Nigel Mansell swaps four wheels for two for epic ride

Paris-Roubaix and Tour de France stage winner Magnus Backstedt will lead Nigel Mansell and his two sons from Kensington Palace on a 1,200-mile 13-day cycle challenge around Britain.

Tour winner Stephen Roche will also be there for the start of the epic ride, which starts next Thursday (22 July).

UK Youth President Nigel Mansell OBE decided to do something momentous to mark the charity’s centenary campaign Positive About Youth, which challenges the negative perception of young people that is all too prevalent across society and in the media.

Nigel took on the challenge despite having broken his back three times, and his hands, feet and legs numerous times, and after sustaining a severe concussion from a recent accident at the Le Mans 24hr race.

UK Youth works with young people throughout the UK, with a focus on supporting young people – often from disadvantaged communities – and helping them to raise their aspirations, realise their potential and have their many achievements recognized.

UK Youth's work currently supports over 750,000 young people aged 14 to 25, 40,000 volunteers and part-time youth workers and in excess of 7,000 youth clubs, Bike Clubs, youth groups and projects.

From London, the challenge cyclists will head for the McLaren Technology Centre for a morning coffee, then to the Williams F1 headquarters for an afternoon tea, finishing the first day in Cirencester.

Through the 13 days there will be a number of events being organised by UK Youth and Bike Club, to support the cyclists as they travel the country. A detailed background of where and when can be found on the Nigel Mansell Cycle Challenge website, where you will also be able to see where the riders are in real-time.