Information on Leicestershire

Loughborough lends a hand to soap and sports stars for cycle challenge

Posted on 04/06/08
P. Klein

cycle of wishes

Emmerdale star Kelvin Fletcher and former Motocross World Champion Jamie Dobb were at Loughborough University last week to prepare for an epic 1000 mile Cycle of Wishes charity bike ride which starts in just six days time.

Fletcher, who plays Andy Sugden in Emmerdale, and Dobb, who is the last Britain to win a motocross world title, are part of a six-man team cycling from just outside Barcelona to Donnington Park as part of a 10-day trek for childrens charity Make A Wish.

The pair and their team are being supported by Loughborough University who have provided sports science services to help them prepare for the once-in-a-lifetime challenge.

Loughborough postgraduate and part-time exercise physiologist Ben Hollis has been roped in for the cycle-ride, where he will provide additional sports science services to the team en route, including nutrition and massage.

After receiving initial tests at the start of the year, the cyclists were back in Loughborough last week to find out how much their gruelling preparations have improved their fitness and stamina in readiness for the 1000 mile journey.

Cycle of Wishes is the brainchild of former motocross champion Dobb, who retired from the sport in 2004. He was introduced to the Make A Wish charity in 2001 when he made a wish come true for young leukaemia sufferer Rhys Grundy.

Im really supportive of childrens charities and having seen the power of a wish Im delighted to be doing something for Make A Wish, said Dobb.

I first trained at Loughborough 20 years ago and we came here for regular fitness tests, but things are a lot more high tech now. These tests are great to give us an idea of our progress and find out the level we should be working at. Its really beneficial as every little helps and with Ben on our team were sure to see further progression during the event.

Were really grateful for the help from Loughborough and all of our partners. Without them this trip wouldnt be possible.

Actor Fletcher has overhauled his previous fitness regime to prepare for the ride and tries to fit cycle sessions around a busy filming schedule.

Its great to come to a facility like Loughborough and get an insight into how the professionals do it. The tests here have been physically gruelling, he said. Ive not improved as much as Id hoped but its been hard to fit training around my hectic work schedule.

Im quite sporty but Im not an endurance athlete. I used to do a lot of weights and running so its been a big change to start cycling. Its been nice to do something different and Im looking forward to getting out there and getting the trip underway.

Donations of over 8,500 have already been pledged to the Cycle of Wishes. For more information or to donate log ontohttp://www.cycleofwishes.com

Loughborough University Sports Scientists

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