Downing hits the heights

RIDING in the colours of his old team for what could be the last time, Rotherham's Russell Downing proved a convincing winner of the Dinnington Road Club hill-climb at Monsal Head, Derbyshire.

By The Newsroom

Published 16th Oct 2007, 07:45 BST

Updated 16th Oct 2007, 09:28 BST

Downing, who has been told he will not get a 2008 contract by the American HealthNet-Maxxis team, showed once again he is still one of the best riders in the country when he stormed up the 675-yard climb in 1min 21.2sec.

But he was still seven seconds adrift of the 1.14.2 course record, which has been held by Sheffield's Malcolm Elliott since 1981.

While second spot went to North Yorkshire's 19-year-old Liam Holohan of the Merlin Racing Team with 1-26.2, Richard Teare of Sheffield-based Rutland CC clocked 1-30.8 to claim the final spot on the podium.

What do you think? Post your comments below.

Football headlines.

Football gossip.

More sport.