The 2010 Newport Nocturne

2010 Results

Pinarello Newport Nocturne

1. Ian Wilkinson, Endura Racing
2. Dean Windsor, Rapha Condor Sharp
3. Jonny McEvoy, Motorpoint Marshals Pasta
4. Ed Clancy, Motorpoint Marshals Pasta
5. Jack Bauer, Endura Racing
6. Dean Downing, Rapha Condor Sharp
7. Graham Briggs, Rapha Condor Sharp
8. Tom Last, Sigma Sport Specialized
9. Matthew Gee, Raleigh
10. James Moss, Endura Racing
11. James Sampson, Motorpoint Marshals Pasta
12. Richard Hepworth, www.cyclepremier/metaltek
13. Ian Bibby, Motorpoint Marshals Pasta
14. Jereon Jansenn, Kuota Roads CC
15. Grant Bayton, Wilier Big Maggies Prendas
16. Jamie Newall, Corely Cycles
17. Andrew Magnier, www.cyclepremier/metaltek
18. James Stewart, Raleigh
19. Jody Crawforth, Hargroves Cycles Trant
20. Tom Barras, Raleigh

New Generation/Regeneration 2 Lap Challenge

1. Chris Newton ( Rapha, Condor, Sharp) and Jack Escritt
2. Malcom Elliott ( Motorpoint, Marshalls Pasta) and James Ireson

Saturday Night Fever Race (Former Professionals)

1. Les West,
2. Phil Thomas
3. Reg Smith
4. Phil Wilkins
5. Sid Barras
6. Dave Miller
7. Keith Lambert
8. 33
9. Bill Nickson
10. John Hughes
11. Steve Douce
12. Jack Kershaw
13. Bob Jones
14. 16
15. Ged Dennis
16. Gordon Smith
17. Trevor Horton
18. Andy Palmer
19. ALan Mellor
20. Roy Causer
21. Ernie Lightfoot
22. Kelvin Jones
23. Jon Pain
24. Simon Barnes
25. Barry Davies
26. John Perks

Top Class Field for Newport Nocturne

The promoters of Britain's original floodlit criterium have put together a top class field for this year's event. The event will feature all of the UK's major squads. Riders such as Malcolm Elliott, Chris Newton, Ed Clancy and Tony Gibb will all be hoping to win the prestigious race.

The small Shropshire town has attracted crowds of up to 14,000 for previous events. Promoter Nick Jeggo explained why it's so popular "We've been putting on Pro races here since 1970 so the spectators are very cycling-savvy. We concentrate on the entertainment aspect and the floodlit format gives it an almost theatrical feel. By only putting the race on every 2 or 3 years the crowds are always hungry for it and this year is no exception."

The evening kicks off with the "Past Masters" race for ex-Pros. This gives the stars of yesteryear a chance to dust off their old bikes and line up for their fans once again. The race will feature Sid Barras, Les West, Keith Lambert and numerous other cycling stars.

Before the start of the main Elite race there will be a special event to honour two previous winners of the Nocturne. Chris Newton and Malcolm Elliott will each ride a two lap time trial paired with two young riders. James Ireson, 13, and Jack Escritt, 12, are getting the chance of a lifetime when they take to the start ramp with their heroes in the Regeneration/New Generation Challenge. Newton is retiring immediately after the Nocturne and Elliott is going to scale down his racing programme. Nick said "We thought this would be a great way of giving Chris and Malcolm centre stage on the night. The two young lads are really excited too. They're big rivals and will be taking it very seriously."

Elliot and Newton will be given a couple of minutes to cool down before taking to the line again for the Pinarello Newport Nocturne Elite Race. There's a massive prize list and primes on most laps. The winner will also get a novel prize; he'll get his weight in beer! As he sits on one side of a set of giant scales, a local publican will pile packs of beer on the other side. The tradition started a few years ago as a one-off stunt, but was so popular it has continued ever since.

The Newport Nocturne takes place on the evening of Saturday September 4th in Newport Shropshire Town Centre.

Cyclists Only Here for the Beer?

