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Blackpool Nocturne - Deano Does it · 01/09/10

The Blackpool Nocturne took place recently, the final round of the Nocturne Series and a great day of entertainment at Britain’s best known seaside resort. It was a great night for the Rapha Condor Sharp team with Dean Downing taking the elite race and Dan Craven making light of the opposition in the folding bike race.

For the lowdown on Dans victory see the following video by ‘The Beast’ from Supporter to Reporter who was on hand to capture the action:

Once dark and the street lights kicked in, the early stages of the pro race were dominated by Sigma Sport Specialized rider Phil Sykes who held sway at the front on his own for a few laps, his escape aided by a crash. Things quickly came back together and the first serious move of the night came from Syke’s teammate, Simon Richardson who would be one of the main protagonists throughout the race.

It was already pitch black by the time Richardson made his move with Dean Downing joining him shortly thereafter. These two never looked in danger despite the early efforts of the Motorpoint Marshals Pasta Team who had National Champion Ed Clancy driving the chasing group.

With Deano leading the breakaway, the Rapha Condor Sharp team sat back, allowing Clancy and Tennant to wear themselves out. After they had used up all their firepower, the men in black attacked them again with Dean Windsor and Kristian House going away with Dave Clarke (Pendragon Le Col Colnago).

These five were the only riders to stay on the same lap with the rest of the field lapped by the two leaders and that’s broadly how it stayed until the end of the race. Neither House nor Windsor were able to distance Clarke in the chase and up front Richardson was unable to distance Downing who took victory in the final sprint.

In the final gallop to the line Downing easily beat Richardson to take his first ever victory in the Nocturne series after years of trying. Behind them it was Windsor who took the final podium place to deny Clarke.


Photos by Larry Hickmott

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