Team News – Russell Downing Back Home

2014_CycleDivisionBanner

The CULT Energy Pro Cycling team with Russell Downing ready to take on the Tour of Yorkshire

RST Cycle Clothing & Trigon Bikes

Team News – Russell Downing Back Home

Friday the 1st of May, CULT Energy Pro Cycling will be taking on the new British three day stage race, Tour of Yorkshire in the northeastern part of England – organized by A.S.O. who are also responsible for Tour de France. Containing three stages between 167 and 174 kilometers in difficult and surprisingly hilly terrain, the race will not be an easy one.

RussellDowning

In 2014, the Tour de France visited this area of Britain and the organizers must have liked the unpredictable and beautiful landscape enough to come back. CULT Energy Pro Cycling have been struck by illness and a number of injuries throughout the spring campaign but without a captain for the GC, everyone in the line-up gets a chance to shine.

CULT Energy DS, Luke Roberts says: “The Tour of Yorkshire is a race we have been particularly looking forward to after seeing the way the public greeted the Tour de France last year in this region and of course we will be lining up with a home town hero, Russell Downing.”

“Stage 1 will be tough but I think we will still see a bunch sprint from a smaller group. Russell will be super motivated to stay in the lead group and fight for the win in Scarborough. Stage 2 is definitely one for the sprinters and again Russell will be looking to put our first win on the board in his home country. The final stage is very tough and will likely sort out the GC. It will be a tactical battle and with most of our riders in top shape now we will have more than one card to play.”

2015_VISION_MetronMidStory

CULT Energy Pro Cycling line-up: Russell Downing, Rasmus Quaade, Alex Kirsch, Karel Hnik, Martin Mortensen, Romain Lemarchand, Joel Zangerle and Gustav Larsson.

Home rider Russell Downing told VeloUK this morning “Its pretty exciting to be racing in the UK as I haven’t done that this year yet. It’s been a long time coming getting a major race in Yorkshire and we deserve it with all the riders that come from here. It’s going to be quite surreal to be honest”.

Russell explained he’s only recced stage 1 but knows many of the roads on stage 2 and also on stage 3. Stage 1 on Friday he says will be tough and probably be a small bunch sprint with all the climbs along the time taking their toll. With the steep climb at Robin Hoods Bay a long way from the finish, there may well be some regrouping but Russell adds that the teams are not sending any rubbish riders so the racing will be tough.

The four time winner of the Lincoln GP and British champion as well, says he’s had plenty of racing but also a lot of bad luck with punctures and crashes in races so far and hoping that’s something he’s left behind in Europe. The legs still bear the scars of the crashes but after his longest stint at home this year, the Yorkshire legend is focused on making the most of the race on his roads.

Good luck to the Fonz – lets see those banners out there!

Send your results as well as club, team & event news here

Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)

Other News on VeloUK

Tags: