A group of five cyclists from Michelin’s UK head office is preparing to swap Stoke-on-Trent forSouth Africa, as they take on some of the country’s most spectacular scenery, riding 450km in five days from the Western Cape to the southern-most tip of the African continent.
The team is representing Michelin as part of a major fundraising initiative for Transaid, aninternational development organisation that transforms lives through safe, available, andsustainable transport.
Whilst in South Africa, they will also be putting Michelin’s latest generation of mountain bike tyres to the ultimate test, with some of the first production sets of Michelin FORCE XC tyres in the world being flown to Cape Town and fitted to the team’s bikes for the ride.
Guy Heywood, Commercial Director of Michelin Europe North, and a veteran of three previous international cycle challenges with Transaid, says: “There’s no denying this ride is going to be challenging, but every mile will be worth it – no matter how painful. As a team, we’ve already raised more than £24,000 this year for Transaid; it’s a charity very close to our hearts, as Michelin was one of the founding members 19 years ago.”
Cycling alongside Guy will be Dan Lamb and Jeremy Wheeler, both Technical Managers forMichelin’s truck tyre division in Europe North. They will be joined by Pete Goodman, National Sales Manager for the UK and Ireland earthmover division, and Henry Thain, Regional Sales Manager for the truck team in North UK and Ireland.
Also taking part as honorary team members will be retired Michelin colleague Mike Wilson and Luke Stonier, a Director of TRS Tyres in Morecambe – a major supplier of Michelin products.
The Michelin group will form part of a 40-strong peloton of cyclists taking part in the challenge, which runs from 10th to 19th March, with participants representing firms from across the transport and logistics industry.
