THE NIGEL MANSELL UK YOUTH CYCLE CHALLENGE
POSSIBLY THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE OF HIS LIFE
22nd July -3rd August
1,200 miles in 13 days around Britain with no rest day, for UK Youth
MOTOREXPO LONDON ANNOUNCES UK YOUTH AS OFFICIAL YOUTH CHARITY PARTNER OF 2010
7th June
Nigel Mansell OBE is still Britain’s most successful F1 driver, with a career that spans 15 seasons in Formula One and a total of 31 race wins. In addition, Nigel is the only driver in motorsport history to hold the F1 championship title and the Cart World series title simultaneously. (1992-1993). At 57, he is now about to take on one of the biggest challenges of his life, he wanted to do something momentous to support the centenary campaign ‘Positive About Youth’, www.positiveaboutyouth.org, which challenges the negative perception of young people that is all too prevalent across society and in the media. Having flown from practice for the 24hr Le Mans to attend the opening of Motorexpo on the7th June, after being given special dispensation to do so by the Le Mans stewards, Nigel will use Motorexpo as the platform to promote the launch of his extreme cycle challenge, which will see him, along with his sons Leo and Gregg, together with Magnus Backstedt, the former Tour de France racer, attempt a 1,200 mile ride around Britain in just 13 days from the 22nd July to the 3rd August this year.
The challenge is a 1,200 miles ride around Britain. Not much of a challenge you would think, only Nigel intends to do it on a bicycle in 13 days, without a days rest. Added to this, each day, the team will also attend, major events that are being organised around the country, through sponsors and in UK Youth’s network of youth local programmes and newly formed bike clubs.
To put this into perspective – the Tour de France covers 2,200 miles, which the riders complete in 21 days AND take a two-day rest in the middle! This is not your normal sponsored bike ride, this is a challenge Nigel has set himself to focus the public’s attention on the work of UK Youth and to launch their ‘Positive about Youth’ campaign that seeks to encourage the public to adopt a more positive attitude to young people.
Nigel is approaching this new challenge with a familiar determination, despite a back he has broken three times, numerous breaks to hands, feet and legs and doctors advising him strongly not to undertake it.
“This is UK Youth’s centenary year and I want to do something really challenging to mark it.” said Nigel. “We are one of the largest youth charities in the UK and every day we challenge young people to do all sorts of new and exciting things in order to raise their aspirations and realize their potential – so I want to do something demanding as well and in doing so encourage everyone to be more supportive of young people at a time when they are suffering more than most in the recession..”
Leo and Greg will be joining their father on the Challenge and train with him as many days as they can. Greg is also busy competing in the World Series by Renault and both brothers are joining their father in this year’s 24hr Le Mans race, 12th -13th June. This too is a first for motorsport, as never before has a father and his two suns competed in a team together at a motorsport event, let alone in the prestigious Le Mans 24 hr race.
In order to gain the correct level of fitness Magnus Backstedt is overseeing all aspects of the family’s training. Magnus Backstedt, known to his fans as Big Maggy, due to his Viking like frame, is as well known within the cycling community as Nigel is in motorsport. Maggy’s greatest achievement was a win in the 2004 Paris-Roubaix race and having retired from professional racing, now concentrates on supporting young people to succeed in a cycling career. It was Maggy who suggested that if the guys wanted a real challenge, then this was the one, and he is taking the role of leader and point in the Peloton formation throughout the 13-day challenge.
Magnus comments “This will be a true test for me as well, as I will have to not only keep up the pace for 13 days for myself, but also monitor on my bike’s onboard computer how well the others are doing, so I can maximise the best from them and ensure we make the whole 13 days in time”
As part of their training programme, the Peloton have entered the London to Paris challenge. 24th – 27th June. The team are intending to ride at a pace they will need to accomplish over the challenge, and so will be a real test of their fitness and ability.
To help the Peloton succeed in their challenge, Nigel and the guys will be riding state of the art hand made racing bikes from Wilier. With light carbon fibre monocoque frames and electronic gearing, these bikes are the pinnacle of cycles, in the same way an F1 car is at the pinnacle of motorsport technology and will be sold to raise money for UK Youth.
The challenge is to be launched on June 7th at Motorexpo, Canary Wharf, with Nigel flying back from Le Mans’ practice, to attend a press conference with Magnus Backstedt, to answer all media questions. The ride will feature prominently throughout the Motorexpo event, as UK Youth are Motorexpo’s youth charity for the show, with a stand and interactive exhibits.
As part of the launch Nigel is inviting the public to attend a ‘Question time with Nigel Mansell’ along with a number of surprise guests, within the Clifford Chance building’s auditorium at midday. During the event, Nigel will be open to questions from the audience on his racing career, preparing for Le Mans and why he is taking up the challenge to get us all to be more ‘Positive about Youth’. Following the event there is to be a buffet luncheon for all attendees, held at Clifford Chance. Tickets are £25.00 each, including lunch and can be obtained by emailing audience@ukyouth.org
Nigel said “I am delighted that UK Youth has been selected as Motorexpo’s youth charity, and I am looking forward to working with the team to showcase our work and activities in this our centenary year. Motorexpo is the ideal venue for us to launch our Cycle Challenge and I am very grateful for the support of everyone involved”.
Graeme Carver, Motorexpo CEO added “We are delighted to welcome UK Youth as our dedicated youth charity partner for the 2010 Canary Wharf London Motorexpo and look forward to working with Nigel and the rest of his team to raise much needed awareness of the excellent work this charity undertakes. Our audience have always been great supporters of our charity partners and I am certain that in 2010, we will once again witness their superb generosity over the course of Motorexpo week”.
There are a number of events along the route where local clubs and businesses have arranged a day of activities. key stopping points along the route will be; Cardiff, Chester, Worcester, Chester, Manchester, Blackpool, Carlisle, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Hexham, Harrogate, Lincoln, Leicester, Silverstone and Leighton Buzzard.
For more information on each specific event, please contact the press office below. Further announcements will be made.
To support Nigel and UK Youth please text YOUTH to 84025
Text donations cost £1.50 plus your standard operator charge for one text. A minimum of £0.81 from each text message will be donated to UK Youth. You must be over 16 and have the bill payer’s permission to make a text donation. For info contact: 01425 67510
Nigel Mansell UK Youth Cycle Challenge
Please email: ukyouthpress@silverbackmedia.co.uk
Or call the UK Youth Press Office
Anouska Mclernan-Cardis or Steve Lysandrou UK Youth Press Officers
Email: anouska@silverbackmedia.co.uk
steve@silverbackmedia.co.uk
Office: +44 (0) 1327 220003 or 220004
Mobile: +44 (0) 779 6236081
Alternatively, visit the websites www.ukyouth.org and www.positiveaboutyouth.org
