Downing signs to Sky for another year

Russell Downing has signed for Team Sky for a further year, and says that he wants to "keep improving" during the 2011 season.

Downing signed to the fledgling British-based ProTour team at the end of the 2009 season on a one-year contract after winning the Tour of Ireland and a string of domestic victories for the Pinarello-CandiTV outfit.

Downing's ability to step up to the top flight of the sport was confirmed after the Rotherham rider won a stage of the Criterium International, and stage five and the overall win at the Tour de Wallonie in July.

"I'm not going to rest on my laurels, I want to keep improving and do my best for Team Sky," Downing said on www.teamsky.com.

"Just before the Tour of Britain I signed a new one-year contract and I think that situation will suit me because it gives me that pressure to continue to ride well.

"There have been so many plus points for me during the last 12 months and I can't wait to do it all again in 2011."

Although Downing was not selected to ride in any of the three grand tours in 2010, he is hoping to make the selection for at least one in 2011.

Downing won the iconic Monsal hill-climb in Derbyshire on Sunday.

Related links

Downing wins Monsal hill-climb

Downing wins Tour de Wallonie overall

Downing wins stage two at Criterium International

Russell Downing: Rider Profile