Q & A with a legend in British cycling, Russell ‘the Fonz’ Downing who is Down Under getting ready to race on Sunday for the first time with JLT Condor
![]() |
Feature – Russell Downing Q & A
1. When was the last time you started your season in Australia?
Russell: Last time I started my season here was in 2010 with team Sky in the Tour Down Under with good memories!
2. Does the warmer weather make getting in the hours easier or are you missing the grim wind, rain and cold LoL
Russell: not missing the grim weather on the back at all but yes it does make life a bit easier with the good weather. It takes all of five minutes to put your kit on instead of twenty minutes like back in Blighty.
3. What’s the highlight of the Aussie camp so far?
Russell: No highlight of the camp yet but I can tell you there’s some characters in the team with young Stevie Williams being the king of banter! So sharing a house with these young boys is entertaining at times I tell ya. Bring on the bike racing now!
4. What does a typical day consist of at the Aussie training camp.
Russell: Typical Aussie day is wake up at 7ish or so to try to speak to the missus then I’ll get out of bed as not been sleeping great with the change of time zones. Been an old boy as the lads keep telling me lol!
Breakfast, then normally on the road for 9am with 3/4/5 hour rides. Return to the house for recovery food and normally an afternoon snooze. Some afternoons we have a wander over the road to the brew shop to kill some time and have a flat white. Then evenings have been spent all chipping in around the bbq and preparing dinner, food eaten with a bit of banter then bed.
5. Has there been lots of opening the taps in training in preparation for the racing?
Russell: Training has been going very well with Tim Kennaugh setting the programs. Lots of efforts and structure which have got me and the boys in shape for the season ahead.
6. Have you seen the course for the Cadel Evans Road Race and if so, what’s it like – sprinters race or lumpy?
Russell: Yes, seen the course and have raced and trained on most parts of. It’s more like a semi classic with the finish circuit lumpy so would be small group if there was any sprinting going on.
7. Team has a very strong line up – everyone a winner in there LoL! What do you expect your role to be?
Russell: Yes, the team has a very strong line-up. I wouldn’t say we are all winners but as a unit, we’ll be very strong. I’m sure I’ll be bringing lots of experience to the team with a key role of helping Chris Lawless develop as a sprinter. I’m sure though I’ll be able to race the bike nice and aggressive like I enjoy doing!
8. Sun Tour – what’s your best memories of that race?
Russell: I’ve ridden the Sun Tour a few times now with mixed memories really. The one that stands out is crashing early into the race when a barrier blew over and breaking my hand as well as giving me a massive hematoma on my right leg. Me being me I tried to ride this out for a few days without any joy so retired from the race. But then brother Dean went on to wear the yellow for a day or so. That Sun Tour was working with John Herety so I hope my next Sun Tour with him works out a bit better!
9. Is there a stage in the Sun Tour you have your eye on?
Russell: Not really looked at the stages yet. Still focusing on getting the first race with JLT Condor under way which is the Cadel Evans RR this Sunday.
10. Finally, missing home or ready to spend March out there as well!
Russell: As good as Oz is I, will be ready to go home and sleep in my own bed with my missis and not share a house with 12 guys!
Send your results as well as club, team & event news here
Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)
- Features, Reports, Results
- TT Result: Lea Valley CC 10
- TT Result: Alltrax 10m TT
- TT Result: Epsom CC 10
- TT Result: Shropshire CCA Championship 10
- Result: King and Queen of the Bowl Crit Series #11
- Result: RL360 Isle of Man Youth League Rd 12
- GB Team for Track Euros
- Result: West Thames League Rnd 13
- Result: RCR Goodwood Series #8
- Result: Portsmouth Evening Circuits
- Result: Thank Crit it’s Friday 4
- Result: Swindon Summer Race Series 3
- Result: Full Gas Summer Circuit Series 14
- Result: National Circuit Series – Guildford
- TT Result: Westerley Cycling Club 25
- TT Result: Ross on Wye & Dist CC 25
- TT Result: Northampton & District CA 12.7m TT
- TT Result: Border City Whs CC 25
- TT Result: Ferryhill Whs 25
- RESULT: Salt Ayre Tuesday Series 13 (Lune RCC)
- Result: A Bridge Too Far Road Race
- Result: Lichfield No Frills #3
- Result: Chorley CC UCLAN Series Round 2
- Result: Seacroft Wheelers Summer Road Races
- Result: Junior Road Championships
- TT Result: Mid Devon Cycling Club 25
- TT Result: The Nifty Fifty
- TT Result: East Lancashire RC 10
- Result: King and Queen of the Bowl Crit Series 10
- TT Result: VC Norwich 10
- TT Result: Ross on Wye & Dist CC 10
- TT Result: City RC (Hull) 10
- TT Result: Dan Ward Memorial TT
- TT Result: Bristol South Cycling Club 50
- Result: Banbury Star Festival of Racing
- Result: Mid Shropshire Wheelers Severn Valley Youth Series
- Result: Fete du Velo (Redbourn)
- Result: Ilkley Town Centre Races
- HC Result: Winster Hill Climb
- Result: Mallory Park Youth Road Race League 4
Other News on VeloUK
- GB Team for Track Euros
- Opening of Sir Mark Cavendish Raceway
- Bike News: Ribble Cycles Alloy Bikes
- This Weekend: Junior Road Championships
- Wednesday: Otley Cycle Races
- Mid Shropshire Wheelers celebrates 100 Years of Cycling
- Team Feature: Prologue Junior Racing Team Spring Review
- New: Ribble Cycles Ultra-Grit & Allgrit Ranges
- START LISTS FOR BRITISH ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS
- STARTLIST: Two day Giant Tugby Ronde van Wymeswold
- NEWS: MAJOR JUNIOR TEAMS TO MERGE FOR 2026
- Entries Wanted: Ilkley Town Centre Races
- Report/Result: Women’s Tour of Britain Stage 2
- Report: Women’s Tour of Britain Stage 1
- STARTLIST: Owen Blower Memorial Road Races
- Events: Halesowen Academy Road Race
- News: May Pedal Club Lunch
- RIBBLE PARTNERS WITH THE BIKE FITTERS
- Monday: Witham Wheelers Road Races
- British Stars for Women’s Tour of Britain
- Women’s Tour of Britain Riders 2025
- BIKES: RIBBLE UNVEILS ULTRA-RACE
- Women’s Tour of Britain Routes
- STARTLISTS: 2025 Lincoln Grand Prix
- STARTLIST: The Witham Hall Grand Prix
- Startlist: Timmy James Memorial Grand Prix
- FEATURE: PEDAL CLUB LUNCH REPORT (APRIL)
- 2025 BRITISH ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS – ROUTES
- STARTLIST: Sloan Trophy (April 27)
- News: Teams Revealed for the Women’s Tour of Britain
- Startlist: CiCLE Classic International
- Sunday: CiCLE Classic UCI Road Race
- News: Women’s Tour of Britain Stage Hosts
- PERTH GRAND PRIX (SCOTLAND)
- April 19: PNE National B Road Race
- STARTLIST: East Cleveland Classic
- Startlists: Witham Hall Junior Two Day (Men & Women)
- Startlist: Totnes-Vire Two Day
- STARTLISTS: Cold Dark Capenwray Road Races
- News: CiCLE Classic – Volunteers Wanted