Copenhagen to host second round of Rapha Nocturne

The first-ever international Rapha Nocturne will take place in the meatpacking district in the heart of Copenhagen on Saturday August 19, 2017 bringing pro racing action and events for fans and racers of all ages and abilities.

Racers at Rapha Nocturne Copenhagen will be able to choose from fixed and amateur categories of racing as well as fun races on cargo and folding bikes. Elite men’s and women’s criteriums will finish off the evening with explosive action under the street lights.

Unique to the Rapha Nocturne is the concept of ‘ride all day, race all night.’ Anyone can sign up to ride the course before the pros in an open one-hour Ride session.

Before the pro teams battle it out in the Elite Criterium, the fixed race is guaranteed to bring high speed action and no shortage of drama to the city centre course.

Watch the video of the first race in the series, the London Nocturne on 10th June here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rm4Z4qmF2A&index=1&list=PLkl6Jk-7cGC9n69uFQ-VPgvsgdtemAsT0

Local rider Magnus Bang will be racing in the Men’s Fixed Gear Criterium and says Rapha made a good choice picking Copenhagen for the second round: “I’m really stoked to have people coming to my town. I already spoke to fixed gear guys from other European cities who are coming here, and I’ve promised to show them the good coffee spots and routes.”

Danish pro Marc Hester rides for Team WIGGINS and says he is looking forward to bringing some of the excitement from Copenhagen Six Day track racing to the streets of his favourite city: “[Racing in the dark] is a format I love. It gets harder to keep your position because the shadows from the street lights makes it feel like one rider around you is actually three, and the corners are harder to read.

"With the extra motivation of racing in my favourite city, I hope it will make for a good race for me.”

Other Scandinavian riders competing in the Vitamin Well Elite Criterium include Niklas Larsen, Olympic medalist in team pursuit (track) and youth champion in the point race (track) and Mark Sehested (Team VeloConcept).

Together with Clubhouse part time staff and Team ColoQuick CULT team members Rasmus Bøgh Wallin and Magnus Klaris, they will be competing against British riders Ed Clancy of JLT Condor (former Nocturne London winner and Olympic track champion) and hot new talent Rhys Howells of Team WIGGINS.

Ian Fleck, Brand Program Manager at Rapha, said Copenhagen offered unique opportunities that made it the ideal location for the international expansion of the Nocturne.

“The challenging circuit around the streets of Kødbyen in Copenhagen should make for an exhilarating event. It will bring the thrill of racing to the heart of the city, which is fundamental to the spirit of the Nocturne, as well as providing a stunning backdrop to the action.”

James Pope, CEO of Nocturne organisers, FACE Partnership said: “Working in partnership with Rapha we are going to take the event to some of the most iconic cities in the world, Copenhagen being the first – and then expanding to the US and beyond.

"Our ambition is to create a World Series where the Rapha Nocturne determines the world’s best city street racers so we are looking forward to crowning the first Rapha Nocturne world champion later this year...”

Simon Mottram, founder and CEO of Rapha, said: “The Rapha Nocturne Series crystallises riding and racing, bringing racing closer to everyday cyclists and into the heart of international cities with events for every level, tribe and age group.

"We are delighted to be back with the Nocturne to see it grow around the world over the next three years.”

Key races will be streamed live on Rapha’s Facebook channel, allowing spectators worldwide to follow the action and snapshots of the event will also feature on Instagram. Follow the racing at Facebook.com/rapharacing.

Fans will be able to get up close to their cycling heroes and rising stars, and get involved in the festivities trackside with music, exhibitions and parties around the course.

A free Nocturne expo will be held at the Øksnehallen, where Rapha will also be offering a range of exclusive event merchandise to commemorate the 2017 Rapha Nocturne Series in the Rapha Village and fans will be able to get up close to riders as they warm up for races.

Big screens allow spectators to follow the action live around the venue.  During the day, riders of all ages and abilities will be able to take to the circuit to get a taste of what the pros will experience into the night.

As the sun starts to set, the programme of events on and around the circuit will ramp up, culminating in the elite race and night rides heading into the countryside.