News: Bradley Wiggins and Sir Chris Hoy Top the Bill

Bradley Wiggins and Sir Chris Hoy top the bill as the ultimate cycling companions

The Marie Curie Cancer Care Etape Pennines, an IMG Challenger World event, recently launched a competition to find out who cyclist’s ‘Ultimate Cycling Companion’ would be. The competition gave entrants the opportunity to choose three individuals who they would like alongside them on a mass participation event. Following a huge amount of entries, some of which were hugely emotional, others absolutely hilarious, Rob Hayles finally chose one lucky winner. Known for his dry sense of humour, it is no surprise that Rob went for the following entry by Lorna Johnston.

“After that ride in TdF I would have to take Bernie Eisel – ‘super domestique’ to get me over the hills and the view from riding his back wheel wouldn’t be an altogether unpleasant one. Ewan McGregor (there appears to be a theme developing in the eye candy stakes here….) as he sure knows a thing or two about getting around on motorised bikes but needs to be shown the joy of road biking plus his banter would be fairly decent. And last but not least would be Lord Sugar, his stories about buying a van and setting up his business while he was still in nappies would keep me amused and I hear he takes you on flying lessons in his plane once you’ve done 40miles with him..

Lorna was the lucky winner of two free entries into Etape Pennines which she will get to start at the front of the pack with Rob Hayles. Following the success of cycling in this year’s Tour de France and London 2012 it may not come as a surprise to hear that Bradley Wiggins and Sir Chris Hoy were two of the favourites chosen by competition entrants. Both individuals have done amazing things for the sport in recent months so it’s no wonder that they are the riders that most would like to have riding alongside them in a mass participation event.

Interestingly, entrants took the mini peloton a step further and didn’t just name cyclists in their answers. Comedian and cycling enthusiast John Bishop actually drew level with Bradley Wiggins as being the most frequently named person people would like to ride with. Being able to laugh whilst taking on a challenge such as the Etape Pennines is obviously important, perhaps to take the pain away! Organisers of the Etape Pennines have promised to do all they can to persuade John to take part, although no guarantees can be made at this stage.

In order of the most popular, the top five cycling companions ended up as follows:

1st place Bradley Wiggins & John Bishop
2nd place Sir Chris Hoy
3rd place Victoria Pendleton
4th place Chris Froome
5th place Michael McIntyre

Event Ambassador Rob Hayles will be on hand to motivate riders over the 78 miles in County Durham. His three riders were: Billy Connolly, Rihanna and any premier league footballer (just so he could show them how hard riders have to work to earn a fraction of their salary!)

It is not long now until the inaugural Marie Curie Cancer Care Etape Pennines and with all eyes on the undulating route, it is being predicted by many to be the toughest sportive in the UK. The Marie Curie Cancer Care Etape Pennines is certainly the toughest event in the Marie Curie Cancer Care Etape Series, which is set to grow further in 2013. The rolling 78 mile route is the ideal opportunity for riders to put summer training to the test through some of the most breathtaking countryside the UK has to offer.

There are now less than 150 places left for the event which takes place on Sunday 7th October. All cyclists are asked to raise funds Marie Curie Cancer Care which will enable Marie Curie Nurses to provide more free care and support to terminally ill people and their families in communities across the UK.

To secure a place or to find out more about the event visit the Marie Curie Cancer Care Etape Pennines website at www.etapepennines.co.uk

Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/EtapeSeriesUK
Twitter – https://twitter.com/EtapeSeries