Courtesy of British Cycling and Larry Hickmott

Pinarello's Russell Downing showed what awesome form he has at the moment as he won the Lincoln Grand Prix in front of a huge crowd. After a large group of the inform riders got away early on in the race, and then a back to form Chris Newton (Rapha Condor/Recycling) broke the break in half, Russell Downing broke away through Lincoln with a lap to go.

After a mile or so on his own, he waited for two chasers, brother Dean Downing and Simon Richardson (Plowman Craven). These three then rode away from the rest with only Russell Downing and Richardson doing the work as Dean Downing waited for the chasers and Chris Newton to bring them back. It didn't happen and at the foot of the final climb, Dean Downing attacked but even he, last years winner who was nervous before the start, could stop Russell from winning the race in style.

The day in Lincoln

In the glorious May sunshine and with the Cathedral bell chiming out ten o’clock the 53rd Lincoln Grand Prix got off to a hitch free start with a total of 146 riders taking the line. The bunch rolled out of the Yarborough Leisure centre and got off to a good natured start, enjoying the almost perfect conditions, before the real racing got under way on Burton road.

The were several prizes up for grabs in this years race, along with the overall winners prize, the judges were keeping a close eye on the most meritorious rider, that is the rider who in their opinion had shown the most aggression and tenacity though out the race, also the best performance by an East Midlands rider would win the EMDA award. A new competition was also added this year. The Michaelgate trophy, in tribute to Brian Cossavella, sponsored by the Universal Cycle Centre from Rotherham. This would be awarded to the rider who amassed the most points over the finish line in Castle Square each lap, 3,2,1 respectively.

The spectators were out early with a good crowd building in the castle square and on the notorious Michaelgate climb to watch the riders come through on the first lap. With blaring of horns and cries of encouragement the bunch swept past the castle and Cathedral. Road cycle racing is a colourful spectacle to watch when it is in full flow and today in the sunshine, charging through the very heart of Lincoln it was nothing short of fantastic.

Early action

Action on the first lap included a number of early escapes by various riders as they tested the resilience of the bunch. These digs however did nothing to line out the bunch and they filled the width of the road until they big peloton approached Lincoln. It was then that Rapha went on the attack and send a handful of riders to the front to string it out.

The tactic worked and after the climb past Lincoln Castle, a small group formed off the front establishing a few seconds lead but pulled back in by the hard working peloton. First across the line to pick up points in the King of Michaelgate were Russell Downing and Dean Downing, the brothers who had both won the event in previous years, they were in company with Chris Newton another previous winner back in 2000, showing that they meant business and were going to take the whole field on.

Towards the steep decent of Burton village, a bad crash as some of the newer riders to the event misjudged a corner, meant that the medics where called and they swiftly arrived on the scene and treated the fallen riders who were later taken to hospital, both riders were fine but for a few of the usual cuts and scrapes.

Lap two saw the riders heading into a slight crosswind with the peloton all together some great echelons formed on the A57 inbound as the riders fought to gain some shelter from the slight headwind. With the riders completing a circuit in just under twenty minutes, it was warming up to be the fastest race so far.

Lap three saw a number of riders climb off, as the fast past set at the front by the teams of Rapha-Condor Recycling, Pinarello and Plowman Craven, caused many riders to decide that it was not their day and they would be better off cheering on their fellow competitors and urging them up the notorious cobbled climb of Michaelgate.

The race had calmed down by now and a steady but swift tempo had kept the pace high and the action, fast, fantastic crowds formed in Burton village and elsewhere on the circuit as the convoy of some one hundred surviving riders various team cars, official vehicle, service cars and police and NEG motorbikes roared past.

Approaching a third of the way through the race, pressure on the climb through Lincoln final saw the elastic break and a group form as they came through the feed zone. It was a well represented group of some fourteen riders made the split with most of the main teams making it and certainly the form riders in both the Downings, Matt Higgins (Corley Cycles), Kristian House and Chris Newton (Rapha Condor), Tom Southam and Rob Hayles (Halfords Bikehut and a rider who is become a force in the peloton, Kit Gilham of Kinesis.

