London commuters are invited to test their skills at the Smithfield Nocturne on 7th June as the Folding Bike Race returns.

The inaugural event on 23rd June 2007 saw 40 suited competitors battle it out in front of 5000 cheering spectators around Smithfield Market in central London. The ‘Le Mans’ start meant riders had to run to their bikes and assemble them before setting off around the challenging Smithfield Nocturne course. The competition for commuter glory was intense and the race became one of the highlights of the 2007 event.

In 2008 the race will be bigger and better with Halfords - the UK’s leading retailer of bikes and accessories and pioneers of the Cycle2Work scheme - confirmed as the title sponsor.

The event will now feature qualification heats leading to a grand final meaning more London commuters can sign up and experience the thrill of competitive action on closed roads.

“We developed the folding bike race to appeal to London commuters and the race was a huge success in 2007” commented Race Director James Pope. “With more and more Londoners getting on their bikes we are delighted to work with the Halfords Cycle2Work scheme. The sponsorship will help us to continue to promote commuter cycling in London and mean that more riders can sign up to the 2008 event.”

As an avid cyclist and participant of the Halfords Cycle2Work Scheme, Paul Bullett, Halfords Business Services Development Manager comments;

"The Halfords Cycle2Work team is very excited about sponsoring the Smithfield Nocturne Folding Bike Race. As a team we have been working very hard to promote the idea of cycling to work and all its benefits to more than 3 million employees around the UK.

“Halfords pioneered the Cycle2Work scheme in response to the Department for Transport’s plan to promote healthier journeys to work and to reduce environmental pollution. The scheme is very popular amongst employees, who benefit from a healthier more active lifestyle, whilst reducing their carbon footprint.

“Sponsoring the Folding Bike Race is an excellent way for us to promote cycling to work as the cleaner, greener and leaner mode of transport."

The folding bike race will be part of an action packed race programme that will culminate in an elite criterium featuring top British cycling stars.

Full details of the Smithfield Nocturne can be found at www.smithfieldnocturne.co.uk including entry forms for the folding bike race.

For more information about Halfords Cycle2Work scheme, visit www.cycle2work.info.