The best of the British domestic scene will come up against World Tour riders in tomorrow's IG Markets London Nocturne, which takes place around the historic Smithfield Market.
Alex Dowsett and Russel Downing will be representing Team Sky in the race, with recent Giro finisher - and 2009 Nocturne winner - Downing once again coming up against his brother Dean, who will be one of seven Rapha-Condor-Sharp riders competing.
Garmin Cervélo's Cameron Meyer and Matt Wilson, along with HTC-Highroad's Leigh Howard and Irish national champion Matt Brammeier make up the top level riders will be taking part in the one hour + five lap event.
Home-grown favourites?
Tour Series leaders Rapha look the strongest team on paper, and having won five of the first six rounds of the criterium series, they could well be the ones to beat.
They won't be wearing the familiar black kit; they will be sporting a one-off Paul Smith designed skinsuit instead.
Last year's podium, complete with guest appearance from Mark Cavendish
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Fresh from ending Rapha's unbeaten run in last night's Tour Series event in Oldham, Endura have just four riders competing, although Ian Wilkinson, Jack Bauer and recent Lincoln GP winner Scott Thwaites could all feature throughout. Bauer finished third here in 2010.
Motorpoint have a full compliment of eight riders racing, as Ian Bibby looks to repeat his win from twelve months ago.
Team Raleigh, Corley Cycles, Sigma Sport-Specialized and Twenty3c-Orbea are all sending strong line-ups to the capital too.
Sky Sports will be showing the highlights of the racing for the first time, with the first airing next Friday (June 17) at 7pm.
Dark enough for you? Bibby wins on a cool London night
Women take to the streets
Tomorrow's women's race begins some two hours before the men get underway, and judging by the first three rounds of the Johnson Health Tech Women's Grand Prix Series, it is too tight to call.
Series leader Helen Wyman (Horizon Fitness RT) will have team-mates Dani King and Annie Simpson for company, two days after they contested for the race victory in Oldham.
Junior 10 and 25 champion Hannah Barnes heads-up Motorpoint's challenge, Nederland Bloeit's Emma Trott will also start.
Penny riders reach London in time to race
A group of Penny Farthing riders arrived in London this morning having traveled over 400 miles from Paris.
Enthusiasts from as far away as Canada cycled over Tower Bridge to complete their journey, which culminates in them competing for the Brooks Ordinary trophy at tomorrow's Nocturne.
The manic start of the
folding bike race
Schedule
IG Markets London Nocturne 2011
AFTERNOON PROGRAMME
16:30 - Kansi Folding Bike Race Heat 1 (3 laps)
16:45 - Kansi Folding Bike Race Heat 2 (3 laps)
17:00 - IG Markets Team Challenge Criterium (10 laps)
17:20 - Brooks Penny Farthing Sprint (1 mile)
17:40 - IG Markets Team Challenge Time Trial
EVENING PROGRAMME
18:00 - Support Race (40 minutes plus 5 laps)
18:50 - IG Markets Team Challenge Sprint
19:05 - Elite Women Criterium (30 minutes plus 5 laps)
19:45 - Schwalbe Fixed Gear Longest Skid
20:00 - IG Markets Team Challenge Team Relay
20:20 - The Brooks Ordinary Trophy (30 minutes plus 5 laps)
21:00 - Kansi Folding Bike Race Final (5 laps)
21:15 - Elite Criterium (1 hour plus 5 laps)
22:30 - FINISH
Simpson heads home Horizon Fitness one-two in Oldham
It was a perfect night for the Horizon Fitness RT in Oldham last night as Annie Simpson took victory in the third round of the Johnson Health Tech Women's Grand Prix Series.
Simpson edged out team-mate Dani King and series leader Helen Wyman in a thrilling sprint for the line after an exciting race.
Fourth went to VC St Raphael's Sarah Byrne, who completed the four-strong breakaway which escaped at half distance.
Despite their dominance in the first round of the series, Motorpoint missed the break and were unable to make inroads into the leaders' advantage.
King took victory in Tuesday's race in Stoke-on-Trent, and was visibly pleased that Simpson had the edge over Wyman in the sprint to complete a good week for the popular team.
Lucy Garner salvaged fifth for Motorpoint, but now trails Wyman by nine points going into Tuesday's final round in Woking.
Oldham photo gallery by Andy Jones>>
Results
Johnson Health Tech Women's Grand Prix Series: round three, Oldham
1. Annie Simpson (Horizon Fitness RT)
2. Dani King (Horizon Fitness RT)
3. Helen Wyman (Kona Factory Racing)
4. Sarah Byrne (VC St Raphael)
5. Lucy Garner (Motorpoint Pro Cycling)
Individual Standings after round three
1. Helen Wyman (Kona Factory Racing) 64pts
2. Lucy Garner (Motorpoint Pro Cycling) 55pts
3. Hannah Barnes (Motorpoint Pro Cycling) 52pts
4. Dani King (Horizon Fitness RT) 47pts
5. Penny Rowson (Horizon Fitness RT) 46pts
Shaw looks to Copenhagen worlds
With National 10 and National 25 title defences secured, what next for domestic time-trial queen Julia Shaw?
Speaking to Cycling Weekly after winning the National 25 title in Devon last Sunday, she pinpointed the Copenhagen world time trial championships as a target.
"You never know, I've always said the course for Copenhagen suits me and it's not an unrealistic target. I've got to have a really good nationals and after that, whatever happens, happens."
The 45 year old has come into her best form in recent years, lowering time-trial records and taking a Commonwealth bronze medal last October in Delhi.
However, she recognises that gaining a place in the world championshi team will itself depend on her performance in the national championships in September, where she will likely have to challenge Emma Pooley, Sharon Laws and others to put her name in the frame.
"From what I hear it's less challenging than the National 25. [Coach] Jamie Pringe's been round it and said it's not as tough as last year's national champs [in Llandeilo] either, from a hills point of view," she said.
Shaw on her way to yet another 25 title last weekend
Shaw considers London 2012 participation unlikely though.
"Apart from my age as well, because of the way they do selection, unless they've changed it very recently, you have to be part of the road racing team to be considered for it.
"If you're a TT specialist, it makes it quite difficult."
For the time being, there's next weekend's National 50 in Farnham to focus on, where she is defending her title as last woman off: "That's local for me. In the past, that's been one of my best distances too."
Shaw has also entered the national road race championships (June 26).
Related links
British news round-up, June 3: Endura and Motorpoint vow to hit back at Tour Series
British news round-up, May 27: More details of London test event emerge
British news round-up, May 20: Rowe goes close in Holland
British news round-up, May 6: Brammeier:"The novelty will never wear off"
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Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.
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