NFTO rider Dean Downing will retire from racing after tomorrow's Elite Circuit Series round in Sheffield.
Downing, who was born in nearby Rotherham, has been a mainstay of the British scene for a decade and has won the domestic calendar's biggest races in that period.
Here, Cycling Weekly looks back at the career of the charismatic 39-year-old.
Downing pictured in Rapha Condor-recycling.co.uk colours in early 2007. He was well established on the scene by then, having won the British Circuit Race Championships in 2002, and events such as the Tour of the Reservoir and Newport Nocturne.
Dean Downing (Rapha Condor) wins
Downing outsprinted Gordon McCauley to win the Lincoln GP in 2007. Brother Russ finished third.
Tears after winning the Lincoln.
Posing after winning the overall of the Bikeline Two-Day in 2008.
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On the track at Manchester during a Revolution meeting in Manchester.
Posing for the cameras at the 2008 Tour of Ireland.
Mark Cavendish and Dean Downing
Alongside Mark Cavendish at the same event. Cavendish took yellow after winning stage one in Waterford; Downing placed fifth in the sprint.
In the British Circuit Race Champion's jersey, Downing took individual glory in Exeter and Woking during the inaugural Tour Series in 2009. His celebration in Woking (above) was more traditional than the "nipple pinch" pose he opted for in Exeter (below).
Dean Downing, Revolution 32, January 2011
(Image credit: Andy Jones)
Ready to race, Revolution 32, January 2011
Downing and Tom Murray (Sigma Sport-Specialized) tied for victory in the Clayton Velo Handicap, 2011.
A perfect team display at the Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic in 2011 was rounded off when Australian Zak Dempster (pictured with Downing, right) took the victory.
Despite their strength, Rapha Condor-Sharp missed out on the overall Tour Series titles in both 2009 and 2010 by five points. However, Downing won in Colchester as John Herety's team dominated the 2011 season. Here he is riding aggresively in Oldham.
After Team Sky opted against re-signing Russ for 2012, the brothers were reunited in the British peloton. Here they are on the startline of the Otley GP.
Downing pictured at London 2012, where he was a guest car driver for the men's and women's road races.
Dean Downing, Madison-Genesis training in Majorca, 2013
After five seasons in the black, white and pink of Rapha, Downing joined Roger Hammond's Madison-Genesis team for their inaugural 2013 season. He is pictured here during a coffee stop during their Majorcan training camp last February.
Taking on The Tumble during the GP of Wales Premier Calendar last summer.
Dean Downing wins, Sheffield Grand Prix 2013
(Image credit: Andy Jones)
Downing picked up his first win of 2013 at the Beaumont Trophy, and followed that up with victory in the Sheffield GP (above) just weeks later.
Dean Downing, Sheffield Grand Prix 2013
Taking in the applause at the Sheffield GP.
Talking to former team-mate Graham Briggs at the Monsal Hill-climb last year.
Another change of teams for 2014 saw Downing team up with his brother at the fledgling NFTO squad.
Cornering in the wet at this year's Tour Series round in Aberystwyth.
Mick Bennett and Dean Downing, Tour Series 2011, round 5, Stoke-on-Trent
Tour Series director Mick Bennett with Downing in Stoke-on-Trent in 2011.
Nick Bull is an NCTJ qualified journalist who has written for a range of titles, as well as being a freelance writer at Beat Media Group, which provides reports for the PA Media wire which is circulated to the likes of the BBC and Eurosport. His work at Cycling Weekly predominantly dealt with professional cycling, and he now holds a role as PR & Digital Manager at SweetSpot Group, which organises the Tour of Britain.
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