50th Lincoln International GP - 1.2

Great Britain, May 8, 2005

2004 Results Results Past winners

Double Downing works wonders

By Gerry McManus

Victory for Russell Downing
Photo ©: Gerry McManus

Double delight with Dean Downing second
Photo ©: Gerry McManus

Brothers Russell and Dean Downing (recycling.co.uk/MG/XPower) took first and second respectively in the 50th running of the Lincoln Grand Prix in the UK on Sunday 8th May. Russell broke free from Dean on the final climb of the day to take the victory he had always dreamed of.

The dynamic duo from Thurcroft in South Yorkshire, were in the action from the outset of the 102-mile race when a strong breakaway group went clear soon after the start. A group of 16 riders worked steadily to stay clear of a bunch, which surprisingly included a number of pre-race favourites including Roger Hammond (Discovery Channel) and Matt Stephens (Sigma Sport RT).

As the last laps counted down Russell attacked the group, taking Dean and Yanto Barker (DFL) along for company and the trio built a solid lead.

"This is a race where the run to the climb is very fast and you have to get to the front at the bottom," said Dean. "Chris [Newton] led up the first climb with me and Russell [Downing] on his wheel and it stretched it out a bit. I'm not sure what happened behind, but suddenly we had 16 riders and we worked together straight away, and the gap went up quite quickly."

"Then with six laps to go, it had thinned out a bit. Russell has been flying recently and when he made a move with Yanto [Barker - DFL], I just knew I had to get to them. Yanto was going well and it's a pity he didn't hang on for third. With two laps to go he was struggling; he dropped off on the climb, and we worked hard to put as much time into him as we could."

"Russell and I only live about 35 miles from here, and every lap on the climb we could hear: 'Come on Dean' and 'Come on Russ'. It was hard to concentrate in the first few laps, because we were trying to see who was there. All credit to Ian Emmerson and the organising team for getting another brilliant race in at Lincoln."

The peloton at pace
Photo ©: Gerry McManus

26 year-old Russell was delighted winning the event. "This is the one to be in. I used to always ride out to watch the race when I was younger. I even rode out here once with a broken foot and ever since then, I said that this was the one to win. I came here a couple of years ago and the total atmosphere was enough to drag me out of early retirement and here I am, two years on, winning it."

Russell was also full of praise for Yanto Barker. "When Dean came across to us, Yanto could have easily sat on, knowing that we could take turns attacking him, but he rode himself into the ground and did a good ride. None of us were soft tapping. With two to go, I just tweaked it a bit on the climb, dropped them both and waited for Dean over the climb, and we rode hard into the finish."

Barker was unlucky to be caught on the last lap to finish eighth, with Malcolm Elliott (Pinarello) sprinting in to take third place, nine seconds clear of Rob Sharman, who almost helped recycling.co.uk to take all three podium spots.

Russell Downing's next major target is the national championships in June.

Photography

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Gerry McManus/www.gerrymcmanus.co.uk

The peloton at pace through the older part of Lincoln.
The peloton winds through the narrow old streets of Lincoln City.
The peloton are strung out as they get over the top of the Michaelgate climb.
Riders reaching the top of the cobbled climb in Lincoln.
Need to get there quick? Motorcycle rider Dave can get you there on time.
Time to take in a few rays for some of the spectators.
Eventual third placegetter Malcolm Elliott leads his group on the Michaelgate Climb.
No podium place for John Tanner following his win in the Archer GP in April.
Matthew Stephens outnumbered by the bigger teams.
Flying visit for Discovery's Roger Hammond.
Paul Manning (Recycling.co.uk/MG) paces himself on the Michaelgate Climb.
Follow the leader - Paul Manning (recycling.co.uk/MG) finds the smooth gutter on the cobbled climb.
British champion Roger Hammond (Discovery Channel).
The pressure is on for Yanto Barker (DFL) as he drives the break.
Dean Downing (recycling.co.uk) moves to the front to keep the break moving.
Brotherly love - Dean Downing (recycling.co.uk) moves to the front, taking over from brother Russell.
Yanto Barker (DFL) shares the workload in the break.
Yanto Barker (DFL) hits the front to keep the break going.
The break complete the lap under the shadow of Lincoln Castle.
Riders break through the pain barrier on the cobbled climb of Michaelgate.
Team time trial for one team trying to get back into contention with the leaders
Dean Downing puts the pressure on the cobbled climb to Michaelgate.
Great support for the unlucky Yanto Barker (DFL) throughout the event.
Thoroughbred - Malcolm Elliott (Pinarello) leads Paul Manning (recycling.co.uk), who is many years his junior.
No return to the podium this year for Matt Stephens (SigmaSport RT).
Victory for Russell Downing as he takes the checkered flag in Castle Square.
Double delight - Dean Downing crosses the line to take second spot.
Dean Downing punches the air as he takes second place behind his brother Russell.
Double Downing works wonders - Dean and Russell at the finish.
Age no problem - Malcolm Elliott takes the applause in front of Lincoln Cathedral.
The winners podium by Lincoln Cathedral.
Double delight - the Downing Brothers hug after the race.
Race organiser Ian Emmerson (OBE) waves hello to the crowd, but could he be saying good-bye, as rumours abound that this was the last time the event will be run.
The Downing brothers in Castle Square by Lincoln Cathedral.

