Over the weekend, streets around London’s oldest meat market were closed to traffic as bicycles took over for the 2013 edition of the IG London Nocturne.

Every year since 2007, roads around the historic Smithfield Market, have been turned into a race track, where spectators are treated to a combination of elite cycle racing with quirky, fun events like the Folding Bike Race, the Penny Farthing Race and the ‘Longest Skid’ competition.

As night fell, the atmosphere turned electric as the elite riders got ready to do battle on the tight, technical 1.1km circuit. The Rapha Elite Women’s Criterium lasted 30 minutes, plus 5 laps, and the men’s NORGLIDE® Elite Criterium lasted 50 minutes plus 5 laps.

21-year-old Laura Trott of Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling took a photo-finish victory from Hannah Barnes of MG – MaxiFuel Pro Cycling in a tightly fought contest. Rounding off a successful evening for British team, Wiggle Honda, Dani King, Trott’s team-mate came in third.

We’re able to bring you a series of incredible images from photographer, Josephine Hartfiel, who managed to get in the thick of it and capture the spirit of the event.

After a dramatic sprint finish, victory in the elite men’s race went to Team Raleigh’s Tom Scully. He managed to hold off Alex Dowsett (Movistar) and Dean Downing (Madison Genesis).

It was great to see a one-hour TV highlights programme shown on Channel 4 on Sunday!

Visit Josephine Hartfiel’s photography website to view more of her work in the world of cycling!