Russell Downing

{{Infobox cyclist

| name = Russell Downing

| image = Russell Downing (Edinburgh).jpg

| fullname = Russell Downing

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1978|8|23}}

| birth_place = Rotherham, England

| height = {{height|m=1.71}}

| weight = {{convert|64|kg|lb|abbr=on}}{{cite web|url=http://www.teamsky.com/profile/0,27291,17543_6638019,00.html|title=Team Sky profile|access-date=24 May 2011}}

| currentteam = Retired

| disciplines = {{ubl|Road|Track}}

| role = Rider

| ridertype = Sprinter

| amateuryears1 = 1998

| amateurteam1 = Brite Voice

| amateuryears2 = 2000

| amateurteam2 = Miche Pena

| amateuryears3 = 2001

| amateurteam3 = UVCA Troyes

| amateuryears4 = 2019

| amateurteam4 = Giordana Cycling

| proyears1 = 1999–2001

| proteam1 = {{UCI team code|LIN|1999}}

| proyears2 = 2002

| proteam2 = iTeamNova.com

| proyears3 = 2003

| proteam3 = Time Life Repair

| proyears4 = 2004–2005

| proteam4 = {{UCI team code|RCS|2004}}

| proyears5 = 2006

| proteam5 = Driving Force Logistics

| proyears6 = 2007

| proteam6 = {{UCI team code|HNM|2007}}

| proyears7 = 2008

| proteam7 = Pinarello Racing Team

| proyears8 = 2009

| proteam8 = {{UCI team code|MPT|2009}}

| proyears9 = 2010–2011

| proteam9 = {{UCI team code|SKY|2010}}

| proyears10 = 2012

| proteam10 = {{UCI team code|EDR|2012}}

| proyears11 = 2013

| proteam11 = {{UCI team code|TNE|2013}}

| proyears12 = 2014

| proteam12 = {{UCI team code|NFT|2014}}

| proyears13 = 2015

| proteam13 = {{UCI team code|CUL|2015}}

| proyears14 = 2016–2017

| proteam14 = {{UCI team code|RCS|2016}}

| proyears15 = 2018

| proteam15 = {{UCI team code|HOL|2018}}

| majorwins = Stage races

:Tour of Ireland (2009)

:Tour de Wallonie (2010)

One-day races and Classics

:{{nowrap|National Road Race Championships (2005)}}

| medaltemplates =

}}

Russell Downing (born 23 August 1978) is an English former professional cyclist, who rode competitively between 1999 and 2019 for numerous teams, such as {{UCI team code|SKY|2010}} and {{UCI team code|RCS|2017}}. He is the younger brother of fellow cyclist Dean Downing, and both brothers competed largely on the UCI Continental Tour and in British Premier Calendar races.

Career

Downing was born into a bike racing family: as well as his older brother, his father was also a bicycle racer. He was also a talented football player, playing with Rotherham United F.C.'s under-16s team, but Downing was convinced to become a professional cyclist by Milk Race winner Chris Walker, who Downing trained with during his late teens.{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/cycling/7974764/Russell-Downing-QandA.html |title=Russell Downing: Q&A |last=MacLeary |first=John |date=10 September 2010 |website=telegraph.co.uk |access-date=27 May 2018}}

He was the winner of the British National Road Race Championships in 2005.[http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/Russell_Downing_Rider_Profile_article_273483.html Profile]

In addition to his national championships, he was also successful in some multi-stage races. His biggest victories came in the 2010 Tour de Wallonie, a 2.HC class event, as well as the 2009 Tour of Ireland.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/cycling/8217026.stm|title=Downing takes Tour of Ireland win |date=23 August 2009|work=BBC Sport|access-date=24 August 2009}}

