A multiple British champion over the years, Dean Downing says he is lucky to be alive after he was allegedly run off the road by a van
News – Dean Downing Run off road
A multiple British champion over the years, Dean Downing says he is lucky to be alive after he was allegedly run off the road by a van on Friday (17th July 2015) whilst out training, resulting in a damaged ligaments to his left knee.
Dean, who retired last year from racing after a career of victories at home and abroad including the British circuit race championships twice and the Lincoln GP, was riding just outside Blyth, Notts when the incident occurred.
Dean was cycling behind his training partner Leigh Holmes when a traffic management van began to overtake them but suddenly cut back in to the left to avoid a bollard in the middle of the road.
Leigh was struck by the van but managed to stay upright. Dean was directly behind Leigh to the rear of the van and had to swerve sharply to the left to avoid being hit by it. In doing so he lost control of his bike, swerved to the right, hit the bollard and then a lamp post.
The van driver didn’t stop and is still to be identified.
Dean was taken to hospital where his injuries were assessed and he sustained knee ligament damage as well as grazing to his legs and arms.
Dean will now have an MRI scan at Doncaster Royal Infirmary and will be looked after at HMT hospitals, supporters of the JLT Condor pro cycling team and the Polypipe cycling squad.
Dean is now in touch with his legal team through his British Cycling membership to make a claim for the repairs to his bike and other losses through the crash.
Dean said: “I could have been killed, as I hit the bollard and lamp post and landed in middle of other side of road. I was very lucky there was no oncoming traffic or I could have been more seriously injured.â€
Andrew Bradley head of the cycling team at law firm Leigh Day, who is dealing with Dean’s claim, said: “We are currently investigating the incident and will be in touch with the Police to try and track down the responsible driver and to establish exactly what happened, and we hope to get Dean back on his bike as soon as possibleâ€.
Dean concluded: “I would like to thank all the guys I was riding with that day and all my family and friends for the help over the weekend.â€
Send your results as well as club, team & event news here
Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)
- Features, Reports, Results
- Chris Lawless Joins Saint Piran Team
- Youth Result: Milton Keynes Youth Development Races
- TT Result: Southern Counties CU Sporting 21
- TT Result: Manchester & District TTA 10m TT
- TT Result: Northampton & District CA 10m TT
- TT Result: Knockhill Mountain Time Trial
- Youth Result: Lawford Youth Series
- TT Result: Bristol South CC Hardriders
- TT Result: Newmarket Cycling & Triathlon Club TT
- Paracycling Track Worlds Day 4
- Para CyclingWorlds Final Day
- Startlist: National Youth Circuit Series Rd 1
- TT Result: Orwell Velo 15m TT
- TT Result: Hull Thursday RC Hard Riders 2Up
- TT Result: VC Sevale 10m TT
- TT Result: Maldon & District CC Hilly 22m TT
- Youth Result: SCC Youth Races
- Youth Result: ERC Ben Forsyth CRY Youth Race Day
- Report/Result: Azets Spring Classic
- Track Result: Manchester Regional Track League
- Startlists: RCR Fat Creations Road Races
- Crit Result: Not the Portsmouth Easter Circuits
- Crit Result: March Hare Classic
- Crit Result: Haus RT – Darley Moor #3
- Crit Results: Spring MK Bowl Series #3
- Crit Result: No Nonsense Circuit Races 1
- Crit Result: Salt Ayre Spring Series #3
- RR Result: NCRA Handicap RR #3
- RR Result: Halesowen Academy Road Race
- RR Result: Primavera Pursuit Road Race
- Startlist: Capernwray Road Race (March 31)
- TT Result: VTTA Kent 8 mile TT
- TT Result: Kernow Racing Team TT
- TT Result: Banbury Star CC 21m TT
- TT Result: Velo Club St Raphael 16.5 TT
- TT Result: Port Talbot Whs 13m TT
- TT Result: Cleveland Whs Sporting 21.7m TT
- TT Result: Velotik RT 15m TT
- TT Result: Border City Whs Hilly 20.2m TT
- TT Result: Hemel Hempstead CC 16m TT
Other News on VeloUK
- Chris Lawless Joins Saint Piran Team
- Paracycling Track Worlds Day 4
- Para CyclingWorlds Final Day
- Startlist: National Youth Circuit Series Rd 1
- Report/Result: Azets Spring Classic
- Startlists: RCR Fat Creations Road Races
- Startlist: Capernwray Road Race (March 31)
- Team Report: Fensham Howes MAS Design Junior Team
- Team Report: CiCLE Classic Junior Men
- RIDER REPORTS – Zoe Parker (Solihull CC)
- GB News: Two World Titles for GB at Para Worlds
- Team News: Alba Development Road Team
- News: British Road Champs Return to NE
- THIS WEEKEND: Peaks Two Day is Back!
- News: Laura Kenny Retires
- Team News: Lee Valley Youth Cycling Team
- 2024/25 CYCLO-CROSS CALENDAR
- Startlist: Cardiff Ajax CC 10 Mile TT
- Startlists: 16th Gifford Road Races (Scotland)
- News: Ellingworth is new Tour of Britain Director
- Startlist: Circuit of Ingleborough TT
- STARTLIST: Evesham Vale Road Race 2024
- Mammoth fields for Women’s/Junior Men’s CiCLE Classics
- Saturday: Fusion Media Women’s Series Rd 1
- Saint Piran’s Global Women’s Project
- Ribble Rebellion: The Riders
- Team News: Ribble Rebellion Team Launch
- British Classics – 64th Wally Gimber Trophy
- Startlist: 62nd Eddie Soens
- Startlist: 10th Junior Men’s CiCLE Classic (March 17)
- Startlist: 8th Women’s CiCLE Classic (March 17)
- Startlist: 40th Jock Wadley Memorial RR
- Riders: Azets Spring Classic (March 24)
- Bike News: DJ Spoony’s Special & unique Ribble Ultra SL R
- GB Team News: Helen Scott now Men’s Sprint Podium Potential Coach
- Startlist: Royal Navy Cup 2024
- News: Halesowen Academy 2024
- Report: Day 3 British Track Championships
- New Women’s Series in the Midlands
- News: RideLondon Classique