Manchester-based cycling star Neah Evans was left wanting more after narrowly missing out on the elite women’s criterium title at Rapha Nocturne London on Saturday.
Wearing the jersey of her Storey Racing team, 26-year-old Evans (above right), from Aberdeen, dominated for the majority of the race, leading the way from the sound of the starting gun.
She was gradually reeled in as the race reached its latter stages though, as Drops Cycling’s Lucy Shaw sprinted to the win after the perfect lead out from her teammates.
But with fellow Storey cyclist Elizabeth-Jane Harris completing the podium line-up in third, Evans ruled it a job well done for her team, though disappointed not to come out on top.
“I’ve got mixed feelings about my finish today,” she said. “I was away for such a long time that it would have been nice to finish like that, but obviously it came to a sprint finish, but I’m still happy that I managed to hold onto second.
“I’d had some decent form from the Tour Series ahead of this race, but I’ve been trying to get a bit more length in for road racing and building into the track season.
“It’s really cool to cycle around London in the dark. I really enjoy the Revolution Series on the track and this is very similar to that on the road.
“It’s such a great atmosphere, there are people cheering everywhere, especially when I was away by myself. There was always someone to give me a bit of a boost.”
Established in 2007, the Rapha Nocturne London offers a diverse programme of cycling for all abilities, which culminates in elite criteriums at the end of the night, featuring Olympic medallists and World champions
In August, Rapha Nocturne will travel onto the continent for the first time and take to the streets of Copenhagen, as organisers look to create the world’s first criterium series.
“This year is the first series with races in London and Copenhagen,” said James Pope, CEO of Face Partnerships – co-founders of Rapha Nocturne.
“Riders are racing for points here in London ahead of Copenhagen on August 19, and from there we are going to grow it and take it to some of the world’s most iconic cities over the next few years.
“Copenhagen is a very different circuit to London. About a third of the circuit is cobbled so it’s going to be a much different race.
“It’s in the old meat-packing district so very much like Shoreditch in London, lots of bars and restaurants so we’re expecting a good party atmosphere.”
The Rapha Nocturne London is part of a World Criterium Series with the next leg in Copenhagen, on August 19. For more information go to www.raphanocturne.com
