Tour Series Round 3: Downing makes it two on the trot

Dean Downing underlined his credentials as the form man in city centre crits last night when he made it two wins in a row in Round 3 of the Tour Series. His performance also lifted his Rapha Condor team to the top of the Tour Series overall standings – and he came back from a crash to do it.

As in the previous two round the night's proceedings were again blessed with a warm, balmy evening of high-speed bike riding as the road show came to Woking. The Surrey town witnessed some furious racing early on, which resulted in a crash involving the winners of the two previous rounds Graham Briggs and 2008 National Circuit racing champion Downing. Luckily, both recovered their composure to play their part in another fantastic spectacle of city-centre bike racing.
 
After 20 minutes of racing a small group of four riders, containing Malcolm Elliot, escaped and stayed away for almost 10 laps until the Halfords train reeled them in coming through the second sprint of the night. By this point the field had started to fragment – due in part to crashes and some high-speed pain being dealt out by the Rapha – Condor, Candi TV - Marshalls Pasta and Halfords squads.

 
As the race reached 45 minutes Exeter-winner Downing was at the head of affairs driving another small group of five riders, which was followed by some furious attacks firing off the front. Racing then settled with five laps to go as a group of around 20 riders started to think about the final.
 
With four laps to go Dean Downing launched himself off the front – the riders were by now averaging 32mph - he quickly gained a gap of around 5 seconds, extending to be able to milk the moment with a two-armed salute as he crossed the line alone.
 
Tony Gibb won the sprint for second, and Steven Adams took third, meaning that Plowman Craven – Madison won the team prize on the night, with Jeroen Janssen making up the three counters in 7th.
 
After three races of the 10-round Tour Series Rapha-Condor moved into the overall team leaders’ jerseys, with Candi TV-Marshalls Pasta moving down to second and Plowman Craven - Madison in third. 

 
Individual Results – Round 3 – Woking 02.06.09
1. Dean Downing RAPHA-CONDOR
2. Tony Gibb PLOWMAN CRAVEN - MADISON
3. Steven Adams PLOWMAN CRAVEN - MADISON
4. Russell Downing CANDI TV – MARSHALLS PASTA
5. Rob Hayles TEAM HALFORDS-BIKEHUT
6. Yanto Barker SIGMA SPORT SPECIALIZED SPORTFUL
7. Jeroen Janssen PLOWMAN CRAVEN - MADISON
8. Tom Southam RAPHA-CONDOR
9. Simon Gaywood TEAM CORLEY CYCLES
10. Ian Wilkinson TEAM HALFORDS-BIKEHUT

Team Results – Round 3 – Woking 02.06.09

1. Plowman Craven – Madison
2. Rapha – Condor
3. Candi TV – Marshalls Pasta
4. Team Halfords Bikehut 

5. Sigma Sport Cycling Team

6. Sports Beans – Wilier

7. Team Corley Cycles
8.  Endura Racing
9. www.cyclingbargains.com
10. BMC UK Racing Team
 
Team Standings after Round 3
1. Rapha – Condor
2. Plowman Craven – Madison
3. Candi TV – Marshalls Pasta  
4. Team Halfords Bikehut
5. Sports Beans – Wilier

6. Sigma Sport Cycling Team
7. BMC UK Racing Team 
8. Team Corley Cycles
9. www.cyclingbargains.com
10. Endura Racing
 
Full results will be available on the Tour Series website - www.tourseries.co.uk
 
The race now moves to Peterborough on Thursday 4th of June. Follow the Tour Series on ITV4 at 7pm on Wednesday’s and Friday.