Rugby and cricket legends Lawrence Dallaglio and Freddie Flintoff finished their 2872km charity ride across Europe - dubbed the Dallaglio Flintoff Cycle Slam - on Friday, 18 May in London. In doing so they raised £2.012m, with the help of official partner Halfords, for various British charities.
Others who took part included ex-footballer Lee Dixon, Graeme Le Saux and Sam Branson, son of Virgin Group Chairman Sir Richard Branson. The latter even made a guest appearance during the ride, as did his wife Joan, ex-GB rowing gold medallist James Cracknell and ex-pro cyclists Frank Hoj, Jeremy Roy, and Claudio Chiappucci.
The Slam started in Olympia, Greece on 23 April and lasted 22 days, taking in the Italian Riviera, Strade Bianche, Swiss Alps and the Champagne region in France - including 153km of riding across the cobbles of northern France. The final leg was 100km from Ashford to the gates of the Olympic Stadium in London.
Lawrence Dallaglio said: "I can’t tell you how amazing this challenge has been. I’ve spent 11 hrs on a bike for 22 days. We’ve climbed up some of the most iconic mountains in cycling and tackled the cobbles of Roubaix which is where they finish the famous pro race ‘Paris Roubaix.’
"It has been a real physical and mental challenge for us all, and I cannot begin to thank everyone enough for the support and encouragement over the past 22 days. Thanks to the help and support of everyone here and the public, we are really close to hitting our fundraising target, so all the pain has been hugely worthwhile.”
Freddie Flintoff added: "It’s been so hard. You wake up every day and switch your head off and turn your legs on. Yesterday, we cycled on cobbles and there are parts of my body hurting I never knew I had. It’s been a long struggle, but worthwhile to go through half of the suffering the people we’re raising money for go through every day."
Dallaglio and Flintoff justifiably happy and emotional after the finish
The Dallaglio Flintoff Cycle Slam 2012 will be televised in a two part documentary produced by Discovery, due to air this July.
To find out more and donate, visit www.dallaglioflintoff2012.com
