Race History The Early Days By the mid 80’s Michael was ready or bigger things.  He promoted the National Road Race on the same Newport Circuit.  The race was the best Championship for years.  In fact, it was so successful that the Championship came to Newport again for the next 2 years. The Nationals However a new rule meant that no venue could hold the Championship for more than 3 years.  What could top the National Championship?  One day his son, Nick, was driving on the A1 in Yorkshire and noticed huge industrial lights illuminating roadworks and the idea for a Nocturne was born. The First Nocturnes The first Nocturne was run in 1989 then again in ‘90 and ‘91.  This was a heyday for Pro cycling and the Nocturnes were played out in front of massive crowds.  Unfortunately a recession resulted in the loss of major sponsors.  Rather than stage a second-rate event the Nocturne was not held. The New Era The 2001 race was an outstanding success, and attracted over 10,000 fans. Now a biannual event, the Nocturne introduced several new ideas.
Getting Here Race History Home News Newport Nocturne Gallery Sponsors Contact Us Forum Promoter: Riders Saturday 1st September 2012 (starting 6:30pm) Floodlit Bike Race The event started in 1970 as a means for Michael Davis and his late partner Doug Davis, to publicise their new company, Davis and Jeggo Motors.  The 109 mile road race used a 6 mile circuit just outside Newport. Later the course was improved by taking it through Newport High Street.  The new course was much more user-friendly and as a consequence the race grew in stature.  Soon the race was attracting Britain’s to Pro riders generating some of the biggest crowds in the UK. Gradually the race became lees the Davis and Jeggo Road Race and more the Newport Road Race as more sponsors became involved. Ten years later Newport Town Council approached Michael to help put the town  back on the map. Their generous grant gave him the foundation to attract new sponsors and re-stage the event. A “Past Masters” race brought back the cycling stars of previous decades. In 2003 cycling superstar, Sean Kelly was generously brought over for the event by local cycling retailer, Parker International. Giant scales were made so that the winner of the Elite race could win his Weight in Beer”! They do it with cheese in other parts of Europe, who can eat that much cheese? 2005 saw the added attraction of the One Lap Challenge for Britain's Olympic riders. Each rider was followed by a Ferrari with his name emblazoned on the windscreen. This unique show-piece event made the 2005 Nocturne one of the best ever despite the rain. In 2007 the race featured international stars like Mark Cavendish, David Millar and Geraint Thomas in the “Battle for Beijing” one lap time trial. However, in the Elite race, even these riders couldn’t match evergreen 47 year old Malcolm Elliott as he solo’d to victory. The 2010 event saw Ian WIlkinson of Endura sprint clear of his two breakaway companions to take the win.  Popular Stoke rider, Les West took the honours in the Past Masters race.  One of the highlights of the evening was the New Generation/Regeneration Challenge. This featured two cycling stars who were about to retire, Malcolm Elliott and Chris Newton.  They were teamed up with two up and coming ‘Mini-Me’s, complete with matching pro kit.  Chris won, but it didn’t really matter, it was more about honouring two great cyclists.