Cycling stars line up for Edinburgh nocturne
The Nocturne series will light up the streets of Edinburgh on Saturday night - combining a brilliant array of elite talent with all the usual thrills and spills of another cycling extravaganza.
Following a highly successful launch to the Nocturne series at Smithfield last Saturday, Edinburgh's event promises to be even bigger, and HTC-Columbia's Matt Goss, Saxo Bank's Jonny Bellis, Russell Downing of Team Sky, and Garmin-Transitions riders Cameron Meyer and Luke Durbridge, will will be joining the Marshalls Pasta boys at the start line.
But as organiser James Pope explained, there is much more on offer than the elite competition: "Edinburgh, under lights and with streets closed to traffic, is a very special place and this year we have an event fit for the venue.
"Not only will the best of British cycling talent face four pro teams but one of the main features will be the Marshalls Pasta Folding Bike Race and the Edinburgh Team Challenge, where local businesses will compete over an extremely gruelling four-stage competition that will include a lap time trial, 500m sprint, 1km sprint and a team relay - that in itself promises to be a brilliant occasion.
"We are also expecting to have Red Bull stunt rider Danny MacAskill showing off his remarkable skills - some of his stunts simply need to be seen to be believed.
"There really is something for every cycling taste and that is what makes the Nocturne series so special."
The event has captured the imagination of the public and with the Tour de France starting on the same day Edinburgh will be awash with anticipation.
The event kicks off at 6pm and is free to attend. Other races include the Cycling Weekly Support Race, Edinburgh Team Challenge and Marshalls Pasta Folding Bike Race. For more information go to www.edinburghnocturne.com
Marshalls Pasta folding bike race
FOLDING bike fanatics will converge on Edinburgh on Saturday night - faced with a gruelling challenge on the cobbled Grassmarket course.
Competitors in the Marshalls Pasta sponsored extravaganza will face 3 laps of the course, and each lap will test every ounce of courage and competitive instinct over the cobbles.
The Smithfield event boasted a diverse field of riders that included an international team from Spain and stag party member dressed as a Wolverine!
"I think it is fair to say the folding bike race is the best example of cycling humanity coming together under one banner, getting stuck in and racing - it really is something different and it attracts anyone and everyone," said James Pope from the event organisers the Face Partnership.
"Three laps across the cobbles will be a real test and will bring out the best in the riders - it will be a highlight race of the Edinburgh Nocturne this year, I am sure of that."
Enrique Casanovas will once again come all the way from Spain for the event and he will be joined by the finance director of Marshalls Pasta, who will also be racing.
"We are obviously delighted to sponsor the folding bike race at the Edinburgh Nocturne," said Karl Jermyn.
"There is no better way for a sponsor to get maximum impact and understanding of the event than by taking part - so I will be on the start line with all the other competitors ready for the ride of my life!
"I cannot wait for the experience. To race on closed roads around such a beautiful setting as Edinburgh is an experience not to be missed - I am thoroughly looking forward to the challenge."
We will also be in the expo area helping to fuel the competitors with free hot samples of Macaroni Pasta Pots - come along and say hello!