They quickly gained a lead of thirty seconds over the hard chasing peloton. The King of Michealgate competition now stood like this -- the Downing brothers through there constant vigilance at the front had put themselves in first and third place with Kristian House and Mathew Higgins also collecting points. By lap five it was left to the big guns to try and rally the chasing bunch. Malcolm Elliot back again to Lincoln after winning the event before led the pack through closely followed by Matt Stevens, Irish Olympic hopeful Dave McCann, Simon Gaywood and Tom Barras.

The next few laps saw the bunch keeping the front runners on a piece of elastic and it saw the lead go up and down from some 17secs to over 40seconds. The gap started to steady down at about the 30 second mark with Stephen Adams and Mathew Higgins showing good strength at the front with Kit Gilham the one time American based rider making a good show on the roads of Lincoln.

Several tried to bridge the gap, Simon Gaywood made a notable effort to join the front group with a quartet of Malcolm Elliott, Mark Lovatt, Evan Oliphant and Graham Briggs hard on his wheels but it was in vain as the hard working bunch brought those escapees back into the bunch. With the race around two thirds over, the bunch and break were in sight of each other and that gave the opportunity for some to cross to it including Simon Richardson. Others to try, and fail, were Matt Stephens who had several goes.

With three laps to go splits started to develop all through the lead group and six riders going clear after pressure by Chris Newton through Lincoln. A small group formed with Dean and Russell Downing, Chris Newton, Tom Southam who seems to coming back to good form, Kit Gilham and Simon Richardson.

Three more chasers, Matt Higgins Stephen Adams and Marcin Bialoblocki strived to keep in contact and were just twenty five seconds behind. Several smaller groups formed at some fifty five seconds back but it looked like it was too little too late.

With two laps to go, out of the original one hundred and forty six starters it was down to six men to decide the honours between them. Then, after an attack by Russell Downing, in a few moments of the climb up Michaelgate with a lap to go, it was down to three men as Russell Downing, Dean Downing and Simon Richardson went clear.

Behind them were three chasers including Chris Newton back to some glorious form after his crash earlier this year which prevented him challenging for a World Points title. Meanwhile the rest of the break had been picked up by the now exhausted peloton.

As the break of three approached the bottom of the climb, the crowd at the finish were kept informed by Roger Hobby and as he announced the Downings were coming home fast, their cheer squad started to bang the boards and the crowd below started to cheer them as they sprinted up the climb. A wall of noise came flooding up the climb , preceding the riders and first to come through, arms in the air was Russell Downing.

His brother Dean came in second just a few seconds down with Simon Richardson coming in a valiant third. Chris Newton picked up a forth place and the Jackson Building Centre Most Meritorious award for his efforts throughout.

Other notables were David Clark who picked up the award for best performance for a East Midlands Division based rider and Rob Hayles who picked up the EMDA award for an excellent ride, hopefully we’ll see him later in the year at the Olympics. The Brian Cossavella Michaelgate Award was decided on the final lap, going to Russell Downing who took away this new magnificent trophy back to Rotherham.

What superlatives can you use about Russell Downing that have not already been used – they guy was on fire in the heat of the Lincoln Grand Prix and it was a real privilege to see him do his thing over the final few laps of the race from the back of a motorbike piloted by John Greatorex. After he crossed the line, I found him on the ground, legless and soaked in sweat. In need of a good cold beer no doubt but before any of that, he told us about the race.

I told him he seemed to have that race in his grasp for the final third of the event, he replied, “a little until Dean sat on the back of us and it was touch and go whether the others were going to get back to us. I tried to tempt to the front but he was defending Chris Newton’s place behind and he shook his head.”

“So I said to Simon, let us just tap through and he did. The final sprint was just a drag race – Dean too the left and I took right which I had used all race. My legs were going big time and I think Dean’s were the same. A brilliant day, unbelievable. I’d like to thank all those that turn out and I think they’ll have a nice ride home – not in the rain for once.”

