British cycling champions Leah Dixon, Jacob Tipper and Will Perrett have thrown their support behind our Derbados Cycle Challenge 2020 and are calling on more people to sign up this month and support future sporting champions.
You don't have to be a champion to join the Derbados Cycle Challenge. Beginners and family groups are also encouraged to cycle 10, 20 or 50 miles (in total) between now and September 28.
Leah was overall winner of the women's Tour of the Reservoir 2019. She also took top honours at the ŠKODA V-Women’s Tour. and was Most Aggressive Rider in Stage 1 of the Women's Tour De Yorkshire 2019.
She came to cycling comparatively late, at the end of 2016, when she was 26. She joined a Wolverhampton Wheelers ladies training session to keep fit and by 2017 was taking part in her first bike race.
Leah said: "I love cycling for the freedom it gives you to keep fit and healthy. You get to see all sorts of wonderful views. I also use this to go and see some of the wildlife our countryside has to offer."
She added that her advice was to get on your bike and have fun - whether you want to do a fun challenge or become a professional rider.
Jacob Tipper currently rides for the Ribble Weldtite team. He's also Head of Cycling at Huub Design - one of our great partners in the Derbados Cycle Challenge.
Jacob started cycling when he was 13 as part of getting involved in his local triathlon club (Black country triathletes).
"I started bike racing at the local velodrome with Halesowen cycling club a few years later," he said. "I like cycling just for the pure speed element, and the adrenaline from trying to win sprints."
His proudest achievement is his stage win of theTour of Quinghai Lake (UCI 2.HC).
Will Perrett has enjoyed cycling all my life, but started competing as an under-16.
"I enjoyed the speed, excitement and the thrill of racing," he said. "I moved to Derby aged 18 and over the years progressed from a regional racer, to a national and now international competitor."
Will became a British team champion after winning the Team Pursuit Championship at the 2020 British National Track Championships.
Leah, Jacob and Will are hoping that the Derbados Cycle Challenge will boost the funds of our Community Interest Company, helping us to support more talented young athletes in the future, enabling them to become champions.
DIS managing director, Chloe Maudsley explained: "As a result of Covid-19, we have had to introduce a charge to all the athletes that access our support. The financial burden of sport can be a barrier to many aspiring athletes and so we want to raise funds to reduce the costs that we are having to ask of our athletes.
"We receive no government funding and so we are working hard to generate funds in a variety of ways so that our athletes can be supported to reach their full potential. Please help us to continue to provide support to athletes who have a dream and just need to be given the opportunity to achieve it."
To take part in the challenge, just email info@derbyshireis.co.uk to register. A host of rewards are on offer for anyone who raises or donates £10, £20 or £50 through their cycling efforts.
Ride 10 miles, donate £10, receive a Tour de France medal and Derbados certificate.Ride 20 miles, donate £20, receive a Derbados car sticker and £10 HUUB voucher.Rode 50 miles, donate £50, receive a Derbados T-shirt and £10 HUUB voucher.
Don’t want to ride but want to help?
We now have three teams of riders who will be riding 200miles around Derbyshire. You can simplydonate to support them here at gofundme.com
Photos of Will Perrett by James Huntly Photography
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