A Professional cycle race in Shropshire has a unique incentive for the riders. The winner of the Newport Nocturne floodlit cycle race will get his weight in beer!

What started off as a one-off publicity stunt a few years ago has become something of a tradition at the popular event. Back in 2001, a local engineering company made some giant scales at the request of the race organisers. Promoter Nick Jeggo explained “In France they sometimes have quite unusual prizes. Winners can win a field or a cow and sometimes their weight in the local cheese! We thought that beer might be more fun and who needs that much cheese anyway!”

The weigh-in ceremony proved to be a huge success and its popularity since then has meant that the custom has remained. Paul Quinn, the landlord of The Pheasant, supplies the beer, but it gets more expensive for him each time. This is because the race winners have taken to sitting the podium girls and even other riders on their laps during the ceremony. “I don’t mind so long as they don’t break the scales!” said Paul.

The Newport Nocturne takes place in Newport, Shropshire High Street on the evening of Saturday, September 4th.

Cycling Stars to Bow Out at Newport Nocturne

Two of the UKs best cyclists are to bow out at the Newport Nocturne on Saturday September 4th. Malcolm Elliott, 49 and Chris Newton, 36, will be hoping to end their careers on a high as both are past winners of the popular Shropshire event.

Elliott is a past winner of the Tour of Britain, 2 Commonwealth Games gold medals and the sprinters jersey at the Tour of Spain. In 2002, he returned to racing and has continued to win top class criteriums and road races ever since.

Newton has been one of the mainstays of the GB track squad for several years. He has won Olympic Bronze and Silver medals, 2 World Points Race Gold's and has twice won the Premier Calendar road race series.

The Nocturne's promoters have come up with a special event to give both riders a send off to remember. Each will ride a two lap time trial paired with promising young riders. Sponsored by the Newport Regeneration Partnership, the race will be called the New Generation - Regeneration Challenge. Jack Escritt and James Ireson, aged 12 and 13 respectively, will get the chance to ride with their heroes for a lap each, before pulling out top allow Elliott and Newton to complete the race.

Promoter Nick Jeggo said "We wanted top give Malcolm and Chris a big send off. We always get huge crowds here and we think this special event is a great way to give them centre stage on the night.".

The Newport Nocturne takes place on the evening of Saturday September 4th in Newport Shropshire Town Centre.

Glamtastic Nocturne

The bi-annual Newport Nocturne floodlit cycle race is almost as well known for its music, as for the bike racing.

Numerous bands and solo musicians are dotted around the circuit adding to the continental party atmosphere. This year one of the promoters has gone back to his formative years by hiring a Glam Rock Band!

Nick Jeggo, 48, contacted fellow cyclist, Rob Allen, who is the drummer with top Midlands Glam Rock outfit Glambuster, to ask them to play. Rob, a long time fan of the popular event was happy to oblige.

Nick said “I used to ride with Rob years ago when he raced for the Wolverhampton Wheelers. He’s played the Nocturne the before, but with a more conventional band. Glambuster are really popular and can command over £25 per ticket.”

The band’s formation in 2009 was almost an accident. They got together to play for Rob’s wife’s 40th birthday and were so popular that they’ve been glamming it up ever since.

If you’re of a certain age, now’s the time to break out the wide lapels, flares and platform boots and head on down to Newport!

Shropshire Cyclists Dream Dashed

A Shropshire cyclists dream of competing in this year’s Newport Nocturne has been dashed after a freak training incident.

Cyclist Lee Smith, who is from Priorslee and cycles for Newport Cycling Club, had to pull out of this year’s event after being hit by a lorry. Lee, who was out on a training ride in south Shropshire, was thrown from his bike as he cycled past a parked lorry when the driver opened his door straight into the 35-year-old’s path. Fortunately Lee managed to duck just in time and the door missed his head but he suffered a broken rib and a 12inch cut to his back.

