Date of birth: 23/08/78
From: Rotherham
Team: Cult Energy Pro Cycling
Previous teams: NTFO Pro Cycling (2014), NetApp-Endura (2012-13), Sky (2010-11), CandiTV-Pinarello (2008-2009), Team Healthnet (2007), Team DFL Cylingnews-Litespeed (2006), Recycling.co.uk (2004-2005), Time Life Repair (2003), IteamNova.com (2002), Linda McCartney (1999-2001)
Twitter: @RussDowning
Website: www.russdowning.co.uk
Russell Downing career profile
Russell Downing is one of Britain's most successful ever domestic-based road professionals. Downing first shot to prominence in 1999, taking the national team pursuit title as well as the Havant Grand Prix on the road. Further spoils came in 2000 at the GP Essex, although it was not until 2002 that Downing really established himself in professional cycling.
Downing took the national scratch race championship, as well as several significant successes on the continent. Downing's early career was characterised with successes on the boards, with Downing taking countless wins both at a British level as well as at a World Cup level. 2005 was perhaps one of Downing's finest seasons, when riding for the Recycling squad, he took the National Road Race as well as two Premier Calendar races and several races abroad.
Despite taking many major victories, Downing was unfortunate in not being offered a major contract abroad; attention came in 2007 with an opportunity with the Health Net team in America. However, Visa issues prohibited Downing from realising his true potential abroad and he returned to the UK for the 2008 season.
Downing looked unstoppable throughout 2008, winning seven of the Premier Calendar events as well as the overall crown. The Yorkshire-man demonstrated his potential to hold his own against some of the word's finest riders, leading the Tour of Ireland until the final day where the yellow jersey was only wrestled off his shoulders by the combined efforts of the whole Columbia team.
Downing was unstoppable in 2009, dominating the domestic calendar and returning to Ireland to re-take the crown that he so richly deserved. After years dogged with bad luck and crumbling teams, Downing was awarded for all his efforts with a move to Team Sky.
After two years at the British-based WorldTour outfit, Downing switched back to a domestic team for the 2012 season, signing for Endura Racing. It was to prove a successful move indeed though, as Downing enjoyed one of his best ever seasons topping no less than eight UCI podiums.
It was enough to gain the opportunity to follow Endura in their merge with German pro-conti team NetApp, but after a troublesome year Downing wasn't quite able to live up to his own expectations. 2014 saw him return to the UK and join his brother Dean at NFTO Procycling, before signing to Cult Energy Pro Cycling for 2015.
Russell Downing results
2014
Stockton Grand Prix
2013
British circuit race champion
2012
Eddie Soens Memorial RR
GP Lillers
Circuit des Ardennes; stage one
Glava Tour of Norway; stage five
Beaumont Trophy
2010
Criterium International; stage two
Tour de Wallonie; stage five
Tour de Wallonie; overall
2009
National Circuit Race Championships
Cinturon Ciclista a Mallorca; stage three
Girvan 3-day; stage three
Girvan 3-day; stage four
Lincoln Grand Prix
Chas Messenger Ryedale Grand Prix
Tour of Pendle
Tour Series, Round Six, Stoke-on-Trent
Smithfield Nocturne
Colne GP
Tour of Pendle
Tour of Ireland, stage one
Tour of Ireland, overall
Tour of Ireland; points classification
Premier Calendar; overall
2008
Premier Calendar; overall
Tour of Ireland; stage four
Tour of Ireland; points jersey
Cinturon Ciclista a Mallorca; stage two
Cinturon Ciclista a Mallorca; stage three
Girvan 3-day; overall
Girvan 3-day; stage one
Girvan 3-day; stage two
Chas Messenger; overall
Tour of the Reservoir
Abergavenny Criterium
International GP of Wales
East Yorkshire Classic
Richmond Grand Prix
2007
Richmond Grand Prix
2006
Tour of Britain; best British rider
Triptyque Ardennais
2005
British national road race champion
Havant International
Lincoln GP
Giro del Capo; stage
Ruban Granitier Breton; stage
Ruban Granitier Breton; stage
Ruban Granitier Breton; stage
Circuit des plages Vendeenees; stage
2004
Credit Union Ras Mumhan; overall
Credit Union Ras Mumhan; stage two
Credit Union Ras Mumhan; stage four
Credit Union Ras Mumhan; stage five
Circuit de Mines; stage four
Circuit des plages Vendeenees
Havant International
World Cup overall, team pursuit
2003
British points race champion
British Madison champion
2002
Tour de Brandenburge; stage
Tour de Brandenburge; points jersey
British scratch race champion
2000
GP Essex
1999
Havant Grand Prix
British team pursuit champion
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