Latest news with #CureLeukaemia
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ex-footballer finishes Tour De France challenge
Former Wolves and England footballer Geoff Thomas has completed his seventh Tour De France challenge with the hope of raising £1m for research into leukaemia. Thomas, who lives in Worcestershire, has been part of Tour 21 team which has been following the exact same route as the Tour De France, a week ahead of the professionals racing. He was given just three months to live in 2003 after being diagnosed with leukaemia, but overcame the illness two years later after treatment and a stem cell transplant. He first took part in the challenge for Cure Leukaemia in 2005, when he was six months in remission, and the 2025 race he completed on Sunday is his last, he said. Speaking to BBC Hereford and Worcester after crossing the finish line in Paris, he said the experience had been "magical". "Everyone's been so good on this event. We've bonded as a team," he said. "I think you become like a family and after a few weeks together doing a ridiculously hard challenges every day is a bond that's built for life." "I started this 20 years ago. It was all purely to raise money for Cure Leukaemia and get [professor] Charlie Craddock the funding he needed to fulfil his dream of building a clinical research centre that would fast-track all the wealth of knowledge that's in the science labs to benefit patients. "Over the last 15 years I can say for sure with the infrastructure we've set up, it's working and people are largely being saved on the back of these fantastic guys raising money for a great cause." He said he was not normally an emotional man but seeing his family at the end of the race was tough. "I knew everybody would be here [at the finishing line] and I had a little moment to myself and then when I came here I just wanted to enjoy everyone's enjoyment and see it in their eyes," he added. "I've done it numerous times... but taking on a challenge like that and meeting in Paris is magical." His wife Julie said she was "so proud". "It's just fantastic. It's a huge challenge and I think 90% is your mental state," she said. "I think Geoff being a professional sportsman, I think he just has that drive in him, no matter what's happening to your body, you just get on with it. "I think he doesn't really think about what's going on at the time, he just pushes on for the charity really, for the cause." Thomas, who was appointed an MBE in 2021 for his work raising money for cancer charities, said everyone that took part should be proud of themselves and what they had achieved. "I am proud of them and I'm proud of the charity and that's why I carry on doing this and oddly, even though I was the most unfit I've been taking on this challenge, it's inspired me even more than any other." Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. More on this story Thomas prepares for seventh charity Tour De France Ex-footballer in fundraising vow after Tour exit Ex-Wolves star finishes Tour de France for charity Geoff Thomas receives MBE for cancer charity work Related internet links The Tour 21
BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Ex-Wolves player Geoff Thomas completes Tour De France challenge
Former Wolves and England footballer Geoff Thomas has completed his seventh Tour De France challenge with the hope of raising £1m for research into who lives in Worcestershire, has been part of Tour 21 team which has been following the exact same route as the Tour De France, a week ahead of the professionals was given just three months to live in 2003 after being diagnosed with leukaemia, but overcame the illness two years later after treatment and a stem cell first took part in the challenge for Cure Leukaemia in 2005, when he was six months in remission, and the 2025 race he completed on Sunday is his last, he said. Speaking to BBC Hereford and Worcester after crossing the finish line in Paris, he said the experience had been "magical"."Everyone's been so good on this event. We've bonded as a team," he said."I think you become like a family and after a few weeks together doing a ridiculously hard challenges every day is a bond that's built for life." "I started this 20 years ago. It was all purely to raise money for Cure Leukaemia and get [professor] Charlie Craddock the funding he needed to fulfil his dream of building a clinical research centre that would fast-track all the wealth of knowledge that's in the science labs to benefit patients."Over the last 15 years I can say for sure with the infrastructure we've set up, it's working and people are largely being saved on the back of these fantastic guys raising money for a great cause."He said he was not normally an emotional man but seeing his family at the end of the race was tough."I knew everybody would be here [at the finishing line] and I had a little moment to myself and then when I came here I just wanted to enjoy everyone's enjoyment and see it in their eyes," he added. "I've done it numerous times... but taking on a challenge like that and meeting in Paris is magical."His wife Julie said she was "so proud"."It's just fantastic. It's a huge challenge and I think 90% is your mental state," she said."I think Geoff being a professional sportsman, I think he just has that drive in him, no matter what's happening to your body, you just get on with it."I think he doesn't really think about what's going on at the time, he just pushes on for the charity really, for the cause."Thomas, who was appointed an MBE in 2021 for his work raising money for cancer charities, said everyone that took part should be proud of themselves and what they had achieved."I am proud of them and I'm proud of the charity and that's why I carry on doing this and oddly, even though I was the most unfit I've been taking on this challenge, it's inspired me even more than any other." Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
RTÉ News
6 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
How does cycling 3,483km in 21 days affect your body?