For 2010 he signed a one-year contract with the new British Professional Team, {{UCI team code|SKY|2010}}, and became the first Briton to win a stage for the team, picking up a win in the Critérium International. His contract was renewed for a further year, for the 2011 season. In November 2011 it was announced that his contract was not being renewed for a third year and he would join the British Continental Team {{UCI team code|EDR|2012}}.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/downing-to-endura-racing-in-2012|title=Downing to Endura Racing in 2012|work=Cycling News|publisher=Future Publishing Limited|date=15 November 2011|access-date=6 January 2012}} Following the merger of Endura with Team NetApp Downing joined the {{UCI team code|TNE|2013}} squad for 2013.{{cite web |url=http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/other-sports/rotherham-s-russ-downing-returns-to-the-big-time-1-4941207 |title=Rotherham's Russ Downing returns to the big time |last=Fidler |first=Richard|date=20 September 2012 |website=Sheffield Star|access-date=6 October 2013}} In September 2013 it was announced that Russell and Dean Downing would join the new {{UCI team code|NFT|2014}} team for 2014.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/540554/downing-brothers-reunited-at-nfto-for-2014.html|title=Downing brothers reunited at NFTO for 2014|last=Bull|first=Nick|date=25 September 2013|work=Cycling Weekly|publisher=IPC Media|access-date=6 October 2013}} Russell Downing signed for the {{UCI team code|CUL|2015}} team for the 2015 season,{{cite web |url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/cult-energy-pro-cycling-fire-manager-just-two-months-charge-146426 |title=Cult Energy Pro Cycling fire manager after just two months in charge |last1=Clarke |first1=Stuart |date=24 November 2014 |website=Cycling Weekly|access-date=6 December 2014}} but returned to Britain with {{UCI team code|RCS|2016}} for the 2016 season.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/russ-downing-among-nine-new-jlt-condor-signings-for-2016-195195|title=Russ Downing among nine new JLT-Condor signings for 2016|work=Cycling Weekly|first=Nick|last=Bull|date=12 October 2015|access-date=9 January 2016}}

Major results

=Road=

;1997

: 2nd Road race, National Under-23 Road Championships

;1998

: Tour du Maroc

::1st Stages 7 & 9

;1999

: 3rd Road race, National Road Championships

;2002

: 1st Buggenhout Kermesse

: 1st Boekhout Kermesse

: Tour de Brandenburge

::1st 20px Points classification

::1st Stage 1

: 1st Stage 2 Circuit des Mines

: 5th Archer Grand Prix

;2004

: 1st Overall Credit Union Ras Mumhan

::1st Stages 2, 4 & 5

: 1st Havant International

: 1st Colne Grand Prix{{cite web |url=https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/3950/Colne-Grand-Prix#results |title=Colne Grand Prix|website=British Cycling |access-date=17 June 2014}}

: 1st Warwick Town Centre Circuit Race{{cite web |url=https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/10441/Warwick-Town-Centre-Circuit-Races#results |title=Warwick Town Centre Circuit Races|website=British Cycling |access-date=17 June 2014}}

: 1st East Yorkshire Classic{{cite web |url=https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/24378/East-Yorkshire-Classic#results |title=East Yorkshire Classic|website=British Cycling |access-date=17 June 2014}}

: 1st Stage 4 Circuit des Mines

: 1st Stage 1 Circuit des Plages Vendéennes

: 8th Archer Grand Prix

;2005

: 1st 20px Road race, National Road Championships

: 1st Havant International

: 1st Lincoln Grand Prix

: 1st Clitheroe Town Centre Grand Prix{{cite web |url=https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/347/Clitheroe-Town-Centre-Grand-Prix#results |title=Clitheroe Town Centre Grand Prix|website=British Cycling |access-date=17 June 2014}}

: 1st Stage 5 Giro del Capo

: 2nd Overall Circuit des Plages Vendéennes

::1st Stage 1

: 3rd Overall Ruban Granitier Breton

::1st Stages 1, 3 & 6

;2006

: 1st Overall Triptyque Ardennais

: 1st Druivenkoers Overijse

: 1st Stage 5 Tour de Beauce

: 7th Omloop der Kempen

: 9th Overall Tour of Britain

;2007

: 1st Richmond Grand Prix

: 2nd Merco Credit Union Cycling Classic

: 3rd Lincoln Grand Prix

;2008

: 1st Overall Premier Calendar

: 1st Overall Girvan 3-Day

::1st Stages 1 & 2

: 1st Overall Tour of the Reservoir

: 1st Overall Chas Messenger Stage Race

: 1st Robert Price International Grand Prix of Wales

: 1st Tour of Blackpool

: 1st East Yorkshire Classic

: 1st Richmond Grand Prix

: 1st Lincoln Grand Prix{{cite web |url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/downing-wins-lincoln-but-which-one-96223 |title=Downing Wins Lincoln – But Which One?|date=11 May 2008 |website=Cycling Weekly |access-date=16 June 2014}}

