Image copyright Rebecca Charlton

Salford is gearing up to play host to the first major cycling event in the UK following the Beijing Olympics as the award winning Nocturne Series comes to Salford Quays.

The Salford Nocturne will take place on Saturday 30 August bringing a unique blend of elite performance cycling and feature races to a stunning course around the Lowry and Quays complex.

The Nocturne Series was developed by London cycling agency FACE along with clothing brand Rapha and Condor cycles, and after two hugely successful events around Smithfield Market in central London, Salford has been selected as the first destination outside of the capital to host the event.

Salford City Council, which is helping to stage the event as location sponsor, has included the Nocturne as a key attraction in its campaign to attract more visitors to the city.

“One of the key characteristics to the Nocturne events is to provide a stunning backdrop to the racing” explains Event Director James Pope. “The location in Salford Quays with the Lowry and Old Trafford in the background more than achieves this and has enabled us to create a spectacular course that will showcase criterium bike racing at its very best.”

The Nocturne format provides an action packed race programme within a festival environment with the highlight an elite criterium featuring top British professional cyclists as well as some international cycling stars.

Taking place shortly after the Beijing Olympics the Salford Nocturne will also have a distinct Olympic flavour welcoming home some of Britain's Olympic athletes.

Already confirmed to feature at the event is current Olympic Kilo Champion Chris Hoy who will swap the pressure of the Olympics to feature in a celebrity roller race competition.

The roller racing will be one of many added attractions located in the start / finish area in front of the Lowry. Big screens, beer tents, wine tasting, food stalls, exhibitors and trade stands will all ensure a superb night of racing and entertainment that appeals to a wide cross section of the community, from local families to hardened cycling fans.

The event is free to the public with attractions open from 3pm and racing starting at 6pm. Full details on the Salford Nocturne can be found at www.salfordnocturne.com.