Analysis: Completing the Tour de France route is a monumental achievement for any cyclist as it takes a serious toll on the human body By Steve Faulkner, Nottingham Trent University The Tour de France is often called the world's biggest annual sporting event. Each July, up to 12 million people line the roadside, while the cumulative TV audience tops 3 billion viewers across 190 countries. In 2025, 184 riders will compete in teams of eight, racing a punishing 3,483 km route with nearly 50,000 metres of climbing, roughly the height of Mount Everest six times over. Over 21 stages, riders tackle time trials, flat sprints and brutal mountain passes through the Alps, Pyrenees and Massif Central. Irish cyclist Ben Healy is the current race leader and yellow jersey holder after 11 stages of the 112th edition. Professional cyclists possess extraordinary endurance and are capable of generating high power outputs day after day. Yet, despite having far less training and support, a number of amateur cyclists have begun riding the Tour route in recent years just days before the pros. The Tour 21 is one such effort and offers cyclists a chance to follow in the tyre tracks of the elite while raising money for a good cause. In 2021 I joined 19 others to ride the full route in support of Cure Leukaemia, with a shared goal of raising £1 million for blood cancer research. As a blood cancer survivor diagnosed at 16, this challenge combined my love of cycling, my background in science and my deep desire to give back to the community that helped save my life. It was also a unique opportunity to study how amateur cyclists cope with one of the most demanding endurance events in the world. The research findings were published in the Journal of Science and Cycling, to coincide with 2025's Grand Départ (the official start of the race) in Lille. Training for the impossible Originally, the study planned to include lab-based physiological assessments of the amateur cyclists undertaking the Tour de France route, but the pandemic forced us to adapt and rely instead on data from training diaries. These gave us insight into how much (or little) training had been done leading up to the ride, and how riders managed the physical and mental strain during the event itself. From RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland, Ben Healy takes the yellow jersey at the Tour de France, the first Irishman to do so since Stephen Roche in 1987 While professional cyclists typically train 20–25 hours a week – often at altitude, with tailored coaching and racing schedules – our group of amateurs had full-time jobs, were typically 15–20 years older than the pros and trained around seven to ten hours a week. Our preparation was far from ideal, averaging just 47km per ride and 350 metres of climbing; a fraction of what the Tour demands. In fact, this amounted to less than 10% of the required climbing during the mountain stages. Once the ride began, the contrast between training and reality was stark. The group averaged nearly seven hours of riding a day, a 300% increase from their usual routine. Within four days signs of overtraining began to emerge: riders were no longer able to elevate their heart rates, a classic marker of central nervous system fatigue and excessive physical stress. From Global Cycling Network, how does the Tour de France impact rider health and fitness? As the days progressed, performance metrics continued to decline: heart rates dropped, power outputs fell and mood scores deteriorated. The cumulative fatigue was undeniable. Surprisingly, when we compared our amateur data to metrics from professional riders, we found that although pros ride at much higher power outputs, amateurs were subject to greater relative stress. On some days they spent almost double the time in the saddle, which meant they operated closer to their physical limits, with far less time for recovery – and often suboptimal sleep and nutrition. By the final week many of the riders could no longer produce the same power they had in the first few days. In some cases, heart rates wouldn't rise above 100 beats per minute – a clear sign of accumulated fatigue and physiological overload. How to prepare for an ultra-endurance challenge If you're planning to take on a major endurance event – whether it's cycling, running, or hiking – here are some lessons from the road: Train specifically for the event Your training should mirror the challenge ahead. For the Tour, this meant preparing for long, back-to-back days with significant climbing. Mimic the intensity, volume and terrain as closely as possible. Understand how quickly fatigue builds Over multiple days, fatigue doesn't just accumulate – it compounds. Listen to your body, adapt your plan and include plenty of recovery time. Prioritise nutrition and recovery These two factors can make or break your performance. You'll need to consume enough energy to fuel the effort, but avoid excessive intake that leads to unnecessary weight gain. Recovery – through sleep, rest and refuelling – is equally vital. Work with an experienced coach More than fancy bikes or high-tech gear, a good coach is your best investment. They can help tailor your training plan, track your progress and adapt strategies as needed. Don't underestimate this support. From Cheddar Explains, what the Tour De France does to a rider's body Completing the Tour de France route is a monumental achievement for any cyclist — amateur or pro. In 2021, our team not only rode the full route, but also raised over £1 million for Cure Leukaemia. For me, it marked a deeply personal milestone in my cancer journey. Throughout those 21 days, I thought often of the physical and emotional battles I faced during treatment; moments when I didn't know if I'd survive, let alone ride across France. That experience gave me the resilience to keep going, even when my body was screaming to stop. Riding the Tour taught me that we're capable of far more than we realise, especially when we ride with purpose.
