77-year-old sets out to ride entire route of the Giro d'Italia

For some of us riding one stage of the Giro d'Italia (opens in new tab) would seem like a daunting enough task, by one cyclist from Coventry is setting out to ride the entire route of this year's race. And even more remarkably, he's doing it at the age of 77.

Granted, Mick Ives has a bit of pedigree, with eight Masters World Championships and a whopping 79 British titles to his name, and having previously ridden the entire route of the Tour de France back in 2005 at the sprightly age of 65.

The challenge will involved riding nearly 3,600km, starting with three days in Sardinia and finishing in Milan three weeks later.

Watch: Giro d'Italia 2017 essential guide

The toughest days will come at the very end of Ives' challenge, with five back-to-back stages in the Alps, including a 227km stage from Rovetta to Bormio featuring three giant climbs including the Passo dello Stelvio.

Ives is aiming to raise £60,000 (£1,000 for each year he has been involved in the sport) for Barnardos, Rainbow Children's Hospice, Padraic Sweeney Kidney Research and Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice.

Donations are welcomed either online through Ives' Virgin Money page (opens in new tab), or offline to Hinckley and Rugby Building Society “Tour of Italy Challenge Trust” 34 North St, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 2AJ.