NOCTURNE SERIES NEWS
Smithfield Nocturne welcomes world's first Folding Bike Race Team
28/05/10
A cycling fanatic from Spain will realise a seven-year dream by unveiling the only folding bike team at the Smithfield Nocturne next month.
Complete with a bespoke team van, Enrique Casanovas will bring an 11-strong team to London in June to complete a remarkable journey and compete in one of the most spectacular bike events in the country.
“The team is something special because all of them are amateur, we call ourselves the ‘FoldingLife Family Team’” Enrique said.
Enrique and his team are aiming to compete in or at least attend nine major events this year all over Europe and the Smithfield Nocturne features high on the list. The team is made up of riders from Germany, Spain, Netherlands and the UK.
“Developing my own folding bike team car has been a dream - a dream it has taken seven years to realise and then two solid months of work to get up and running," Enrique said, who unveiled the car the Bike Show of Barcelona earlier this month and will be joined by his sons Samuel and Daniel for the Edinburgh and Blackpool Nocturnes.
“It can carry 15 Strida bikes, equipment for 10 people and we will take it all over Europe for racing, events and shows - people may think we are mad but it is my passion - I love folding bikes, racing them, taking them to events and talking about them!
“I have always loved bikes and having the chance to come to Smithfield for the third year is a great thrill for me and my team. For us it is about creating a bit of history as the first professional-looking team competing in the only folding bike race in the world open to all
folding bikes.”
The folding bike race at Smithfield is the perfect combination of serious riders and also commuters who enter for fun and the chance to race around the streets on their bikes.
“The great thing about getting on a bike is that anyone can do it - anyone can just get on a bike,” the 52-year-old said.
“There are skills involved at elite level but if you have two wheels, want to have some fun and improve your health and well-being, riding a bike is perfect - my family love it too.
“The Smithfield Nocturne is the perfect way to have some fun but race at the same time. The atmosphere is always special, people come out and support the event and this year they will see the first professional folding bike team!
“We would love to win but for us it's about getting involved, taking part and just riding our folding bikes.”
The winners of the race will win a top of the range Dahon Speed Pro TT courtesy of Official Folding Bike Partner Dahon who have extended their sponsorship for the third year under new distributor Zyro.