: 2nd Overall Tour of Ireland

::1st 20px Points classification

::1st Stage 4

: 4th Rogaland GP

: 5th East Midlands International CiCLE Classic

: 8th Overall Cinturón a Mallorca

::1st Stages 2, 3 & 4

: 10th Overall Tour of Britain

;2009

: 1st Overall Premier Calendar

: 1st 20px Overall Tour of Ireland

::1st 20px Points classification

::1st Stage 1

: 1st Lincoln Grand Prix

: 1st Smithfield Nocturne

: 1st Ryedale Grand Prix

: 1st Colne Grand Prix{{cite web |url=http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/road/article/roa20090714-road-Colne-Grand-Prix-Colne-0 |title=Colne Grand Prix |last1=Hickmott |first1=Larry|date=14 June 2014 |website=British Cycling |access-date=14 June 2014}}

: 1st East Yorkshire Classic Circuit Race{{cite web |url=https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/16152/East-Yorkshire-Classic-National-Circuit-Race-Championship#results |title=East Yorkshire Classic National Circuit Race Championship|website=British Cycling |access-date=17 June 2014}}

: 2nd Beaumont Trophy{{cite web |url=https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/latest-news/wiggins-shows-international-class-with-beaumont-trophy-win-68416 |title=Wiggins shows international class with Beaumont Trophy win |last=Wynn |first=Nigel |date=14 June 2009 |website=Cycling Weekly |access-date=11 March 2019}}

: 5th Overall Tour of Britain

: 5th Overall Girvan Three Day{{cite web |url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/marcin-bialoblocki-wins-the-girvan-69618 |title=Marcin Bialoblocki wins the Girvan|date=13 April 2009 |website=Cycling Weekly |access-date=9 October 2016}}

::1st Stages 3 & 4{{cite web |url=https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/road/article/roa20090603-40th-Girvan-3-Day-Cycle-Race-0 |title=40the Girvan 3 Day Cycle Race |last1=Lawrenson |first1=Carl J |website=British Cycling |access-date=9 October 2016}}

: 7th Overall Rás Tailteann

: 8th East Midlands International CiCLE Classic

: 9th Overall Cinturón a Mallorca

::1st Stage 3

;2010

: 1st 20px Overall Tour de Wallonie

::1st Stage 5

: 1st Monsal Hill Climb

: 1st Stage 2 Critérium International

: 1st Stage 1 (TTT) Tour of Qatar

: 4th Overall Tour de Picardie

;2012

: 1st Grand Prix de la Ville de Lillers

: 1st Beaumont Trophy

: 1st Eddie Soens Memorial Road Race

: 1st Lincoln Grand Prix

: 1st Stage 5 Tour of Norway

: 2nd Overall Circuit des Ardennes

::1st 20px Points classification

::1st Stage 1

: 4th Route Adélie

;2013

: 1st 20px National Criterium Championships

: 3rd Monsal Hill Climb{{cite web |url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/racing/british-racing/jack-pullar-wins-monsal-hill-climb-24480 |title=Jack Pullar wins Monsal Hill-Climb|date=6 October 2013 |website=Cycling Weekly |access-date=22 March 2016}}

;2014

: 1st Stockton Grand Prix{{cite web |url=https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/103093/Stockton-Velo29-Altura-Grand-Prix#results |title=Stockton Velo29-Altura Grand Prix|website=British Cycling |access-date=21 July 2014}}

: 3rd Ryedale Grand Prix{{cite web |url=https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/105371/The-Ryedale-Grand-Prix-inc-The-Peter-Longbottom-Memorial#results |title=The Ryedale Grand Prix inc The Peter Longbottom Memorial|website=British Cycling|access-date=7 August 2014}}

: 3rd Circuit of the Fens{{cite web |url=http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/road/article/roa20140727-road-Adam-Blythe--NFTO-Pro-Cycling--wins-the-2014-Vericool-for-Schools-Circuit-of-the-Fens-0 |title=Adam Blythe (NFTO Pro Cycling) wins the 2014 Vericool for Schools Circuit of the Fens |last=Whitehouse |first=Andy |date=27 July 2014 |website=British Cycling|access-date=7 August 2014}}

: 3rd Newport Nocturne

: 4th Road race, Commonwealth Games

: 5th Rutland–Melton International CiCLE Classic

: 10th RideLondon–Surrey Classic

;2015

: 4th Gran Premio della Costa Etruschi

: 4th Velothon Wales

: 8th Trofeo Playa de Palma

;2016

: 3rd Overall Tour du Loir-et-Cher

::1st Stage 2

;2017