Saturday’s Jupiter London Nocturne is not to be missed
The free to attend cycling event hits the City’s historic Smithfield Market this weekend
THIS Saturday, the Jupiter London Nocturne returns to the City’s historic Smithfield Market. It’s the ninth year the spectacular night-time criterium cycle event is hitting the heart of the Square Mile, it’s Jupiter Asset Management’s second year of sponsorship, and it promises to be the most action-packed yet.
The Jupiter London Nocturne has it all: elite competitive cycling, Penny Farthing and Santander Bike races, stalls, and entertainment for all the family. It’s free to attend, or you can buy tickets to the grandstand to get the best views of the live action.
The line-up of top teams taking part is impressive. Double Olympic gold winner Ed Clancy, team pursuit specialist Andy Tennant of Team Wiggins, and Andy Fenn of Team Sky will be among the 14 teams battling it out in the Santini Men’s Elite Criterium. In the women’s Schwalbe Elite Criterium, Team Giordana Triton rider Nicola Juniper (who took the prize last year) will defend her title against the Pearl Izumi Sports Tour team, Team USN and Rochelle Gilmore from Wiggle-Honda. In just one exciting twist, for the first time in the history of the event, competitors will race round Smithfield Market anti-clockwise, giving them a new course to master.
Both men and women riders will be competing for a cash prize of £1,000, and there will be a further £500 up for grabs for the most combative rider – likely to induce some high octane manoeuvres.
THE JUPITER RACE
For the second year of its sponsorship, Jupiter Asset Management is introducing something special. The new ten lap Jupiter Race, starting at 4pm, will feature a number of the asset manager’s clients competing against each other in teams of four, and the team with the best accumulative time will then automatically be entered into the City Criterium at 6.30pm. Client teams participating this year include SG Hambros, Brewin Dolphin, Tilney Bestinvest, Chelsea Financial Services, and Morningstar.
Ben Williams of Saunderson House is another participant in the Jupiter Race. He credits the recent training day at the Lee Valley VeloPark, put on by Jupiter for all the race competitors with track and road racing legend Rob Hayles, with helping his preparation. “Rob Hayles provided great team tactics and training tips,” he says. “Fingers crossed our team performs on the day – we are really keen to take home the team champion trophy.”
The City Criterium, meanwhile, is a unique opportunity for City firms to battle it out around Smithfield Market to claim the glory of the fastest company in the Square Mile. No professional riders are allowed, and riders must be employees or clients of the firm.
LONG-TERM PERFORMANCE
Maarten Slendebroek, chief executive of Jupiter, says that “the Nocturne is a unique event that captures the culture and variety of cycling in the capital. Culminating in the elite races, the event illustrates the speed and agility that make cycling such a great sport.” For this second year of its sponsorship, Jupiter has signed up Team Sky’s Peter Kennaugh as its official ambassador.
Jupiter sees competitive cycling as an appropriate metaphor for its own business. In active fund management, it’s human endeavour and empowering individuals that can help to deliver long-term performance – much like professional cycling. Please note, the value of an investment can fall as well as rise and you may not get back what you originally invested.
Running from 3.30pm until late, the Jupiter London Nocturne promises to be a high octane, fun-packed event for all the family.
Visit jupiteram.com/nocturne for full details of the event.