Michelin employees get on their bikes

A team of 12 cyclists from Michelin’s Commercial, solutions and manufacturing departments in the UK are making final preparations for one of their toughest cycling challenges yet when they take on the first two stages of the Tour de France Grand Départ 2014. Swapping their business suits for padded lycra shorts, the team will attempt to ride 391 km over three days between 6 – 8 June in aid of the University Hospital of North Staffordshire (UHNS). The route, from Leeds to Harrogate, and then York to Sheffield, will see them climb more than 22,000 ft – the equivalent of nearing the summit of Mount Everest, or climbing Ben Nevis five times.

Guy Heywood, Commercial Director of Michelin’s truck tyre division, says: “Cycle challenges are an annual tradition for Michelin and every single pound we raise will go towards helping to save and prolong lives. The UHNS is a charity close to the hearts of many Michelin employees and we’re committed to helping them continue their life saving work.

“This route is designed to challenge the peloton, let alone a group of amateur cyclists. There are some truly iconic climbs and short, sharp, inclines to overcome, but we’re going to get stuck in and raise as much money as we can for a very worthy cause.”

Cycling alongside Guy will be colleagues Dan Lamb, Jeremy Wheeler, Francis Hall, Duncan Vavangas, Mike Wilson, Colin Scott, Pete Goodman, Alex White, Paul Woods, Steve Owen, Richie Barnett and Henry Thain.

Last year a 12-strong Michelin team rode from Carlisle to Edinburgh for charity, plus four riders went on to tackle a gruelling five day cycle challenge in Uganda for transport industry charity Transaid.

For more information and to sponsor Team Michelin in their latest cycle fundraising, please visit: http://goo.gl/FPt60p.