s victor last year, is not racing, meaning that there will be a new winner. 31 riders are expected to line up, including Wiggle Honda’s Amy Roberts and Gabriella Shaw of Pearl Izumi.

The riders will race 50 minutes plus five laps of the 1.1km circuit. The women’s race begins at 6.15pm and the men’s at 8.15pm.

Live coverage will be on British Cycling’s website from 5.45pm with British Eurosport broadcasting highlights on Monday, July 14, at 5pm.