News: UK’s top elite riders confirmed for NEC’s first Nocturne Criterium race

Next Saturday (29 September) evening, the roads around the NEC will be lit up by The Cycle Show Supercrit; a fast paced circuit race featuring an impressive lineup of the UK’s top elite male riders

London 2012 Olympic Gold Medallist, Ed Clancy; Olympian, Andy Tennant; Tour of Britain 2012 King of the Mountains, Kristian House; and the Downing brothers are just some of the big names signed up to take part. Top riders from Endura Racing will join team mates, Clancy and Tennant, Rapha Condor Sharp, Node4-Giordana, Team Raleigh-GAC and Team UK Youth will make an appearance on the start line for what promises to be high octane race with an electric atmosphere.

Kristian House

The race, which has been organised by The Cycle Show in partnership with the organisers of The Tour of Britain will be the last big race of the season, taking place to coincide with The Cycle Show at the NEC, which is open to the public between Friday 28 and Sunday 30 September.

Mick Bennett, Creative Director of The Cycle Show and Race Director of The Tour of Britain commented: “This year, we have our biggest line up of cycling celebs ever coming to the show, as well as an impressive list of the world’s top exhibitors, providing visitors with the chance to spend a day browsing all the latest 2013 bikes and trying them out on our road and mountain bike test tracks before spending the evening cheering on some of the UK’s top pro riders.”

The main event kicks off at 7pm with an hour’s racing plus five laps around a closed circuit. Category A and B youth riders will race at 5.30pm, getting the unique opportunity to ride the same circuit as the UK’s top professional riders.

Mick added “We are delighted and very excited to bring this brand new event to the NEC and The Cycle Show. With the generous support of sponsors and partners, we are yet again able to offer top class racing opportunities, combined with a fantastic night out for spectators who will get to experience the buzz from one of the last races in this hugely successful year of cycling.”

Spectators are welcome to come and watch on Saturday evening and support their favourite teams and riders.

The races start and finish right outside The Cycle Show, using closed roads within the NEC network. For more information, go to www.cycleshow.co.uk/supercrit.

For those wanting to make a day of it and visit The Cycle Show, advance tickets cost £13 for adults*, £11 for concessions, just £1 for children aged 14 and under when accompanied by a paying adult and free for under 5s (*on the door adult ticket price is £16). Special offers are available for advanced group bookings.

For more information or to buy tickets, visit www.cycleshow.co.uk.