29/09/2026
🚴♂️🔥 An evening with Russ & Dean Downing - two brothers, one incredible story! 🔥🚴♂️
Before the big teams, the national titles and the international victories, there were two brothers from South Yorkshire who simply loved riding their bikes. From their early days with Thurcroft CC, Russ and Dean Downing went on to become two of the most recognisable names in British cycling, and now you have the chance to hear the stories behind the racing!
Russ’s career is packed with unforgettable moments: British Road Race Champion in 2005, winner of the Tour of Ireland in 2009, four-time Lincoln Grand Prix winner and, after years of battling for his opportunity, a move to the newly formed Team Sky. In 2010, Russ made history by becoming the first Briton to win a race for Team Sky, taking victory on a stage of the Criterium International in Corsica.
And then there’s his older brother Dean “Deano” Downing - a hugely popular figure on the domestic scene. British Circuit Race Champion in 2002, winner of the Lincoln Grand Prix, Tour Series victor and a key rider for the much-loved Rapha Condor team, Dean spent years battling it out on the roads and circuits of Britain. His career included victories from the Tour of the Reservoir to the Beaumont Trophy, and countless memorable battles in front of passionate British crowds.
But this isn't just a story about trophies and jerseys.It’s about two brothers growing up racing bikes, the characters and rivalries of British cycling, freezing mornings and muddy roads, the buzz of the crowds, the pressure of the professional peloton, the highs of winning - and the lows that nobody sees.
And if you've followed British cycling over the years, there are plenty of memories to bring back: the old Premier Calendar, Lincoln GP, Tour of Britain, Tour Series, Rapha Condor, Team Sky and those unforgettable days when British cycling was building towards something special.
🎤 Come along, bring your questions and hear Russ and Dean tell it in their own words — the races, the riders, the rivalries, the laughs and the stories behind the results.
Join us on Saturday, the 7th of November, starting at 18:00 for a ticketed event costing £40 per person. To reserve your place, please email [email protected] or speak with Daniella to place your pre-order, including any allergies, and arrange payment.
Millfields Hotel - Bargate - Grimsby
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