All members are passionate sportspeople, but most are new to hand cycling. The Stoke Mandeville team will consist of a 20-strong peloton, including the five hand cyclists and able bodied assistant riders, complete with a HotChillee Ride Captain, Skoda lead vehicle, motorbike outriders, mechanical support and neutral service. Staff from Stoke Mandeville including senior managers, nurses and therapists will also be on hand throughout the event to support the team. There will also be four sponsored riders from Stewarts Law.
Jane Sowerby says: “The London-Paris by Tour de France Ride will be an incredible personal challenge for me and I am looking forward to pushing myself to the absolute limit. I am really proud to be able to raise much needed funds to help provide the sports and rehabilitation facility at Stoke Mandeville. The benefit of sport as part of rehabilitation following a spinal injury is crucial both physically and psychologically.”
Daniel Turnbull, partner at Stewarts Law LLP says: “Stewarts Law are proud to support this fantastic challenge for such a great cause. Stoke Mandeville Hospital was the birthplace of the Paralympics, which is very fitting to the goals of the team.”
Sven Thiele of HotChillee says: “It is an honour to have the Stoke Mandeville team joining us. The whole London-Paris by Tour de France experience is hugely rewarding and takes place in a safe and fun environment, replicating the Tour de France experience. The Stoke Mandeville team’s goal to raise money for a hospital so close to the nation’s hearts is truly inspiring. The hospital’s National Spinal Injuries Centre is one of the best spinal injury units in the World and the passion of the staff was evident during my recent visit there. Stoke Mandeville has a strong heritage dating back to World War II and the unit and its staff well deserve the reputation as a Centre of Excellence.”
The London-Paris by Tour de France is recognised as one of the world’s most exciting cycling events open to the public and is the closest the amateur rider can get to the Tour de France experience. The event is distinguished by motorbike outriders, rolling road closures in France and professional logistical back up from Hampton Court to The Eiffel Tower. The London-Paris by Tour de France that is is one of two multi stage cycling events granted road closures to the finish in the centre of the French capital – the other is the Tour de France.
We are looking forward to seeing many of you on the London-Paris by Tour de France this year.
Stewarts Law LLP is the official sponsors of the Stoke Mandeville Hand Cyclists team.