THE Downing boys clearly have a eye for an opportunity. Twelve days after brother Dean landed the National Circuit Race Championship with a late attack, Russell Downing (Travelwise Lancashire) adopted the same tactic to secure his first senior hard track title in a pulsating 20-kilometre scratch race on Friday night.

And, just as in Newport, it came at the expense of Manx rider Mark Kelly (DataPhonics RT), who covered Downing's move with just over four laps to go but - going to the start line minutes after riding in the third-place pursuit match - didn't have the speed in his legs for a sprint.

The pair crossed the line 50 metres clear with James Taylor (City of Edinburgh RC), defending the title he shared last year with Tony Gibb, settling for bronze at the head of the pack.

"I saw my chance and I took it," said Downing. "From this afternoon's qualifier I knew I wasn't sprinting my best and I knew the only way was to jump away.

"When the break [Chris Newton and Huw Pritchard] came back with six to go, it was perfect really. I was under-16 points race and sprint champion [1994] and won the points again as a junior [1996], but this is my first as a senior."

Also a bronze medallist in the Madison championship, Kelly had known what the outcome would be.

"These Downings will be the death of me!" he said. "I eased back in the pursuit once I knew I wasn't going to beat Ben [Hallam], but I still didn't have the zip - I think it was more a result of getting up for so many through the week.

"When Russell went, I'd already decided that I was going to attack - we both chose the same time."

Chris Newton (Pinarello RT) had already figured in two attacks when he went away with Bryan Steel (Team Chilwell) after 20 laps and, joined by Tony Gibb (Team PCAOrbea) five laps later, they looked as if they would take a lap.

Kelly and then Downing both chased without making it, but at halfway Steel swung up the track, two laps later Gibb dropped back and, after three laps on his own, Newton also eased up.

Attacks came thick and fast until Newton went again nine laps from the end and was joined by Huw Pritchard (Angliasport RT), the Commonwealth Games silver medallist.

But Taylor led the chasers up as they closed a 40-metre gap, and half a lap later Downing made his move.

1. Russell Downing (Lancashire Travelwise) 20km in 24-16-031
2. Mark Kelly (DataPhonics RT)
3. James Taylor (City of Edinburgh RC)
4. C. Newton (Pinarello RT)
5. B. Elliott (VC St Raphael)
6. S. Gaywood (CC Luton)
7. P West (VC St Raphael)
8. R, Muir (Cycling Scotland)
9. T Gibb (Team PCAOrbea)
10. B. Taylor (VC de Londres)