THE man who conquered Lance Armstrong in Ireland earlier this summer has said he is delighted to be racing in Scunthorpe today.

Sheffield-born Russ Downing will line up in Central Park for the Tour of Britain knowing he turned over the biggest name in cycling at the Tour of Ireland and with his name on a contract to join Team Sky.

And he will be hoping to give current side CandiTV- Marshalls Pasta the best send-off with a minimum of one stage win.

At an eve-of-race press conference, Downing said: "The Scunthorpe start is good.

"We've not been there before, it's always good to go to a different town.

"It should be exciting."

Being based in Sheffield, Downing is no stranger to the area, spending a good portion of the year training in the region.

And following his earlier success, Downing is keen to go to the World Championships later this year and finish a great year.

He said: "The team is not picked yet. A stage win would seal it for me."

A major player in the race from the Continent will be team Rabobank, based in the Netherlands.

The Tour de France side is competing in the Tour of Britain for the first time.

Manager Erik Breukink said: "It's an important race and it's just before the World Championships

"They can use the Tour of Britain as it is very good preparation.

"If you win all the stages, you win overall.

"I think you have to win to win the general classification."

Meanwhile, crowds flocked to an eve-of-race party in Scunthorpe's Central Park, featuring a Lincs FM roadshow and spectacular fireworks display.

Hundreds of people flocked to the party in the park, which featured music from Lincs FM, fairground rides and circus acts.

Tarryn Guest, 35, of Hamilton Road, Scunthorpe, said: "It's very good. We're coming to the race.

"We don't mind cycling, it's a very good event.

"I'm just going to go for the atmosphere. It doesn't happen very often.

"The kids are looking forward to it."

Jackie Crampton, 31, of Bottesford, said: "It's brilliant. It's nice to see so many people from Scunthorpe out and about."

But not everyone was so positive, with some complaints about the food and the lack of cycling action at the eve of race event.

Maggie Kendall, 61, and partner Peter Hogan, 57, of Ashby, were among those disappointed.

Ms Kendall said: "It's just a shame. Everyone is looking round and thinking what did we come for?

"The race is good news, but they should have maximised it."

Councillor Mick Grant, who has worked on bringing the race to North Lincolnshire, said: "People old and young had a great night out in beautiful parkland.

"It cemented the reality that the big day is now here and really whets the appetite for today's festivities."

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