NOCTURNE SERIES NEWS
Nocturne set to light up Blackpool
16/07/09
National Road Race Champion Kristian House will lead a full-strength Rapha Condor team at the Blackpool Nocturne on 1st August, as the 2009 Nocturne Series comes to a close under the bright lights of Blackpool’s famous illuminations.
The event will see House come face-to-face with Dan Lloyd for the first time since he out-sprinted the Cervelo pro at the British Road Race Championships in July. Lloyd will be one of several ProTour riders on the start sheet as organisers FACE aim to bring a continental flavour to the Golden Mile circuit. Tour veteran and criterium specialist Antonio Tauler is also confirmed, and organiser James Pope hopes to announce some other big names soon: “We are in talks with a number of riders currently on the Tour de France, and we should know towards the end of that race which of them may come to Blackpool.” Garmin’s David Millar was the runaway winner of the first Nocturne of the year in Edinburgh.
Last year’s Salford Nocturne turned in to a celebration of the Manchester-based GB track squad’s achievements in Beijing, and for some riders currently enjoying success in France, Blackpool and the North West is virtually home.
Anyone thinking Blackpool will be an easy post-Tour run-out will be sorely mistaken. Local team Science in Sport have drafted in Swiss track and crit specialist Franco Marvulli, fresh from the highly competitive French crit scene, to bolster their hopes in front of a home crowd. And CandiTV Marshalls Pasta will be looking to repeat their victory in last months Smithfield Nocturne when Russell Downing beat a top class field with a squad that also includes the evergreen Malcolm Elliot and Graham Briggs. Rapha Condor won’t be giving anything away either with a brace of National Champions as National Criterium Champion Dean Downing joins House as well as the formidable talents of team mates Chris Newton, Tom Southam, Simon Richardson, Matt Cronshaw and Darren Lapthorne.
A traditional finish in the Milk Race, and more recently a fast and exciting Premier Calendar venue, the Nocturne course around Blackpool Tower and the North Promenade promises an exciting evening for riders and fans alike, with the Elite Criterium finishing off an entertaining programme including the Folding Bike Race and a special Hoteliers Challenge.
With the Blackpool Sportive taking place during the day Blackpool will be the place to be for cycling fans on August bank holiday weekend.
The Blackpool Nocturne is free to attend and will take place around Blackpool Tower between 6pm and 10pm on Saturday 1st August. Also visit www.visitblackpool.com for ideas to make a weekend of it.