The Newport Nocturne cycle race returns tonight after a three year absence – but it will be without home favourite Simon Holt.

Italian based Holt, 22, had hoped to return for his home event but the Newport born rider – seventh in the last Nocturne – has been selected by his Italian team UC Bergamasca to ride in a top Italian one day race tomorrow.

And that has prevented Holt taking a place on the start line alongside Olympic medallists and top British riders in Newport, as well as from entering the under 23 British time trail championships in south Wales tomorrow.

Holt said he was bitterly disappointed to miss the event, saying it was an ambition of his to win it.

He said: “It’s such a great event for Newport and it’s unique in the UK I think because of the way the town gets behind it and the way people support it.

“I was desperate to come and it’s a real shame I can’t make it because it’s my home race in my home town and it really means a lot to me.

“I thought I had a chance of doing really well this year but hopefully I can enter it again.

“I wanted to do the time trial championships as well because I thought I had a chance of a medal but there’s nothing I can do.”

Holt added he had to support his team to keep alive his hopes of securing a professional contract on the continent.

He added: “I’m in my last year in this team because it’s an under 23 team and the plan is to try and get a professional contract whether that be here or back in the UK.

“We’ll have to see.”

• The Nocturne starts at 6.30pm with a past masters race the opening event. There will also be a special two lap time trial featuring top riders Chris Newton and Malcolm Elliot before the main race gets under way at 9pm.

By ALEX JAMES