Dean Downing - Bio

Dean Downing is a member of the Rapha/Condor/ReCycling.co.uk squad and we asked him to tell us something about himself

Your competition CV?
2004 - recycling.co.uk/MG X Power Cycling Team. UK.
Member British National Track Team (WCPP)
1st Metaltek Grand Prix road race – UK.
1st Tour of Munster International 4 Day, stage 1
1st British Elite Criterium Series, Bungay – UK.
1st Don Despatch Road Race – UK.
1st Preston Arena Criterium – UK.
1st Mike Binks memorial road race-UK
1st Seacroft wheelers road race-UK
1st York Cycle Works road race-UK
1st British Elite Road Series, Neil Gardner mem.-UK.
2nd UCI Track World Cup, round 4- Sydney-Scratch.
2nd British Elite Road Series, Havant GP 1.5uci
2nd Bob Chicken Criterium, London
Herald Sun Tour, 10day 2.3uci –Australia.
yellow jersey leader for 3days.38 UCI points

2005 - recycling.co.uk/MG X Power (conti Pro)
Member British National Track Team (WCPP
1st Tour of Reservoir road race-UK
1st British Elite Criterium Series, Stoneleigh-UK
1st Stoneleigh Criterium- UK
1st Milton Keynes Criterium-UK
1st Metaltek Grand Prix road race – UK.
1st Bermuda Grand Prix 4 day – stage 3
2nd Glasgow Criterium-UK
2nd Eddie Soens H/cap road race-UK
Giro del Capo, 5day 2.2uci-South Africa
Stage 3, 2nd 26th overall.
Tour de Langkawi, 10 days HC UCI- Malaysia.
Stage 2, 9th.81st overall.
10 UCI points

2006 - DFL/cyclingnews/Litespeed (conti Pro)
1st Neerlinter Kermes ( Belgium)
1st Aaslt st Truiden Interclub 1.12 ( Belgium)
1st Neuiwrode Kermes (Belgium)
3rd Tour of Qinghai Lake HC uci, stage 6 (china)
3rd Puilvelde kermes (Belgium)
13th St Pieters Leuuw Pro kermes (Belgium)
20th Puilvelde Pro kermes (Belgium)
24th Gullegem Pro kermes (Belgium)

2007 - Rapha Condor Racing Team (UK)
TEAM LEADER
1st British Premier Calendar Series Bikeline 2 day stage 2
1st British Premier Calendar Series Bikeline 2 day stage 3
 1st British Premier Calendar Series Tour of Reservoir GP
1st British Premier Calendar Series Girvan 3 Day Stage 4
1st British Premier Calendar Series Lincoln Grand Prix
1st Yorkshire Region Road Race Championships
1 sty Lands outer GP kermes - Belgium
1st Daley Moor Criterion
2nd British Criterion Series Crawley Town Criterion
2nd Smithfield Nocturne Criterion
 
What was your first club?
Turret Cycling Club 1983
How/Why did you start cycling?
My Granddad was a cyclist, so was my dad.
Why did you begin racing?
I used to watch my dad on the Grass track circuits and it looked like fun.
Best moment so far in your career?
Winning the Lincoln GP in may 2007 which is very local for me. And yes I did cry, I was very happy and emotional.
Worst moment so far in your career?
Crashing in America in May 2005 breaking my thumb and collarbone, I needed an operation on each, and I thought that was it for my cycling career.
Favourite event?
In the UK it has to be the Lincoln Grand Prix for great atmosphere, on the world stage Tour of Langkawi for amazing hotels you stay in.
Any ambitions in cycling?
Still to win more races and get involved with running of a team more, learning things from Mr Herety is a great start. You never know he may need an assistant DS one day.
Any ambitions outside cycling?
Ambitions outside cycling, well I got married and bought a house in 2007, so that’s 2 out of the way. Next will be children my wife tells me.
What is your focal point for 2008?
WIN and enjoy it too, enjoy winning I mean.
Where do you train?
Around the Sheffield, South Yorkshire area, normally with my Brother Russ. We have some great groups out our way and can go out most days with a few riders, east is flat and west is in the hills.
 
If given the choice –
Opera or pop?-
Pop
Beer glass half full or half empty?
I look at it and know its time for another
Rain is liquid sunshine or just wet and something to grumble about?
Grumble all the way, I hate the rain. I hate it that much if I have to race in it, I complain that much I normally work myself up and WIN. 
Comics or books?
Internet
Shakespeare or Jeffrey Archer?
None
Kylie or Britney?
Both together would be a nice day dream
Action movies or French art house?
Action movies
Thatched cottages, modern or Greek classical architecture?
Modern minimal, just like Dominique's penthouse. Beautiful.
Flares or drainpipe trousers?
70's flares
I like soap operas?
Love Eastenders and Hollyoaks.