A Downing picks up the Beaumont Trophy yet again

The Premier Calendar 108-mile road race around Stamfordham, Northumberland, featured the significant climb of the Ryals.

It was a closely-fought affair that ended in a bunch sprint, but 38-year-old Downing was able to use the same move his brother Russ pulled off to pick up victory in 2012.

Speaking to British Cycling, he explained: “This was a big win for me at this stage of my career.”

“I used everything I had to get into a good position going into the final corner and used the same technique my brother Russ used last year.”

“I cut across and put myself in the middle, so they had to come either side of me if they had the legs.”

Downing said the race was a difficult one, due to high winds and the strength of the competition.

“The race today was very tough for me with strong winds and the speed the guys were riding up the Ryals,” he said.

“The riders are getting younger and better with each year and they take some beating.”

“I got shelled out the final time up the climb but with the help of my team mates I managed to get back on.”

The Madison Genesis rider is in good form, having picked up some encouraging results in the Peal Izumi Tour Series, and he paid tribute to his team.

“This is a really good year for me, Madison Genesis are a great team and I’m very happy to get this win for them.”

“2012 was a frustrating year for me with illness and I moved to a new team and the switch has been a great move for me.”

“We’ll be fighting all the way through the rest of the Premier Calendar.”

Madison Genesis team manager Roger Hammond was delighted with Downing and the rest of his riders’ efforts.

He said: “What a fantastic team performance, the entire team outperformed my expectations today.”

“Everything we talked about in the meeting they executed on the road and more.”