Boris Johnson gets behind IG London Nocturne

Mayor of London Boris Johnson has said that this Saturday's IG London Nocturne will offer "a chance for Londoners to rekindle the Olympic spirit".

The evening event features a programme of racing, culminating in both women's and men's elite races at Smithfield Market.

"This is a chance for Londoners to rekindle the Olympic spirit of last summer, with three Team GB cycling champions riding the IG London Nocturne at Smithfield Market," said Johnson.

"The summer of 2013 is going to be huge for cycling and a night of professional racing at such an iconic location should help inspire even more people to get on their bikes." 

Fresh from their strong performances at the Giro d'Italia, Beñat Intxausti of the Spanish Movistar squad joins British team-mate Alex Dowsett in the men's Norglide Elite Criterium. Ed Clancy, James McCallum and Kristian House compete as part of Rapha Condor's line-up, and will come up against squads from Raleigh, Sigma Sport and Madison-Genesis.

The women's Wiggle-Honda team will make its British sporting debut in the women's Rapha Elite Criterium with London 2012 team pursuit gold medallists Dani King, Laura Trott and Joanna Rowsell all scheduled to ride.

The event is free to watch along the route, with the option of buying tickets for grandstand seating at the finish. 

In addition to the elite races, there is a Schwalbe Track Bike Criterium, Brooks Penny Farthing Race, IG City Challenge and Time Out London Folding Bike Race as part of the evening's programme of events.

External link

IG London Nocturne website