10/10/2024

British legends Mark Cavendish and Bradley Wiggins set for cycling return to support USA hurricane victims

British cycling legends Mark Cavendish and Bradley Wiggins are set to make a comeback next week, but not for a race. The duo, both knights of the realm, will ride together to raise money for U.S. hurricane relief efforts. Joining them for the event will be another former cycling star, Jan Ullrich.

The trio will take part in the Gran Fondo Hincapie on Saturday, 19th October, an event aimed at raising funds for the victims of Hurricane Helene, which has claimed at least 213 lives so far.

Cavendish, the new record holder for the most Tour de France stage wins, will reunite with Wiggins, who famously won the Tour de France in 2012, becoming the first British male to claim the yellow jersey. That same year, Wiggins, in yellow, led Cavendish out to win the final stage of the Tour on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, creating one of the most iconic moments in British cycling history.

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Rich Hincapie, president of Hincapie Events, explained the motivation behind the charity ride in a press release. “We initially thought that we were going to cancel the event,” Hincapie said. “But then I realised that we could use the Gran Fondo to draw attention to the massive devastation in our area and turn the entire thing into a huge fundraising effort."

He continued, "While we understand that many counties are in need, we want to focus on our neighbours in Polk County who have partnered with us and supported our Gran Fondo event for thirteen years. We want to rally the global cycling community and really make a difference in Polk County. Our goal is to raise one million dollars."

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Hincapie further expressed his gratitude towards the local community: “Our friends in North Carolina have supported this event for over a decade. Now, it is our turn to give back to them and help them rebuild their community.”

With such high-profile names involved, the Gran Fondo is sure to attract global attention as it seeks to make a positive impact in the wake of the hurricane’s devastation.