RussWatch
I know, i may be banging on about Russ Downing again but i think its time i did a series on the Rotherham Rocket (have i just invented a nickname for him?).
Introducing RussWatch. In this series we will be following the Sky reject to see how he is shaping up without having that sexy bus to go back to after each race. Last week he won the Lincoln GP, this week a stage in the Tour of Norway. Tenner says he will win the Nationals.
Russ Shows His Class
I went over to the Lincoln Grand Prix Sunday last and as usual it didn’t disappoint. It is a testing circuit with the notorious climb of Michaelgate being hit no less than 13 times. The crowds were huge possibly helped by the weather and the racing was all out right from the off.
I went to the start this year which proved a good stomping ground for photos and then made my way into the city to witness a great day of action.
Russ Downing showed his class and i wont go into my usual ramblings about why he should be on a bigger stage. He may well be soon by default anyway the way his Endura team are performing this season. They are winning everything in sight.
Kristian House and Marcin Bialoblocki made up the podium with Russ. Witness the photos i have taken which, without a press pass required a bit of guile and a bit of barefaced cheek.
Any way next stop is the Nationals next month. Bet i will struggle to get a ring side seat at the podium there!
What Did I Tell You!!
Well, I did my stint at the International Cicle Classic this weekend in rainy Rutland and it was just about everything you could want from a bike race; great course, good strong line up and the most atrocious weather i have ever witnessed a race in (since the TOB in Dumfries last year anyway).
The racing was hard and brutal and amounted to a war of attrition between the strong men until the best perm in the peloton, belonging to Alexandre Blain,
cleared off on his own to win.
Personally i was having a blast. Pink bib and access all areas pass wading around muddy fields and parking in farmyards it just doesnt get any better. The only concern was in keeping my kit dry and my lenses rain free. But hey this was just part of the challenge of the day.
This race is awesome and that there rain just doubled the awesominity (mm!) of it all.
Sorry riders if you didnt enjoy it. Whats it got to do with you anyway?
Living the Dream!
A race I have previously waxed lyrically about is the Rutland-Melton International Cicle Classic. This is the UKs only UCI ranked one day event and as such attracts a high quality field and great media interest. What makes it more important this year on a personal level is that i have been granted a press pass so i can poke around the events nether regions to my hearts content. If i get my timing right i will also be responsible for the finish line shots for the Melton Times (thanks Chris Harby for the gig). I am not sure what the weather has in store yet, last year was dry and dusty, but i do know that rain or shine the photo opps will be awesome. Report to follow with no doubt some great shoots to boot.
Right Up Downing(s) Street
Russ Downing so far this season has had two significant wins on his European travels with Endura and is again looking like a force to be reckoned with. So heres an interesting thought. I know he is now in his mid 30′s but if a Pro Tour team like say for example, Sky came after him I am sure he could do a good job for them. He would make a good domestique and on the right occasion be a worthy leader and go for his own victories. He would be cheaper than Mick Rogers and Davide Appolonnio, he would be good for morale as everyone loves him and we would have an extra Brit to cheer on.
Its just a thought. I am very impressed with Endura but surely Russ deserves to be playing on a bigger stage. I have even mocked up a photo of how Russ might look in a Team Sky kit.
Brailsford take note.
this is another Tongue in Cheek Production
Now That Is Impressive!
Anybody who has the slightest knowledge about cycling would have failed to have been surprised at Tom Boonens victory in Paris Roubaix yesterday. But hey! Bet nobody thought he would do it like that. The 52 km solo ride where he not only fended off the chasing pack but actually got further away from them as the race developed was straight out of the Fabian Cancellara “How to Win a Classic” handbook. Heres a tip. Bet your house on him taking the first stage of this years Tour de France by 20 minutes and then defending it all the way to Paris. On second thoughts dont! He generously likes to give his valuable time to Mark Cavendish and Tyler Farrar when the road goes upwards. This is probably to keep their spirits up so they can give him a good drubbing when it goes flat again.
Nice one Tommy!!
Jim’ll Fix It
Tomorrows the big one. The best (in my opinion) race there is. Paris-Roubaix or The Race into Hell as it is also known. If Jimmy Saville was still alive i would be asking him to fix it for my camera to go there for a days work (preferably with me attached to it). One day maybe.
There will be a story to tell at the end of this race and i will be putting my own spin on it. Call back for that.
Where Was Plan B??
I think in terms of Milan-SanRemo Mark Cavendish has been sussed out. Its easy when you think about it. He can’t keep up with the pace when the road goes uphill so all the other teams just need to put the hammer down long enough to make the gap to far to bridge. The likes of Gilbert, Boonen and Cancellara can then get themselves close to the finish without worrying about the fastest sprinter. This is what happened on Saturday and i will lay a bet that whilst Cavendish is the fastest finisher in the world he will not win this race again.
This maybe should have been anticpated by the brains at Sky when formualting their plan of attack. Edvald Boasson Hagen is probably a safer bet to come up with the spoils so why did he only have Thomas Lofkvist looking after him? A lot of strong guys were wasted in the service of Cav when they could have been doing turns for Eddy.
If this is Skys idea of a Plan B then i think it may be time for a rethink.
Get another basket for your eggs Dave
Chris McManus
I worked closely with Chris McManus for several months and considered him a friend. I am still in shock at the violent way he met his death. I always will be.
Chris was a truly nice guy
Rest in Peace Chris
Here Wiggo, Here Wiggo, Here………….
Bradley Wiggins has today won the prestigious one week stage race Paris-Nice. This is an achievement to rank alongside some of the very best British triumphs over the last few decades. Make no mistake this race is major and this result bears testament to the talent and hardwork that Wiggins applies to his preparation. Theres a certain tough/mardy (delete as applicable) Aussie who has sat up and taken notice enough to pass comment which tells me that he senses a credible rival.
We are not midway through March yet and British victories are stacking up like Denis Menchov on a hairpin descent. My prediction is that this will be far and away the most successful road season for these shores ever. Now bring on the cobbles and lets see Stannard and Thomas fly
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