About the break, he told us “Andy Roche (Pinarello) got it away… I said do a hard turn to the feed and he did, and he was brilliant and I think Chris Newton split it again later on. Legs were a lot heavier in the sun. I’ve trained in it for a week and today I was drinking more than I had too which is hard for me.”

Simon Richardson. Not in the early break were the Plowman Craven riders and when the break and peloton came very close to merging again, a number of riders bridged the gap – one of those was Simon Richardson. On this he says “It was kind of plan B but in the end it worked out pretty well. With the whole team chasing on the front of the bunch, I didn’t have to do a turn for four or five laps, they boys were fantastic.”

“There was no hiding on the climb though. You may not be riding in the wind but when it the climb, it was ever man for himself. It was disappointing not to get a win after not doing anything in the first few laps but I gave everything on that last climb and didn’t have anything else.”

Asked how it felt to be the meat in the Downing sandwich, he replied “It was a catch 22 situation. Dean didn’t have to work because Chris Newton was just behind but I knew if Dean attacks there was no way Russ was going to chase him down so I was bricking it waiting for the show down.”

“This is probably the biggest result on the road for me. It is a fantastic race, one of the best in the country and is such a great race to ride. Everyone wants to do well in it so to be mixing it up there is a good step forward.”

Tom Southam: The Halfords Bikehut rider was one of two of the team to make the break along with Rob Hayles and it was Southam who made the final selection before losing out over the closing laps.

"Strange day” was how he started his reaction to the race. “It split early like I predicted with a big group going but they never let up behind which was weird and it was hard all day.” When the break split, I was okay but the last lap I was so tired."

"Chris (Newton) did a big job for Deano on the climb to shatter the group in two and even though we could see them for the whole last lap, but I knew with the way that Dean and Russell were going up here that winning was going to be difficult. Overall it was good though. Rob and me both made the break and it was great to have him there and I don’t think it will be long before we land one.”

Chris Newton: What a fitting place to come back and to help make the race for Rapha Condor/Recycling rider, Chris Newton. He broke his collarbone in March and that ruled him out of the World Track Championships where he was in with a good chance of regaining his World Points title after being the World Cup champion for 2007/08. In this Lincoln, he appeared to be strong. “I would like to be going a bit better and did sit on quite a bit”.

“The organiser has knocked two laps off this race but it seems as hard as ever because everyone is racing from the gun with a big field so I made sure I was in a good position. I was every time and then I caused a split with three or four laps to go and I just wanted to see who was good, and who wasn’t because I thought the group was going to come back together”.

“I just had to use a bit of tactical nous to get round and get a decent result so it wasn’t too bad.” Asked if it was all go now for Beijing, and he could put the collarbone break behind him, he explained “I never felt a thing then. The only thing I was nervous about was falling off again but the more I am doing, the better it is getting.”

Dean Downing (Rapha Condor Recycling): One thing is for sure, the Downing brothers were never far from each other and a 1-2 was not surprising. Over the last lap though, I did wonder how far brotherly love was going to go as Dean sat on and Russell continuously tried to tempt him to the front. It even looked as though Russell may have been trying to back Dean off of the break but neither were admitting to that.

“Russell is flying right now and when he went off with a lap to go, Chris was just behind so the only option I had was to sit on in case Chris could get back and we’d have the numbers. I sat on a whole lap, hit the climb as hard as I could but I couldn’t hold him off. I have mixed feelings right now. Second is a cracking ride but am disappointed I didn’t get the win. I gave it my best shot.”

“It turned out to be a drag race between me and Russell to the flat section of the climb and we both went into that neck and neck and then Russell had the extra he needed for the final bit and he pulled away. Fair play to him, he is super strong at the minute.”

“We rode well as a team today. We had an idea that we’d try and break it up on the climb and that is what we did and when the break went we had three for four guys in there. We had good numbers. Chris was riding really well and has come back strong after his accident.”

