Over 4,000 spectators cheered on competitors in the Hoteliers Challenge, Cycling Weekly Support Race, Folding Bike Race and Elite Criterium. Cycling fans and members of the public alike were entertained by the evening of free sport in Britain’s most well-known seaside town.

The Hoteliers Challenge gave a unique platform for local hotel owners and staff to take the title of being the fastest business in Blackpool. Riders took on the challenging 950m circuit in a one-lap time race against the clock, Matt Cossins from Sandford Hotel took the win in a race unique to the Blackpool event.

As the Elite Criterium dawned, more spectators crammed in to catch the action. The UK’s premier riders lined up to take on the iconic course, passing some of Blackpool’s most famous landmarks. The star riders were introduced to the crowd by Eurosport’s David Harmon before getting underway for the one hour of racing. Early attacks proved irrelevant, but the burst from Rapha Condor’s Kristian House left him out the front, with a significant gap for most of the race.

But the current National Road Race Champion was caught by a strong chase from the other UK teams, not content with Rapha Condor gettingthe glory. It was Olympic Gold Medallist Ed Clancy who took the glory in the final gallop, with Dean Downing (Rapha Condor) in second and Malcolm Elliott (CandiTV – Marshalls Pasta) in third.

Event director of FACE, James Pope, said: “The Nocturne Series has expanded for 2009 and all three dates had huge positive impacts on their local community. Blackpool has a unique atmosphere and it’s great to bring cycle racing here that involves everybody and fits in perfectly with the Cycle Blackpool campaign.”

“With over 20,000 combined spectators being able to witness the free sport showcase at the Nocturne, we hope to expand the series even further and maintain position as the premier night-time racing series.”

More at www.blackpoolnocturne.com

Results

1st – Ed Clancy (Halfords Bikehut)

2nd – Dean Downing (Rapha Condor)

3rd – Malcolm Elliott (CandiTV – Marshalls Pasta)

4th – Darren Lapthorne (Rapha Condor)

5th – Simon Holt (CandiTV – Marshalls Pasta)

6th – Ian Wilkinson (Halfords Bikehut)

7th – Matt Cronshaw (Rapha Condor)

8th – Russell Downing (CandiTV – Marshalls Pasta)

9th – Jon Mozley (Madison.co.uk)

10th – Rob Partridge (Halfords Bikehut)