Ex-England footballer Geoff Thomas to ride 2015 Tour de France route for charity
Former Crystal Palace player Geoff Thomas has announced a charity cycle on the 2015 Tour de France course.
Ex-England footballer Geoff Thomas, who famously rode the entire 2005 Tour de France route just months after finishing treatment for cancer, is planning to ride the 2015 course to mark the ten year anniversary of his cycle.
He will join a team of 20 other amateur riders just one day ahead of the main event on July 3, in a bid to raise £1 million for Cure Leukaemia.
The end of next year’s Stage 14 between Rodez and Mende will finish with a notorious final climb to the top of the Cote de la Croix Neuve at the end of the day – the same piece of road Thomas rode a decade previously.
Despite only being 3km long, the gradient averages at over 10%, reaching 14% in places, and proved a memorable part of his challenge.
He wrote at the time: "Progress was slow and we had been on the road for more than ten hours again, but I rarely worried about the clock. I was only ever interested in making it to the top and I took a lot of satisfaction from reaching the summit of such a difficult climb."
The penultimate stage of next year’s race, on which many have predicted the final yellow jersey may be decided, is also familiar to Thomas but some will be new, in particular the return to the cobbles that proved so hazardous on the 2014 version of the Tour.
"The cobbles will be interesting, I'll try and find some in the UK and get practicing," he said.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"The whole route appears challenging but with some excellent and iconic stages. I can’t wait to get going."
Thomas will also be leading a four-day, 500 kilometre cycling challenge - London 2 Paris: Inspiring the Revolution - ahead of the event from June 18-22.
He was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia and was given less than three months to live, in 2003.
Following treatment, including a bone marrow transplant from his sister, Thomas has been in remission since January 2005.
Tour de France 2015 route
Take a look at every stage of the route of the 2015 Tour de France
Chris Froome says he might not ride Tour de France 2015
Team Sky rider suggests he may prioritise the Giro and Vuelta in 2015
Thank you for reading 20 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
Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.
-
Life Time Grand Prix to have fewer riders and wild cards in 2025
The flagship US gravel series has confirmed the six races that will be a part of the competition next year
By Adam Becket Published
-
Coros Vertix 2S review: a fine multi-sport watch with near-endless battery life
A versatile alternative to a bike computer with impressive battery life and rugged good looks
By Jack Elton-Walters Published
-
Tour de France 'hooliganism' must stop, says UCI president Brian Cookson
UCI president Brian Cookson urges roadside fans to behave themselves during cycling events, after incidents of riders being spat at and punched during Tour de France
By Nigel Wynn Published
-
Five riders who didn't live up to expectations at the Tour de France
Expectations are high for many riders at the Tour de France, but not all of them can succeed in meeting them. Here are five who weren't at the top of their game
By Stuart Clarke Published
-
Five words to describe each team's Tour de France performance
By Stuart Clarke Published
-
12 strange things from the 2015 Tour de France
It's a lot more than just bike racing
By Cycling Weekly Published
-
35 amazing photos of the 2015 Tour de France
We collect together some of the most striking images of the 2015 Tour de France by photographer Yuzuru Sunada
By Nigel Wynn Published
-
Five riders who made their name at the 2015 Tour de France
The usual suspects dominated the general classification at the Tour de France, but a number of riders sprung from nowhere to put in standout performances. Here are five that caught our eye:
By Stuart Clarke Published
-
Team Sky car hit and heckled by fans as it goes up Alpe d'Huez (video)
Team Sky and their riders copped a fair bit of flak over the course of the three weeks of the Tour de France, with things seemingly coming to a head on stage 20 as the riders raced up Alpe d'Huez.
By Stuart Clarke Published
-
Peter Sagan pulls out another Tour de France photobomb (video)
Having got in on an interview Vincenzo Nibali after stage five, Peter Sagan was back to his antics in Paris after stage 21 of the Tour de France
By Stuart Clarke Published