When I put it to Dean that Russell and him were never far from each other – whether it was in the final break of when working in the other breaks. He explained that by saying “we’re very similar riders. We’re both punchy riders so this course is perfect for us and our style of riding. We know where we have to be in the peloton and if you’re not near the front, you’re in danger of going out of the race. So we do stay close together but not close enough at the finish!”

Finally, on his form, he says “this race really brings it out of me and I did have good legs today. I can’t explain what was wrong with me at the Chas Messenger but I had my head screwed on for this ace – I always do. There was a great crowd here shouting our names, friends and family were here and the weather topped it off”.

“It is a great organised race. This is the best race in the UK. It always has been and always will be for me. Look at the crowd and this is such a great setting and Ian Emmerson and his team pull it together every year and long may it stay like that!”

Results

1. Russell Downing (Pinarello Racing Team) 3.16.05
2. Dean Downing (Rapha Condor Recycling) @ 0.03 seconds
3. Simon Richardson (Plowman Craven RT) 0.11
4. Chris Newton (Rapha Condor Recycling) 0.39
5. Kit Gilham (Kinesis UK) 0.54
6. Tom Southam (Team Halfords Bike Hut) 1.01
7. David McCann (Giant Asia RT) 1.14
8. Rob Hayles (Team Halfords Bike Hut) 1.28
9. Malcolm Elliott (Pinarello Racing Team)
10. Marcin Bialoblocki (Sports Beans-Wilier)
11. Tom Barras (Plowman Craven RT)
12. Matthew Stephens (Sigmasport) 1.41
13. Graham Briggs (Rapha Condor Recycling)
14. Ryan Bonser (Rapha Condor Recycling) 1.52
15. David Clarke (Team Lacuna) 2.44
16. Chris McNamara (Wild Side Racing Team) 2.53
17. Matthew Higgins (Team Corley Cycles) 3.31
18. Andrew Bye (Sigmasport)
19. Jeroen Janssen (Pearl Izumi-Planet X-High 5)
20. Stephen Adams (Pearl Izumi-Planet X-High 5)
21. Dave Coulson (Sports Beans-Wilier)
22. Mark Wordsworth (Team Corley Cycles)
23. Martin Ford (Unattached)
24. Germ van der Burg (Ruiter Dakkapellen Wielerteam)
25. James Stewart (KFS Special Vehicles)
26. Alex Coutts (Giant Asia RT)
27. Jody Tesselaar (Ruiter Dakkapellen Wielerteam)
28. Peter Hawkins (Usher Irish Road Club)
29. Matt Clinton (KFS Special Vehicles)
30. Tom Murray (Pinarello Racing Team) 5.04
31. Daren Tiffin (MTS Inkland) 5.10
32. Peter Williams (Pinarello Racing Team)
33. Jamie Burgan (Rutland Cycling Club)
34. Christopher Moores (Norwood Paragon)
35. Alastair Kay (York Cycleworks)
36. Jack Pullar (Kinesis UK)
37. Scott Macrae (Pedal Power Race Teams)
38. Gav Evans (Sportscover Spluk)
39. Tom Kirk (Team Corley Cycles)
40. Ben Thompson (Glendene Cycling Club)
41. Robin Sharman (Sigmasport)
42. Dieter Droger (Sportscover Spluk)
43. Geoffrey Beetham (retrobike.co.uk)
44. Grant Bayton (Sports Beans-Wilier)
45. Rob Partridge (Rapha Condor Recycling)
46. Richard Sykes Popham (KFS Special Vehicles)
47. Andy Roche (Pinarello Racing Team)
48. James Sampson (Kinesis UK)
49. James Williamson (Sigmasport)
50. Sierd Steigenga (Ruiter Dakkapellen Wielerteam)
51. Mark Lovatt (Planet X Racing Team)
52. Kristian House (Rapha Condor Recycling)
53. Simon Gaywood (Plowman Craven RT)
54. Eugene Moriarty (MyHome.ie/BDBC/Cycleways)

Jackson Building Centres Most Meritorous Award

Chris Newton

Best Performance by an East Midlands Rider

Rob Hayles

Best performance by an East Midlands Division Rider

Dave Clarke