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Newport Nocturne - Wilko Wins as the Bathurst Bogan signs off with second · 07/09/10


Photos by Larry Hickmott – British Cycling

The Pinarello Newport Nocturne took place on Saturday night in the sleepy Shropshire market town that has previously hosted the national Pro Road Race Championships and seen many a champion of the sport grace its pretty streets. The 2010 edition of the race had no shortage of stars on board as Rapha Condor Sharp brought many of the riders who have illuminated the various circuit race series this year including both the Deans (Downing and Windsor), Graham Briggs and Chris Newton. Competing against them would be the likes of Motorpoint’s Andy Tennant and Ed Clancy as well as an Endura team that included Ian Wilkinson and Jack Bauer.

As has almost become traditional in recent editions the race got underway with a few spots of rain falling from the sky making the cobbles, that are a feature of the Newport course, very slippery. There was a major crash with a large portion of the field hitting the deck after one neutral lap including Rapha Condor Sharp’s Chris Newton, who had to retire from the race, the worst of his injuries being a nasty cut to his thumb that made it impossible to hold the handlebars effectively.

After a restart the race was back on in drier conditions. The early laps still required some caution but with a circuit of well over a mile there were plenty of opportunities to attack, and attack they did, with the field strung out from the word go on the restart. Three riders quickly went clear: Jonny McEvoy, Ian Wilkinson and the Duke (Rapha Condor Sharp’s Dean Windsor).

With the three major teams represented, the peloton were largely disinterested in chasing and the leaders established a good gap on the bunch. They continued to increase their lead for the first half of the race until, confident that they were safe, the big teams began to maneuver for the minor placings. Ed Clancy, the British Circuit Racing Champion, was in fine form and was soon dragging some riders clear including Jack Bauer (Endura) and Dean Downing (Rapha Condor). They steadily pulled away from the main field throughout the final laps, certain to fight out 4th place on the night.

Up front the Duke had a dig to try and distance Wilkinson, aware that the long finish straight would suit his straight line speed, but Wilkinson was equal to his every move and inevitably the finish came down to a three man sprint in which McEvoy lead out but found both Wilkinson and Windsor too strong. Windsor seemed to be closing rapidly on Wilkinson as the line approached but Wilko still had time to celebrate yet another victory at the end of a great night’s racing.

Pinarello Newport Nocturne results:

1. Ian Wilkinson, Endura Racing
2. Dean Windsor, Rapha Condor Sharp
3. Jonny McEvoy, Motorpoint Marshals Pasta
4. Ed Clancy, Motorpoint Marshals Pasta
5. Jack Bauer, Endura Racing
6. Dean Downing, Rapha Condor Sharp
7. Graham Briggs, Rapha Condor Sharp
8. Tom Last, Sigma Sport Specialized
9. Matthew Gee, Raleigh
10. James Moss, Endura Racing
11. James Sampson, Motorpoint Marshals Pasta
12. Richard Hepworth, www.cyclepremier/metaltek
13. Ian Bibby, Motorpoint Marshals Pasta
14. Jereon Jansenn, Kuota Roads CC
15. Grant Bayton, Wilier Big Maggies Prendas
16. Jamie Newall, Corely Cycles
17. Andrew Magnier, www.cyclepremier/metaltek
18. James Stewart, Raleigh
19. Jody Crawforth, Hargroves Cycles Trant
20. Tom Barras, Raleigh

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