French rider Alexandre Voisine stormed to victory in the penny farthing race at the inaugural City of London Nocturne, delivering a dominant performance on the 1.3km city-centre circuit. The 51-year-old penny farthing enthusiast lapped all but one of his competitors, showcasing his mastery of the Victorian-era bicycle in the capital's financial district.
Dominant Display
Voisine, who had previously raced at Nocturne events about a decade ago, expressed his delight at the course and the atmosphere. "I really like the course; the surface is good, although the corners are a bit tricky," he said. "The atmosphere is incredible, with so many people watching. It feels like being a professional rider, with the crowd and the excitement. It's great to see this new event created."
His strategy involved an early attack to avoid the risks of a sprint finish. "There are strong sprinters in the field, and I didn't want to take too many risks in a sprint because it can be dangerous. I attacked early and tried to go clear. In the end, I managed to lap most of the field," Voisine explained.
Event Highlights
The City of London Nocturne marked the return of the event to the City after an eight-year hiatus, featuring a packed programme that included men's and women's elite criterium races. The penny farthing race was a standout attraction, drawing large crowds to the streets.
In addition to the race, Neil Laughton set a Guinness World Record for the largest penny farthing ridden. The bicycle was designed and built by Australian Dan Bolwell, and Laughton used stilts to pedal through the City of London successfully.
"I'm actually quite relieved," said Laughton. "It was a long time in the planning. It required a lot of concentration. I didn't want to let anyone down. My family were here, and there was a big crowd who had come to see the record attempt."
He admitted to being nervous about the height and potential collapse. "I was quite nervous that it might collapse again, especially from about 13 feet up onto concrete. I didn't have elbow pads or much protection - just stilts and a helmet - so I was definitely hoping everything would hold together."
Laughton credited his experience with challenges for his focus. "Thankfully, I had a slight tailwind. I've done quite a few challenges in my life, so I know how to focus, concentrate, and commit. That's what I relied on to achieve this new Guinness World Record."
The event was a celebration of cycling history and modern racing, with Voisine's victory and Laughton's record adding to the spectacle.
