Russ Downing. In the giro went down a ravine.

[Fletch456]

Well not right down but on Friday this diminutive cyclist who I've not been the biggest fan of ended up in a tree after a crash. Got back on his back and later crashed again - I've not got decades of major tour watching behind me and the more I watch the more I realise how dangerous I realise they are, especially the Giro which has sought to differentiate itself from the TdF. Something else happened to him, a flat perhaps, I forget the commentary and he finished coughing up blood. All after he had a darn good go at getting away in a break the day before and a not insubstantial climb then did him in. Today finishing his first ever 3 week grand tour.

I thought this was worth writing about and hats off to the man! Here's to Russ Downing - if I had a a drink at hand I'd be raising it to him.

 

[Genman]

Well not right down but on Friday this diminutive cyclist who I've not been the biggest fan of ended up in a tree after a crash. Got back on his back and later crashed again - I've not got decades of major tour watching behind me and the more I watch the more I realise how dangerous I realise they are, especially the Giro which has sought to differentiate itself from the TdF. Something else happened to him, a flat perhaps, I forget the commentary and he finished coughing up blood. All after he had a darn good go at getting away in a break the day before and a not insubstantial climb then did him in. Today finishing his first ever 3 week grand tour.

I thought this was worth writing about and hats off to the man! Here's to Russ Downing - if I had a a drink at hand I'd be raising it to him.

+1

 

[dodgy]

Yet another part of cycling history written with his performance, really does cement my opinion of GT pro riders - they are mostly absolute nails.

Feel free to draw comparison to footballers

 

[lukesdad]

Yet another part of cycling history written with his performance, really does cement my opinion of GT pro riders - they are mostly absolute nails.

Feel free to draw comparison to footballers

Dunno would have liked to have seen norman hunter and ron harris have a go on a bike

 

[Keith Oates]

Dunno would have liked to have seen norman hunter and ron harris have a go on a bike

NO, they would always be bumping into people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Well not right down but on Friday this diminutive cyclist who I've not been the biggest fan of ended up in a tree after a crash. Got back on his back and later crashed again - I've not got decades of major tour watching behind me and the more I watch the more I realise how dangerous I realise they are, especially the Giro which has sought to differentiate itself from the TdF. Something else happened to him, a flat perhaps, I forget the commentary and he finished coughing up blood. All after he had a darn good go at getting away in a break the day before and a not insubstantial climb then did him in. Today finishing his first ever 3 week grand tour.

I thought this was worth writing about and hats off to the man! Here's to Russ Downing - if I had a a drink at hand I'd be raising it to him.

Absolutely. Although I am a fan - and I was lucky enough to see him race (to second place) in my former club's Beaumont Trophy a couple of years ago. He's a very talented guy who has deserved better from his career and is unlucky not to have been picked up by a stable top-level team earlier in his career.

 

[oldroadman]

Add to that both he and his brother are a couple of real characters, and really know how to conduct themselves, you have the complete pro package. What you see is what you get, I just hope he gets a few more seasons as a domestique at least, and is let off the leash now and again. Hard as nails, and good as gold. I'd have him (and Deano for the crits) in a team anytime.

 

[naffets]

russ deserves all he gets! been a long time coming

now and again see him out on the roads of sth yorks always says hi as he flys by

 

[smokeysmoo]

All just confirms what I've always believed, these guys are the fittest men on earth

as for footballers, I know the earlier comment was tongue in cheek, but no-one can ever defend, (sorry), the money paid to footballers, not one of them is worth a fraction of it IMHO

 

[Ludwig]

Very frightening and reminds one of Roger Riviere who went down a ravine in 1960 on the Col de Perjuret decent and broke his back never to ride again. Hope Russ is alright. I was watching the Giro and its scary the speeds they decend at on those winding narrow roads.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Very frightening and reminds one of Roger Riviere who went down a ravine in 1960 on the Col de Perjuret decent and broke his back never to ride again. Hope Russ is alright.

The way he's talking about it, it's all in a day's work!