Ride24 moves to Goodwood for 2011 edition

Endurance road cycling comes to Goodwood Motor Racing Circuit next summer with the news that the third edition of Ride24 will take place there on the 18th and 19th of June and teams registering before Christmas will get a 20 per cent discount on the entry fee.

The first two editions of Ride24 which bills itself as the UK’s only 24-hour cycling endurance track event were held at the Top Gear Test Track. That was pretty much pan flat, Goodwood by contrast offers a 2.4mile circular course with plenty of undulations. Aside from it's motor racing heritage Goodwood has played its part in cycling history too having hosted the 1982 road cycling world championships.

Like the world champs Ride24 is a team event – four person teams in this case competing to see who can ride the most laps in 24 hours with the winning outfit securing a free place in the French 24 Heures Velo event at the legendary Circuit Bugatti in Le Mans… personally we'd probably prefer a rest, but maybe we're not made of the right stuff.

The 2010 event was won by the Sky Estall Express team, a team of BSkyB employees, who completed 191 laps, travelling 876.6km. Team captain Richard Broadbent said: “We were pushed every yard by some superb and very hungry competition but by dawn had built up a decent lead. Crossing the line for the final time was unforgettable – my best ever moment on two wheels. The event was slickly organised and had a fantastic atmosphere, with friendly faces both on and off the track – mostly masking a steely determination to win!”

When not racing competitors and supporters can enjoy a 24 hour event village with hot and cold food, massage area, first aid and mechanical support. They can also keep tabs on the action from viewing platforms at all the corners.

Cyclists participating in RIDE24 raise money to help fund medical research into conditions affecting babies and children. Research currently being supported by Action Medical Research includes work around meningitis, epilepsy, cerebral palsy and premature birth, as well as some very rare and distressing conditions that severely affect children. Last year’s event raised more than £85,000 for the charity.
 
For more information about RIDE24 and to register, visit the website www.action.org.uk/ride24.  Alternatively, contact Sarah Stevenson on 01273 735788 or sarahs [at] action.org.uk.
 
Teams can register before Christmas at the discounted rate of £239.20 (compared to £299 standard), using the special code RIDE242010. Teams also need to raise £1,250 in sponsorship.