Russell Downing

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Russell Downing

Postby Toks » Mon Aug 24, 2009 8:44 pm

Surely if any British Rider deserves a decent Pro Contract next year this guy does. I can't even believe that Brailsford and Co are still debating whether to put him in the World's team or sign him up for The Sky Team.

http://new.britishcycling.org.uk/road/a ... -Ireland-0
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/lat ... m-sky.html
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Re: Russell Downing

Postby Jon C C on a Bianchi » Mon Aug 24, 2009 11:20 pm

well said Toks!! A fantastic ride, gritty, intelligent, in terrible conditions - he out fought and out thought saxo bank and the rest. Absolutely brilliant. :D :D :D

Not sure he actually wants a pro tour contract but has to be in the world championship team now - doesn't he?


PS I've walked up St Patrick's Hill and that was hard enough!! 25% in the p*ssing rain - and he looked comfortable!! :shock: :shock: :shock: awesome!
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Re: Russell Downing

Postby Antloony » Tue Aug 25, 2009 10:28 am

[quote="Jon C C on a Bianchi"]well said Toks!! A fantastic ride, gritty, intelligent, in terrible conditions - he out fought and out thought saxo bank and the rest. Absolutely brilliant. :D :D :D


Well said. His best form of defence was attack and thats just what he did, great gutsy ride and for that alone he more than deserved the overall win. Great stuff. :D
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Re: Russell Downing

Postby -Adam- » Tue Aug 25, 2009 11:15 am

The guy is a quality rider, no doubt about it. However, he has been knocking on the door of a proper continental contract for a while. Indeed he has spent a few years over there on the DFL team, however, ask yourself why a rider with such power cannot get a decent contract...
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Re: Russell Downing

Postby Toks » Tue Aug 25, 2009 12:05 pm

Spell it out bro? Is the the man in question just a bit of a nightmare or has he made the wrong choices
Last edited by Toks on Tue Aug 25, 2009 12:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Russell Downing

Postby -Adam- » Tue Aug 25, 2009 12:13 pm

Well I know of managers who have and continue to refuse to sign him. I get the impression he is a rider who has ideas above his station, shall we say.
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Re: Russell Downing

Postby Gavin » Tue Aug 25, 2009 12:42 pm

and its not west croydon is it?
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Re: Russell Downing

Postby Andrew G » Tue Aug 25, 2009 1:42 pm

[quote="-Adam-"]Well I know of managers who have and continue to refuse to sign him. I get the impression he is a rider who has ideas above his station, shall we say.

That's always the impression I've got of him from watching him or seeing interviews. I seem to recall something a few years ago where he wasn't taken to the World Champs in didn't express himself in the best manner, something along the lines of saying how much better he was than x and y who were in.

Like you say he's been around a while and never got higher than he is, I think he's also one of these riders who can be a good big fish in a little pond, but can't cope with being a little fish in a big one.

Great ride and a good win in Ireland, although still one of the ugliest looking riders I've seen. He's got to win races as he'll never win any style points.
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Re: Russell Downing

Postby tel » Tue Aug 25, 2009 7:26 pm

When Downing was a neopro-he signed for the McCartneys, but Sean soon got rid. I never found out why.

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Re: Russell Downing

Postby Toks » Tue Aug 25, 2009 8:32 pm

[quote="marco"]
Sounds like a determined to win at all costs rider to me.
Oh no! what does that mean?
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Re: Russell Downing

Postby Scott » Fri Aug 28, 2009 10:23 am

[quote]Great ride and a good win in Ireland, although still one of the ugliest looking riders I've seen.


Pots Kettles
:wink:
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Re: Russell Downing

Postby Toks » Fri Aug 28, 2009 10:37 am

[quote="Scott"][quote]Great ride and a good win in Ireland, although still one of the ugliest looking riders I've seen.


Pots Kettles
:wink:
:lol: Seeing as the post was essentially about bigging up UK's (DOMESTIC) number 1 Road Racer I did think that comment was a little bit mean spirited by Mister :mrgreen: perhaps there's a bit more to it huh Scott? :wink:
Last edited by Toks on Fri Aug 28, 2009 11:44 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Russell Downing

Postby -Adam- » Fri Aug 28, 2009 10:38 am

[quote="Toks"]bigging up UK's number 1 Road Racer


What!?
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Re: Russell Downing

Postby Scott » Fri Aug 28, 2009 10:46 am

I think Downing is the man! Just been unlucky with a couple of teams going pop on him, together with the fact he is reported as being a bit selfish but its a dog eat dog world out there and the fact that he is now probably a little bit old for the progressive teams as they like them young these days (dont we all?).
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Re: Russell Downing

Postby Scott » Fri Aug 28, 2009 10:47 am

Go for it Adam. I like a man that is confident in his own ability!
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