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RIDE24 announces new six-man team category and headline sponsor

Event: 19-20 June 2011
Promoted by: Action Medical Research
Venue: Goodwood Motor Racing Circuit
Event Details

A six-man team category has been added to this year's RIDE24 relay taking place over the weekend of 19 and 20 June. The UK's only 24-hour cycling endurance track event takes place at Goodwood Motor Racing Circuit in Sussex and will be backed by new sponsor IG Markets, who also support Team Sky.

Now in its third year, this summer's event will see cycling legend Chris Boardman presenting the winner's trophies. While Boardman is famous for his World Hour record, which saw him cycle 56.375km in an hour, RIDE24 participants will compete to see which teams can travel furthest in 24 hours. As well as the new six-man team category there will also be winners in each of the following categories: four-man team, mixed-sex team, all-female team, veterans and solo rider.

RIDE24 is organised by children's charity Action Medical Research and operated under British Cycling technical regulations. As well as receiving their award from one of the biggest names in modern cycling, the winning four-man team also secure themselves a free place in the French 24 Heures Velo event at the legendary Circuit Bugatti in Le Mans. Swiss watchmaker Roamer will also present a watch to the rider who completes the fastest lap overall.

The Goodwood circuit will give RIDE24 racers a 2.4-mile smooth, slightly undulating, circular track, with viewing platforms at all the exciting corners! There are some wide open stretches, with some welcome tail winds and not-so-welcome head winds along the way.

When not in the saddle, competitors can recover in the RIDE24 rider village, which includes camping facilities, 24-hour hot and cold food and snacks, massage area, first aid and mechanical support.

Event manager Sarah Stevenson, from Action Medical Research, said: "We're incredibly excited about this year's event. It's fantastic to have the support of IG Markets for the first time and also one of the most famous names in British cycling coming along. It's not too late for teams to take up the challenge and join us and Chris Boardman for this exhilarating event."

Rachel Clark, Sponsorship Manager at IG Markets, the leading provider of Contracts for Difference, commented: "The Action Medical Research RIDE24 is a great opportunity for members of the cycling community to show their support for a very worthy cause and we are proud to offer our backing to this venture. As a company that operates 24 hours a day, we have a degree of understanding as to the commitment that will be required by the riders taking part and we wish them the very best of luck."

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/R24