onionbagblog

To Smithfield! …early on Saturday evening for the Nocturne race rolling out around the streets of EC1A. This is the seventh year of the Criterium event. The crowds and quality of competitors continue to build, confirming the reputation of the Nocturne as the leading city centre race on the circuit.

Olympic and World Champions could be seen navigating the highly technical course that fed down towards Farringdon, and then back up towards the old market. Much is made of pro-cycling being perceived to operate in a sanitised, safe environment. You couldn’t get more backstreet than Smithfield on Saturday night.

The bars and cafes benefitted, as did the many trade stalls that were crammed into any remaining space around the outer edges of the market. What the Nocturne manages to achieve with perfection is the fine balance between competitive racing and commercial opportunities. You need the sponsors and their over-priced cycling products to prop up the event. Never underplay though the importance of the party atmosphere that carried all the way around the Criterium circuit.

Much of this was down to the plain silliness of some of the events. Mini-wheelers mixed it with Penny Farthings as a folding bicycle race was soon followed by the big boys and their bonkers big wheels. Cycle cross was also catered for, as was the corporate City races between the bankers.

But it was the elite men and women that most of the crowd came out to see. The pro pace around such a challenging course was immense. The market setting allowed you to view from an incredibly close position as the riders increased the speed of racing just as the sun was setting.

There is a huge appetite for cycling in London and the Smithfield Nocturne managed to satisfy the needs on Saturday night. It was pleasing to see the proud colours of the likes of Dulwich Paragon and London Dynamo racing with the more recognised pro teams on the circuit.

Bicycle parking was perhaps the only downer. Ten thousand plus cyclists gathering in a tightly packed old meat market is always going to lead to lamppost congestion with the locks. A minor moan for an event that is now the mid-summer highlight of the racing calendar.

Chapeau!