Downing Wins Tour of Ireland

Russell Downing celebrates victory on the torrid rain-soaked final stage from Bantry to Cork.

Russell Downing of Candi TV - Marshalls Pasta, rode a swashbuckling final stage from Bantry to Cork on Sunday 23rd August 2009, partnering Lars Petter Nordhaug in a final, decisive breakaway. The Norwegian took the stage victory, while the overall victory in the 2009 Tour of Ireland fell to Yorkshireman Downing on his 31st birthday.

There was none of the heartache Downing felt last year when he lost the yellow jersey to Marco Pinotti on the final day. Downing was the convincing race winner in a display of aggressive riding and strength. Brave Nordhaug was a worthy stage winner as the only rider to be able to hold onto Downing’s wheel as he selected to attack the field who had been taking pot shots at him by attacking all around the tough Cork circuit.

Meanwhile seven-times Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong pulled out of the third and final stage of the Tour of Ireland with back problems."It wasn't my day," Armstrong told reporters. "My back was out... It was just bad today. And when your back is out, everything is out. And on a circuit like this, with steep climbs, explosive, it wasn't going to happen."

The real victor of the day was the weather. The disgustingly wet, windy and dangerous conditions contributed to 56 riders retiring from the race. This left only 47 men still standing come the end of racing. Another challenging finale from Ireland.