Scene set for Smithfield Nocturne

There will be a strong "cycling in London" theme to the event

Top-class criterium racing is back in the heart of London on Saturday as the city gears up for the Tour de France.

The Smithfield Nocturne comprises five races and culminates with an "elite crit" that pits top domestic riders against ProTour stars.

The action will take place on a 1km route around the historic meat market and is free to the public.

Tour star David Millar is a guest of honour and triple Olympic medallist Rob Hayles is competing in the final race.

Also racing will be RaphaCondor team leader Dean Downing and Australian ProTour sprinter Matthew Goss.

Millar, who will ride for Saunier Duval when the Tour de France starts in London on 7 July, will attend the Nocturne following a time trial at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. He then heads off to Eindhoven for the Team Time Trial the next day.

I've seen the map and it looks like our technical abilities and equipment are going to be tested to the max Rob Hayles

"Both events are completely new and unique so it will be a good weekend," the Scot said.

"With the Tour a couple of weeks later it will be nice to be a bit more relaxed before things get serious, I'm looking forward to it."

Track star Hayles said the contest will present the riders with a real challenge.

"I've seen the map and it looks like our technical abilities and equipment are going to be tested to the max."

The event starts at 1700 and the first race, a regional A race, gets underway at 1715.

Next up is an "all star" race that has become a clash of the cycling media, and then it is a bicycle courier challenge, which promises to be one of the most entertaining of the evening as it is half bike race, half treasure hunt.

A folding bike race, for "commuters", is the penultimate event, and the serious cyclists close the evening with an event that will see up to 50 competitors ride for one hour plus five laps.

The action is scheduled to wrap up at 2200 and organisers are expecting a crowd of up to 5,000 to enjoy the spectacle of high-quality racing (and more amusing racing) in the run-up to the Tour de France.