New major cycling event set to arrive in London this summer

World Class Bike Racing will return to the City of London this summer as a new major cycling event hits the capital.

The City of London Nocturne is confirmed to take place on June 12 and 13, bringing cycling superstars to a spectacular Square Mile race circuit.

The event is supported by the City of London Corporation as part of its ‘Global City of Sport’ strategy for the Square Mile and is inspired by the popular Smithfield Nocturne, which started in 2007 and ran for 10 years.

Nocturne Founder & Organiser, James Pope, said: “We’re incredibly excited to bring world-class bike racing back to the streets of the City of London with the launch of the City of London Nocturne.

“The original Nocturne events captured the imagination of riders and fans alike, and this new chapter builds on that heritage with an even bigger, more dynamic festival of cycling right in the heart of the Square Mile.

“The format over two days allows us to combine elite international racing with something truly unique for the City – the GOSH City Criterium, where teams from across the business community will have the chance to race alongside professional riders while raising vital funds for an extraordinary cause.

“Our vision is to create a spectacular sporting event that showcases the City in a completely different way – fast, exciting and accessible to everyone. With iconic novelty races, elite competition and a festival atmosphere on the streets, our goal is to make the City of London Nocturne a highlight of the capital’s sporting calendar for many years to come.”

Nocturne is a night-time criterium (circuit race), bringing a world-class cycle race to the ‘City’ streets, with the reimagined Nocturne spanning two action-packed days, and introducing an exciting new format designed to create a spectacular festival of bike racing.

Friday June 12 will feature the GOSH City Criterium – a new charity Pro-Am team challenge. Teams of four plus a pro rider will compete on a fully closed-road circuit, racing through iconic streets in a fast-paced, high-energy criterium format.

Teams will enjoy a unique and exhilarating racing experience, premium hospitality, all while raising crucial funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH Charity). Each team will include a pro rider and City of London Nocturne will be hosting an auction before the event where teams can choose to bid for their preferred rider. Money raised by the event will help GOSH Charity build a world-leading new Children’s Cancer Centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH).

The racing on Saturday June 13 culminates with the Elite Races, which are registered on the UCI calendar and expected to attract the leading British and International male and female pro riders.

Iconic feature races, including the Folding Bike Race, the Penny Farthing Race and the new Voi Bike Challenge, will ensure the event’s appeal extends beyond cycling enthusiasts, making it a must-see spectacle in London.

City of London Corporation Policy Chairman, Chris Hayward, said: “It’s great to see the Nocturne returning to the Square Mile this summer. Bringing world-class cycling into the heart of the City will give people the chance to experience our streets in a completely different way. It’s exactly the kind of event that helps make the Square Mile a magnetic destination where people choose to live, work, learn and explore.”

The event will take place on a thrilling 1.3 km closed-road circuit, weaving through Cheapside and Bank, right in the heart of the City of London. Big screens, music and entertainment will create a festival atmosphere around the racing.

The event is free to attend, with tickets available to watch the racing from the finish line hospitality, while elite races will be broadcast live on TNT Sports and HBO max and other races will be streamed live on YouTube.

Sarah Bissell, Deputy Director of Relationship Fundraising at GOSH Charity, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Nocturne for this exciting new event, which offers a fantastic opportunity for teams to take on a unique challenge while raising vital funds for GOSH Charity.

“Every penny raised will take us one step closer to building a world-leading new Children’s Cancer Centre at GOSH, which will help shape the future of children’s cancer care and give more children the chance to beat cancer once and for all.”

The GOSH City Criterium is a team race, and an entry package is £5,000, which includes team entry for four riders, a pro rider allocated to your team, access to rider enclosure and hospitality area, complimentary food and drinks served throughout the day and access to training events and resources.

The event is supporting GOSH Charity’s Build it. Beat it. appeal, which is raising £300m to help build a state-of-the-art Children’s Cancer Centre at GOSH that will help transform children’s cancer care and save more lives.

The new facility will have new inpatient wards, intensive care units, new operating theatres and a cancer day care centre where children can receive their chemotherapy treatment.

The Children’s Cancer Centre will also feature a new hospital school and outdoor spaces including a roof garden, to make sure children can still be children while going through their treatment. Find out more about the Children’s Cancer Centre here.

Race entries now open. To find out more and enter races go to www.racenocturne.com

New major cycling event set to arrive in London this summer

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