Lee, who was given a wildcard to enter the Nocturne, said: “I am really disappointed. The Newport Nocturne was like being given the opportunity to play for your favourite football team at your home ground. I’d been out training for a couple of hours and as I passed the lorry I saw the door just open in front of me. I managed to duck but it threw me off my bike and has given me a cut in my back about 12inches long and also broken a rib.I’ve never known pain like it – all your organs are protected by your ribs so even trying to get to sleep hurts and I’m all purple and yellow from the bruising. Things could have been a lot worse though so I have to look on the positive side.”

The Newport Nocturne takes place on Saturday, September 4, and is one of the country’s leading floodlit cycling races. At each Nocturne event organiser Nick Jeggo gives a small number of local riders the chance to test their abilities against some of the world’s best cyclists.

Nick said: “Lee has been involved in a terrible incident and it could have been a lot worse – it could have taken his head off if his reactions weren’t as good. Lee is a decent rider and he was the only rider taking part from Newport Cycling Club. We were looking forward to him representing us and I know Lee was looking forward to taking part. It is a shame because he’s been training really hard.”

Article by Alex James - Shropshire Star

Multi Olympic Medallist Signs Up For Nocturne

A multi Olympic medallist has become the first big name to sign up for this year’s Newport Nocturne cycle race. Chris Newton, who won silver in the team pursuit at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, as well as bronze medals in that event in 2000 and a bronze in the points race in 2008, will line up as part of a six-man Rapha Condor squad for the Nocturne on Saturday, September 4. Newton, 36, has also won two world championship gold medals along with a host of national titles and is a former winner of the event having triumphed in the rain in 2005. And Nocturne organiser Nick Jeggo said he hoped the confirmation of Rapha Condor – one of the UK’s leading cycling teams – would open the floodgates for more cycling stars.

He said: “It’s great news that Rapha have signed up and they are bringing a very strong squad. Having someone like Chris Newton here is really good news. He has been a top name in British cycling for a number of years and it’s great to have him at the Nocturne. When he won the race he lapped pretty much the entire field in the pouring rain – it really was a stunning ride. It’s great to see Rapha here because they’re a really well-run professional team and hopefully we can announce a few more names over the coming weeks."

In the past British Cycling stars Mark Cavendish, David Millar and Geraint Thomas have all competed in the bi-annual race. And organisers are hopeful of this year attracting many of the sport’s top female cyclists to the race for the event’s one lap time trial. Rapha’s squad also includes Dean Downing, along with Graham Briggs, Dean Windsor, Tom Southam and Matt Cronshaw. And they will be joined on the start line by two Dutch riders who form part of Team Kuota’s quartet for the race. Jeroen Janssen, known as the Flying Dutchman and hot prospect Jefte de Bruin are both included in the line-up along with young English prospects Dan Davies, from Wolverhampton, and 18-year-old Matt Bailey.

The Nocturne, back after a three year absence, will run from 6.30pm-10pm in Newport town centre.

Article by Alex James - Shropshire Star

Newport Counting the Days

Traders in a Shropshire town are counting the days to one of the country’s largest night-time cycle races which is expected to bring in thousands of pounds.

Business owners in Newport are starting to decorate their windows ahead of the Newport Nocturne 2010 which is expected to pull in more than 14,000 visitors. The bi-annual race means a bumper trade for pubs and restaurants during the race night on September 4. And in a bid to get as many traders on board with dressing their windows, the promoters of the floodlit cycle race will be offering a prize for the best display. Newport Chamber of Commerce will judge the competition during the week before the event.

Organiser Nick Jeggo said: “Over the years we’ve seen some fantastic, imaginative window displays. It all adds to the event and we’re grateful for any support that Newport’s businesses can give us.” He added there is also a long-term benefit for businesses. “Newport benefits from having a lot of individual shops and bars rather than the chains so it means people will see what the town has to offer and hopefully come back. There’s two by-passes around Newport and I’m sure people drive on not knowing what we have. The event is aimed at Olympic and world champions so it attracts a fantastic crowd.”

Article by Alex James - Shropshire Star

Hand’s off my girl!

