Richmond Grand Prix - NE

North Yorkshire, Great Britain, September 21, 2008

Results

Downing wraps up Premier Calendar with a win

By BikeRadar.com staff

Russell Downing scored a record seventh victory in the Premier Calendar Series when he won the Richmond Grand Prix in North Yorkshire on Sunday.

The Candi TV-Pinarello RT rider from Yorkshire won the series with two races remaining, but still turned out to ride the event - and give the crowds a strong performance to enjoy.

Despite heading out to Italy this week to ride for Great Britain at the World Championships, Downing plugged away with grit and determination, driving a three-rider break onwards and holding off his rivals to complete the series in style.

Russell pipped brother Dean in the sprint, and said afterwards: "Dean had been sitting on in the break, leaving me and Simon [Richardson, Plowman Craven] to do the work, so I did enough to keep off the front but I wasn't going to give him a free ride to the finish.

"He came over the top as we headed for the line, but luckily I had enough left to pull him back."

Results - 88 miles

1 Russell Downing (Candi TV-Pinarello)    3.16.38 (43.214 km/h)
2 Dean Downing (Rapha Condor-Recycling)      0.03
3 Simon Richardson (Plowman Craven RT)       0.11
4 Chris Newton (Rapha Condor-Recycling)      0.23
5 Kristian House (Rapha Condor-Recycling)    2.08
6 Malcolm Elliott (Candi TV-Pinarello RT)        
7 David Clarke (Team Lacuna)                 2.09
8 Robin Sharman (Sigma Sport RT)             2.13
9 Kit Gilham (Kinesis UK)                    2.16
10 Evan Oliphant (Plowman Craven RT)         2.19
 
Premier Calendar Series (Final Overall)
 
1 Russell Downing (Candi TV-Pinarello)        955 pts
2 Dean Downing (Rapha-Condor-Recycling)       685
3 Evan Oliphant (Plowman Craven)              503