Katusha’s Ben Swift, team mate to Filippo Pozzato and Robbie McEwen, headed to London at the weekend to participate in the Smithfield Nocturne Elite race against a backdrop of 10,000 spectators.

21-year-old Swift, fresh from completing the Giro d’Italia upon his first attempt, including an impressive third place on the second stage, was a huge draw for the cycling savvy spectators, and he didn’t disappoint either, adding to a thrilling race.

Katusha, a Russian-backed team, is sponsored by Ridley and Swift was racing a Noah, the company’s aerodynamically-focused road bike. Ridley has licensed ‘Jetstream’ technology from Oval Concepts and the forks and seat stays both feature R-Flow technology, “slotted airfoils” designed to pull air through and away from the wheels and create an area of lower air pressure for the wheels to spin through, reducing drag.

A huge deep section downtube, flared head tube, swoopy top tube and a seat tube curving around the rear wheel all contribute to the bike’s increased slipperiness. As seems to be the latest trend sweeping the bike industry, a 1 1/8″ to 1 1/2″ headtube features up front.

Swift’s bike was equipped with a Campagnolo Record 11-speed groupset, Campagnolo Bora Ultra deep-section wheels, Deda stem and handlebars, Prologo Scratch saddle and matching bar tape, Vredestein tyres and Look pedals.

A product of the successful Olympic Academy Programme, Swift is one of the latest stars and, despite his very young age, is rapidly rising through the ranks. A name to keep an eye on in future races.

Internal cable routing and huge head tube	The business end of Swift’s bike
A Prologo Scratch saddle with Union Jack printed on the rear section	Campagnolo Record hangs of his Noah at all the critical points
Ridley’s Noah features a large integrated seat tube	A chain guard to prevent the chain falling off the inside of the small chainring

More at www.katushateam.com and www.ridley-bikes.com