Russell Downing wins GP Lillers
Russell Downing gave Endura Racing a winning weekend, taking the victory in the Grand Prix de la Ville de Lillers in France on Sunday just 24 hours after winning the Eddie Soens Memorial road race.
Downing won the sprint finish if the 171km long UCI 1.2-ranked race ahead of Jean-Lou Paiani and Laurent Mangel, both of the Saur-Sojasun team.
Downing becomes the second Briton to win the race after Robert Millar won in 1979.
Downing's win is part of Endura's extensive and so far highly successful European campaign that has already seen the Scottish-based squad win the Tour of the Mediterranean and Tour du Haut Var with Jonathan Tiernan-Locke.
Tiernan-Locke also placed second overall in the Tour of Murcia on Sunday, and currently leads the UCI EuropeTour.
Downing switched to Endura Racing for the 2012 season from the WorldTour-level Sky squad.
Result
Grand Prix de la Ville de Lillers 2012, 171km
1. Russell Downing (GBr) Endura Racing
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
2. Jean-Lou Paiani (Fra) Saur-Sojasun
3. Laurent Mangel (Fra) Saur-Sojasun
Related links
British professional road wins 2012
Downing wins Eddie Soens 2012
Tiernan-Locke second overall in Tour of Murcia
Russell Downing: Rider Profile
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.
-
Gravel cyclists aren't all the same: a guide to the climbers, punchers and all-rounders of the dirt roads
As this dynamic discipline establishes itself, so do its archetypes — though the lines remain blurred
By Ryan Simonovich Published
-
Riders on elite women’s race team allege sexual harassment from banned youth coach after past police warnings and safeguarding concerns raised with British Cycling
Owner was involved with women’s team despite police advice that he was not an appropriate individual to work with adult females
By Tom Thewlis Published