You could buy Lawson Craddock's Tour de France bike (and some good karma)

All funds will go towards the rebuilding of the Alkek Velodrome

Craddock on stage one of the Tour de France. Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Dorel Sports - owner of Cannondale bikes among a selection of other brands - is auctioning off Lawson Craddock's Tour de France bike to further his fundraising efforts for his home velodrome.

The bike is being auctioned off at 32.auctions.com - the fund raising target was $5,000 (£3846) but the sale figure has already reached $7,500 (£5770), via 25 bids, at time of writing. Bids end at 5pm on August 13.

The 2018 Cannondale SuperSix EVO bike looks to be in perfect condition, save for a little Roubaix dust, and Craddock's scrawl.

See more

Craddock captured hearts throughout cycling's following when he promised to donate $100 for every Tour de France stage he completed to the rebuilding of the Houston velodrome, which was partly destroyed by Hurricane Harvey last year.

The EF Education-First Drapac rider asked his Instagram followers to match the amount, to help the Alkek velodrome to continue to raise and support local cyclists.

The challenge grew greater when Craddock crashed on the first day of the Tour, fracturing the top of his shoulder blade and resulting in "three weeks of pain".

The 26-year-old continued to ride through extreme discomfort, raising over $195,000 through his efforts. He finished as the 'lanterne rouge', but told Cycling Weekly: “I started the Tour in tears of sadness when I crashed the first day, but now it’s pure joy.”

Dropel Sports set up the fundraising page, and it promises "all proceeds from this auction will go directly towards the Alkek Velodrome campaign, which is where Lawson first got into cycling."

It added: "Please help... rebuild the track and support the next generation of cycling! Everything and anything helps and is greatly appreciated."

Fundraising is not new to the team. Slipstream Sports - which owns the Cannondale-Drapac squad - is crowdfunding to raise money to support it through the 2019 season, after a major sponsor pulled out.

The #SaveArgyle fundeaiser has so far raised $566,620 of its $2 million target - which represents 28 per cent. All donations, up to $2 million will be matched by Fairly Group and other generous supporters, and donations will be refunded if the team does not continue in 2018.

Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Michelle Arthurs-Brennan

Michelle Arthurs-Brennan is a traditional journalist by trade, having begun her career working for a local newspaper, where highlights included interviewing a very irate Freddie Star (and an even more irate theatre owner), as well as 'the one about the stolen chickens'.


Previous to joining the Cycling Weekly team, Michelle was Editor at Total Women's Cycling. She joined CW as an 'SEO Analyst', but couldn't keep her nose out of journalism and in the spreadsheets, eventually taking on the role of Tech Editor before her latest appointment as Digital Editor. 


Michelle is a road racer who also enjoys track riding and the occasional time trial, though dabbles in off-road riding too (either on a mountain bike, or a 'gravel bike'). She is passionate about supporting grassroots women's racing and founded the women's road race team 1904rt.


Michelle is on maternity leave from July 8 2022, until April 2023.