2010 HTC Smithfield Nocturne

An estimated 10,000 people attended the HTC Smithfield Nocturne throughout the day to enjoy a packed program of cycling entertainment.

 

 

Now in its fourth year, the Smithfield Nocturne has gone from strength to strength. In partnership with HTC and the London Festival of Architecture, 2010 saw a few new twists to the tried-and-tested format.

 

Spectators were treated to a surprise visit from HTC-Columbia’s Mark Cavendish, who had travelled straight to the event from landing in the UK after abandoning the Tour de Suisse. He was greeted by a raucous crowd, after being interviewed on stage by Anthony McCrossan and BBC Radio London’s Robert Elms. Also enjoying the Nocturne hospitality was fashion designer Sir Paul Smith.

 

A pop-up village of local trading stalls proved to be a hit throughout the day, as was the big ‘Live’ screen and the HTC Bicycle Phone Charging point. New for 2010 was a chance for families and London cyclists to ride the challenging Smithfield circuit, in the LFA Sky Ride from 3pm.

 

The HTC Smithfield Nocturne’s race programme caters for all kinds of racing cyclist, with this year’s event once again featuring the famous spectacle of the Folding Bike Race. It also included the Elite Women’s Criterium, Cycling Weekly Support Race, the Architects and Developers race and the crowd-pleasing Tokyo Fixed Gear Skid Competition.

 

As night fell, the highlight of the event commenced, the Elite Criterium. Star rider, HTC-Columbia’s Matt Goss was brought forward to the start line, and was joined by  the likely favourites of the UK Circuit Race scene. A predictably fast start saw riders being dropped from the off, but an early break of Darren Lapthorne (Rapha Condor Sharp), Ian Bibby (Motorpoint – Marshalls Pasta), Zak Dempster (Rapha Condor Sharp) and Jack Bauer (Endura Racing).

 

Various chasing groups weren’t quite enough to get back the strong quartet, which had most of the major teams included. Yanto Barker (Pendragon – Le Col – Colnago) was one of the prominent chasers throughout the race but even In-form Barker couldn’t prevent a gap opening of around 30 seconds.

 

As an hour passed, the race was coming to its finale in almost darkness. Spectators looked down the finishing straight in anticipation, as Ian Bibby (Motorpoint – Marshalls Pasta) took a closely contested sprint. Rapha Condor Sharp’s Zak Dempster came in second, followed by Jack Bauer (Endura Racing).

 

The women’s criterium was convincingly won by Hannah Barnes (Motorpoint – Marshalls Pasta), making it a double win for the team over the evening. Barnes put away Corrine Hall and Nicola Juniper with the emphatic victory.

 

The Cycling Weekly support race was taken by Wayne Crombie, while the folding bike race was won by Keith Henderson. The Architects and Developers race was won by James Waite of Land Securities.

 

---

HTC and cycling: a quietly brilliant match

Here at HTC, we’re big fans of anything quietly brilliant. That’s why we’re fans of cycling. It’s good for you, it’s good for the environment and it’s good fun. In fact, that’s why we’re joining in with Smithfield Nocturne,  a whole day of fun and cycling in the City of London sounds like a good day out to us. And we’ll be cheering our

Team HTC-Columbia rider Matt Goss on too as he looks to win the final race of the evening. We look forward to seeing you there too.

 

For more information on HTC visit HTC.com

---

Background

The inaugural Smithfield Nocturne event took place on 23rd June 2007 around the historic Smithfield Market. Despite torrential rain the event attracted 200 competitors and over 5000 spectators.

 

The race programme delivered an entertaining diversity of events with the ‘Le Mans start’ folding bike race causing some of the biggest cheers as 40 suited
riders sprinted to unfold their bikes and set off around 3 laps of the course. The elite event later provided intense racing with the action enhanced by the darkness providing a unique nocturnal visual spectacle.

 

Involvement from local bars and restaurants, classic cars, exhibitions and music from top London DJs all created a unique carnival festival around the racing which was crucial to the success of the event.

 

The event has been recognised for its innovation by winning Bronze in the Sports Tourism category at the 2007 Visit London Awards.

 

 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•