After a successful merger last winter, the DFL-Cyclingnews-Litespeed kicked off 2006 with a win, as Dean Downing took out the Neerlineder kermesse held in Belgium over the weekend. A break of 10 riders found themselves fighting for the win heading into the closing stages, but with English brothers Russell and Dean Downing in the front group a win to the British national road race champ or his sibling was always on the cards.
Dean Downing took the win with Russell finishing in sixth, the team's excellent showing continuing as Sven de Weerdt led home the second group home to finish 11th, Australian Kane Oakley finished 15th and Cameron Jennings finished in 19th. Team manager Gilbert de Weerdt said the team has already formed a good bond and this was evident during the race. He added that with all riders living and training together it's expected the good results should continue throughout 2006 as the team will ride in races such as the Tour of Bretagne and the Tour of Britain.
