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.
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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.
Directions
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Evening’s Program
The Course
See the course, evening’s
program of fun and
entertainment and past
results
Past Results
Read how the Nocturne
emerged out of the
Newport Road Race
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See the top pro riders
in this year’s Nocturne
Womens Race
Mens Race