Returning Downing sprints clear to snatch Memorial title at Aintree

ROTHERHAM racing ace Russell Downing secured his first major win of the season when he sprinted to victory at the end of the Eddie Soens Memorial at Aintree Racecourse in Merseyside on Saturday.
By The Newsroom
Published 5th Mar 2012, 10:00 BST

The 33-year-old, now riding with the Endura Racing squad after two years with Sky Pro Cycling, edged ahead of two of his team-mates to take the win at the end of the 50-mile event, which took in 30 laps of the circuit.

And to cap a great event for Yorkshire riders, Burley-in-Wharfedale’s Scott Thwaites took second spot for Endura Racing, while their team-mate Jonny McEvoy completed the podium with third.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Early attacks were hunted down by Downing and his team-mates – who also had their fair share of attempts to get clear of the 230-strong bunch.

But it came down to a big bunch sprint, which the Endura Racing riders dominated.

“It’s fantastic to come back from my two years with Sky and help Endura Racing get off to such a brilliant start,” said Downing.

“They won the Tour of the Mediterranean and the Tour de Haut Var on the continent, and they’ve started their UK campaign with a great win.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It can’t get any better than that. This team is full of winners, and we’re hoping to dominate the UK racing calendar, but also we’ve got ambitions for European races.”

Elsewhere, Doncaster’s John Tanner teamed up with Sportscover-Altura Racing Team colleague Collin Humphrey to win the Sheffrec CC two-up 25-mile time trial at Hatfield Woodhouse in South Yorkshire.

Humphrey and Tanner, the 44-year-old former Premier Calendar winner, clocked 52.21 to beat Sportscover team-mates Ashley Brown and Adam Duggleby by 23 seconds.

And almost another three minutes off the pace in third spot were Langsett Cycles RT pair Richard Teare and Rob Townsend.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The annual event saw early rain clear up to leave just strong winds to contend with, which left just nine teams able to go under the hour mark.

In the City RC three-up event in Beverley, Team Swift were quickest over the 25 miles.

The team – consisting of Joel Wainman, 37, and from Hessle, Simon Beldon, 42, from Leeds and Andy Wareham – were home in a time of 47.45.

Ben Ives, Steve Coates and Nick Coupland of We Love Mountains were second with a time of 50.43.

The Cottingham Coureurs team of Matthew Fenton, John Brearley and Dave Brearley completed in 53.06.