That will be Wolverhampton-based cyclist Andy Tennant’s message to his rivals when he competes in the Newport Nocturne Cycling race on Saturday, September 4.

For Tennant, a former winner of the Nocturne one lap time trial, will have his girlfriend Lauren Bason as one of the podium girls for the event – and she will be handing out kisses to the winners. But if 23-year-old Tennant has anything to do with it he’ll be the only one receiving the peck on the cheek.

“I’d really love to win the Nocturne. I saw it when I first got into cycling and it has always been an ambition of mine to win it. It’s my local race so all my family and friends will be there. My Motorpoint–Marshalls Pasta team is based just up the road in Stone so, of course, they’ll want me to do well too.”

Tennant, who claimed the World Junior Individual Track Pursuit Champion in 2005, took the Nocturne’s special one lap challenge later that same year aged just 18. And he may be able to call upon some local knowledge from Newport Cycling Club’s Jim Morrison – a training partner of Tennants. And Newport Nocturne organiser Nick Jeggo is delighted that the GB international has signed up to the event.

He said: “He’s from just down the road and he’ll be desperate to do well so it is great to have him. He’s a good circuit rider and hopefully he’ll be just one of many star riders we will have coming down.”

Article by Alex James - Shropshire Star

Top Shropshire cyclist Simon Holt is eyeing glory in the Newport Nocturne – but his hopes could be dashed by an international call-up.

Holt, 22, is in line for a place in the Great Britain squad for the under-23 world championships in Australia which would rule him out of the chance to ride in his home-town event.

The Nocturne, one of the country’s leading cycling events, returns after a three year absence on September 4. But it clashes with selection races for the under 23 World Championships – where Holt is eyeing a place in the Great Britain squad after a series of impressive displays on the continent.

Holt said: “I would love to be at the Nocturne. I really enjoyed riding there last time and it’s my home event so it would great to come back. But the squad for the junior world championships is announced in August and if I am part of that then I wouldn’t be able to ride the Nocturne. Obviously I want to get called up for the juniors and it’s just bad timing that they clash. Because I’ve been over in Italy and I’m not part of the academy in the UK, it’s maybe a bit harder to get selected but I’m riding well at the moment so we’ll have to see.”

Holt, currently rides for elite Italian amateur side UCD Bergamasco and said if he misses out on international selection he would return to Shropshire for the race and bring a few of his Italian team-mates with him.

He added: “Ideally I would see if some of my team-mates wanted to come as well and we could fit it in to our racing calendar.”

The under 23 championships take place in Australia at the end of September and previous winners have included Ivan Basso and Yaroslav Popovych. Holt, who rode the Nocturne in 2007 where he finished seventh, would be part of the Elite race. There will also be a past masters event and a special time trial – details of which have yet to be announced.

Article by Alex James - Shropshire Star

Pedal challenge in aid of Nocturne

Members of Newport Raiders cycling team have raised over £1,500 towards the Nocturne race by riding from one Newport to another.

The tireless athletes pedalled from Newport, Shropshire to Newport, South Wales and back home again in a continuous relay.

They completed the 232 mile challenge in a time of 12 hours, 15 minutes and seven seconds, far exceeding expectations.

Raiders spokesman Simon Broad thanked townsfolk for their support.

He said: “Although the event was a tough challenge, it was an enjoyable experience to be able to cycle into Wales and visit the city of Newport.

“I would like to thank everyone for their support and hope the money raised will help towards the cost of having such a prestigious event for the people of the town to enjoy.”

This year’s Nocturne race takes place on September 4.

Organisers have already been boosted by a four-figure donation from Newport Regeneration Partnership, and Nick Jeggo said this extra money would be a big help.

“We are really very grateful to the Raiders for their efforts,” he said.

“We have to raise a lot of money each time so this is a great help.

“They could have given the money to any number of good causes, so we are very pleased they chose the Nocturne.”

And one Newport resident was happier than most to see the team scorch through the finish line at such pace.

Chris Ollivier won a 40inch television by guessing their finishing time to within three seconds.

The Raiders gave people the chance to guess the time as another income stream.