Downing Wins Elite Circuit Series Race in Otley
28th of June, 2006; HOME Page, Elite Circuit Series
PHOTO GALLERIES (Andrew Kennedy for British Cycling): Gallery buttons at the top of your page.
Gallery 1: Elite Race
Gallery 2: Senior race
No doubt about the winner as Russell Downing sprints clear of the rest. All photos by Andrew Kennedy.
L-R: Kristian House, Russell Downing and Ian Wilkinson. Photo copyright Andrew Kennedy.
Russell Downing (DFL) pulled off a fantastic win at the 21st Chevin Cycles of Otley, Otley Cycle Club Town Centre Cycles Races. A counting event in the 2006 British Cycling Men's Elite Circuit Race Series. The Elite race produced the promised exciting spectacle as 91 of the country's top riders battled for a place on the finishing podium. Large crowds gathered on an evening offering perfect clear conditions.
Ahead of affairs throughout the race were brothers Russell and Dean Downing (Team DFL, Cycling News, Litespeed) who were hotly tipped to be the favourites for the race by race commentator Mike Smith (Eurosport). Also controlling the leading bunch were Evan Oliphant (Recycling.co.uk) and team mate Rob Partridge along side former Tour De France rider Adrian Timmis (Pinarello RT), Irish RAS winner Kristian House (Recycling.co.uk) and Ian Wilkinson (Science in Sport).
Crowd favourite Wilkinson, a regular on the podium maintained a presence in the peloton alongside team mate Phil Dixon (Science in Sport). A strong breakaway appeared with two laps to go when Rob Partridge (Recycling.co.uk) maintained a 15 second break, and was joined by chasing rider Matthew Brammeier (Team DFL-CyclingNews-Litespeed) with one lap left. However Downing appeared from nowhere on the final lap to take a close victory. Second position went to Kristian House (Recycling.co.uk) who was another crowd favourite at the race and third went to Ian Wilkinson (Science in Sport), the same position on the podium as last year. 
Russell, 2002 winner and a former National Circuit Champion was happy to win the race from Kristian who is currently leading the premier calendar and when questioned by Mike Smith race commentator (EuroSport) he said he was now focusing on a 10 day stage race in China and would like to come back to Otley to defend his title next year. The fastest lap was 2mins 53 sec's breaking last years new record of 2mins 58sec's.
Right: Dean Downing. Photo copyright Andrew Kennedy.
The Senior and Youth races offered much the same excitement. The Senior race was won by Giles Pidcock (Aire Valley RT) third in last years race. Pidcock was at the head of affairs throughout the race in the main bunch throughout the race. Unusually for the Otley Town Centre Race there was no break away from the main bunch.
Rodley based Crosstrax were a noticeable presence for their first squad debut both Barry Mordue and Ilkley based Graham Pearce led impressive laps. Local Youth rider Scott Thwaites (Merlin Development Squad) gave an impressive performance to finish 4th overall and 1st junior rider even though he is still a youth. Team Chevin Cycles Phillip Wilson was first local rider.
The organisers of the race would like to thank all race sponsors, particularly Chevin Cycles of Otley and Richard Alexander Volkswagen dealership for their continued support of the race.
Big field packed with star riders for the race in Otley. Photo copyright Andrew Kennedy.
National Champion, James Taylor. Photo copyright Andrew Kennedy.
Malcolm Elliot leading Kristian House. Photo copyright Andrew Kennedy.
The racing gets the thumbs up... Photo copyright Andrew Kennedy.
Hard and fast racing with Vince Halpern in blur concentrating hard on the race unfolding in front of him. Photo copyright Andrew Kennedy.
Results
Elite Circuit Series Race
1. Russell Downing (Team DFL-CyclingNews-Litespeed)
2. Kristian House (Recycling.co.uk)
3. Ian Wilkinson (Science in Sport)
4. Evan Oliphant (Recycling.co.uk)
5. Karl Freeman (Team Milton Keynes)
6. Warrick Spence (London Dynamo)
7. Malcolm Eliott (Plowman Craven)
8. James Taylor (Plowman Craven)
9. Matthew Higgins (JE James RT)
10. Paul Oldham (Hope Factory Racing)
11. Adrian Timmis (Pinnerello RT)
12. Simon Gaywood (CC Luton)
13. Dean Downing (Team DFL-CyclingNews-Litespeed)
14. Mariusz Weisiak (Team Nippo KFS)
15. Tom Smith (AWcycles.co.uk)
Senior race, results and photos
Senior supporting event gets underway. Photo copyright Andrew Kennedy.
Otley CC rider James Cullen attacks the field on home ground. Photo copyright Andrew Kennedy.
Seniors enjoyed bright early evening sunshine for their event. Photo copyright Andrew Kennedy.
Giles Pidcock (Aire Valley RT) takes the sprint from Simon Holt (Merlin Development) Photo copyright Andrew Kennedy.
Senior race
1. Giles Pidcock (Aire Valley RT)
2. Simon Holt (Merlin Development Squad)
3. James Moss (MTS Cycle Sport)
4. Scott Thwaites (Merlin Development Squad)
5. Craig Stevenson (Boneshakers RT)
6. Marc Etches (Sheffrec CC)
7. Phillip Wilson (Team Chevin Cycles)
8. Martin Stainsby (Pedal Sport CC)
9. Jonathan Watson (Batley CC)
10. Craig Gath (Selby CC)
1st Local rider. Phillip Wilson (Team Chevin Cycles)
2nd Local rider. James Cullen (Otley CC)
1st third category rider. Giles Pidcock (Aire Valley RT)
1st Forth category rider. James Moss (MTS Cycle Sport)
1st Junior rider. Scott Thwaites (Merlin Development Squad)
1st Lady rider. Jessica Roberts (Wenslydale Wheelers)
1st Master C+. Giles Pidcock (Aire Valley RT)
Fastest Lap. David Stevens (Aire Valley RT)
Prime Winner. Craig Stevenson (Bone Shakers RT)
Youth races
U12
1st Boy Luke Simpson (Leeds St Christopher RT)
U14
1st Girl Melissa Greaves (Bronte Wheelers)
1st Boy Joshua Edmonson (Leeds Mercury RT)
U16
1st Girl Annabel Simpson (Raleigh ERU)
1st Boy Tom Buck (Sports City Velo)
