Double delight for Downing

Downing: Dominant display

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Russell Downing produced a storming late kick to win the final stage of the Tour de Wallonie, and also secured the overall victory in the process.

The Yorkshireman was guided into position brilliantly by Mathew Hayman as the peloton hurtled into Lontzen and then powered along the closing straight to take a narrow sprint win ahead of Stefan van Dijk (Verandas Willems).

That performance catapulted Downing from fifth to first in the general classification and ensured he ended the race with a two-second advantage over Marco Marcato (Vacansoleil). Laurent Mangel (Saur-Sojasun) was a further second adrift in third.

The result was Downing's second victory of the season and was all the more impressive given the fact that only three Team Sky riders completed the race.

Kurt-Asle Arvesen had been feeling under the weather at the start of the day so it was left to Downing, Hayman and Nicolas Portal to fly the Team Sky flag as they rolled out of Chaudfontaine.

The trio remained in the bunch as a number of riders tried their hands off the front in the early stages, but over 50km had been covered before Andy Cappelle (Conservatories Willems) and Julien Berard (Ag2r) eventually made it away.

That duo temporarily held a lead of four minutes on the pack but were hauled back soon after their first crossing of the finish line.

Further attacks would come thick and fast on that final 43.1km loop, and Portal and Hayman were both present at the head of the bunch after 12 new riders had worked themselves clear.

That threat was quickly annulled and four further riders would also attack before they made it back into Lontzen. The peloton was back together though in the final 4km and it was then that Hayman jostled Downing into contention.

The Australian was on the front as they passed under the flame rouge and he peeled away on the long drag up to the finish line and allowed Downing the space to do his thing. The 31-year-old pressed on in fine style and held off a late challenge from Van Dijk before celebrating his triumph.

Perfect finish

After the race, sports director Steven de Jongh told www.teamsky.com: "It's a super result and we couldn't have asked for any more.

"It was unfortunate to see Kurt have to pull out at the start of the day but we're absolutely delighted with the way things turned out with Russell. He trained really hard in the weeks leading up to the race and this is his reward. Hopefully now he will go from strength-to-strength in the weeks to come."

Stage five result:

1 - Russell Downing - (ENG) - Team Sky - (3:46:11)
2 - Stefan van Dijk - (NED) - Verandas Willems - (same time)
3 - Tony Gallopin - (FRA) - Cofidis - (same time)
4 - Wouter Weylandt - (BEL) - Quick-Step - (same time)
5 - Kristof Goddaert - (BEL) - AG2R - (same time)
6 - Rony Martias - (FRA) - Saur-Sojasun - (same time)
7 - Andreas Stauff - (GER) - Quick-Step - (same time)
8 - Greg Van Avermaet - (BEL) - Omega Pharma-Lotto - (same time)
9 - Alexander Kristoff - (NOR) - BMC Racing - (same time)
10 - Steven Van Vooren - (BEL) - Topsport Vlaanderen - (same time)

Final standings:

1 - Russell Downing - (ENG) - Team Sky - (21:50:07)
2 - Marco Marcato - (ITA) - Vacansoleil - (+2)
3 - Laurent Mangel - (FRA) - Saur-Sojasun - (+3)
4 - Julien Simon - (FRA) - Saur-Sojasun - (+7)
5 - Maxime Vantomme - (BEL) - Katyusha - (+9)
6 - Jan Bakelants - (BEL) - Omega Pharma-Lotto - (+11)
7 - Kristof Van de Walle - (BEL) - Topsport Vlaanderen - (+12)
8 - Arthur Vichot - (FRA) - FDJ - (+13)
9 - Steven Van Vooren - (BEL) - Topsport Vlaanderen - (+13)
10 - Massimo Codol - (ITA) - Acqua & Sapone - (+13)