BRITISH TOUR STARS CAVENDISH AND THOMAS TO RIDE NEWPORT NOCTURNE

Mark Cavendish (T-Mobile) and Geraint Thomas (Barloworld), two of Britain?s most promising young pros who impressed in their first Tour de France in July, will ride the popular Newport Nocturne elite race on Saturday evening, September 1.

Promoter, Nick Jeggo said "It's a real coup to be able to bring these two great riders to our little town. They are both going to be big stars. Mark, in particular, has had a fantastic year, everyone is saying that he can win the Tour de France green points jersey. I'm sure that in years to come, Shropshire people will boast ?I was there when Cavendish and Thomas rode in Newport?."

Cavendish, the Isle of Man sprinter, burst onto the pro scene this season, snatching six victories prior to the Tour, taking the scalp of former world champion Tom Boonen in the prized E3 Scheldeprijs in Belgium.

He?s also showed his back wheel to other top sprinters, Eric Zabel and Robbie McEwen, both former Tour de France green jersey winners.

Cavendish endured a painful Tour baptism, with two crashes on consecutive stages. He had an infected leg wound and stopped, exhausted on the second Alpine day, stage eight to Tignes. He?s since bounced back to form, winning a stage of the Tour of Denmark.

Thomas, at 21 the youngest rider in this year?s Tour, amazed everyone with his resilience working to protect sprinter Rob Hunter and mountain?s classification winner Mauricio Soler, and making it all the way to Paris.

The Newport Nocturne, Britain?s only floodlit bike race, features an elite race and Past Masters Race, which in the past has attracted Sean Kelly, Sid Barras and other former top pros.

For information:www.bikerace.co.uk.

Or email: info@bikerce.co.uk.

Promoters Michael and Nick Jeggo ? 01952 810964.