CYCLING: Clean-up time for the Downing boys; BROTHERS SHINE IN WARWICK RACE.

BROTHERS Russell and Dean Downing worked a classic one-two to mop up the top prizes in last night's seventh round of the British Cycling Elite Circuit Race Series in the centre of Warwick.

Breaking clear after 23 of the 40 laps, Russell powered away from the rest of a nine-man leading group and was never seen again as Dean - both riding for the four-man Recycling.co.uk-MG X Power team - discouraged any chase before himself slipping clear over the last two laps of the kilometre-long circuit to secure second place.

Series leader Malcolm Elliott, riding without team support, was left to salvage third place - completing an all-Yorkshire podium - but as consolation increased his advantage at the head of the season-long series which finishes with rounds in Surrey and Lancashire.

The event, with races for all ages from under-8s upwards, was promoted under the banner of the national TravelWise campaign, promoting more sustainable alternatives to the car.

The rain, which fell from late afternoon and lasted for most of the evening, dashed hopes of a true street-party atmosphere at vantage points around the circuit, based on High Street, but failed to dampen the spirits of a crowd who stayed on to watch the elite riders ply their trade in fading light.

"It's a brilliant circuit," said Russell Downing, who a few weeks earlier had been enjoying the Melbourne weather with the Great Britain team, including his brother, at the world track championships.

"The rain looked as if it might spoil it, but the wind was drying the course by the time we rode and although a couple of the corners were greasy, you knew where they were.

"It was just the way it happened that it was me who got away, with the two of us there we were taking it in turns to attack, and once I was away I got into a rhythm and the circuit became easier on my own."

As his lead reached a minute with five laps to go, a pounds 50 carrot to lap the whole field was offered from the crowd but it wasn't to be.

"There was so much noise in the home straight I didn't pick up on it for a couple of laps - I could hear the words pounds 50 but didn't know why," said the winner. "When I realised I had a go, but there wasn't enough time left to do it."

Elliott finished in front of his nearest challenger for the overall prize, Britain under-23 squad rider Ed Clancy to strengthen his hold on the competition and also leads the national road race series.

Turning 43 next week, the Sheffield rider is enjoying a superb return to the sport. "The secret is to train hard and don't think about your age," he said. "I retired at 35 or 36 and had a six-year break so I'm fresh as a daisy."

Tamworth junior Daniel Martin (CC Giro) was a decisive winner of the 25-lap supporting race as challenger Ian Stannard (Dataphonics RT) crashed on the last lap, grazing his arm and leg, when his handlebars broke.

Second place went to Brian Green (Oldham Century RC), now a Whitnash resident after moving down from the north-west with his work.

The youngest rider in the age-group and fun races which started the action was Walsall RC's Stephen Tomes, who turned six two days earlier, while 11-year-old Douglas Fleming, resplendent in a Leamington Rugby Club jersey, of Brookhurst was the winner of the Schools Challenge.

CAPTION(S):

ONE BY ONE: Noel Adams leads a line of riders on the climb from West Gate; WATCHING BRIEF: Ed Clancy keeps an eye on series leader Malcolm Elliott. Pictures: RICHARD NELMES