NBC Sports
6 days ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
The Tour 21: Riding for Survival 2025, Episode 2
Amateur cyclists continue the journey to take on the full 3,338-kilometer Tour de France route in just 21 days to hopefully raise £1 million ($1.36 million) for Cure Leukaemia.
The Independent
11-07-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
An amateur cyclist completed the Tour de France. Here's what happened
The Tour de France is often called the world's biggest annual sporting event. Each July, up to 12 million people line the roadside, while the cumulative TV audience tops 3 billion viewers across 190 countries. In 2025, 184 riders will compete in teams of eight, racing a punishing 3,500 km route with nearly 50,000 metres of climbing – roughly the height of Mount Everest six times over. Across 21 stages, riders tackle time trials, flat sprints and brutal mountain passes through the Alps, Pyrenees and Massif Central. Professional cyclists possess extraordinary endurance and are capable of generating high power outputs day after day. Yet, despite having far less training and support, in recent years, a number of amateur cyclists have begun riding the Tour route just days before the pros. The Tour 21 is one such effort and offers cyclists a chance to follow in the tyre tracks of the elite while raising money for a good cause. In 2021, I joined 19 others to ride the full route in support of Cure Leukaemia, with a shared goal of raising £1 million for blood cancer research. As a blood cancer survivor diagnosed at 16, this challenge combined my love of cycling, my background in science and my deep desire to give back to the community that helped save my life. It was also a unique opportunity to study how amateur cyclists cope with one of the most demanding endurance events in the world. The research findings were published in the Journal of Science and Cycling, to coincide with 2025's Grand Départ (the official start of the race) in Lille. Training for the impossible Originally, the study planned to include lab-based physiological assessments of the amateur cyclists undertaking the Tour de France route, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to adapt and rely instead on data from training diaries. These gave us insight into how much (or little) training had been done leading up to the ride, and how riders managed the physical and mental strain during the event itself. While professional cyclists typically train 20–25 hours a week – often at altitude, with tailored coaching and racing schedules – our group of amateurs had full-time jobs, were typically 15–20 years older than the pros and trained around seven to ten hours a week. Our preparation was far from ideal, averaging just 47km per ride and 350 metres of climbing; a fraction of what the Tour demands. In fact, this amounted to less than 10% of the required climbing during the mountain stages. Once the ride began, the contrast between training and reality was stark. The group averaged nearly seven hours of riding a day, a 300% increase from their usual routine. Within four days, signs of overtraining began to emerge: riders were no longer able to elevate their heart rates, a classic marker of central nervous system fatigue and excessive physical stress. As the days progressed, performance metrics continued to decline: heart rates dropped, power outputs fell, and mood scores deteriorated. The cumulative fatigue was undeniable. Surprisingly, when we compared our amateur data to metrics from professional riders, we found that although pros ride at much higher power outputs, amateurs were subject to greater relative stress. On some days, they spent almost double the time in the saddle, which meant they operated closer to their physical limits, with far less time for recovery – and often suboptimal sleep and nutrition. By the final week, many of the riders could no longer produce the same power they had in the first few days. In some cases, heart rates wouldn't rise above 100 beats per minute – a clear sign of accumulated fatigue and physiological overload. How to prepare for an ultra-endurance challenge If you're planning to take on a major endurance event – whether it's cycling, running, or hiking – here are some lessons from the road: 1. Train specifically for the event Your training should mirror the challenge ahead. For the Tour, this meant preparing for long, back-to-back days with significant climbing. Mimic the intensity, volume and terrain as closely as possible. 2. Understand how quickly fatigue builds Over multiple days, fatigue doesn't just accumulate – it compounds. Listen to your body, adapt your plan and include plenty of recovery time. 3. Prioritise nutrition and recovery These two factors can make or break your performance. You'll need to consume enough energy to fuel the effort, but avoid excessive intake that leads to unnecessary weight gain. Recovery – through sleep, rest and refuelling – is equally vital. 4. Work with an experienced coach More than fancy bikes or high-tech gear, a good coach is your best investment. They can help tailor your training plan, track your progress and adapt strategies as needed. Don't underestimate this support. A ride to remember Completing the Tour de France route is a monumental achievement for any cyclist — amateur or pro. In 2021, our team not only rode the full route but also raised over £1 million for Cure Leukaemia. For me, it marked a deeply personal milestone in my cancer journey. Throughout those 21 days, I thought often of the physical and emotional battles I faced during treatment; moments when I didn't know if I'd survive, let alone ride across France. That experience gave me the resilience to keep going, even when my body was screaming to stop. Riding the Tour taught me that we're capable of far more than we realise, especially when we ride with purpose.
