Downing wins Tour of the Reservoir
British Cycling Premier Calendar Coverage (Round 3)
Story posted March 31, 2008 : Images: Michael Robinson
Note: See related links (bottom of page) for reports from other Premier Calendar rounds
Russell Downing disappears up the road with Kristian House and Simon Richardson just losing contact
Pinarello Racing Team ace Russell Downing turned in another masterful Premier Calendar performance to win round three, the Tour of the Reservoir in County Durham on Sunday. Downing, the 29-year-old team leader, took over the lead in the series from brother Dean after battling through a chilly wind blowing off the Derwent Reservoir.
Russ Downing, left, about to make the race-winning move
He had been part of almost every major move, and despite having no team-mates for company as he forced the pace at the front of the race, he still managed to outgun his rivals and cross the line with four seconds to spare. Kristian House took second for Rapha Condor-Recycling, just edging out breakaway rival Simon Richardson (Plowman Craven-Evans Cycles) as the big three UCI-registered teams continued to dominate to domestic scene.
While his victory in the Girvan Three-Day over Easter came after he received much help from his team-mates, Russell’s latest victory was very much a solo effort and down to his individual strength. After being flagged away from Edmundbyers it took just 10 kilometres for the first attack of the day to go clear, as the eventual top three were joined by Tom Southam (Halfords Bikeut), Richard Meadows (Pezula Racing) and Steve Adams (Pearl Izumi).
With 130 kilometres of road ahead of them it would have taken a brave man to bet on them staying clear, but with the pace high and the gap widening it looked more of a possibility as the race went on. After 11 more miles they were 49 seconds ahead of the bunch, and after another six miles they were almost a minute and a half clear.
With the bunch left behind they turned their attentions to the primes on each lap and Kristian House dominated most of those, but meanwhile the bunch had finally sprung to life and a chase was started. James Stewart (KFS Special Vehicles), Alex Higham (Plowman Craven RT) and Marcin Bialoblocki (Sports Beans-Willier) attacked and did manage to eat into their lead a little, but it was only once that group had swelled to 11 that it gathered pace that looked set to threaten the leaders.
With four laps gone the leaders were finally caught by the chasers and the last 40 miles looked set to be contested by this 20-strong group. But with most of the major contenders included in this group the pace caused it to split. Five miles after coming together, Kristian House launched a stinging attack on the climb back to Edmundbyers, and only Russell Downing and Simon Richardson were strong enough to cling to his wheel.
Downing and Richardson pushed hard to make the break work, and while House played a part he hesitated, with team leader Dean Downing left behind in the chasing group. But with team orders clarified House came back into the fray as they entered the final lap, and the riders began planning their tactics.
On the final climb Downing tested his rivals with a small dig which put his a couple of bike lengths clear, but an alert Richardson was on to his move quickly. As they came over the top the Plowman rider put in his own mini attack, but that was similarly pulled back. In the final kilometre, as the trio climbed up to the reservoir wall, House showed his colours and attacked with 300 metres to the line, and his move looked to be a good one.
Downing was blocked in by Richardson on the left, but after finding some space the Pinarello RT rider dug deep and overhauled his rival with 50 metres to go, crossing the line four seconds ahead of House with Richardson just behind. Desperate to preserve his series lead, Dean Downing came home fourth, 57 seconds off his brother’s pace, while Rapha Condor team-mate Rob Partridge was another three seconds behind, just holding off Plowman Craven’s Evan Oliphant in sixth.
Downing was understandably pleased with his victory, although admitted it had been a tough day throughout. “When the six of us went clear on the first lap I never thought we would be away all day,” he said. “Then a small group came up, including Dean, with a few laps to go, and it started to look likely. With a lap left Kristian really attacked hard on the climb to Edmundbyers, and I had a real job staying with him. He had missed a few turns at the front and was sitting on the back, so I was expecting him to attack."
“Once we were clear we drove it on quite well, although Kristian hung back a little because he thought Dean was coming through, but that never happened. My speedo was averaging 39kph at one point, and given the strong wind that was really high. I couldn’t believe the pace we were setting, but it was good to have the legs after breaking away so early.”
Meanwhile, Kristian House was frustrated to miss out on another win. “I’m frustrated because I wanted to win this one,” he said. “I felt good - not great, but good enough - and was really up for it today, and I got a taste for winning at the final stage of the Girvan. "But there was nothing I could’ve done about it. I attacked with one lap to go and tried to get clear, but Russell is on fire at the moment and fully deserved the win. It’s a shame Dean lost the overall lead, but he’s got a great chance of getting back up there, and we’ve got three guys in the top five of the Premier Calendar, so I can’t really complain too much."
Note: Anyone with pictures of the race, please contact pressoffice@britishcycling.org.uk
RESULTS: Tour of the Reservoir (County Durham, 140km)
1. Russell Downing (Pinarello RT) 3:46:21
2. Kristian House (Rapha Condor-Recycling) at 4sec
3. Simon Richardson (Plowman Craven RT) at 5sec
4. Dean Downing (Rapha Condor) at 57sec
5. Rob Partridge (Rapha Condor) at 1:00
6. Evan Oliphant (Plowman Craven RT) at 1:04
7. Tom Southam (Halfords Bikehut) at 1:14
8. Liam Holohan (Pearl Izumi) at 2:54
9. Marcin Bialoblocki (Sports Beans) at 2:56
10. Alex Higham (Plowman Craven RT) at 3:37
11. Gary Hand (Pedal Power RT) same time
12. James Sampson (Team Kinesis UK) at 3:55
13. Tom Barras (Plowman Craven RT) at 4:50
14. Mark Lovatt (Planet X) at 4:53
15. Peter Williams (Pinarello RT) at 4:54
16. Andrew Bye (Sigma Sport RT) same time
17. Richard Sykes-Popham (KFS Special Vehicles) at 4:56
18. Freddie Johansen (Pinarello RT) same time
19. Matt Rowe (Rapha Condor) at 4:58
20. Tom Murray (Pinarello RT) same time
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