Results - 164 km

1 Russell Downing (GBr) Recycling.co.uk    3.55.12 (41.84 km/h)
2 Dean Downing (GBr) Recycling.co.uk          0.06
3 Malcolm Elliott (GBr) Pinarello RT          2.36
4 Rob Sharman (GBr) Recycling.co.uk           2.45
5 Martin Ford (GBr) Team Rochelle                 
6 Andrew Roche (Irl) Team Rochelle                
7 Duncan Urquart (GBr) Viner Bikes/Agis           
8 Yanto Barker (GBr) Team DFL                     
9 Paul Manning (GBr) Recycling.co.uk          3.00
10 Scot Gamble (GBr) Ashfield RC              3.12
11 Andy Collis (GBr) De Rosa RT               3.30
12 Anthony Malarczyk (GBr) Fujibikes UK           
13 Chris Newton (GBr) Recycling.co.uk         4.26
14 Evan Oliphant (GBr) Scotland                   
15 Philip Dixon (GBr) Team DFL                    
16 John Tanner (GBr) Planet X RT                  
17 Andrew Randell (Can) Jet Fuel Team         4.55
18 Haralds Pudans (Lat) Diametal Colnago      6.52
19 Tjarco Cuppens (Ned) Diametal Colnago          
20 Rik Kavsek (Ned) Diametal Colnago              
21 David Verdonck (Bel) Diametal Colnago          
22 Frank Van Kuik (Ned) Diametal Colnago          
23 Mark Lovatt (GBr) Planet X RT                  
24 Matthew Stephens (GBr) Sigma Sport             
25 Matthew Higgins (GBr) Unattached           7.08
26 Roy Chamberlain (GBr) Team MK                  
27 Ian Field (GBr) Trek UK                        
28 Alex Higham (GBr) Stilton RT                   
29 Ian Wilkinson (GBr) Giant Racing               
30 Stephen O'Sullivan (Irl) Team Cyleways         
31 Ian Bibby (GBr) Trek UK                        
32 Roger Hammond (GBr) Discovery Channel          
33 Gareth Jones (GBr) Fujibikes UK                
34 Eugene Moriarty (Irl) Team Cyleways.Co         
35 Dale Appleby (GBr) Wales                   7.48

Past winners

2004  David O'Loughlin (Irl) Total Cycling  
2003 Mark Lovatt (GBr) Life Repair Cycle Race Team  
2002 Huw Pritchard (GBr) AngliaSport
2001 John Tanner (GBr) Ribble/ProVision
2000 Chris Newton (GBr) Middridge CRT
1999 Saulius Ruskis (Ltu) Team Oktos - MBK
1998 Chris Lillywhite (GBr)
1997 John Tanner (GBr)
1996 Kevin Dawson (GBr)
1995 Mark Walsham (GBr)
1994 Chris Walker (GBr)
1993 Keith Reynolds (GBr)
1992 John Charlesworth (GBr)
1991 Paul Curran (GBr)
1990 Brian Smith (GBr)
1989 Mark Gornall (GBr)
1988 Paul Curran (GBr)
1987 Paul Curran (GBr)
1986 Paul Curran (GBr)
1985 Darryl Webster (GBr)
1984 Neil Martin (GBr)
1983 Malcolm Elliott (GBr)
1982 Mark Bell (GBr)
1981 Phil Thomas (GBr)
1980 Steve Joughin (GBr)
1979 Geoff Taylor (GBr)
1978 Steve Lawrence (GBr)
1977 Dave Cuming (GBr)
1976 Bill Nickson (GBr)
1975 Tony Gornall (GBr)
1974 Steve Heffernan (GBr)
1973 Dave Vose (GBr)
1972 Phil Edwards (GBr)
1971 Dave Allen (GBr)
1970 Tom Mullins (GBr)
1969 Pete Smith (GBr)
1968 Doug Dailey (GBr)
1967 Des Thompson (NZl)
1966 John Clarey (GBr)
1965 Arthur Durha (GBr)
1964 Albert Hitchen (GBr)
1963 Albert Hitchen (GBr)
1962 Jim Grieves (GBr)
1961 John Perks (GBr)
1960 John Perks (GBr)
1959 Ron Coe (GBr)
1958 Ron Coe (GBr)
1957 Ron Coe (GBr)
1956 Bob Eastwood (GBr)

Past winners courtesy of Mario Stiehl, www.world-of-cycling.com