REAL MAN RIDE IN LONDON'S DOCKLANDS

• Wednesday, 7 May 2008
• Ian Cleverly
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Phil Liggett and David Duffield joined ex-England footballer Graeme Le Saux and DJ Neil Fox in London’s docklands at the launch of the Real Man Cycling Challenge to be held on September 14.

The 34k closed-road event aims to raise £1 million for the Prostate Cancer Charity, which promotes awareness of, and researches, what is the commonest cancer diagnosed in men in the UK.

The route starts and finishes at ExCel Centre in docklands and includes a timed sprint section on a London City Airport runway before heading west to Canary Wharf.

British Cycling have got behind the Real Man Challenge. Andy Cook, events manager at BC’s Everyday Cycling, said: “We are trying to develop flagship events to encourage people to take up cycling. Because the Real Man Challenge is on a closed circuit, we have the opportunity to involve people who wouldn’t normally race. Entrants will get a Go-Race licence for the day and a years bronze membership of British Cycling as well.”

10,000 men die from prostate cancer in the UK every year. Men’s reluctance to discuss their illnesses and visit the doctor was graphically illustrated by Eurosport commentator Duffield, who was dignosed with prostate cancer in 2002 after months of ill health.

“This is what men do: we don’t talk about out problems,” he said. “I didn’t take any notice until my legs started to swell and my belly started to swell – I thought I was just putting on weight. I had seven weeks of radiotherapy, five days a week, and I came through. I still ride my bike five times a week and I think it helped me get over my problems.”

To enter your four-person team – women are most welcome – and for more details, go to www.realmancyclingchallenge.com