| 2003 SHROPSHIRE STAR NEWPORT NOCTURE CIRCUIT RACE |
THOUSANDS FLOCK TO NEWPORT FOR NIGHT TIME CYCLE RACING
It was the first time I had seen an event that many people had raved about and as the flood lights dimmed after the racing and everyone headed for their cars or the pubs, I could see why. The most striking thing about this cycle race, the Shropshire Star Newport Nocture, was the crowd of 10,000 or more who lined the barriers to see the riders chasing the large amount of prize money on offer. And all this in a picturesque and moderately size town in Shropshire. This was very special indeed and all credit to Mick and Nick who organise the event.
Those who went were able to watch first as eight Tour de France veterans did battle with other past masters in the support race. The racing here was as intense as any race I've seen all year. Sean Kelly (clad in his Parker International Green Jersey) and Sid Barras got away with a small group and gave the large crowd who had come to see these stars of yesteryear something to cheer about. Once Kelly had relegated Barras to second place, the Elite riders emerged from the nightime darkness to do battle under the many flood lights that had been dotted around the course which had been transformed between 5pm and 7pm when the racing began. As the roadside bands played on well into the night, and the marshalls from the Rotary club helped the crowds cross the road once the riders had dissapeared from view, the racing was as one rider put it to me, 'savage'.
Waiting at the finish line to capture what I could in the darkness, it was seemingly Julian Winn who started the winning move after only a handful of laps, being quickly joined by Russell Downing. Behind these two, Kieran Page was in scintalating form and started a chase to be joined by Dean Downing, proudly wearing his champions jersey. Soon, the four joined up and it was race over for the rest.
Not that it was ever cut and dried because the gap was never very big and when local rider Ian Holt took up the chase with the ever attacking George Richardson, the crowd started cheering long and loud in the hope they could somehow help the duo join the leaders. It wasn't to be though and instead, the four leaders came into the final few laps together and it was then that they started to make their moves. First we saw Dean Downing launch an attack, tearing down the road close to the barriers giving the crowd the awesome sight of a fleeing rider in full flight. It wasn't enough though and when he was brought back, his brother Russell attacked and he was never seen again as he held onto a slender lead to win the big prize money which had been doubled during the race thanks to a generous donation from the Barley pub which was just across the road from the finish line.
It was an awesome night. One to remember and the type that even had Sean Kelly talking about how infectious it can be racing in such conditions. Perhaps we'll see him back but one thing is for sure the sport could do with more of this type of an event.
| RESULTS |
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THANKS TO SPONSORS The Shropshire Star & Newport Town Council Newport Nocture Cycle Races Davies & Jeggo Motors; Ann Duignan Opticians; Classic Furniture Group; Close Motor Finance; D'Arcy's of Shifnal; Gwynnes Solicitors; John Henshall Limited; John Wilshaw; Jonathan Preece; Jones and Ferriday Solicitors; Les Pitt, Newport Regeneration Partnership, Ozzy's, Parker International,Paul Grubert; Peter J Wilson; Powerbar; Ray Corbett (Browns Motors); Staffordshire Building Society; Steve Woodhouse; TAFS Fencing and Garden Supplies; Terry Edwards Transport; The Computer Workshop; The Oddfellows; Tom Reynolds; Videocraft; Yellow Ltd (Pinarello, Assos, Rudy Project) and all others who have given money for prize money and services to the race.
© British Cycling 2002/2003