Red Bull and the City of London join Rapha for Nocturne

The forthcoming Nocturne Series has signed up new partners Red Bull, Highland Spring and Malmaison hotels.

Starting in Edinburgh on Saturday May 30th, in London Saturday June 6th and finally in Blackpool on Saturday August 1st, the new sponsors now sit alongside the Series joint founders Rapha Condor.

This year the Nocturne Series includes a dedicated women’s race as part of its presence in London on Saturday June 6th. Top female cyclists, including Charlotte Easton, have signed up to the Women’s Criterium, starting 19.40.

Easton, a keen racing cyclist who competed as part of a FACE team last year, said: "Women’s cycle-racing has really exploded in London in the last few years. More and more of us are getting into the sport, encouraged to participate in sportives, on the track, road racing and more recently through events like Rollapaluza. Three years ago, there might have been ten of us riding round on a Wednesday night. Now events fill up quickly and the level of competition has really improved.”

The City of London has also lent its support to the Nocturne Series.

Event director James Pope said: “The original Nocturne concept was developed with Rapha Condor as a celebration of London cycling in all its forms. The partnership with the City of London strengthens the London connection. It is a massive boost to the Smithfield Nocturne and will help us achieve our aim of making the Nocturne one of the highlights of London’s sporting calendar in the run up to 2012.”

Rapha’s Chief Executive Simon Mottram added: “Increasing numbers of people are being drawn to cycling and bike racing in the UK, many of them new to the sport.

“We created the Nocturne Series with FACE to entertain both this new audience and traditional riders alike, with a new level of quality and professionalism to reflect the excitement around our sport. The Nocturnes are the perfect platform for brands who want to associate with the most exciting sport in the country.”