Russell Downing (Challenge Mallorca, GP Costa degli Etruschi)
Russell Downing (Challenge Mallorca, GP Costa degli Etruschi)
Russell Downing is back racing at UCI Pro Continental level with Cult Energy Pro Cycling and has already proved he can still mix it with pro cycling’s elite.
The former Team Sky man, who spent last season with NFTO and won the British Cycling GP Series, has two top-ten finishes to his name already this season.
Eighth at the Trofeo Playa de Palma-Palma, won by in-form Matteo Pelucchi (IAM Cycling), Downing then went on to finish fourth at the GP Costa degli Etruschi.
It could have been even better, too, but for his lead-out man puncturing with 500m of the stage remaining.
Cult Energy’s targets for the season include a shot at the Spring semi-Classics and Downing is also likely to play a big part at the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and the Three Days of West Flanders.